Disclaimers: I do not own Battletech.
A/N: Second part of the revision. I would like to point out that Nico has spent nearly half his life at this point either in the Rimward Frontier or fighting in the war. He comes off as gruff most of the time, though even he knows when to straighten up.
But you should remember what his first thoughts of Kamea were when he saw her in the Royal Hangar seven years ago. They weren't exactly PG-13. That being said, he has come to respect her and they both consider each other a close friend.
Please leave a Review, Fav, or Follow if you want. Also, don't forget to check out my other stories.
High Lady Kamea
Coronation Hall
The shuttle touches down between the two stone Atlas that were at the entrance of the Arano Coronation Hall, a grand structure of Taurian design that could easily pass as a monument from the ancient era of Greece back on Terra. There a crowd of commoners and news networks had gathered in mass numbers, awaiting Kamea's arrival. In the hallway of the shuttle, Kamea and her guard were forming up while Nico stays off to the side. Through a nearby window, he sees that a perimeter was formed and maintained not only by local law enforcement, but military units and House Arano royal guards as well. He then takes note that the whole area was being overseen by the House Guard in their towering mechs who were no doubt piloted by the three mechwarriors that made up Kamea's lance, Captain Charybdis, Lieutenant Kanaloa, and Lieutenant Reynard.
On cue, the Black Knight, and two Griffins moved to form a secondary perimeter on the outskirts of the shuttle as the members of the infantry security detail form the primary one closer to it. The ramp extends down to the ground and the hatch opens up revealing Kamea to the crowds who all burst into a deafening cheer at the sight of the future High Lady. The swarm of news reporters and cameramen light up the scene with flashes all while a security escort began to circle up around the noblewoman.
"They sure do love you, don't they?", Nico says from his spot on the wall next to Kamea, hidden from view.
"Would you be so kind to join me as I walk down the ramp, Colonel Strong?", Kamea asks while waving at the crowd.
"I recall a certain conversation regarding me touching you, Lady Kamea", was his answer.
"And I recall saying that you could do so under special circumstances", was her counter, "You are escorting me down the ramp like a gentleman should, colonel. I doubt anyone will have a problem with that."
"If you say so", Nico says as he pushes off the wall and moves next to Kamea.
If the ace mechwarrior thought the cheers were loud before they only intensify upon the crowd seeing him appear along with the flashing of the cameras increasing as well.
"It would seem that they love you just as well", Kamea comments as she presents her arm to Nico, "Shall we? And please try to keep it professional."
"If I didn't know any better I could swear this was all part of your plan", he replies as he wraps his arm around hers, "But you wouldn't treat me like a publicity stunt, now would you especially since you told me that this whole military stint was anything but that?"
"Of course not, Colonel", Kamea continues smiling as she begins to walk down the ramp, Nico trailing slightly behind with their arms link, "It just so happen that we are both the symbols of the Restoration and we just so happened to be on the same shuttle together to discuss a matter of national security. But Alexander has advised me to never squander a good opportunity to raise my popularity with the common folk and you are a hero to them, whether you like it or not."
"Uh-huh, whatever you say, Lady Kamea", Nico said as he looks toward the Black Knight next to the shuttle, "Though may I ask you a question?"
"You may", Kamea replies without looking at him.
"Was Charybdis mad when you handed over her Highlander to me?"
"Well, she was not exactly happy if that is what you are asking. Her main complaint being of course the fact that such a lowly mercenary as yourself did not deserve such a mech", Kamea answers as she waves and smiles at the cameras, "But she swallowed her pride and turned over the mech as I ordered."
"Bet she still holds a grudge against me", Nico comments as the duo finally got off the ramp.
"Actually, once you started racking up a high kill count, she begrudgingly admitted that the Highlander was better off in your hands than hers. I am pretty sure that was her way of saying that you were the better pilot", Kamea added, "Though I ask that you do not tell her that I said that."
"My lips are sealed", Nico said as he unlinks from Kamea's arm and the High Lady moves to address the reporters before she stops and turns her head back to him.
