Halkegenia Online v3 – Chapter 9 – Part 1
Kirigaya Kazuto, Kirito, the Swordsman Kirito, Beater of SAO and now Faerie Knight to the Kingdom of Tristain in the world of Halkegenia, was in a bit of a tough spot. Being married to someone like the peerless Maeve swordswoman Yuuki Asuna, Kirito realized, he should have expected to be put in these sorts of situations more often. That he hadn't in Aincrad was more a testament to how suddenly the game had been cleared.
Asuna had been, after all, a more social player. Her position as a top member of a top guild had demanded she meet regularly with the other guild leaders, unaffiliated players, and various members of the [Support Base] that aided the [Front Line].
'I should have known what I was getting into.' He thought to himself.
And he had really, in another world. For one thing, Kirito was fairly sure Asuna hadn't been good friends with any Royalty on Earth, so there wasn't much chance of getting roped into casual teatime with a Queen and a Prince.
In Halkegenia however . . . He glanced over to the young man seated across the table from Asuna. Prince Wales Tudor of Albion and then back to the contents of his teacup, inhaling the aroma. They really did pull out all the stops for Royals.
"Please help yourself Mister Kirito." The young woman sitting on the opposite side of the table smiled and gestured to the bite sized pastries that had been piled high on a platter between them. "After all, the serving staff has gone to all of this effort on our account, I'd hate for them to see it go to waste."
Nobody could tell by that smile, but the girl who it belonged to happened to be one of the most powerful people in the entirety of the small Country of Tristain. Queen Henrietta de Tristain, Queen of Tristain, resplendent in her white summer gown, reclined in the shade and daintily retrieved her teacup and saucer from the edge of the table to take another small sip.
From the top balcony of the headquarters building, the sounds of barked orders and drills were muted even to Spriggan Ears. The Army and Defense Force were still in the middle of a day of training, which Kirito and Asuna had managed to find themselves escaping by sheer coincidence.
The Queen and her entourage had arrived out of the blue that morning to perform an inspection of the troops. And as was becoming her habit, Henrietta had neglected to send word ahead of her impending arrival. It wasn't exactly a habit that was winning her many friends among her Generals, most of whom would have preferred to arrange a formal reception. But as was also becoming her habit, the Queen was much more interested in seeing how things were actually being done than she was in sitting down to watch a parade march by.
The responsibility for escorting Henrietta and Prince Wales had fallen to the two Faerie Knights. Though in retrospect, given that it appeared General Gramont had asked for them by name, and also the General's own reputation for surprise inspections, it had occurred to Kirito that this might have been less of a coincidence than he had first thought. He was going to have to have a talk with the General about that.
Soldiers, mage and commoner alike, many of whom had never seen their sovereign in person, had only remembered not to stare slack jawed as the Queen had personally introduced herself and then, even more impossibly, proceeded to speak to some of the foot soldiers directly. It must have been indescribable to men who were used to being 'seen' but not 'heard' by their Noble 'betters' that the most powerful person in the land was taking the time to address them.
Most had coped by growing flustered, even the older men becoming shy as the young Queen had asked questions and carefully listened to the answers, nodding and conferring often with Prince Wales.
The tour of the camp had eventually brought them here, to the Headquarters, in time for afternoon tea, and with their schedules effectively in disarray, there hadn't been much harm in taking the invitation extended by Henrietta.
Back in the present, Henrietta swirled her tea cup and watched the spiral currents of cream. "This really is lovely." Henrietta sighed. "You know, it's been weeks since I've had a chance to hear myself think."
"Heckling by the Nobility?" Asuna asked wearing a look of profound sympathy. Seated beside her husband, the Maeve Faerie was dressed in her off duty clothes, a knee length skirt and short sleeve, cream yellow blouse to keep cool in the summer heat.
Unwanted attention was something that the beautiful young Maeve was all too familiar with having gotten more than her fair share in Aincrad as Vice Commander of the Knights of Blood [Asuna The Flash]. Any hope of leaving that reputation behind had vanished after the transition, between her status as one of only two Maeve Faeries with the power of indefinite flight and her position as the second in command of the Faerie Knights.
