Disclaimer: I do not own anything
"Talking"
'Thinking'
*ABILITY/SPELL/SKILL*
A/N: Quick ones this time... only have to say that someone asked why I gave Ara the last name Von Dunkler Engel so I thought I'd let everyone know if you were curious... Well, Von was to make it sound German and Dunkler Engel means Dark Angel in German. I thought that fit well with Ara... that's all I got this time!
Next Chapter Time!
It had been a very eventful week for Siesta since she and Saito had finally done what she wished for since she met him. She had a few very interesting conversations and was given quite the item from Henrietta as well.
Siesta's talks with Kirche and Cattleya were interesting, to say the least. Siesta found it beyond hilarious that Kirche seemed to be the flustered one when they spoke. It had taken Siesta all of five seconds talking with Cattleya to know for certain the woman was madly in love with Saito like everyone else.
The look in Cattleya's eyes when she said Saito's name was all the confirmation she needed. She had grown quite used to that look from other women when it came to Saito. Not to mention, the item Henrietta gave Siesta the day after their first time together.
Remembering the Princess discreetly pulling her aside and handing her a key will forever be stuck with her. Siesta had no idea what the key was until she asked and Henrietta gave her the most mischievous smirk before explaining to her what the key of silencing was used for. Siesta was surprised she hadn't blushed profusely and fainted during that conversation.
Now, Siesta was standing at the front gate of the Magic Academy with Saito, Ara, Kirche, Tabitha, Mon-Mon, and Guiche. All of them were waiting for the four people Saito had sent for earlier in the week.
Siesta was certainly looking forward to seeing them again. She couldn't even remember the last time she saw them. It probably wasn't that long ago in the grand scheme of things, but all the traveling she had done recently made it seem as though she hadn't laid eyes on them in forever.
It wasn't long before she saw the four horses coming into the courtyard of the Magic Academy. All four looked exactly the same as when she left, and she shouldn't be surprised. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen Emanuel, Felix, Xavier, and Samuel in years.
All four of them hopped off their horses the moment they were close enough. All of them gave a bow to Saito as they stopped in front of him and Siesta couldn't hold back the giggle that escaped her lips when she saw Saito roll his eyes at their bows before saying.
"Stand up straight, you fools. I'm no one that you should be bowing to."
Siesta wasn't surprised when it was Xavier who answered Saito. It definitely wasn't a coincidence he ended up a lightning KI user. He was quick with everything, including his words.
"Of course you are, teacher! You are the personal guard of our Princess, Hero of the People, and our beloved master!"
That made Saito roll his eyes again. He did miss them even if one of them was annoying at the moment while the others laughed at his expense. Siesta stepped forward and embraced each of them in turn. When she got to Xavier she said.
"I'd be careful, Xavier. You just admitted Saito was your beloved teacher. I can only imagine the hellish training he'll put you through if you don't quit the teasing."
Siesta giggled when she saw Xavier's expression turn to one of horror at the thought of Saito going hard on them. Their normal training was brutal with Saito, he could only imagine what it would be like if he was really hard on them. Before anyone could saying anything else, a voice coming from behind Saito could be heard saying.
"This must be the famous KI user from Tarbes that Saito sent for."
All four of the men from Tarbes looked toward the voice and saw their beautiful Princess walking toward them. Tiffania and Matilda were to her left and Agnes were to her right. They all immediately fell to a knee with their heads bowed for Princess Henrietta.
"Please rise everyone."
Once they are on their feet again, Saito takes a moment to introduce them all to the Princess.
"Your majesty, this is Emanuel. He will be helping the fire KI users of the musketeers who favor melee weapons. This is Felix, he will be helping the fire KI users of the musketeers who favor ranged weapons. This is Samuel, he will be helping out with the few lightning KI users. Last, but not least, and certainly not the quietest, this is Xavier. He will be helping out with the last of the musketeers who favor earth KI. They are the four that will help me train the musketeers."
"Thank you all for coming here to help us prepare. I know it mustn't have been easy for you to leave your homes."
"It is our pleasure, your majesty." Emanuel answers. "And it was much easier to leave then you probably suspect. We have all been wishing to see more of the world, your majesty."
The other three that came with Emanuel nodded their heads in agreement. Truthfully, they all wished to join Saito monster-hunting one of these days, but they'd do whatever was needed right now to see more of the world than just Tarbes.
"I can show you to your rooms so you can rest for the day after your travels. We can start the training tomorrow if that is alright with you four?"
Surprisingly, Saito saw all four of them shake their heads in disagreement with what he just said. He wasn't sure what they were disagreeing with but didn't have to wait long to find out as Xavier said.
