Hey there readers! Welcome back!
I have a sort of important announcement this week. I'll be heading back to school next weekend, which means that updates could be slow for the next few weeks, until I get used to my new schedule. I'm really sorry for any delays, it's my fault for getting lazy with pre-writing. But I will not be giving up on this story, far from it! It'll just be slower updates for a week or two. Thank you for your patience!
I hope you enjoy!
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Saturday, August 29, 1513
Historia had to physically keep her eyes from drooping closed as the royal court filed into the room. She'd fallen asleep the previous night at two in the morning, and had been roused that morning at ten for an important foreign relations briefing that simply could not be rescheduled. The young queen had gotten up with little protest, though. The sight of the white flower Ymir had put in her hair, still alive and gleaming in the pale sunlight filtering in through the curtains, brought a smile to her face. It was going to be a good day.
The young queen wasn't the only one still recovering from the ball, though. By the looks of it, the nobles looked just as sleepy as she was.
"Attention, attention everyone!" Sir Edros' voice boomed as he banged a gavel against the stone table. The slight chatter echoing around the chamber died away. Historia sat at attention, eyes turned to the man seated at her right. Sir Edros had his hands tucked behind his back, his lips pressed into a thin line, his blue eyes sharp and unreadable. As if what he was about to say was something unpleasant. "I have summoned you all here to discuss an urgent matter of business. It has come to my attention that some of our distinguished neighbor kingdoms are worried about the state of affairs inside the walls of our dear Gaiola. Their concern is not that we have a new monarch, but that a threat has been posed to the monarchy when the queen has only been on the throne for a matter of days. That threat, as I'm sure you can figure out, is the group of sorcerers calling themselves the Furies."
A hushed whisper rose amongst the nobles like a wave of the sea, rising and breaking fast when the Prime Minister cleared his throat as a sign that he was ready to continue.
"Therefore, we have been formally asked to issue a statement to our neighboring kingdoms, fully explaining our position in this issue and how we would like them, as our neighbors and allies, to proceed in counter-action," the Prime Minister finished, promptly glancing around the room. "I would like to now open the floor to any remarks you all may have concerning the matter."
Historia, tired as she was, felt her heart clench at the thought of the Furies. She'd had such a nice time at the ball, she'd almost forgotten about them. And she hadn't even considered that other kingdoms could be worried about their state of affaires. Perhaps that was due to her lack of experience. Or maybe she hadn't wanted to think about it. Either way, it was an unpleasant surprise to hear them mentioned now.
A hand was raised, Sir Edros calling the man to speak, and the words that issued from his mouth were: "What does our royal highness suggest we say to our neighbors?"
All eyes glanced towards Historia, sitting at the head of the table. The blonde felt her spine straighten instinctively, her brain kicking into high gear. The fog of sleep seemed to evaporate rather fast, carried away by the butterflies rising in her stomach.
Sir Edros' blue eyes were pointed directly at the queen, and in them, Historia could see trust. Faith. The Prime Minister believed in her. However, she also saw a hard edge in those blue irises, telling her exactly what to say and warning her against messing up. Historia wished eyes could talk, so then she'd know the words the Prime Minister wanted her to say, if indeed there was something specific he'd advise.
"My dear royal council," Historia began, her eye leaving the hard gaze of Sir Edros to sweep over the assembled nobles. "In regards to our situation, I do believe that we should start a message to our neighboring kingdoms by settling any fears they may have of the Furies, or any sorcerers, attacking their own lands. I feel that it would be important to stress that we have the problem contained, and will be able to settle the issue within our own walls and that no harm shall come to them if…"
"Do we have the problem contained though, your highness?" a noble with a long, pointed nose asked. A collective gasp, sharp and quiet, passed through the room. Historia's heart raced, but she sat up a little straighter, tipping her chin higher in the air before giving an answer.
"We are still in the process of finding these rogue sorcerers, however, it has been confirmed that the Furies are only interested in plaguing our monarchy and our kingdom. Thus, the problem they pose is contained to Gaiola," the girl replied, her voice as steady as it could be. Sir Edros turned wide eyes in her direction that Historia ignored. "Now, that is not by any means good for us. It is, however, a perfect way to start correspondence with our neighbors. If they do not feel threatened, they will be more obliged to help us win our battles. People do not like to fight when there is a cost involved for them."
"And how do you suggest we fight back against the sorcerers?" a noble woman questioned.
Historia took a deep breath, words materializing on her lips. "I say that we continue to have the elite knights hunt for any signs of the Furies in the kingdom. If they cannot be found, then we will begin searches in the lands outside the village. If we can find them, I believe that we should capture them and question them before any violent measures can be taken. If they really are trying to overthrow the monarchy, they may be working with outside sources, and it could be vital to Gaiola's survival to gain as much information from them as we can."