"Honestly it's quite impossible." Henrietta lamented. "I don't know how Mazarin managed to keep the wolves at bay all of these years. And the ones who are seeking favor are the worst of the lot. I finish putting the fears of Archduke Gudendorf to rest and I'm assailed by Count Woestte, then half a dozen of La Ramee's officers need to consult me at once over some pressing decision. They have titles for a reason."
Even in the [Death Game] of SAO where guild alliances and politics had been a fact of the Front Line, Aincrad had just been [Training] compared to this. It really was too much to be putting on the shoulders of a girl who was scarcely older than Asuna and himself, Kirito thought, but she was bearing the burden commendably. They were all carrying responsibilities now that were far greater than they could have ever imagined before.
"They're stepping lightly around their new Queen." Wales gave an encouraging smile to his much loved cousin. "You could always delegate, or failing that press them to make up their minds."
"I can only delegate to as many people as I can trust." Henrietta pointed out, carefully laying her left hand over Wales' right. "And as tempting as it would be to throw my weight around, making enemies is no way to spend the windfall I've been delivered thanks to the conspirators. However," placing her hand to her cheek, the Queen added, "Sometimes it feels like a mere Queen is at her wit's end. The Nobility surely wouldn't get in line for less than a Living Saint."
Wales chucked, a motion that no longer caused his shoulders to shake as it had in the days following his near mortal injury. "I'll have you know that you're more than formidable enough without the power to perform miracles my dear Henrietta."
The Cousins were smiling at each other in that certain way . . . Kirito politely hid his expression behind his teacup. He for one was happy for them, and Asuna, squeezing his hand gently beneath the table felt the same way. It had been thanks to the love shared by the Queen and the Prince, after all, that they had found one another again.
"Now then, that's quite enough about that. Setting the affairs of the Kingdom aside, what I really wanted to talk about was the Wedding." The young Queen replaced her teacup on its saucer. "I must say this all came up rather suddenly. Sakuya didn't really give me the chance to ask, but are engagements usually so short in your homeland?"
"Not normally." Answered Asuna. "Usually an engagement can last for months, a few even go on for multiple years, sometimes it's longer, sometimes its shorter. A couple of weeks is certainly on the shorter side."
Though it was still a record beaten by their own engagement, Kirito mused, which had lasted about as long as it had taken to put their personal affairs in order and complete the marriage request. There hadn't been much point in waiting, and advertising that Aincrad's Black Swordsman and White Flash were getting married would have attracted way too much attention to have had a peaceful honeymoon in the aftermath.
Of course the details hadn't mattered much, just the end result. Their [Wedded] status in the system had served as a far greater sign of their union than any formal ceremony. And eventually, they had agreed, SAO was going to be cleared. They might have had to wait to find each other in the real world, and to become old enough that they were permitted to make that decision for themselves, but one day they would have made things official in the eyes of the law and had the ceremony.
That felt like a lifetime ago now. Two lifetimes in a way. So much had happened since that they'd almost taken their own union for granted in this world. There had simply always been something more important that demanded their attention, and not much time for themselves. What little free time they'd had, they'd tried more than anything to spend with one another and with Yui, focused more on being a family.
They hadn't talked about the idea of a wedding since their reunion in Albion, not until the night that they had hosted Lady Morgiana and General Eugene at dinner. At some point Asuna's sensibilities were going to catch up and she was going to want to have the service done properly. And, Kirito examined the matching silver band on his ring finger, he couldn't help but agree. 'If we have a western style service, I guess we'll have to let Yui be the flower girl . . .'
"I see then." The Queen looked thoughtfully out over the rooftops and mustering yards of the Champ de Mars. "Well, I do hope it all turns out for the best for General Eugene and for Lady Morgiana as well. They certainly deserve some happiness and peace of mind. And also, it will be good for their new family." Though her voice trailed off, the Queen's lips curved in a small smile that could almost be mistaken for a trick of the light.
