I ease up to the door and gently test the knob. It slightly turns before the tumblers lock themselves in place. I step onto a low-lying window ledge and climb up to the second story.
Charley and Byleth back off and hide in some nearby shrubbery. I pull myself up and peek through the cracks of the window cover. It doesn't seem like there's anyone inside, but that doesn't mean someone can't be lying in wait around the corner. I place my hand over my ear and listen.
Nobody is hiding off to the sides of the window. I remove the wooden cover and climb into the building. A bed with a wrinkly blanket sits over in the corner. The sheets and pillow case have recently been replaced though.
On the other side of the room is a bookshelf that's been completely filled with literature of all kind. I make my way over and examine everything that's been cataloged. Most of them are just about the history of Fodlan and crest mumbo jumbo. Stuff you'd see in an actual library owned by the church. I place my finger on the books and run it across. Judging by the condition and cleanliness of the room, this has to belong to that scribe that's been stalking Charley.
The faint outline of a white symbol resting on a black spine grabs my attention. This bizarre looking symbol is being carried by a wreath. Right in the middle of the markings rests something that resembles an eye. The intimidating look of the symbol is more than enough to get it censored by the church. Which is probably why it's here. However, it isn't stealing if it's from a criminal, and what Rhea doesn't know won't hurt her.
I put the book in my side satchel and press on. Outside the bedroom is a flight of stairs that lead down. I keep my hand on my sword and progress down the stairs.
Bumps on the back of my neck form the moment my boots touch the first floor. A chill lines my throat, and I dodge forward. The sound of a massive object striking the ground echoes off the walls as I draw my sword and swing. Sparks from colliding metal paint the dull, iron mask a faint shade of gold.
"So glad to meet the sword saint himself. Not once, but twice." Faceless states as she points a massive great sword twice the size of my claymore at me.
"Where's the kid?" I ask.
"Upstairs. A pity we didn't just kill her, but the superiors wouldn't want her missing out on all the fun." Faceless replies as she scoots her left foot behind her. I unlock the front door and fling it open as she takes off.
"Artorias! Wait!" Byleth yells.
I put my sword away and pursue Faceless upstairs. She barges through a closed door, jumps out the window and grabs onto the window ledge of the building across. Faceless lowers herself down and takes off towards the bridge. My weight shifts forward the moment my feet hit the ground as I roll and continue after her.
Up ahead is a group of knights that have their backs turned to us. She readies her great sword and holds it out like she's preparing to strike.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" I scream as loud as possible.
The group looks back in my direction. Faceless flips forward through the air and drives her sword into the shoulder of her target. The blade slices clean through his leather armor and cleaves down to where his chest is. She spins around and slashes in a huge horizontal sweep.
Nobody makes a sound as the weapon cuts through everyone. Red trails behind the silver glint emitted from the sword. A perfect circle forms around her as she spins the blade upside down and flicks the dripping crimson off the colorless weapon. This woman just took out six men in a matter of moments.
"No!" Byleth yells from behind me.
I hop over the group of dead men and continue onward. Byleth kneels down by the men and tries to see if there's anything he can do while Charley runs after me. Faceless steps onto the bridge and jumps to the support beams below. I climb over the railing and swing over to the platform Faceless is standing on. She firmly grasps her sword with both hands and lets it rest by her side.
Although I have the size advantage in the tighter areas with the support beams, the place is still open enough for her to swing from the left, the right, the ground or above. Which means there is no room to dodge out of the way.
Faceless places her knees on the ground and gets into a pouncing position. She lunges up into the air and dives directly at me. I step back and leap over the massive swing aimed for my torso. Faceless spins in the opposite direction and slashes again. I pull my sword halfway out of the sheathe and block the incoming attack.
The force of a charging cavalry horse slams into me. The entire weight of my body is thrown backwards. I roll up to my feet and fully unsheathe the sword. Black steel and blood-stained quartz collide with such force that blue sparks flutter through the moonlit shadows.
Faceless and I both jump up at the same time and cross our blades midair. She places her foot on my chest as I place mine on her stomach. We shove each other back and take up defensive positions. I cross my arms, bend my knees and aim the tip of my sword at her. She gets into her pouncing position again and jumps. Our weapons collide again, and we engage.
"Kick her face in! Give that bitch one of those blade flurries you can throw!" Charley cheers from above.