"We'd prefer to start now if you don't mind, Saito. We just need to drop our bags off then we are ready to go!"
Saito was going to agree wholeheartedly, but Henrietta stepped in before he could.
"I will have someone take your bags to your room for you four. After you are finished for the day, someone will show you to your rooms if that is alright with you."
All four bowed their heads in agreement and it wasn't long before people were taking their bags from them and headed toward the tower to drop them off. Before they could all head to the training area, Henrietta told Saito.
"Saito, I need to speak with you for a moment. Can you have someone take them to the training area or wait here for a moment? It won't take long..."
"Of course, your highness."
Before Saito could ask everyone to show the newcomers to the training area, a group of horses road quickly through the front gate. The party was pretty large, but not too far above normal.
It was easier to tell from their uniforms that they were from the Empire of Germania. There were eleven of them in formation as they entered. It looked as if ten of those men were the escort and the man in the middle was who they were protecting.
None of them had any idea why eleven men from the Germanian military were currently at the Magic Academy. Well, no one save for one person. The man being escorted spotted that person very quickly, dismounted, and made his way to stand right in front of him.
"I am Lieutenant Meyer from the Germanian Cavalry. I come bearing a message for Blade Master Saito Hirago." when the man hands the scroll over, he finally seems to notice who he is also standing next to. "I apologize, your highness. I was single-minded in my mission and did not realize you were here. It is an honor to meet you, Princess."
Henrietta waves it off as she normally does and greets the man in kind. She is truly more interested in why Saito was receiving a message hand-delivered from Germania, who it was from, and what is in that letter than greeting this lieutenant.
The moment Saito finishes the letter, everyone is standing around in anticipation of what it said. What came out of Saito's mouth had nothing to do with his message, and caught all of them off guard.
"Thank you, lieutenant. Siesta, Ara, everyone, please show the newbies to the training area. I'll be along as soon as I speak with her highness."
Not a single person listened to anything he told them to do and just stared at him. Only the lieutenant and his escort did anything as they quickly said their goodbyes and headed back on the road. He was at a loss as to why no one else did anything for a moment then finally caught on.
"I'm guessing everyone is curious as to what was in the message then?"
Everyone nods their heads at him.
"Well, when I disrupted those demon summonings and took care of those goblins in Germania. I never got to meet the Emperor, but he did send a message telling me he owed me for my help. This is an invitation to finally meet the Emperor and pick up what I requested as my favor."
"Saito, I'm not sure that is such a good idea."
That was certainly not what he was expecting Henrietta to say.
"Why would you think that, Henrietta?"
"It is because of why I wanted to speak with you. My mother sent me a message and she would like for us to come to the capital to speak about Albion. The resistance is starting to be overwhelmed and we need to discuss how we are going to handle this new development."
"Does her majesty wish for us to come today?"
"No, we will leave in a few days. We need to give some time for all of the council to assemble. Most were sent home to spend time with their families since we knew the war was coming soon."
"That should be perfect then, your highness. We should be able to make it to Germania and back before anything major is discussed or at least finalized. Even if we are a day or two late, I'm sure the Queen will be happy enough when I arrive since I will be bringing back a surprise for the crown."
"Surprise?"
"Yep, a surprise, and no, I won't tell you even if you use those adorable puppy eyes on me."
Henrietta was planning on prodding some more but didn't. Saito called her 'pretty please face' adorable. It was enough for her to drop her protests and finally nod her head in agreement.
"Very well, Saito. It better be a good surprise. I'm sure my mother will not be happy you are not accompanying me. She did make sure to remind me that you were to come as well."
"I promise, she will love my surprise! And, I will make it back as soon as possible. Ara's return magic will cut almost four days off our journey so we should be arriving at the capital a day or two after you do if I leave shortly."
Finally, someone other than Saito or Henrietta said something when Ara asked.
"Should I go get Dante ready for our journey?"
"No, I need to change first and Dante will come to us when we are ready."
"What do you mean you need to change? We just started our day and we are going to be on the road for a few days. Surely you don't need to change the clothes you just put on."
Siesta was just as baffled as everyone else at Saito's statement so she had to ask. Saito, however, just grinned before saying.
"Yep... I need to change. I feel there is something much more appropriate for me to wear to meet the Emperor for the first time! I'll be right back!"
Before anyone could get another word in, Saito ran off toward the tower where their rooms were. Everyone looked around and simply shrugged their shoulders at his antics. It didn't take long for Saito to come back, and to some of them, now it made sense why he went to change.