Kirito and Asuna exchanged worried looks. Of course Henrietta would know the whole truth, the real reason for the marriage, but she'd kept her opinion closely guarded until now.
"Your Majesty?" Asuna asked cautiously. "You wouldn't be thinking about that, would you?"
"She almost certainly is." Wales answered on Henrietta's behalf, looking amused like he always did when he was with her. "My dear cousin quite adores children. I believe she and Emily had the servants sorting through old ball gowns for your Yui."
At last, Henrietta couldn't hold it in anymore, like a dam bursting. "Do you think it will be a boy or a girl? It's too early for the physicians to say, but a little girl with her mother's hair, she'd be beautiful."
A hint of a blush rose to the Queen's cheeks. "I was actually quite surprised when I was told. Though perhaps I shouldn't have been. They suit each other I think." Her eyes darted to Wales and then back to her tea wistfully. "Honestly, it's rather romantic in its way. It may not have been their wish, but it has at least been their choice to do what is right for one another." Henrietta appeared to look into the distance before shaking her head. "That is more than many marriages are founded on at least."
"So you don't think it's going to be a problem?" Asuna asked, carefully taking one of the pastries from the top of the pile and nibbling at the flaky crust. An elbow covertly nudged Kirito, reminding him to take the Queen's generous offer and try some.
"Now that they've arranged the marriage? Doubtful." Henrietta surmised as concisely as if her old regent was speaking through her. "It will come out fairly quickly that Lady Morgiana is already with child. But the Nobility is very particular in its way. There are rules even for breaking the rules. The betrothed being over eager is not an uncommon thing. It will be spoken of and scandalized, and then it will become common knowledge, and then nobody will care and it will be mostly forgotten."
"Is that so?" Kirito bit into one of the pastries, the jam filling -gushed – tart and sweet.
"Just so." Henrietta's victorious smile did not waver.
"If I might add, it certainly helps that Fae are not subjects of the Church in that regard." Wales said. "The current Pope takes a rather dim view to giving his blessing to marriages of convenience."
"Mazarin was counting his fortunes. I think learning about this turned the last of the poor dears gray hairs to white." The Queen agreed with a small giggle. "But since Faeries don't fall under the jurisdiction of the Church, it's a simpler matter to be sure. A rather exciting matter as well. Tell me, Asuna, just what are these weddings like? I'd love to hear."
Both Faeries sat straighter. Asuna squirmed in her chair. "Ah, your Majesty, that wouldn't be inappropriate, would it?" Some might claim it was the [Incitement to Heresy] that was delicately skirted by the Treaty of ALfheim. However, what exactly constituted [Inciting Heresy] wasn't very clear. "I mean . . ."
Henrietta's light laughter started up again and Asuna at first reddened and then relaxed as the Queen waved her hand. "I've been invited to attend the ceremony as a witness, and Bishop Rubeus had given his blessing, so I wouldn't worry. There should be no trouble with a servant of the Crown answering her Majesty's idle questions." Henrietta teased gently. "Just remember not to suggest I start worshiping your 'heathen gods' and I'm sure it will be alright."
"Un." Asuna smiled thoughtfully down at her tea. "Well then, the first thing you should know is that it's going to be a Shinto ceremony."
"Shinto?" Henrietta nodded thoughtfully. "That's your people's spirit worship, correct?"
"Ah . . ." Asuna looked momentarily startled before catching herself. "That's correct. It's the collection of beliefs of our homeland. But is it okay . . . ?"
"There's no harm in knowing this much." Henrietta assured again. "Besides, it isn't as if dealings with the spirits are somehow forbidden, Tristain would find have found itself in trouble in the past if it were so."
Right, Kirito thought, the Montmorency family. It had apparently ended badly from what Guiche had told him.
"They learned that the hard way trying to stamp out Albion's old tales." Wales agreed. "And the protestants of Germania. The Church concerns itself with upholding the Founder's sacred teachings and protecting humanity from those forces that are hostile to us in this world. I shouldn't think we have much to fear from the Gods of your people."