"I will think about what you ask for, but you should know as well as I do that it is not an easy task."
"I realize that, I'm just putting the idea in your head", Nico replies.
Kamea nods at this and proceeds over to her original destination.
"It would seem the people love you", he hears from behind him and turns to see Darius, Alexander, Gabriela, and little Darius descended down the ramp.
"Now where were you during the flight?", Darius asks as Alexander and his family headed over to where Kamea was at.
Nico leans in close to Darius, "Radio back to Sumire and have her tell the pilots to begin for a ramp-up in training in the coming days."
"Something going down, Dragon?", Darius asks.
Nico's eyes scan the crowd, "Pirate clan, but I'll tell you more later."
"You got it", Darius says just as a gaggle of reporters approach them.
"Colonel Strong! Colonel Strong!", a young female reporter at the front of the mob shouted as she practically shoved a microphone in Nico's face, "Lisa Ameyia, Coromondir Capital News!"
"How do you do?", Nico asks.
"I'm well, thank you for asking! Anyway, you're the Hero of the civil war, the Dragon of the Reach, but my sources tell me that certain elements in the nobility and military feel that your "unusual" promotion from mercenary to senior officer was improper to a degree and that they have their concerns about your ability to lead an actual military command in combat! How do you address these rumors?"
Nico didn't have to look around to know that Kamea and Alexander were intently watching him, wondering what his response would be and they weren't the only ones. As the cameras zoomed in on him, waiting on his every word, Nico knew that his next words could mean a lot to a number of people.
"Once more back into the world I thought I left behind", he thought before taking a deep breath.
"To answer your question, Miss Ameyia, there is really nothing for me to address. My contributions to the Arano Restoration throughout the war are public knowledge now and my record speaks for itself. On the day Director Santiago launched his sinister coup, I was there alongside the late Royal Guard Captain, Raju Montgomery, defending Lady Kamea and Lord Madeira as they made their escape and I was there at the final battle of the war in the arena where Lady Kamea face off against her cousin and her elite lance. I have been at our Lady side since day one of the war and while some of the nobles' loyalty started to falter once the Concordat got involved, I continue to fight for her without hesitation, as shown with my efforts at Smithon and Panzyr."
"He's going all in on this", Darius thought as he watches the spectacle.
"But if it is not my loyalty being called into question, but my combat abilities and leadership, then that too does not require a strong response from me. Aurigan Coalition's military files show that I currently hold the record for the highest confirmed mech and vehicle kills among mechwarriors in the entire Aurigan Reach along with the next four positions underneath me being occupied by all four of my lance captains. Under my leadership, the Dragon's Raiders mercenary company faced off and defeat entire elite lances that fought under the banner of the Aurigan Directorate and Taurian Concordat numerous times. I myself triumphed over Taurian legend, Commodore Samuel Ostergaard, in a personal duel between just the two of us, despite him having the heavier mech", Nico explained, "In my personal opinion though, my most astonishing achievement is that despite the fact that in every engagement we were outnumbered and outgunned, my men and I manage to achieve our objectives over and over again."
"Splendidly explained, Colonel Strong, truly marvelous", Kamea comments as she appears alongside him and the cameras move to focus on her, "As anyone can plainly see, the day I contacted the Dragon to fight at my side was truly the beginning of the end for my uncle's Directorate and his tyranny."
"Oh, now she wants to come over here", Nico thought before a bell rang out over the crowd.
"Ah, it seems that preparations are nearly complete", Kamea notes, "If you will excuse me."
She then turns to Nico with a smile and extends an arm, "Colonel Strong, if you would be so kind to escort me."
"As you wish, Lady Kamea", he said as he took it and the two made their way to the giant stairs at the front of the hall, the security detail forming around them, the Madeiras, and Darius.
"Is this all one big publicity stunt for you with the whole me escorting you everywhere deal? Because it is starting to feel like one", Nico states once they were out of earshot of the reporters, "People might start getting the wrong idea about the two of us; something that you wanted to avoid on the shuttle."