No one had ever seen Saito in his full armor. He normally only wore the upper part of the breastplate, the left arm guard and gauntlet, his gloves, and the greaves. Right now, however, he was decked out from head to toe in his Germanian Black Dragon Armor.
The black scales gleamed every time he moved as they caught the light at certain angles. It looked insanely expensive, and very high quality. He was even wearing the helm, which no one, except Siesta, had ever seen before.
It was shaped to resemble a dragon's head and even had two wings coming off the top that folded back. The eye sockets were red and it gave Saito the most intimidating presence they could all remember.
It wasn't until he turned around that everyone noticed his cloak was different as well. It was an all-black cloak as his other one was, but this one had the symbol of Tristania in silver in the middle of his back. It matched his gloves perfectly.
"Wow..."
Henrietta managed to say what they were all thinking as she made her way to Saito. She thought he looked intimidating, powerful, and dare she say... sexy. She didn't realize she was drooling until she had to wipe the corner of her mouth.
"I remember you saying that change was good before when I first made my new appearance known. What do you think now, your majesty?"
Siesta and Ara were not the only ones to notice Henrietta not only wipe her mouth but also lick her lips at Saito's question. Her actions spoke volumes, but her calm and measured response didn't fit the looks she was giving him.
"I think change suits you, Saito."
"Thank you, your majesty!" he turns from Henrietta, oblivious to her double meaning, and looks at the four newbies. "I expect you four to train them hard while I am gone. I know you expected some guidance from me, but I trust you to train them right. I won't be gone long either just make sure to push them as hard as you can."
"We won't let you down, Saito!"
Saito made sure to say goodbye to several people before leaving. Honestly, he didn't quite remember when this many people had become so close to him. He had to say goodbye to Tiffania, Mathilda, Agnes, Kirche, all of the musketeers, Tabitha, Cattleya, and even Mon-Mon came out to see him off.
Saito, Siesta, and Ara didn't waste any time when they finally mounted Dante to leave. Saito wanted to get to Germania and back as soon as he could so he pushed Dante. The Hell Stallion didn't mind, and it only took an hour before they overtook the messenger and his party.
What normally would have been an eight-day trip by normal horse, took only 3 days riding Dante and using Ara's return magic as another shortcut. With the speed of Dante and Ara's return magic, they only encountered a few monsters.
However, one of the monsters Saito had to kill, dropped two of the same item, and they would make yet another incredible surprise for Henrietta and the Queen. They arrived at the Gates of the Germanian capital of Vindobona in record time according to Ara.
All Saito had to do was show the man walking up and down the line keeping everyone in order for them to bypass the line entirely and the gates to swing open for them. He planned on waiting in line like everyone else, but they wouldn't hear of it once they saw he was invited by the Emperor.
As he was escorted to the palace by a contingent of guards, he noticed everyone staring at him. He wasn't sure if it was because of Dante, his armor, or the fact that both women riding with him were gorgeous, but everyone they passed seemed to stare at them for too long.
Saito was glad when they finally reached the palace as there were only guards and the occasional servant to stare at them. When they were finally escorted to the throne room to meet the Emperor, Saito and Siesta bowed while Ara took a knee.
As servants to another monarch, Saito and Siesta were not expected to bow to the Emperor. Ara, however, was a Germanian Noble and was required to kneel to her sovereign. The Emperor was a lot younger than Saito imagine.
Saito knew the Crown Prince was supposed to marry Henrietta before, but the current Emperor didn't look much older than thirty. It made Saito wonder how young the Prince was since he didn't see him here.
"Thank you for making time to see me, your majesty."
Saito made sure to say that before raising his head. The Emperor however wasn't like he envisioned when he realized he would finally meet him.
"The pleasure was all mine Blade Master Saito. I only wish I could have had you in my halls sooner."
"The honor is all mine, your majesty. Let me introduce my companions." Saito motions to his right. "This is my fiancé and partner in crime, Siesta." he half-smiles at her before motioning to his left. "And this is my closest friend and member of your nobility, Lady Ara Von Dunkler Engel."
The Emperor gets up from his throne after Saito makes the introductions, and makes his way straight to Siesta. He takes her hand and kisses the back of it before saying.
"It is nice to meet you, Lady Siesta. You must be quite the woman to catch this one's eye."
Siesta couldn't believe it, but the Emperor actually winked at her after he said that.
"Thank you, your majesty, but I am simply a commoner from Tarbes. I am no Lady."
"I think you will find, Lady Siesta, that Germania is not like Tristania. I couldn't cast a single spell if my life depended on it, but I'm still the Emperor of this great country. We value what people make of themselves here more than if they have the ability to cast magic. Believe me, being born a mage helps, but it's only an advantage and not one that can't be overcome."