I ignore his support and jeering since his excitement is spurring him to try and encourage what I should do. As nice as it is, it's actually giving Faceless an idea what my next move is. She backs off and rams her blade into the stone platform.
A small cloud forms around the impact, and she throws it up into the air. Small pebbles strike my face, and a thin layer of dust coats my eyelids. The grains within her sword flex from above. I sidestep, flip my sword upside down and back off.
"Ah come on! That was cheap!" Charley yells.
"QUIET!" I shout.
"He knows what he's doing." Claude states.
Charley sighs in disappointment and tries to contain himself. His excitement has attracted a crowd of students. Someone must have looked out their window and seen me chasing after Faceless. They then proceeded to tell everyone in the dorms instead of informing Catherine or Alois.
All of them converse back and forth with one another and speculate on what's going to happen. Although Faceless thinks she's getting the drop, I can hear the grains in her sword rattling around, and the vibrations given off by her gentle footsteps clues me in on her position.
She gently crouches down, and the crowd goes silent. I place my free hand on the side of my sword and take up a stance that gives the impression that I'm lowering my guard.
Faceless pounces. I summon some mana into my right hand and step out of range. Her weapon barely misses my chest as I use my sword to shove her attack off course. Faceless tries to correct herself and spins around. Her weapon knocks my sword out of my hand.
The moment the sword hits the wall, the phantom blade within the contraption on my right arm deploys, and I manipulate the momentum of her attack to my benefit. The ringed blade hooks what feels like her stomach and slices through. Faceless grunts and backs off as I wipe the dust from my eyes.
Faceless places her hand on her stomach and takes a deep breath. The wound suddenly closes itself and her new scar reabsorbs the blood dripping out of the wound. No magic, no healing. Nothing.
"Only a coward uses something like that." She states as my phantom blade folds back up.
"Who are you to lecture me about honor?" I reply.
The entire crowd cheers, but Charley is the loudest. Faceless crouches down again as I draw my claymore. Intense heat strikes me in the face, and a blinding, orange light explodes between the both of us. Faceless staggers back as I cover my eyes and try to get away from the sudden source of mana.
A wall of fire separates the both of us. Flames lick the bottom of the bridge and scorch the stone black. Standing in the middle of the blazing storm are two people.
"It is no use. You are no match for the sword saint. That is, as of now." A unique and raspy metal voice states.
That's not Skullface's voice. His voice is a lot deeper and sounds almost like a vengeful demon parading around underneath that mask. This other voice sounds lighter but doesn't lose any of its strength. It's got an elegant resonance about it unlike Skullface's.
The flames slowly die down, but a strong ring of flames about waist high continues to surround the group. Standing in the middle is the one that made the statement about me. A black cloak with red highlights cover a suit of grey steel armor.
The front of their helmet is covered with a white mask painted with flames. A huge red comb crafted out of pegasus hair drapes across the scalp of the helmet. Thick, red wyvern feathers flare out the tapered shoulders and give the person a much larger, intimidating form.
"Ah come on. I just getting warmed up." Faceless whines as she tosses her great sword over her shoulder.
"If you consider a gaping wound across your gut warming up, then you aren't going to survive the actual fight." Skullface states.
"When you are at your fullest, then you may pursue the sword saint, and Rhea's knights with all your heart. Until then, this fight is over." The red menace adds.
"HEY! If you're thinking about ganging up on him! FORGET IT!" Charley yells as he drops down behind me.
"Charley! Get back up on the bridge!" I yell as he draws his hammer and charges towards the group. I grab his shoulder and push him back. Charley resists and tries to get past me because he is convinced it's not over.
"Charley, stop this right now!" I try to say as calmly as possible. He continues to try and push past.
I drop my claymore, hook my right arm under his right arm and wrap my right leg against his. Charley staggers and tries to regain his balance. I press my weight forward and tackle him to the ground. Byleth drops down and takes up his sword.
"Where is Flayn!?" Byleth yells.
"She has served her purpose." Skullface states.
"What purpose!?"
"The purpose of the Flame Emperor. An emperor who will purge this wicked land of the sins it has reveled in." Faceless replies as points to the person wearing the white mask.
"Artorias!" Byleth yells.