"I have to let the people see that we're on friendly terms, especially now after the war. Try to remember that we are the symbols of victory and this is just a more public display of it", Kamea states.
"But you're my superior. Anything you tell me to do is basically an order", Nico reminded her.
"I cannot order you to have an avid conversation with me and to the cameras and people watching, that is exactly what it looks like we are having right now", Kamea points out.
"Okay, you got a point there, I'll give you that", Nico conceded.
"Anyway, you handle that quite well back there with the reporters. I am actually impressed.", Kamea commented.
"Were you expecting something else?", Nico asks.
"Of course not, but I am willing to bet those who were against my decision were. They were no doubt expecting you to act like an uncivilized barbarian who hails from the Deep Periphery as well as being a former mercenary", Kamea replies.
"Part of being a mercenary is knowing how to talk properly to nobles since they are the main source of income. Most mercenary leaders are educated to a degree and know how to use their wits and charm to trick nobles and used their self-inflated egos to their advantage.", Nico says, "I had to use everything I learn growing up as a noble to land us contracts, especially out there in the frontier. I had to flatter, charm, and at some points, straight-up seduce clients just to make some cash."
Kamea gives Nico an emotionless look that did not go unnoticed by him.
"Is something wrong, Lady Kamea?"
"I sincerely hope that whatever tactics you used out on the frontier were not used on me", she says causing Nico to laugh as they transit up the stairs.
"Why would I have had to? You came to me, remember?", Nico says, "Besides, not like you would have lasted long if I did."
"I beg your pardon, but what is that suppose to mean?", Kamea asks as the two of them came to a stop at the spot in the hall where the guests were to be seated and the soon-to-be High Lady had to go on alone with only her guard detail following her to the throne.
"It's probably best I don't say it here", he tries to wave her off, "Don't want it leaking out and all."
"My Royal Guards are sworn to secrecy and the only cameras allowed at this point are the ones installed in the facility and those will be personally checked by Alexander and myself before they are released to the public", Kamea informs him, "So do tell, Colonel Strong, what exactly do you mean by that statement?"
Nico found himself mentally wondering whether or not to continue.
But just like in battle, once you commit you have to go all in.
"Raju told you what I said in the Royal Hangar that day, right?", Nico said as he lowers his voice so only Kamea could hear, "Well, let's just say that back then if I felt you were worth the effort, I would have had you in the cockpit of my Blackjack by the end of the day, or your bed if that is what you wanted."
….
….
No words pass between the two of them for a moment, but nevertheless, Kamea kept a smile on her face if only for the people who were around them watching but this smile held no warmth whatsoever.
In fact, it held, in Nico's opinion, barely restrained rage and was as cold as the Icebox was.
"Oh, if we were not surrounded by all these people, I would grab the sidearm of one of my guards and pistol whip you for saying something like that", Kamea tells him, smile and all, "What I would do after that, who knows?"
"Yeah, I have no doubt that you would which is why I'm saying it now where you can't touch me", Nico grins.
"Have a seat, Colonel Strong, and do enjoy the ceremony", Kamea damn near orders him.
"As you wish, Lady Kamea", Nico nods and moves to sit down while the woman who changed his life four years ago went on with her guard detail.
"You two really need to save such conversations for more private settings", Darius tells him as he sat next to him, "I didn't hear everything but I heard enough."
"We're only joking, it's nothing serious, I swear", Nico assures him as he turns to see Alexander and Gabriela showing off baby Darius to some other nobles. It would seem that Kamea reserve an entire pew just for the five of them and everyone else was forced to sit just a little bit away from them, "Bold move, Kamea."
"If you say so", the Aurigan native said before a thought occurs to him, "But hey Dragon, between you and me; would you still take a shot at Kamea if you could?"
"Now? Nah, too much is on the line for the two of us. Back then before all this happen? Most likely, though Raju would have strung me up by my balls once he found out", Nico replies.