The Emperor gives Siesta a final nod and steps over to Saito. He not only shakes his hand a lot harder than necessary, but he also pulls him into a hug. It catches Saito way off guard. He had no idea the Emperor of Germania was so relaxed when it came to court protocol.
"I want to thank you again, your majesty, for what you have done for me, and also, for what you said to Siesta. I've been trying to get the people of Tristania to understand they can be anything they want to be if they just try hard enough. I'm sure hearing words like that from you will only help me."
"Think nothing of it. I meant every word, and you certainly are a lucky man..."
Saito was still in disbelief this man was so casual in his banter. It made him bold enough to join in.
"I hope you're not trying to steal my fiancé from me, your majesty. She's a handful."
Instead of being offended like he believed just about every other monarch would be, the Emperor laughed. Saito was really starting to like this guy.
"I have no doubt she is..." he really winked at her again. "but I'm a little too old to be keeping up with someone as young as her. It is hard enough to keep up with the three wives I already have. I'll leave that young beauty to you, Saito."
There was no missing the shade of red Siesta started turning. Saito was speechless as well, but only because he was trying to process the Emperor having three wives already. The Emperor didn't linger when he saw their expressions. He simply patted Saito on the shoulder and made his way to Ara. He took her hand and kissed the back of it as he did to Siesta.
"Lady Ara. I keep hearing great things about you from all over. It is a shame that you just missed your father. He was here giving his monthly report on the Merchant's Guild."
"I'm honored my deeds have been worthy enough to reach your ears, your majesty."
"I imagine everyone in Germania has heard the story of how you and a Blade Master from Tristania finally wiped out a vile magic from our lands that has plagued us for centuries. If I would have known you were in Saito's company, my lady, I would have thrown a banquet for you!"
"Your majesty..."
Ara was going to humbly accept the praise again, but Saito cut in before she could finish.
"She's done even greater things after that, your majesty."
"Oh?..."
The Emperor turns to face Saito after he said that. Saito looked at Ara and her face almost screamed at him. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! He had to hold in his chuckle before he continued.
"Yes, your majesty. Lady Ara has also been bestowed the title of Lady of the Uttercold by the Water Spirit of Lagdorian Lake and named her Champion."
"You are even more impressive than I was told, Lady Ara. You continue to do your country and family proud! Perhaps we made an oversight when looking at Imperial engagements when we skipped over your name."
For some reason, that last comment made Saito unnatural angry, and sad at the same time.
"Yes, your majesty. Lady Ara is exceptional. I hope that after all she has already done for your country, she would be afforded the right to choose her own husband!"
None who could hear the conversation missed Saito's tone. He had been warm, cordial, and good-natured about the unusual court appearance, but it seems the Emperor hit a sour note with that last comment. The Emperor noticed as well, and not knowing Saito, took his response in a way Saito did and didn't really mean.
"Oh... I see now! I can see why they praise you so much Blade Master Saito! Not only are you unmatched with the sword, but your choice in wives is also stellar!" Saito went to open his mouth to protest, but couldn't think of what to say. The Emperor slapped him on the back and chuckled a bit before continuing. "Now, let us go see why you truly came here. I doubt you came to converse with this old man when you have a country to protect!"
The Emperor was practically dragging Saito along to their destination as Saito's mind was a little busy at the moment. He only managed a single glance at Siesta and Ara, but those quick looks told him a lot.
Siesta looked no different then she had before the Emperor said that. Saito would almost believe she didn't even hear it, but he knew that wasn't true. Ara, on the other hand, turned about three different shades of red in the couple seconds Saito got a look at her.
Saito had no idea how long the Emperor dragged him along. It could have been thirty seconds, it could have been an hour. Saito really didn't know, but they made it to their destination, and Saito was beyond impressed when he got there.
"Saito, are those?..."
"Yep!"
Siesta and Ara couldn't believe their eyes and Saito let them know this was indeed really happening. After a quick tour and saying goodbye to the Emperor, they set off on their way back to Tristania.
Saito and Siesta were laying in bed on their way back to Tristania, and Siesta knew it was time to have that talk with Saito. She meant to have it days ago at the Magic Academy, but she was afraid. Still is, if she is being honest with herself, but she knew it had to be done sooner rather than later.
Also, this was a perfect time. Saito's options to run were limited in their current traveling method so even if it went horrible, he wouldn't just disappear forever.
"Saito... we have to talk about something."
"That's how every horrible conversation in history was started... did I do something wrong?"