Something strikes me in my right shoulder. A wave of pain hits my arm and ripples through my entire body. Charley stops struggling as I gnash my teeth. A throwing knife juts out of the crevice where my armor plating separates from one another.
"Something to remember me by." Faceless taunts as she waves goodbye.
The flames surrounding them rise, and they disappear in an explosive puff of smoke. Byleth covers his eyes and coughs as a thick cloud of ash covers their escape. I get off Charley and lean up against a support beam. The dagger didn't hit anything vital, but it still hurts. I grab the dagger and yank. The barbs rip small chunks of flesh out of the open wound as blood pours down my arm.
"Artorias…I didn't…"
"Just… go home and think about what you have done, and commit to learning from your mistake." I interrupt.
As mad as Charley has made me, I'm not going to lash out. I understand that he probably interpreted the Flame Emperor's declaration a lie, but I knew Faceless was up to something. Then when Charley jumped down, it made him a target.
"Yes Artorias…" Charley says with a solemn voice. He climbs back up and shoves his way through the crowd.
"Can you make it up?" Byleth asks as he hands me my claymore and sword.
"She managed to hit me where my arm pivots, but I think I can."
"Get back everyone!" Claude yells as he pushes the crowd back.
Byleth jumps up and scales over the bridge's ledge. I grab a hold of the ledge with my left hand and haul myself up. The tip of my elbow hooks the edge of the bridge, and I throw my right leg up. Byleth grabs my forearm while Felix and Claude firmly grasp my leg, and the back of my armor.
They pull me over and help me stand. Everyone in the crowd makes way as Byleth, Claude and Felix escort me in the direction of Rhea's throne room.
"They said Flayn was in that house I broke into. I suggest you get over there now before this flame emperor changes their mind." I say to Byleth.
"Are you going to be alright?" Byleth asks.
"I've survived worse than this."
"You go get the missing kid teach. We'll help Artorias." Claude says.
"Alright. You two take him to Honora." Byleth replies.
"You know, I am more than capable of walking myself." I state.
"Yeah, but where's the glory of saying the sword saint needed us to carry him after he got scratched?" Claude teases.
"You're quite the story teller. Maybe in the future, the scribes can write that down as a fable." I reply.
"Hey now, there's always a hint of truth behind a fable."
"The key word is hint. As in, almost none." I poke back.
Byleth breaks off from the group and heads towards the dormitory. Hopefully the kid is still there. Otherwise, we'll have a whole new crisis on our hands. Maybe Faceless and her group finally got lost for good.
I doubt he would have any trouble dealing with Faceless or Skullface, but it still worries me. Byleth is a very capable fighter, but Faceless isn't necessarily some fool swinging a giant hunk of metal. Especially if it was a great sword.
There was almost no wasted movement, and she killed an entire squad of knights with just two flicks of her sword. Her stance is something I have never seen either. She stayed in a pouncing position almost the entire time. When the time called for it, she would swing normally, but that rarely happened. The one time it did was when she panicked. Once the death of those knights and our battle temper her mind, she'll be a lot more difficult to deal with.
The guards posted at the entrance of Rhea's throne room open the door for us. Seteth suddenly turns around but sighs from the anticipation of false joy. Honora covers her mouth and rushes over to me.
"What happened?"
"I found those responsible." I answer Honora.
"What about Flayn?" Seteth asks.
"Byleth's on his way to rescue her."
Claude and Felix help me sit down as Honora unhooks the right gauntlet from the main chest piece. The cotton from my shirt peels the fresh clot out of the wound, and blood gushes down my bare torso. Honora shakes her head back and forth and quietly sighs at the severity of the wound.
"I don't know what she threw, but she got you good." Felix states.
"And she hit him in that tiny area where the armor playing doesn't overlap. That's almost a clean cut all the way through the muscle." Claude adds.
Honora tries to summon some mana into her hand, but I stop her attempt to heal me, "that won't be necessary."
Honora shakes her head as she walks over to a table and grabs some medicinal wine. I pull the cork out of the gourd and douse my shoulder with it. The alcohol within the highly concentrated wine coats the inside of the wound with a sanitized layer of agony.
I grind my teeth and refuse to show any pain. Honora's eyes develop a glassy looking sheen as she tries to summon a fireball. I take a hold of her hand and give her the notion I'll do it myself.