"How would he had found out? I doubt a noblewoman like Kamea would go around telling people about it", Darius questions.
"Oh, the old man always found out. How, I don't know, he just did", Nico said, "Anyway, what did you and Alexander talk about at the Royal Hangar?"
Darius actually straightens his back and puffs out his chest a little bit, reminding Nico of a bird he saw in a book.
"You're looking at the godfather of Darius Oliveira Madeira", he proudly states.
"Really? You of all people?", Nico questions.
"If you can become a Special Ops Commander, I can become a godfather for the heir of a noble house", Darius counters, "Apparently I left such an impact on Alexander during all the time we spent in the command center that he considers me his best friend after Kamea and she is already the godmother of their son."
"Well ain't that something", Nico comments before he feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to see the man in question himself.
"Can I discuss something with you, Colonel Strong?", Alexander asks.
"What is it?"
"I am guessing Kamea wants to go with you when you take down the pirate clan, correct?", Nico hears Alexander tell him.
"She wants to be on the ground when we attack. What gave it away?", Nico asks as he looks straight ahead at Kamea as she sat on the Coromondir throne, waiting patiently for the ceremony to begin.
Alexander shakes his head and sighs, "As her right-hand, I receive the same intel she does and the minute I saw the word Fjaldr I knew she was going to go and there was no talking her out of it. In case you did not know, this is probably going to be her last hurrah you see."
"Hmm?", Nico says as he turns to look at the Lord of House Madeira.
"She does not want the civil war to be her legacy, her crowning achievement, at least military wise", Alexander began to explain.
"Kind of hard to top that especially seeing how she won against nearly overwhelming odds. Most people would gladly take that, I know I would", Nico says.
"True, but Kamea believes that it should have never had happened to begin with. She is maintaining the opinion that if she would have kept a closer eye on her family, all this death and destruction might have been avoided", Alexander states.
Nico thinks back to the conversation he had with Kamea on the Argo's shuttle and how she was wondering what would have happened if she would have taken the path Santiago wanted her to take.
"Did you know the High Lords and Ladies of the Reach rarely leave the Coromondir system once they are crown? It is almost an unwritten tradition in a way.", Alexander tells Nico, shaking him from his thoughts.
"Not an effective way to rule", Nico says.
Alexander chuckles, "The Head of House Arano is supposed to let the rest of the Coalition be run through the Founding Houses and governors while they maintain the capital system. They are only supposed to get involved in major economic and military situations as well as settle disputes between the major houses. As I recall, Kamea's father, the late High Lord Tamati II, was actually happy to go face the pirates at Fjaldr. I remember Kamea telling me how she heard him say things like he was getting bored with the peaceful life and how he could finally have some actions outside of training exercises."
"I take it the rest of the Founding Houses weren't too happy about that."
"They were not", Alexander confirm, "My father would talk about how if the High Lord got involve with something as "trivial" as pirates on our borders, what else would he get involve in? Would he start trying to run the entire Coalition directly?"
"If there is one thing I know about nobility it is hat they don't like it when people go poking their noses in their business, especially when it's their superiors", Nico says.
"Correct, though it seems that I have gotten slightly off-topic. Anyway, back to Kamea", Alexander says, "Eventually she is going to have to give power back to the Founding Houses, possibly reinstate the council. This will all most likely happen after the pirate campaign. Once that happens though it is back to the old ways of her being stuck on Coromondir and leaving the rest of the Reach in the hands of her subordinates."
"Something she is not too thrill about I assume", Nico added.
"Exactly, it is not much of secret that Kamea questions the leadership of the Founding Houses, especially seeing the delicate stage the Reach is in right now as it rebuilds from the war", Alexander says, "She wants to be everywhere at once to make sure things are going smoothly and if she cannot be there, she wants to send someone she can trust instead."
"And the only two people in the entire Reach she fully trusts are you and me", the mechwarrior finish.
"Correct again, but as you said, we are only two people."