Siesta hadn't really said anything and Saito was already about to make her cry. She still wasn't sure why someone as perfect as he always thought he did something wrong. She wasn't sure he ever did anything wrong.
"No... you didn't do anything. It's... do you remember the conversation we had before we laid together the first time?" Saito nods. "And do you remember I said that I-"
Saito finishes her thought for her. It was one conversation he could repeat perfectly. He doesn't ever remember paying that much attention to a conversation.
"Was raised differently than I was, and there was still more to talk about other than what we had discussed, right?"
"Yes... I think... Well, I was... I wasn't sure..."
Saito takes both her hands to calm her down. He had never seen her so nervous in all the time he had known her. Whatever she was about to say obviously weighed on her quite a bit.
"Siesta... it's alright. You can tell me anything."
She wanted to laugh, to be honest. This might be the one thing she ever says to him that he truly doesn't want to hear, but she knows she needs to say it anyway.
"So you know what fate I envisioned for myself, but what you don't know is even though I feared it at first, when I grew older, that fear turned to hope, and that hope turned into a dream."
She knew that made little sense to him but it soon would.
"I was scared at first when I figured out what that meant. As I grew older and my body matured, I hoped I'd find a kind master and mistress who wouldn't abuse me as some did. When I started working at the Magic Academy, I found my hope turning into a dream. I would dream I was the woman in my stories who was loved by her master and mistress..."
Saito still didn't look like he had any idea what she was trying to say.
"I did a lot of the students' laundry and one of the female students owned a lot of the underwear they describe in my stories. I started thinking of her being my mistress to whatever noble she had to marry and... it... I mean... I felt..."
Saito squeezed her hands once more to get her to finish. He actually had an idea where this was going now, but she certainly needed to finish for him to come to any kind of conclusion.
"It... It turned me on..." Siesta sees Saito hasn't fled yet so she continues. "And since then, I've come to... umm... appreciate the female figure..."
'Okay, maybe this isn't going where I thought it was...'
Saito couldn't stop that thought before asking.
"So do... do you not want me then?"
"WHAT?!"
How Siesta went from nervous, terrified, and borderline hysterical to that angry would forever remain a mystery to Saito until the day he died.
"HOW DID YOU GET THAT FROM WHAT I SAID?!"
"I just thought that you were saying you came to focus on girls so much that you wanted women and not men?..."
Saito did not do himself any favors there either. Siesta's laugh was somehow magical and angry after he said that.
"I can't believe this is how this is going..." Siesta laughs again. "I was so nervous to explain this to you I made you think I didn't want you. I figured all the times I told you I've wanted you since our bath, or the Count's would let you know how much I wanted you. Not to mention, all the times I've had you in the last couple of weeks."
Siesta doesn't look angry anymore and Saito is glad about that. Whatever she wanted to talk about, Saito didn't see this talk going this way either. When Siesta speaks next, she looks resigned to whatever fate is about to hand her. She moves right up to Saito, puts her hands on his cheeks, and looks him right in the eye.
"Saito, what I'm trying to say is... If you wanted to marry Ara, or any other girl, along with me. I'm okay with that if she loves you as I do. I'm not only okay with it, if she agreed, I'd go into Ara's cabin right now, bring her in here, and have you make love to both of us at the same time."
Siesta figures she might as well go for broke when Saito's jaw drops and he freezes. She climbs right up into his lap on the bed and continues.
"Picturing me on top of you like this with you inside me. While Ara is sitting right on your face and I'm using my fingers and you're using your tongue to bring her to climax, it..." Siesta actually shivers on top of him. "It does things to me, Saito."
Saito's mouth is still hanging open so he doesn't say anything, but Siesta does notice something. Saito might not have said anything, but Siesta could feel him hard as a rock underneath of her.
She might as well use that to her advantage. She slowly leans down into him, forcing him to lay down with her pressed against him. Her lips are so close to his ear Siesta speaks barely above a whisper.
"Or perhaps, you'd like it more if I laid on the couch naked and watched you take Ara." the twitch from his hips let her know she was getting somewhere. "And after you wore her out, you'd come over to me and take your other wife like she loves you to. Or maybe Kirche had the right idea. Perhaps you need three of us to satisfy your needs."
Siesta is honestly having a hard time keeping from smiling as she feels Saito's reaction to her words. Not only is his cock twitching, but he is starting to squeeze her ass so tight to control himself it might start to hurt soon. To Siesta, that spoke volumes, and she intended to continue until Saito gave her any kind of answer.