A panicked silence followed the queen's words. Historia's gaze swept around the room, confused at the bewilderment she saw. "What seems to be the problem?" she asked, her light eyebrows arching in confusion.
"Are… has it been whispered that the Furies are acting out in rebellion against the monarchy?" the woman from before gasped, wide eyed with a hand clutching her heart.
Historia looked to Sir Edros, trying not to let her panic show. Her eyes asked the question her lips couldn't: "Didn't they know Sir Smith is calling them rebels against the crown? Was I not supposed to tell them about that?"
Sir Edros offered her a gentle smile that answered none of her questions before banging the gavel against the table again to hush the unnerved nobles. "Ladies and gentlemen," the Prime Minister's voice boomed. "Yes, I know it comes as a bit of a shock so early in the morning on the day after a ball, but you had to be told sooner or later. And it wasn't as if we didn't see this coming. Sir Erwin Smith, commander of the knights' guild, has informed our royal highness and myself that the Furies have the potential to be spearheading a revolution."
Murmured whispers rose again as the man continued, ignoring the chatter. "It is clear that someone, whether it be these Furies or beyond, had been waiting for a time to strike against us. And what time is more opportune than the ascension of a new, teenage monarch." The man turned a quick glance to Historia that the girl was unable to read. "We do not know who else is involved beyond these sorcerers. It may be just an isolated problem, and that is what we are hoping. But it could also be a warning, a signal, to unrest in the magic-kind still residing in our walls.
"Thus, it is with a heavy heart that I do declare that the Mystic Relocation acts either by reinforced with harsher terms, or that they be revoked altogether in favor of a new law forbidding magic-kind of all species with a penalty of death to all offenders." Historia's stared at her Prime Minister, who met her gaze with a cool, clever look in his eyes. He smiled at her, gentle and respectful as always.
The smile almost prevented Historia from shaking her head and speaking over the now squabbling nobles, saying: "Sir Edros, I beg your pardon, but I believe those terms are rather severe and much too hasty a step."
The Prime Minister's dark eyebrows knit together as he gave her his full attention. "And what, may I ask, do you find severe about them, your highness?"
"I do not believe that we should punish innocent lives with death for simply living in a certain place," the young girl offered in reply, voice steady and confident. "If the Furies are found, captured, and questioned, they may receive punishment as is due for their iniquities. We should not, however, threaten other citizens, magic-kind or not, for crimes they did not commit."
Sir Edros stared at her for a long moment. His expression did not change, his lips pressed tightly together, but a war seemed to be raging in his mind. His eyes flashed with something (annoyance, anger?) before settling into a controlled composure that seemed to have come with years of practice. The queen decided to ask her Prime Minister to meet with her later, if he hadn't already made that decision for himself.
"You have a kind heart, highness," Sir Edros said in response. "Perhaps my ruling was harsh. Do forgive me. We will have plenty of time to discuss our plan of action within our own walls in the coming days. But first, we must decide how to address our dear neighbors. Are there any more suggestions on the floor?"
As the nobles volunteered their opinions, Historia listened with half interest. She'd never heard such violent, severe thoughts come from the Prime Minister before. Then again, she hardly knew the man. Maybe there was more to him, a darker side than she'd witnessed so far. Maybe that happened to anyone who'd been working in the castle long enough; perhaps there wasn't always room to be kind this high up the ranks.
Historia began to fear for her own heart, promising herself that she wouldn't lose herself on the way. She hoped that was a promise she could keep.
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Monday, August 31, 1513
"I didn't know this was going to be a thing," Historia whispered to Marco and Jean as the two knights led her towards the carriage that would carry her through the streets of Gaiola in a matter of minutes. She'd been woken up by Mina and Hitch that morning, both girls radiating excitement as they dressed her up. The gown they'd chosen was an inky midnight blue, accentuating the golden color of the queen's hair, which had been curled and pulled up into soft ringlets fastened with pearl-studded pins. The bodice of the dress, embroidered with cream lace and trimmed with gold ribbon, fit tightly against her body, with off the shoulder sleeves that didn't pinch her arms as she thought they might. The skirts of the dress fell around her legs like a waterfall, far from the cupcake-esque hoop skirt of the ball. She felt rather pretty in his dress. And she hadn't forgotten to slip a certain flower, which still refused to die, behind her ear after Hitch and Mina had left to call her guard to escort the queen to the carriage.
Marco and Jean had been waiting for her outside the door of the chamber, and were quick to engage the girl in conversation. Both boys had offered her an arm, and she still had both of her own arms looped around theirs. She'd never had a double escort before, and had to admit that it felt rather fun.