Mana flows into my left palm and forms a tiny fireball at the very tip of my index finger. Honora grabs my right hand and holds it as she looks away. I place the flame into the wound. The intense chill of ice turns the wound numb for a moment, but a huge wave of anguish causes me to flinch. Honora squeezes my hand to help alleviate some of the pain, but it brings little comfort.
Fire gobbles up the alcohol within the wine, and a blue trail pours out of the open wound. Black smoke bellows from the opening as the hole slowly closes itself. The smell of burnt hair and evaporated juice fill the room as the flesh around the wound forms a thick, black crust. I close my eyes and let out a pain ridden breath. Honora places her free hand on the wound and summons a small amount of mana.
The pain slowly fades away as Honora softly chants some kind of hymn dedicated to Sothis. She removes her hand and dusts the black dust off her palms. Underneath is a fresh scar that's just been sealed shut.
Even though Honora could have just healed me without going through this process, that would have required a lot of input from her. I've seen Honora heal a lot of people in a lot worse condition than me, but I have noticed that she seems really stressed afterwards.
It worries me that even though white casters maybe helping people, it could be taking a toll on them in exchange. Nothing is gained unless something is given, and it troubles me that Honora would have to give up part of herself to help me. Since we did things my way, the wound was cleansed, fixed and sealed shut. All Honora did was use a little bit of her mana to help ease the pain.
"I hate it when you do things this way." Honora says with a stifled cry.
"It helps you out. Doesn't it?" I reply.
"That's a price I'm willing to pay if it eases your suffering." Honora answers as she looks at me with tear stained eyes.
"And any pain is worth suffering if it protects you." I state as I place my hand on her powder blue hair and gently smile.
Honora wipes her eyes and points at my arm, "Can you move your arm now?"
I take a deep breath and barely move my right arm, "Nope. It hurts way too much. I might need some more of your mana in order to feel better."
"You're such a liar." Honora softly giggles as she lifts my right arm up.
Seteth hands me a carved-out wyvern horn filled with red drinking wine and sits down across from me, "If you have any further pain, this will help."
"Thank you."
"So who did this to you?" Seteth asks.
"I call her Faceless."
"Yeah. The woman fights like a monster." Claude interrupts.
"She even crawls like one when she fights." Felix adds.
"Her and the death knight are working for someone called the flame emperor." I state as I take a sip of the wine.
Soured grape juice, and the taste of wyvern bone coats the inside of my mouth and stings the back of my throat. Maybe that tobacco I was smoking earlier wasn't so bad after all. The church always haggle me about smoking. Yet, I fail to see how they drink this on a daily basis.
"Flame Emperor?"
"After he appeared, the death knight said Flayn served her purpose. Shortly after they left, Byleth went to go check the dorm we broke into because Faceless teased she was possibly hidden somewhere in those rooms." I answer as I finish the grape mash. The bite of bitter juice, but the realization that I finally finished this death brew stirs within me as I exhale in satisfaction.
Seteth grabs a steelhead spear from the weapon rack and leaves. I'd join him, but I don't feel like arguing with Honora over why I should. She's going to overact and get mad if I say anything resembling on fighting in my current state. Honora takes a seat right beside me as Felix approaches.
"Artorias."
"Yes Felix."
"Since I was a boy, I have studied Fodlan's way of the sword. Very few people can defeat me in a duel, but the way you beat me in two moves with no weapon and defeated the one called Faceless while blinded leads me to believe that you are one of the strongest swordsmen I've ever encountered."
"Sounds like you are looking for another duel."
"The idea that there is someone more powerful than myself is what drives me to be my best. Therefore, I would like for you to consider a rematch."
"My only terms are Byleth and your house leader must sign off when they think you're ready. Once they give me the word, then we'll have a fight."
"I look forward to it." He states.
Byleth and Seteth walk into the throne room. Behind them are a group of knights in circle formation. In the middle of the group is the Flayn kid. I guess Faceless wasn't lying about her being in that dorm room. Despite her being kidnapped, Flayn seems relatively calm. There isn't any visible signs of abuse. Nor does she look traumatized.
What did they do to her exactly? Kidnap her for shock value? Was it the Flame Emperor's attempt to try and scare Rhea by implying nobody is safe from the Death Knight or Faceless? These are questions that need to be answered.
Byleth and Seteth head into Rhea's chamber room and shut the door. I guess they are having a private meeting on what should be done. Flayn urges the knights to let her through so she can come talk.