"Maybe though, you'd like it more if you were watching myself and Henrietta licking that cock I love so much. Watching us taking turns trying to get you down our throats." Siesta moans a bit in his ear to add to the effect before she slips one of his hands to her panties. "I get so wet just thinking about having you in my mouth, Saito. Feel how wet I am thinking about another's mouth there to help me please you."
Saito still hasn't said anything, but that doesn't mean he isn't reacting. Siesta can see his eyes shut, jaw tense, feel his hands digging in her ass, and feel him grinding against her. She feels like she is about to break him somehow and she has a feeling it is either going to be great or horrible.
"I want you to be happy. I want to be happy. I want those who love you like I do to be happy. I want-"
Siesta couldn't finish as Saito rolled her over in the blink of an eye and she was on her back staring right into those eyes she loved so much. She was very good at reading Saito, but right now, she had no idea what he was thinking.
"You're serious?"
"Serious enough to have five more brides lined up for you and a plan to make it all work..."
Siesta said that barely above a whisper but she knew Saito heard her. It worried her that she couldn't see what he was thinking. It had never happened before. However, when he finally did speak again, he didn't really answer their situation, but she got an answer she would cherish forever anyway.
"I want you to know that I will always love you, and always protect you. No matter if we ever get separated, I will always come back to you..." Saito gave her the most loving kiss she ever experienced before looking in her eyes and saying. "I will always be yours, Siesta."
Siesta wanted to cry right then and there knowing Saito wasn't going to leave her. Saito, on the other hand, didn't let her think that long. He kissed her with all the passion he could and made slow, sweet love to her so long, neither could think afterword and simply fell asleep in each other's arms.
As Henrietta made her way through the Royal Palace, she couldn't help but think how long she had dreaded this day. She knew it might not be this day in particular that she dreaded, but she knew it was going to happen soon.
No matter how much she planned for, no matter how much she trained her soldiers and citizens, and no matter how much she wished to keep them all safe. She knew this war was going to happen very soon. If her mother's message was anything to go by, they would be declaring war on Albion before she left the capital.
Even with the numbers in the Army swelling to heights it had never been before, and the musketeers learning to use KI, Henrietta wasn't sure it would be enough to win this war. She had ever intention of winning, but she knew they were severely outnumbered.
The rebellions all across Albion had dwindled Reconquista's numbers, but it wasn't that big of a difference. Reconquista still outnumbered the soldiers of Tristania almost two to one. Tristania's only saving grace, and the answer Henrietta goes to for most of her problems nowadays, was the fact that they had Saito.
Henrietta may have lived a sheltered life, but one thing she was not sheltered from was power. She had met the most powerful mages this world had to offer already in her short twenty years of life so she could say this without a doubt.
Saito was the strongest person she had ever met.
The last time she had performed a level check on him, he was already eight levels higher than her and he was two years younger. She had trained with him recently and it was easy to tell that he had gotten much stronger since then.
Henrietta knew that she had also gotten much stronger, especially after her time with the water spirit, but she was sure she wasn't even close to keeping pace with Saito. If she truly thought about it, she was sure that not only Tiffa but also Lady Ara were more powerful mages than she was.
She knew Lady Ara was a Pentagram Level Mage. It was insanely rare to have a mage reach that level and unheard of in one that was so young. She knew that Lady Ara had reached that level by unconventional means. Usually, that would mean a Void Mage who could use all the other elements as well, but with Lady Ara, she knew Dark Magic in place of Void.
And if Lady Ara wasn't powerful enough, there was her cousin, Tiffa. She was a mage of legendary power, even if the girl didn't want to admit it. No matter how far back Henrietta looked through the records or scoured her mind, she doesn't recall there ever being a Hexagon Level Mage, and that is exactly what Tiffa was.
Not only was she a Void Mage who could cast all the other elements, but also an elven nature magic caster. Saito had called her a Druid, and Henrietta, honestly, had no idea what that meant. The description he gave all of them of what a Druid was did completely fit Tiffa's nature magic though.
But no matter what mages and their power she thought of, or what battle strategies she sifted through in her mind, or what she planned to recommend to her mother about Albion. There was still one thought that constantly invader her mind and made it's way to the front.
'I wonder when Saito is going to arrive?'
Henrietta knew it was ridiculous to pine after someone so much especially as a Princess who would one day be Queen, but there was nothing she could do about that. It had only gotten worse with time.
Even when Henrietta barely knew Saito, he popped into her mind here and there. Once she had realized the type of person Saito was, it happened way more often. The moment she had kissed him, the only time, she was a goner.