"Well, it was supposed to happen the Monday after your coronation," Marco informed her as they reached the carriage. The queen pulled away from the boys and took Marco's hand to help her up into the seat. "But it was postponed for obvious reasons." The freckled boy was still smiling. Historia loved his smile, and beamed back at him.
"You guys will be with me, right?" she asked, glancing down at Jean and Marco from the height of the carriage.
Jean nodded. "Don't you worry, your highness. We'll be riding right along next to you."
"You don't have to call me…" Historia cut herself off as she saw all of the nobles puttering around.
"Yes, my lady?" Jean asked with a wink. The blonde girl smirked, gazing in front of her.
"I'll be glad to have you close by," she said quietly.
"We'll be glad to protect you," Marco replied before bowing respectfully. Jean mimicked his action. "We shall see you during the royal procession, your highness." Historia nodded. The boys disappeared. She missed their presence immediately. The girl had come to rather enjoy her guard. They made her feel like a teenager. They didn't expect her to act regal, or even mature. They saw her for her, and she'd come to love that, and the thought of having them close now made her feel even safer than the knowledge that the elite knights would also be part of the procession.
The carriage depressed for a moment as Sir Edros swung into his seat from the other side. The man beamed at Historia. "Ready?" he asked with an air of excitement. The Prime Minister was dressed in a white suit jacket and dress pants with a navy blue vest. A prim, white top hat sat on his head. His blue eyes were shining. He looked like the epitome of a happy nobleman.
Historia found herself smiling back, all traces of the tension that had fallen between them the day before vanishing. "As I'll ever be," she answered cheerily. "Are we going to be passing through the entire village?"
"As much of it as we can navigate," Sir Edros replied with a nod of his head. "The people are very excited to see you, your highness. And, if I may say so, I believe it is safe to say that they will be struck by how lovely you are."
Historia blushed. "Thank you, Sir Edros," she said demurely, her fingers running over the smooth silk of her own midnight blue gown.
"Ready, sir!" the knight leading the procession called, waiting for Sir Edros to give the signal.
"Forward!" the Prime Minister replied, tapping his finger in the air as if he were a conductor starting up an orchestra. The carriage lurched forward, moving with a steady pace until they reached the winding road that lead from the castle to the village. Historia watched as the elite knights, on horseback, moved to the head of the procession. And it didn't slip her notice as Jean and Sasha appeared to her left, and Marco and Connie on her right. The girl smiled. Of course her guards would be the ones stationed right next to her.
As the carriage rolled onto the main road of the town, the shade of the trees that lined the castle's path gave way to bright sunlight. Historia felt the glow on her face, filling her with joy and life. The village center was teeming with people. People cheering, smiling, exalting their kingdom's monarch. Historia beamed, waving at the people as they passed. She saw men and women wave to her with shouts of praise and pride, little girls' mouths gape with the dream of being like her, older couples stare at her with respect in their wise eyes, children running around, playing in the back of the streets, not paying any attention to the procession at all. Every single person, old or young, big or small, excited or disinterested, made Historia's heart swell with pride and admiration.
There were her people. These were the faces she swore to protect. And she loved them, she knew she did. This was why she had accepted their throne, to make sure those smiles stayed strong and bright.
A loud bang sounded from a side street, right where the procession was about to cross. Shrieks of surprise sounded, the knights in front freezing the carriage where it was. Historia looked around, desperately trying to sneak a peek of what had happened up ahead.
"Where are we?" she heard Jean mutter to Sasha. Both of their eyes were locked on the street where the noise had come from.
"That's a blacksmith's," the brunette whispered back. "Could've been an accident." Her tone suggested otherwise though, as did the sharp look in her brown eyes as they scrutinized the street up ahead.
"Or…" Jean prompted. But a second explosion of sound cut off Sasha's answer, this time bringing with it a shower of golden sparks. The people near the street scattered, escaping the sparks, but they appeared to dissolve when they made contact with any solid surface. Sir Edros stood up, eyes narrowed as he surveyed the street.
"What is going on?" the Prime Minister demanded, voice carrying around the street, which had gone eerily silent in the wake of the explosions.
"I'm actually disappointed that you don't know."
A collective gasp sounded from the crowds as Historia's eyes flew up to the roof of the building immediately to her right. Standing precariously on the edge of the roof, daintily kicking the shingles with her toes, was the Blue Fury. Her azure cape blew around her body, blonde hair curling around her shoulders like satin ribbons, the sapphire mask obscuring her face. She looked bored, as if she weren't centimeters from plummeting to the street below.
Sir Edros growled, the sound deep in his throat. "Leave us be, demon!" the man yelled, clenching his hands in fists.
