Feliciano listened in as Feliks described to Arthur one of the pranks Alfred once pulled on Antonio, with Lovino chiming in with sarcastic commentary. The otherworldly visitor quickly got along with all of them, and spent his spare time chatting with them while Basch spoke to Alfred and Antonio about politics elsewhere in the castle.

"So, where do you fellows come from?" Arthur inquired, "Are you from right here in Primgate, or did you come from other parts of Prathage?"

"Lovino and I come from a coastal town in Baisicia, the duchy southeast of here," Feliciano described, "Our family helped with merchant trading to the southern continent, past the Bay of Shertara. We helped load and unload the cargo from the ships, and make the deliveries to the duchy palace. Antonio is the Duke of Baisicia, as was his father before him."

"Yes, Antonio told me about his family, and that his mother was a princess," Arthur interjected, "He explained how the court insisted that his father lead the civil war against the Royal Family."

"He sure did, and that's how we got dragged into it," Lovino continued, "Feliciano and I started as new recruits in the army, drafted by the Duke's mandate. With the help of our birth spells, we survived long enough to climb the ranks to safer positions. We eventually met Antonio, who insisted that he remain at his side as his most loyal rangers. We were there when Alfred proposed their truce, and came along when they brokered the reconciliation and end of the civil war. At this point, I suspect Antonio will even keep us around after Alfred gives him the crown."

"When Alfred gives him the crown?" Arthur noted, "Does Alfred not intend to be King?"

"Not permanently, no," Feliks elaborated, "Alfred had certain... preferences… that do not fit with the expectations of a King. Part of their arrangement is that, once the war has ended and Alfred has secured the peaceful rule of the land, he will abdicate and give the crown to Antonio."

"What preferences do you speak of?" Arthur grilled.

Feliciano looked between Lovino and Feliks, noting that all three of them were looking at each other for support. It was a more personal topic that they were broaching about the Prince, after all, and they all seemed to have the same thought on whether they were allowed to speak of it. Feliciano nodded at them both, before looking at Arthur and carefully choosing his words.

"A lack of interest in women and in marriage," Feliciano defined, "It's not uncommon, but it's also not typical of a King."

"Ah, that sort of preference, I see," Arthur remarked, "Acceptance of those preferences is becoming more commonplace in my world, although there are still problems from those who are intolerant. I can see why that would cause problems for a King, with the expectations of continuing the royal bloodline."

"That's why Alfred will leave it to Antonio to carry on the royal bloodline," Feliciano carried on, "As his cousin, Antonio is next in line and would take the crown in Alfred's place, barring a dramatic return by Princess Madeline from her hidden refuge."

"It's not like Antonio will find a queen that easily, though," Lovino reminded, "His sweetheart died six years ago, and he's still not over it."

"Well, that's unfortunate," Arthur commented, "Was she killed in the war?"

"No, she's not even from Prathage," Feliciano corrected, "Have you heard about Stulikya at all yet?"

"Yes, I believe I've heard it mentioned," Arthur answered, "It's the kingdom to the East of Ixaidel. Prince Ludwig and Kiku were set to ride out there to meet with the Queen when I left Inasdiff."

"Antonio's sweetheart was Princess Katerina of Stulikya," Lovino recounted, "She was the eldest child of the former King and Queen, but her brother Ivan inherited the crown. Antonio was courting her while visiting on a diplomatic mission, but had to return to Prathage when the war started."

"Yes, Antonio mentioned he was in Tark at the time Madeline escaped," Arthur noted, "He didn't mention Katerina though."

"Princess Katerina was assassinated shortly after Antonio's departure," Feliciano narrated, "Someone shot an arrow into the crowd at her 21st birthday celebration. The arrow pierced the Princess's heart, and she died very quickly. There were rumours that the arrow might have been magically enchanted to hit her, but that was never confirmed."