You would think a kiss that wasn't done in private and others were witnesses to wouldn't affect her so much, but it did. She had never felt like that kissing someone. It was true that Wales was the only other person she had kissed to that point, but even then, she knew that kiss with Saito was something different.
She'd be lying to herself if she didn't think about what it would be like to kiss Saito again, but this time, with no one there so she could get a real kiss from Saito. For a while, she had given up hope that would ever happen, but Siesta had reignited her hope.
She still thought it was a fool's errand to think that Saito would go through with anything Siesta had planned, but it was worth hoping even if the chances were slim. Henrietta spent more time thinking than she realized and was in front of her mother's door quickly. She knocked and entered when she heard her mother say.
"Enter." Henrietta had barely stepped into the room before the Queen continued. "Oh... Henrietta dear! I'm so glad you made it back in one piece."
"Thank you, mother."
"Hmm, I see you are missing someone though dear. Where is your Blade Master?"
"Saito is on his way, mother. He should be here by tomorrow, the day after at the latest."
"You still didn't answer where he was, Henrietta."
"Saito informed me that he needed to pick up a surprise for the crown from Emperor Olaf. Before you ask..." Henrietta saw her mother's question before she even asked it. "I have no idea what this surprise is. Saito simply told me we wouldn't mind his absence once we saw what he brought. He promised to be no more than two days behind me."
"That boy is wonderful and a great asset to this country, but he is not good at taking orders from his Queen."
Henrietta never does this in front of her mother, but she giggled at the Queen's pout. She wasn't sure she ever saw her mother act like a child even if it was only for a moment.
"I think we have benefitted greatly from Saito's actions, mother."
"Oh, there is no denying that, but if the boy took orders better, I wouldn't be..."
The Queen didn't finish her sentence. She wasn't sure if she should even tell Henrietta what she had been trying to do for months now. It might benefit the Queen to get her daughter's help, but she might screw things up as well. She had seen how close her daughter had become with that girl Siesta.
"You wouldn't be what, mother?"
"It makes no difference, dear. We can speak of it another time."
"I'd prefer to speak of it now, mother. I have a feeling I know what you are talking about, and that is one of the two reasons I wanted to speak with you before we met with everyone else."
"Oh? And what do you think I'm not telling you?"
"First, I wanted to talk about Albion. We need to be on the same page, and I have a few ideas about how we should attack this problem. That, however, is not what you are speaking of. What I also want to talk to you about is, not only what you won't tell me, but what we were discussing not only a moment ago... Saito."
The Queen did not see that coming, and Henrietta saw it on her face. She giggled again. Henrietta really shouldn't be doing that to her mother, but she can't help it.
"Come on mother. I learned how to rule from you. Of course, I know what you've been up to. You haven't been nearly as subtle as you think."
"I'm assuming then you have a solution to my dilemma then dear, or are you just here to point out I'm getting old and losing my touch?"
"I do have a solution. Actually, it was Siesta who came up with it, but it is a solution. I will, however, need your help in not only figuring out the rest but also your approval and stamp when we have finished finalizing this plan. And... it might all be for nothing if Saito doesn't agree."
"Why wouldn't he agree?"
"Saito is..."
Henrietta didn't need to finish, the Queen did for her.
"different. Yes, I know. You've said it many times, and if he wasn't, I wouldn't have had this headache for the last few months."
"Well, this is what we have in mind so far..."
Henrietta and the Queen had spoken about Saito and Albion for almost two hours before they finally were ready to finish up. They had just about everything settled and they were in agreement on almost everything. Almost being the keyword.
"We will have to come back to Des Ornières another time, dear. Saito will certainly be rewarded with it, he has already earned it, but we have to gauge how everyone would react if we made it a sovereignty of Tristania. I know Saito holding the title of Prince instead of Lord might make all this easier, but your idea to make Siesta an honorary Princess of Tristania might do the job instead."
"Believe me mother, by the time this war is over, you'll probably be proposing to make Saito, King."
"You always did have faith in everyone, dear, but don't you think you might be aiming a little high? Saito is exceptional but..."
"You are right mother, I do have the highest expectations for Saito. I always have and you know what? He exceeds them every time. I bet he will do something that will leave the entire world in awe of him and terrified to get on his bad side before this is over."
As soon as Henrietta finishes, she gets a message from the person they were currently talking about and she smiles. It seemed it was time to see this surprise.
"Come, mother. Saito has arrived and requested we meet him on the Eastern Wall..."
Henrietta didn't even get to take a step before Aimee burst into the room out of breath.
"Possible... attack... coming... toward... Eastern Wall!..."
"Relax Aimee... that's just Saito."