"You okay?" Flayn asks.
"I could ask the same." I reply.
"I'm fine. How about you Artorias?"
"Good."
"My brother said you got stabbed."
I point the new scar on my right shoulder, "Yup. Throwing knife hit me right there."
"Looks like it hurt." Flayn clicks her tongue.
"Not my worst injury."
I won't ask about what happened to her, or how everything played out. When the time comes, Byleth will inform me with all the details. Right now, the kid is safe, and that's what the focus should be on.
"Misses Honora. How are you?" Flayn asks.
"Taking care of Artorias here. He actually made me mad earlier."
"No! What did he do?" Flayn exclaims.
"He wouldn't let me heal him."
"Honora, you know how I feel about using white magic on serious wounds."
"And I'm telling you nothing happens if the caster is strong enough." Honora states.
"Nothing is gained if something isn't given."
"I'll tell you what I gain from that catch phrase, a headache." She teases.
"Oh, a comedian, aren't we?" I say as I pull the silk veil on Honora's headdress over her face.
She pats the side of my head and places her middle finger on my ear. A sharp pain similar to a hornet sting tears into the side of my face. She flicks the tip of my ear again, and I let go of her veil. The urge to flick her ear tries to come over me, but I take a deep breath and back off. Honora laughs as I try to work some feeling back into the side of my face.
"I've never really seen this side of you Artorias. You're always so serious." Flayn giggles.
"Artorias is a big doll once you get to know him. Isn't that right?" Honora states as she leans on my shoulder.
"I suppose."
The door to Rhea's chamber opens up and Seteth walks out. Judging by the look on his face, he is rather disappointed about something. My intuition tells me that he's probably found some way to yell at me, so I'll use this as an excuse to take my leave.
"Honora, I'm feeling a lecture coming on, so I'm going to head out." I say as I pick my armor up.
"Okay. I'll see you later." Honora replies.
Flayn places her hands into her chest and takes a deep breath, "Hey Artorias…"
"Yes?"
"I hope you don't take this as an insult, but 'thank you.'" She says in mother's language.
My mind stops for a brief moment, and the realization that she actually remembered what I taught her fills me with dread. That day by the pond when she was asking about all the casual formalities such as please, thank you, I'm sorry, she took to heart. This was never supposed to happen, but why is this small sense of dread being overshadowed with happiness? I'll give her the satisfaction of knowing that I'm proud she remembered. Even though it goes against everything I was taught.
"You're welcome."
I leave the room, put my armor on and latch my gauntlet back up to the chest piece. There's still one more thing to do. With all that's happened, tonight would be a good opportunity to go talk to Edelgard, but she can wait until I finish this other task first. My mind wonders over to Charley and what he's doing now. Hopefully he hasn't done something stupid because I don't feel like chasing him down.
It's bad enough he humiliated us in front of everybody, and even though I got struck with a throwing knife, I can't bring myself to yell at the kid. Yes, it is his fault, and yes, we are going to talk, but I can't bring myself to be angry at him. If anything, I was mad at the situation.
I make my way out Garreg Mach's front gates and take the road that leads to Charley's house. The town patrol is scouring the entire village for any evidence or signs left over from Faceless, and The Death Knight. Since they haven't turned anything over, and nobody else has went missing, it's somewhat safe to assume that they are gone. For now.
Charley is sitting on the river bank in front of his house. His arms buckle his legs together and his knees act as a cushion for his face. The wooden handle from his hammer is sticking out from the bubbling stream. It appears he threw it in a fit of rage because there are several indentions within the muddy gravel where the hammer's head hit the ground and rolled.
He is completely unaware of my presence as I sit down beside him. What should I do? Say something? Touch his shoulder? Go steal a loaf of bread from the baker and give it as a peace offering? Given the circumstance, stealing some pumpernickel would have probably been the best thing, but it didn't cross my mind until I got here. Maybe I'll do that once we patch things up.
"Charley?"
He remains silent and continues to use his knees as a means of comfort. I reach out and touch his shoulder. Charley shakes his head no and turns his back to me. Still upset. Disappointing, but predicable.
"You can ignore me all you want, but I'm not going anywhere. I sit under waterfalls from dawn to noon, so I am a very patient man."