The Fury in blue laughed, a musical sound that sent shivers up Historia's spine. "Demon? I quite like that," she replied, taking a step over the edge of the roof. The people gasped again as the girl flew to the ground, feet first, one hand running down a drainpipe. The people on the street below scrambled to get away. Her black boots hit the pavement with a soft click. Historia felt frozen in her seat.
"It may not be the best of manners to correct a man of noble stature, but I feel it would surprise you to learn that I'm just as human as you are, sir," the girl continued, standing still as a statue, her hands tucked neatly behind her back. "I can just do this."
The girl snapped her fingers and the other four Furies appeared behind her. Screams arose from the crowd. The elite knights moved to attack. All four of Historia's knights drew closer to the carriage, protecting their queen. Marco and Connie drew their swords, the sharp blades aimed for the hearts of the closest two sorcerers. Jean drew his sword as well, Sasha loading an arrow in her bow. The Furies didn't look like they were going to budge, all five of them looking oddly calm about the whole thing as horses charged at them.
"Wait!" Historia exclaimed, not even sure what she was doing as she stood and called out to the knights. The elite guards halted, staring at their queen with wide eyes. "Wait," Historia repeated, much quieter, much more unsure.
"Wait?" the Green Fury questioned, staring from the queen to the guards. "Your highness, were you actually worried that these silly toy soldiers could hurt us? That's rather cute." Historia felt all the blood drain from her face.
"Maybe she really is as kind as they all say, if she'd spare the lives of a few no good sorcerers," the Blue Fury purred provokingly. The queen blushed, hands curling into tight fists at her sides.
"Listen up! I don't intend to spare your lives," Historia exclaimed, projecting her voice so it echoed between the streets. "I don't intend to kill you now, either, but do not expect my mercy to last forever. I believe in second chances, and would like to offer one to all of you now. Give up whatever game you are playing at; leave me and my people alone. And if you agree to this, I promise you that no harm will come to you, we will forgive your previous transgressions and work to find an agreement regarding whatever it is that you're fighting us for. I do not want to kill you, but I will if you make me."
The Furies expressions did not change (then again, it was rather hard to read them with the masks in the way.) Historia stood tall, not acknowledging the stares from her guard, Sir Edros, or the people. All her attention was focused on the five masked figures in front of her.
Suddenly the Black Fury moved forward and addressed the people saying: "Look at how brave your queen is. She champions life over death, even pleading for the lives of criminals. That is as admirable a quality in a monarch as ever could be." He paused, a small smile rising to his face. "I fear, though that she is the only one in the castle with any sense of morals. And it is awfully hard for a good seed to grow in poisoned soil." His voice was so calm, too calm for the words he was saying so simply as if they were common knowledge. Historia was speechless.
"Seize them!" Sir Edros cried. The knights lifted their weapons, yet didn't move forward, awaiting a signal.
"Wait," Historia said sharply. Sir Edros glared at her with sharp eyes. Historia ignored him.
"Sorry, highness," the Fury in Green shrugged, "but it looks like your nobles really aren't as kind and brave as you. And they're far from equaling you in looks." Sir Edros made a choking sound.
"Stop being foolish!" Historia exclaimed with frustration. "All these witty remarks are getting us no where. What do you say to my proposal?"
Five masked faces exchanged a glance.
"We'd like to accept your offer," the Blue Fury answered plainly. Historia felt her heart skip.
"But not yet," the Violet Fury added with a cat-like curl of her lips before all five sorcerers disappeared in a rain of golden sparks, falling to the pavement like ashes.
The queen felt her heart sink. They'd refused her offer of mercy. Her options were running low. But they said they'd consider her proposal, so maybe there was still a chance that no one would have to die… How were they supposed to catch these guys when they could disappear at the drop of a hat?
The sound of applause broke Historia from her reverie. She glanced up to see the people in the streets clapping, one by one until the entirety of the road was cheering. The girl inhaled sharply, caught completely off guard.
"Why are they clapping?" she whispered aloud.
"For you," Marco whispered at her right. The girl turned wide, confused blue eyes on him, receiving one of Marco's shining smiles. "For their brave queen who just stood up to five sorcerers."
Tears stung the back of Historia's eyes as Marco joined the applause, Connie, Jean, and Sasha following suit. Even Sir Edros began to clap for her. Historia couldn't help but smile, wondering how these people could love her so much even though she'd just let dangerous criminals escape. Maybe they trusted her more than they feared the Furies.
The queen tucked a piece of hair away behind her ear, her fingers meeting the petals of Ymir's flower. It was enough to let loose the tears from her eyes. Historia had never been so happy.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter; it was a little rough for me to get through so I hope it wasn't too bad!
I'll try to get the next installment up in time! And please don't hesitate to leave a review!