"I see." Asuna took a breath. "Well then, like I was saying, Shinto is the common faith of our homeland and its traditions go back thousands of years. But it's not actually very common these days to have a Shinto style wedding. They can be rather expensive to arrange. Usually it's what we call a Western Style Wedding which is more like what you're used to." Asuna's fingers curled and uncurled around the handle of her cup. "I guess that Morgiana and Gene-san are trying to bridge the gap between our world and this one by being married in the traditional style."
"In either case, I suppose they're the same in a way. It will have to take place at a Shrine and be officiated by a Priest, the couple will be purified and present themselves to be wed before the Shrine's sanctuary where they'll perform their vows and traditionally exchange cups of Sake to bind together their families. I think that the ceremony itself will be fairly short and private, but I've heard they couldn't stop the reception from getting a little out of hand."
"Well it is something of an affair of state after all." Henrietta said. "It couldn't be helped."
"Couldn't be helped?" Kirito felt a little doubtful about that. "I heard from Eugene that Morgiana invited her entire guild."
She may have wanted to keep the ceremony small, but the Lady of the Spriggans had reasoned that her guild mates were the closest thing she had in this world to a family, she wouldn't leave them out, especially at a time like this. All of the Kurotaka in one place, celebrating the marriage of their 'Big Sis', now that was a scary thought. And once they'd been invited, it had only been natural that the Yggdrasil Knights attend on behalf of Eugene.
The numbers had just kept growing from there until the guest list sounded more like the credits to a top end game. Mortimer must have called in a favor with Lord Rute on behalf of his brother to finance the celebration.
"Well the, that should make it all the more interesting." Henrietta sounded pleased. "I do think I'm rather in the mood for a more celebratory sort of party." Still smiling, the Queen claimed another of the bite-sized pastries for herself. "Knowing Mister Drake and Miss Shirishi, they won't allow the politics to become too overt." Washing her morsel down with the last of her tea, the Queen's eyes fell onto Kirito and then Asuna in turn.
It was a sensation sort of like right before a Mob attacked from a hidden location. First Kirito froze, and then his skin crawled as that unmistakable smile widened. Asuna had sensed it too, sitting straighter in her seat, and even Wales appeared on his guard.
"Erm . . . Your Majesty?" Asuna probed carefully.
Henrietta giggled like a schoolgirl. "It's nothing. I was simply wondering with this talk of babies and weddings, when exactly you and Mister Kirito will be giving Yui-chan a little brother or sister."
A brother or sister? A baby. In other words . . .
The Faeries flushed almost as one. The heat was only longer in reaching Kirito's cheeks because he had been fractionally slower on the uptake.
"Ah . . . Uhm . . . That's still likely to be quite a while away, Your Majesty!" Asuna raised her hands as if to fend off more speculation. "A few years at least."
"Oh?" Henrietta tilted her head and Kirito couldn't shake the feeling that she'd sounded just a little bit disappointed.
Another covert elbow to his ribs reminded Kirito that his was the part where he was supposed to have his wife's back. "Un. Asuna's right. The truth is that we'd love to give Yui-chan a younger sibling. But now isn't the right time for us to think about that. Asuna and I are both needed where we are now so that there can be a safe world for our family to live in."
Kirito exchanged a look with Asuna, seeing the same conviction reflected in her eyes, and with it, a feeling of confidence that they had made the right choice.
"Besides, as much as we love Yui-chan, we don't know if either of us is ready to start with a baby." Asuna smiled. "I'd want every chance to be a good mother to that child, just like I'm trying to be with Yui-chan."
"Very noble sentiments." Wales agreed.
"Wales is right of course. We're fortunate to have Knights such as yourselves. And I suppose there will be more than enough little Faerie children by years end in any case." Looking up into the blue sky with a mischievous expression. "Not to mention more weddings. This might give Arrun a bit of reputation I'd think." And maybe that would have been the end of it . . .
Kirito shook his head as he was reminded, not for the first time, of a certain crisis that was quietly exploding in the background of the Faerie Cities. The fact was that the Nobility would not have much grounds to judge Lady Morgiana, her fellow Faeries probably wouldn't either. Really it was as if becoming Faeries had tempted everyone to be sure that they still knew where babies came from.
