"Alfred has grown into his role as a leader over the years, it has been incredible to witness. He does have his ego to feed, of course, but he's managing this reconciliation with surprising maturity. If he wanted the throne now, the remaining belligerent parties would be willing to work with him on that prospect."
Gilbert listened to Antonio speak of his cousin as they strolled through the palace gardens. The Duke of Baisicia had arrived from Primgate this morning, looking to re-open diplomatic relations between Ixaidel and Prathage after their civil war. After lengthy discussions into the afternoon, they were now taking a breath of fresh air before dinner was served.
"I am pleased to hear that you and the Prince have secured power in Prathage. It has been a long seven years of not knowing whether the Royal Family could maintain control of the throne."
"It has been a long time indeed, Your Majesty. I still remember blitzing through here on my way home at the beginning of the war. I barely stopped for a night's rest as everything fell apart for my extended family."
"What of the Princess of Prathage? Does anyone know her fate?"
"There has not been a trace of her all these years. With the war starting so quickly, and the border into Gaeniel so hastily closed, it's unlikely she was ever able to leave the kingdom. We have rangers scattered across the duchies right now, hoping to find her hideaway and any trace of her fate."
"What will happen when she is found? Will she be held responsible for her crime?"
"Some of the council members still want her dead, but Alfred refuses to allow that. The first matter of business will be whether or not she can lift the eternal winter."
As Antonio spoke of the Princess's fate, they had reached the edge of the gardens where stairs led to the terrace above. Ludwig was sitting in one of the lounge chairs atop the terrace, and waved at them in acknowledgement, to which Gilbert waved back.
"Why don't we head upstairs and join Ludwig?" Gilbert suggested.
"Of course, your Majesty," Antonio agreed, "It's been a while since I've spoken to him."
The two of them marched up the steps and quickly arrived at the terrace, where Ludwig was accompanied by Arthur, Kiku and Basch in the sitting area where there was still room for two more visitors.
"Hello everyone," Gilbert greeted, "May I introduce Antonio, the Duke of Baisicia in Prathage. Antonio, I trust you remember Ludwig, and my cousin Basch. With them here are Kiku, our loyal vassal, and Arthur, our honoured guest."
"You've got to be kidding me," Arthur muttered, prompting Gilbert to notice the surprise and irritation on the man's face.
"What's the matter, Arthur?" Gilbert asked, "Do you recognize Antonio?"
"Yes, your Majesty," Arthur verified, "I do indeed know him from my own world."
"Your own world?" Antonio repeated, "What does that mean, exactly? And how would you know me?"
"Come, let's sit down," Gilbert suggests, "We can tell you about Arthur's unusual situation."
Gilbert moved past the outlying chairs, choosing to sit further in between Ludwig and Kiku. Across from him, Antonio took the empty seat between Arthur and Basch. Gilbert allowed the moment for Antonio to get comfortable before he started explaining the situation.
"You see, Antonio, Arthur is not from our world. He comes from a faraway place where he represents his community, as the human embodiment of a kingdom. There are alternate versions of each of us in that world with the same names, appearances and temperament."
"That is very strange indeed," Antonio replied, "Arthur recognized me because there's another Antonio in his world that looks and acts just like me?"
"Yes, that is correct," Arthur confirmed, "In my world, you represent the Kingdom of Spain, and have been one of my most annoying rivals for many years."
"Hopefully we do not annoy each other so badly here," Antonio commented, "How did you end up in Ixaidel?"
"I have no idea, to be honest," Arthur answered, "I fell asleep in my bed in my home, and woke up in the middle of the forest just past the palace here."
"We found Arthur trespassing in the royal hunting grounds," Ludwig elaborated, "He immediately greeted myself and Kiku when we approached him, but was confused when we had no idea who he was."
"While he's been here in Ixaidel, Arthur has only recognized the few of us sitting here right now," Kiku added on, "He didn't recognize any of the servants or the attendees of the ball. We believe that, to determine how he got here and how he can return home, he must find the other people he knows in this realm."
"Which is why you're so interested in how he recognizes me?" Antonio put together, "You think I might be able to help him return home?"
"If you are able to, of course," Arthur amended, "Your help would be - I can't believe I'm saying this - appreciated."
"Is he really that irritating in your world?" Ludwig asked.
"Spain is to me, certainly," Arthur upheld, "He and Prussia are two partners of a trouble-making trio. We'll have to see where Francis ends up in this world, I highly doubt he wouldn't be here somewhere."
"I'm not aware of anyone of significance in Prathage by the name of Francis," Antonio said, "Is there a Francis in Ixaidel that comes to mind to any of you?"
"Unfortunately not," Gilbert answered, "As Arthur says, we'll have to see where he turns up."
"I do have a thought of how I could help Arthur, though," Antonio proposed, "If I understand this right, you managed to travel from your world to ours while you were asleep, right? Would it make sense that some form of magic was responsible for this?"
"That is plausible, and very likely," Arthur stated, "but I have no way to confirm it."
"I have a couple young rangers from Baisicia who work for me," Antonio described, "They are in Primgate with the Prince right now. Their birth spells allow them both to touch another person and see what magic influences them. One twin can see the spell's general rules, whether the person was born with the spell or had it cast upon them, and other various details. The other twin can see what can be done about the spell: how to break it, circumvent it, or use it strategically. If Arthur's journey here was influenced by magic, they will be able to analyze the spell."
"They would be able to see how I got here?" Arthur checked, "And how I can return home?"
"Quite possibly, yes," Antonio confirmed, "I recommend that Arthur joins me when I return to Primgate. I can introduce him to Lovino and Feli- "
"Lovino?" Arthur interrupted, "The twins you speak of are Lovino and Feliciano Vargas?"
"You know their names?" Antonio asked, "Are they in your world too?"
"They certainly are," Arthur affirmed, "They represent the Northern and Southern halves of the nation of Italy."
"Well, that makes the plan obvious," Basch remarked, "Arthur should ride to Primgate and meet these twins."
"You will ride with them, Basch," Gilbert ordered, "Since Antonio was gracious enough to restart diplomatic relations with us here in Ixaidel, it only makes sense to send our own diplomat to Primgate to meet with Prince Alfred."
"Of course, your Majesty," Basch accepted, "I will be pleased to represent Ixaidel."
"I beg your pardon," Arthur interrupted again, "did you just say Prince Alfred?"
"Yes, Prince Alfred of Prathage," Gilbert confirmed, "You don't happen to know an Alfred in your world as well, do you?"
"Golden blond hair, blue eyes?" Arthur described, "Young and naive, endless energy, sees himself as a hero to the entire world?"
"That is definitely the same Alfred," Antonio chuckled, "In this world, he is the Fire Prince and immediate heir to the Prathagean throne."
"Bloody fucking hell," Arthur groaned, "I suppose I can be polite in his presence."
"Gilbert, would it not make sense for me to ride to Primgate as well?" Ludwig suggested as the others continued chatting, "A meeting of the two Princes?"
"It would, but I have a better idea," Gilbert countered, "In our silence with our Western neighbour, we have also neglected to maintain connections to Stulikya. I will send you and Kiku East to Tark, you will meet with the Queen and the Princess and see what has become of them."
"Of course, Gilbert."