And relax is exactly what Aimee did. She wasn't quite sure how to explain a surprise attack at the capital with no one realizing it was coming. Henrietta and the Queen made their way to the Eastern Wall bringing Aimee and Agnes with them.
It was only a couple of minutes walk to the top of the wall so they arrived quickly. Agnes was the first to step out from the staircase onto the wall. Before anyone else could exit out onto the wall, they all heard Agnes say.
"You've got to be kidding me?..."
When Henrietta exited, she meant to look down at the ground to figure out this surprise, but something caught her eye and it was drawn up instead of down. Very close to their current position, five airships were making their way toward the docks not far from the wall. The Queen was speechless, Henrietta, on the other hand, laughed before saying.
"I didn't truly believe he could surprise me. I see Saito has exceeded my expectations once more..."
Henrietta meant to say more but noticed something on one of the ships as she studied the sails noticing one was different. It was very close to them near the wall and three people were standing on the side of the ship. They were only about fifty feet above her so it didn't take but a glance to notice it was Saito, Siesta, and Ara.
Henrietta went to wave to greet them as she thought they were doing to her, but her heart leaped out of her throat when the three of them fell off the side of the airship.
She only managed to squeal in terror instead of saying anything. She wasn't sure if it was because they fell or she realized they were about to splat only a few feet from them, but squeal she did.
When they were just five feet from the ground, Henrietta was about to close her eyes when she saw all three of them flip their bodies in sync before she heard Saito yell.
*CYCLONIC WALL*
A burst of wind goes off right in front of Henrietta but doesn't touch her. Saito, Siesta, and Ara all land on the wall without so much as a scratch. They even added a little flair as Saito and Siesta landed kneeling while Ara was bowing. In sync, all three of them said.
"Your majesties."
For a few moments, it was impossibly silent for where they currently were. Everyone was gawking at the three of them and words failed them. Henrietta is the first to speak and she does not sound happy.
"WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU BE SO RECKLESS, SAITO?!"
Saito was trying with all his might not to jump up in glee at what they just did. Even if they practiced a bit on the airship, it was different doing it when people had no idea what was happening.
He could tell Henrietta was mad... pissed might be a better word. The only reason he felt bad though was because he didn't feel bad. There's no way that entrance would ever be topped!
Ara and Siesta were simply blushing while staring straight down at the ground. Saito was about to respond, but Derf popped up out of his sheathe and said.
"Come on now, Princess. You know that was a lot cooler than coming in on a Hell Stallion!"
The Queen laughed at the sword. It wasn't the first time she was subject to his banter. Henrietta wanted to be mad, but Derf was making it very hard. Saito didn't make it any easier when he shook his head and said.
"This is why I don't bring you places, Derf. You have terrible timing."
"No. You don't bring me places because you are alw-"
Derf didn't get to finish as Saito pushed him back down into the sheathe. There were some more muffled noises but none could make them out.
"I did not mean to worry you, your majesty. We did practice though so it wasn't done on a whim." Henrietta still wasn't smiling. "Truly, sorry for worrying you."
Henrietta knew his words sounded sincere. However, the smile he couldn't get rid of and the twinkle in his eye told her he wasn't really sorry at all. She shook her head and motioned toward the stairs.
"We can speak of this later, come, we have a meeting to attend."
She only got one step in before Saito said.
"We did have a gift for your majesties." Saito pulls out two identical clear vials with a silver liquid in them and hands one to each of them. "You can only gain the effects of it once and all three of us have already had one. It's like a power-up potion, Unicorn's Blood."
"Thank you, Saito."
Neither was sure what they were going to do with it, but Henrietta was certainly leaning toward drinking it very soon. She motioned for them to head to the meeting and they all made their way there quickly.
Saito saw the people he had been accustomed to seeing now in these meetings. The Queen and Henrietta took their seats at the head of the table and everyone followed them. Saito could see Lord Montmorency, Grand General Grammont, Agnes, Robert, and Tiffa.
Tiffa had been acting like Henrietta's shadow when she agreed to Henrietta's plan to make her Queen. Luckily, they came up with a reasonable timetable for Tiffa to learn and she wouldn't have to rule the moment they won. Henrietta looked around at all of them before saying.
"Shall we begin?"
So Chapter 16 down... hope you liked my odes to some of my favorite characters... the airship fall entrance was for my love of Deadpool and his love of the Super Hero Entrance! The last line of the chapter is for the greatest Queen ever! Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen! Anyway... so I think next chapter I'll try to resolve the whole Saito situation with multiple wives in one quick go or do you guys think I should drag it out a bit? No matter what, it won't last that many chapters... Until next time!