~~~Back with David and co.~~~

David groaned as he stood outside the carriage, leaning on the chassis to stretch out the soreness in his legs as the Vallieres filed out next to him. "I'll never understand why sitting for so long can make you more tired than moving…"

"Be more formal, we're in the presence of royalty." Eleonore said with gritted teeth as she moved to stand alongside her sisters, who were already bowing before the pair standing at the palace steps.

The two who had come to meet them were both familiar faces to the man. Cheri stood with a gauntleted hand on her waist and a smile on her face as Marianne stayed a step behind, the middle-aged woman's hands crossed in front of her as she peered at the guests.

"It's alright, there are many reasons why formality is not necessary between us." the Queen said, humming in thought. "At ease. Though I am the current regent, I am only the queen consort, and when my daughter rises to the throne, I doubt she wants the family closest to us to be so stiff."

Cheri laughed, jangling the metal plates of her armor as she nodded. "David especially has been involved in the Princess' personal affairs, would it not be an insult to her name if you insist he act differently?"

At her order, the nobles present stood up, and Cattleya sighed as she rested her elbow on her cane. "As always, the Valois family's members are very relaxed with their subjects. Eleonore, do you mind if I take the lead here, though you're the heir?"

"Do what you want, you're the only one of us with a proper title." the blonde said, and Cattleya smiled as she turned back to the queen.

"We apologize for arriving just before the festivities begin, we intended to arrive yesterday with our parents, but…" She gave a sideways glance at Eleonore. "...My sister insisted on another sparring match with Lord Wilson."

Marianne gave a small chuckle, raising her hand to her lower lip. "I have heard from Karin that both of them have made extraordinary progress in just one month of training. I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labor in battle."

David shifted uncomfortably as he moved to stand next to Louise, arms crossed in front of him. "I wouldn't call it progress, more that when we're all together, we can sometimes take down Karin's Wind Clones. The original's still too much, even without her elemental magic."

Cheri's eyes lit up at the statement, and her laugh rang out once again. "Last time I saw you, you were still beat up from that ambush at the Academy, and now you're taking on the Heavy Wind? Doesn't matter if you can't land a hit on the real deal, I can't imagine ever getting to that level. I know I'm only 15, but of all the knights, Captain Agnes is the only one who can match that insanity. Us normal people don't stand a chance."

"We shouldn't speak too much outside the palace walls." Marianne said, clearing her throat and turning around to head up the stairs. "Naturally, I can't allow any of you to meet with Henrietta or Prince Andriy right now, but we came to show you to your rooms. Forgive the smaller space, the Valliere estate is well known for its vanity and this palace is designed for structure."

~~~Inside the Palace~~~

Almost immediately upon entering the royal residence, the group were met with a hall guarded by a line of soldiers, fully covered in armor and standing still, ignoring their passage as a low hum filled the aisle.

David blinked as he noted that, despite being geared for battle, none of the royal guards were carrying weapons. No guns or swords, just shields. "Why is everyone unarmed?" he asked, and Eleonore scoffed while Louise reached her hand to tap his arm and get his attention.

"Drawing weapons during a coronation is a really big deal, and it can get you in a lot of trouble. Even guards aren't allowed to do it. That's why mages are needed for actually protecting everyone, since wands aren't considered weaponry. They're unarmed so they aren't even tempted to try."

He hummed, uncertain about the security of the tradition, but before he could speak, Eleonore sighed as she scratched the side of her head. "That insignia on their chest plates is the Manticore Knight crest, every one of them is skilled with magic. Your Majesty, are these a part of the Eternal Will ceremony?"

Marianne tilted her head to the woman. "I wasn't aware you had already learned about that, Lady Eleonore. Yes, they are all currently concentrated on casting the spell, it'll be a few hours before they're finished. Don't disturb anyone with that crest until they're ready to speak again."

"That's why the parade itself won't begin until afternoon." Cheri explained. "You sisters and Lord Benedict, please follow me. David, go with the Queen."

Louise's hand wrapped around his elbow as she frowned. "Why does he have to go somewhere else? Mother said to treat him as part of the family until school starts again, he shouldn't be-"

"I'm sorry, Lady Louise, but that's how the rules are." Cheri interrupted. "Commoners, even Fursten, have to stay in a separate place. Don't worry, he will be treated well. There's few people in the palace who don't know about the Princess' frequent escapes and her continued contact with him."

The girl was about to protest again, before David pulled her arm off him and grinned, waving his hand. "It's fine, it wouldn't be the first time we were separated, right? Besides, it's not like I'm going anywhere. I'll settle in and then come find you guys again."

Louise frowned, clearly not happy with the statement, before with a gentle push of her shin by Cattleya's cane, she relented, turning to break away as the Chevalier guided them away from the pair.

Now, alone with Marianne as they continued forward, David's smile dropped, and he sighed. "I'm guessing me being a commoner wasn't really the reason you wanted me separate."

The woman's eyebrow raised, and she gave him a small nod, though her expression didn't change. "I know I said to be informal, but your tongue is sharper than it was in Londinium. Has Karin's nature rubbed off on you?"

"Maybe, I have been spending a month getting constantly beaten to the ground by her after all. Yeshua's alchemy can only do so much."

She hummed, before waving the conversation topic away. "Nevertheless, you are correct. The part about you as a commoner being placed in a different wing is true, but it wasn't the full story. Agnes requested that, since you will be present anyway, you aid the Musketeer Squad and Lukas, a Germanian Chevalier, in weeding out potential threats. Specifically, she needs your invisible friend to scout the area, as we do not have many skilled sensory mages present."

"You're short-staffed in one of the most important events this year?" David asked, and the queen sighed.

"Unfortunately, Andriy's reputation is not the only thing making potential guards refuse to be present. Our Valois family are not particularly popular either, and with Henri gone now, Henrietta is at center stage. Andriy is not a good counter for her...tendencies, so there are dissenters both in our ranks and outside."

"...I thought she was a popular person, I've never seen someone who didn't like her." he replied, and Marianne nodded.

"As a princess, she has done her duty spectacularly, and for most of her life, her personality has also been one that commoners and nobles alike respect. However, since that failed negotiation, she has-" The woman cut herself off, shaking her head. "Well, she is not a glass statue. Henrietta is a strong woman, she carries her past, the good and the bad, with pride. She will make an excellent queen, popular or not."

David narrowed his eyes, and reared his head back in surprise as the woman's hand appeared in front of him, stopping him in his tracks as she stared at him with a hardened expression.

"This coronation is her chance to be remembered and respected." she stated, her voice in equal parts calm and commanding. "There will come a ceremony in which she casts her Waterspout in front of the public. When she does, no matter what you are doing, no matter where you are, you must cast your strongest spell directly in the air."

David blinked, confused by the statement. "Er, I guess that would be Expansion right now, but, why is that necessary? What if I'm indoors?"

"Indoors, outdoors, just ensure you are in a place you can see it happening. Tristain's coronation ceremony is a chance for us as a country to show our strength to the world, so everyone present will do the same as you. The Eternal Will will protect you from injury as a result of casting magic, so all you need to worry about is the timing. I didn't want to say this while the Valliere family were present, but you have special permission to draw your weapon if need be."

"But-"

"That is an order as the regent Queen."

He was silent for a moment, before sighing. "Alright. Fine."