Charley scoots away from me and retakes his shameful seat. He is trying to control his breathing and hold it in, but deep down, he can't. I can feel it in his heart. Why? Because I used to do the same exact thing when I messed up. He thinks the entire world is against him now. I didn't want to play this game, but he leaves me no choice;
"The seasons they turn, winter to spring. Dulling the pain and erasing the sting. The seasons turn, summer to fall, time's warm embrace begins to heal all."
"I have no idea what you are saying, but I'm sure it's about my incompetence." Charley's muffled voice escapes through his lap.
"No, it's actually a verse from a song. It talks about how wounds heal."
"Well too bad nothing can fix what I've done."
"Trust me son. What you did is nothing compared to what I've seen in my lifetime." I state.
"You took a throwing dagger to the chest because of me! Why are you taking this with such a grain of sand!?"
"Shoulder."
Charley lets out a frustrated sigh and slightly turns in my direction. Although he tries to hide it, the shame painted on his face is immeasurable, "I know what you are going to say."
"What am I going to say?"
"That I'm just a stupid boy playing with a man's weapon."
"Wrong. Guess again." I reply.
"I'm a stupid boy masquerading as a solider."
"And that was a stupid answer. Guess again."
"What is it then!?" Charley yells at me.
His sudden, emotional outburst causes me to clench my teeth. No matter how hard I fight it, it gets the better of me. A small chuckle quickly escalates into a hardy laugh. All those times mother would just laugh at me when I'd make a dumb statement finally makes sense.
"What's funny?" Charley asks.
"Oh nothing. I just remembered a time I was your age." I catch my breath and exhale, "You want the truth? Okay. I'm not mad at you."
"How!? I disobeyed and got you hurt!"
"True, and you should let this be a lesson on why you should listen to me, but I'm not going to let that blind me to why you disobeyed. You were hurt and blinded by anger, but that's what happens when you let your feelings control you. You were oblivious that Faceless was going to throw something at me anyway. When you jumped down, that made you the target."
Charley reflects on what happened and realizes I am right.
"I'll be honest. The moment Faceless focused on you, I was afraid you were going to die, and that scared me beyond any reason." I state.
Charley's face slightly sags as he interprets my words. His chest heaves, and a small cough exits his mouth. As he blinks, a tear leaks out of his left eye. He breathes again, and the small tear turns into a stream that leaks out both eyes. Charley leans in my direction and throws his arms around me. I put my hand on the back of his head and guide it into my left shoulder.
Charley finally lets go of everything he's been holding onto. As emotional as I feel, I hold it in. I do not look down on those that cry. Nor do I see it as weakness when knights shed tears, but shadows such as myself are strictly forbidden from this expression because we have to be the ones to offer comfort. For a shadow to act as a beacon of strength, yet cry is hypocritical.
I wipe the tears Charley's eyes and walk over to where his hammer is sticking out of the water. "Do you plan on walking around without a weapon? What if someone were to ambush you?" I tease.
"Then I'd just sucker punch them. Just like you would." He giggles in between a choked cry. "What do you plan on doing?"
"I am going to go talk to the Adrestian Empress."
Charley grabs his hammer and mounts it on his back, "about what?"
"About Hanneman's progress on finding a substitution for the crest system. Also, the battle of the Eagle and Lion is coming up, and I need to see if you've been paying attention to my teachings." I state.
"Wait, you're not enrolling me with the Black Eagle house, are you?"
"No, but I want you to fight with them in next month's mock battle. That way I can evaluate your growth."
Charley looks down at the ground and assumes that what I said about finding a new mentor is true.
"I'm not going to leave you. I promise."
"But what if Edelgard and her house wants me to join?" Charley asks.
"Then I guess we'll have to become protectors of the Black Eagles house." I answer.
Charley lets out a sigh of relief and wipes his face again. He reaches over and puts his arm around my shoulder. I pull him in and ruffle his pink hair. He playfully punches me in the side as we laugh and make our way down the street.
"Listen Charley. I was a fool for saying what I did earlier. But the truth is, I can't imagine where I'd be if I would have never met you. Jeralt was right. The only problems between us were the ones I was creating, but I swear from here on out, I'm going to be damn sure on turning you into a man Garreg Mach will respect and envy." I say.
"And as your student, I will give no less than two hundred percent. Now let's go meet the royal Highness." Charley replies…