"That is tragic indeed," Arthur stated, "I wonder if it's the same Katerina and Ivan as in my world. They are very closely connected to each other, they consider each other to be siblings as well. There is another girl who is considered a younger sister, her human name is Natalya."

"There is indeed a Princess Natalya," Feliciano confirmed, "Sounds like you might also have to visit Stulikya while you are here, if you know all their names too."

"Who rules the kingdom right now?" Arthur asked, "I heard it mentioned that there was a queen in Stulikya, not a king. With Katerina dead, wouldn't that put Ivan or Natalya in charge?"

"King Ivan was once in charge, but he went missing five years ago," Feliks clarified, "It is said he went into the forest to hunt a beast that was terrorizing the area, and he never returned. Since Princess Natalya was still too young to rule, his wife Erzsébet remained in power as Queen."

"I know an Erzsébet as well," Arthur confirmed, "This might be a much smaller world than we expected."

"We don't really know all that much about her," Feliciano disclosed, "We've been at war longer than she has been Queen, and only the most drastic royal updates were able to cross the borders."

"We'll have to see what happens when I eventually reach Tark then," Arthur digressed, "What about you, Feliks, what's your story?"

"I am from Vousta, one of the duchies to the far north of Prathage, past the Raevellian mountains," Feliks described, "I grew up in a small farming community in the valleys, along with my childhood friend, Tolys. We left home as adults and went north to the city of Idoburn, where we both served the Duke."

"Tolys, you say?" Arthur checked, "Brown hair, green eyes, calmer and quieter than you but still quite the resilient fighter when he needs to be?"

"That's definitely him," Feliks confirmed, "Do I know him well in your world too?"

"He is your neighbour, you have a lot of history together," Arthur explained, "You were each other's closest ally for centuries, only for that relationship to be severely strained over the past hundred years or so. The two of you are still very close, though, and are working on reconciliation nowadays. I'm not surprised that you two are very good friends in this world."

"Well, as I was saying, the civil war started while Tolys and I were in Idoburn," Feliks continued, "Our duke was not involved in the drama here in Primgate, and chose to support the King and the Royal Family. The northern duchies were dragged into the war, even though there was hardly any reason for us to be involved. All three northern dukes lost their lives in battle and left their positions vacant, so Prince Alfred became our leader. He eventually learned that my birth spell was useful, which is how I became his personal guard."

"What is your birth spell?" Arthur probed, "If you don't mind me asking, of course. I was warned that not everyone might want to discuss their spells."

"I can sense if someone is close to death," Feliks specified, "If they are wounded or ill, I can sense how close they are to dying, and if there is enough time to save them. Likewise, if entering a risky situation, I can sense if the projected chain of events will lead to that person's death."

"That sounds very useful to have," Arthur said, "I can see why Alfred would want to keep you around."

"I saved his life a few times in battle, so now he's keeping me in his royal service as long as he can," Feliks reflected, "It works fine for me, a nice warm home and steady employment, along with the excellent perks of following royalty around."

"Antonio and Alfred treat their rangers very well," Lovino added on, "As long as you serve them loyally, they see to it that you have a roof over your head and full plates of food. We are probably as close as you can get to being their top men without also being nobility."

"Where is Tolys now?" Arthur asked, "Is he also working for Alfred?"

"He's one of the rangers looking for Princess Madeline," Feliciano replied, "Last we heard from Naktakė, he was at the southeastern tip of the Raevellian Mountains."

"Naktakė?" Arthur repeated, "Who's Naktakė?"

"Tolys's pet raven," Lovino answered, "Tolys can talk to birds, that's his birth spell. He has trained Naktakė to understand a few human commands from other people. Whenever Tolys and Feliks are separated, she carries letters between them."

"I'm sure you'll eventually meet them" Feliks assured, "Wait until you get to watch Tolys arguing with her, their conversations are fun to listen to when you only understand one side of it."

"A man arguing with a raven?" Arthur chuckled, "I can see the entertainment value there."