"Though I suppose by now word has gotten around well enough about preventatives and such." The Queen went on.
"Henrietta!" Wales chastised with a look half of shock and half of mirth. "This is hardly the place to speak of such things."
"And why not?" The young Queen asked. "It's a matter that Lady Sakuya and I have discussed at length. I can't think it will be much longer before the more enterprising water mages see the opportunity to do business."
"You mean selling contraceptives." Asuna said, the red of her cheeks neither rising nor falling, had found a comfortable middle range as she squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. In this reality, physical intimacy carried the same risks and consequences as it had IRL. But for both of the young Faeries, that reality was at odds with their first experience together that night less than a year ago, more than a lifetime ago, upon Aincrad's 61st Floor.
"It is one of the more common uses of Water Magic." Henrietta admitted shamelessly. "Although you won't hear that said often aloud. Most are meant to work with the human bodies natural circulations, but there are charms and potions that operate more directly."
And how exactly did the Queen know this?!
Kirito exchanged another shy look with Asuna. They hadn't exactly been unaware of such things, there existence hadn't been hard to guess. In fact, Kirito had known from listening to Guiche . . .
"T-That may be." Asuna said carefully, brow twitching as she struggled to keep a civil tone. "But such things can't be completely reliable, and more invasive measures haven't been tried on Faeires. Kirito and I don't intend to take any chances just yet." Which was why they had agreed for now not to consummate their marriage physically in this real world. They had each other, the rest could wait until they were ready.
This seemed to Placate Henrietta who fell silent, and Kirito almost convinced himself that it was over until she rested her head against her open palm. "If that's all you're worried about, I suppose Mister Kirito could always make love to you as a woman."
For a moment [Blank] and then Kirito's mind finished processing what he'd just heard.
"What!"
It was a very good thing that Kirito hadn't been drinking his tea, otherwise he would have been choking as he looked aghast at the woman who now commanded his fealty. Beside him, Asuna's wings had unfurled in shock, her face had lost its battle with a blush and was now as red as a critically depleted health bar.
"Henrietta!" Wales sounded utterly mortified.
"Oh come now!" Henrietta was unfazed and maybe even a little confused at her idea's reception. "It would by just like in the The Princess and the Princess!"
Wales snatched his cup from the table to buy himself time and regain his composure. "Emily has been corrupting you I see." Grimacing as he took a sip. "That book is Heretical."
"And yet it is still so widely circulated. Dare I say even the Pope has likely read it by now." The Queen laced her finger before her chest in the shape of a heart. "It's a beautiful story of Forbidden Love. And don't tell me you haven't read it, you recognized the quote from Ignacious last night at dinner."
The Queen gave the smallest hint of a smile as Wales opened and shut his mouth like a fish flopping out of the water and gasping for air. She had them all now, the shock pinning them like some Arachnid Mob's [Paralysis] ability. "It's not like Shakes Pierre is the only one to have entertained the idea. Prince Leopold II of Gall wrote in his memoirs that the time he spent as a woman made him a more considerate lover."
This woman . . . Kirito half crawled into the seat of his chair . . . This woman was not what she appeared, the Spriggan realized. Like a high level field boss drawing them in with promises of choice loot. All of this time they'd slowly been lowering their guard until the trap had been sprung and she'd shown her true colors.
He almost felt bad for Wales.
"That won't be necessary your, Majesty." Kirito replied as he sank back into his chair.
"Oh?" Henrietta looked wistful again. "It really is a shame. You're so cute in black lace. And Asuna and I had so many more ideas."
Wait, Asuna? Kirito's flush turned to a blanch in record time as his head whipped around. "Asuna?!"
"Well . . ." His wife was trying hard not to meet his gaze, averting her eyes and ringing her hands, and wearing red like she was still the vice-commander of the Knights of Blood. "I love Kirito-kun no matter what his form. And there were some cute ideas we talked about for the Gala. So maybe . . . "
"Denied!" Kirito said firmly finishing his tea in one last gulp.