Nico rubs his forehead as he takes a deep breath, "Let's focus on one thing at a time. First things first, the pirates."
"During the transit there, we need to talk her out of going onto the battlefield", Alexander says.
"Oh, so you're going too?"
"Of course, it will be like old times", Alexander smiles, "But as I am sure you are aware of, Kamea has a degree of battle lust which I am sure she inherited from her father."
"That she does", Nico says as he remembers back to the battle of Weldry at the Icebox where the noblewoman came bursting into the prison, just seconds after an artillery strike destroyed a wall for her to come through.
That meant that she was possibly running when she called it down and if she would have miscalculated, then Director Santiago would still be in charge.
She performed this reckless act to assist the Dragon's Raiders in their assault but to be honest, Nico and the others could have handled the lance the warden kept in reserve just fine but it seemed like Kamea wasn't fully satisfy with her victory at the spaceport and craved more action.
Hell, a couple of stray missiles and lasers nearly hit his Blackjack when she fired at one of the prison mechs that he was in the middle of battling. If she had been one of his pilots he would have chewed her out the minute they were back on the ship but he had to bite his tongue that day.
"I'll do what I can but I can't guarantee anything especially seeing how she is my superior", Nico says.
"I understand that but we must try. If something was to happen to Kamea, the Reach would find itself embroiled in another civil war", Alexander says.
The two men then dwell in silence and the implication of the conversation that just occurred.
"Oh, one more thing, Nico", Alexander spoke after a moment.
"And that would be?"
"As I am sure you are aware, I have overall command of the Coalition's regular military forces, only the Argo and its crew along with House Arano's forces are outside of my authority and I answer only to Kamea."
"I figured as much. I doubt she would have trusted anyone else", Nico comments.
"That being said, I will be the first to admit that I am not a military man, I have never claimed to be. My brothers were and they are now dead", Alexander states, "I was more focused on diplomacy and economic growing up."
"Don't mean to be rude, but does this conversation have a point?", Nico questions.
"It does. While I will be leaving more pressing matters of the military to more experience people like Kamea and yourself, even I know that for this pirate campaign to truly succeed you need to come with overwhelming force. So much that it will send a message to all other pirate clans in the region not to tangle with the Coalition", Alexander says, "I also need you to realize that if this campaign goes south, the implications will be far-reaching and long-lasting. The other Founding Houses are just looking for an excuse to question Kamea's leadership and with your promotion, you are the perfect target for them, so I advise you do not give them one."
"I don't plan on it", Nico told him, "Although, that's a lot of pressure to put on me."
"That is the way of the beast", Alexander tells him, "I mean, take a look at Kamea."
Nico does so and sees the noblewoman sitting elegantly in her throne, awaiting the crowning.
"She knows that over three billion souls are about to officially be in her hands. Every decision she makes from here on out will go down in the history books and be known throughout the Inner Sphere and the Periphery. She will have to negotiate and play diplomat with powers whose military and economy far outweigh ours and she will have to do it while dealing with the process of rebuilding the Reach and dealing with internal affairs", Alexander says, "And despite all that, she is calm and completely confident that she will be able to handle it all."
Nico takes a closer look at Kamea and shook his head, "I'm not too sure about that."
"Oh dear lord, I am not ready for this", Kamea told herself, "I am not certain I ever was."
Despite the neutral expression on her face, the anxiety in her chest was growing as Kamea watch more and more people fill the stands, mainly nobility, wealthy merchants, and other influential figures within the Aurigan Reach. Normally none of them would have been here at all since she had the coronation so soon but once the war started going in her favor and the final campaign for Coromondir begun, they started arriving in the system along with bringing reinforcements to appease her.
From what she has been told, the fashion industry of Coromondir took a big boon in business once she announces the day of her crowning with everyone who had the money and influence ordering new suits and dresses for the event.
But still, the fact that the day she was to become the High Lady has finally arrived still continued to stress her out, even if she did not show it. She remembers back to the day of the coup when she was being escorted by Raju and Nico. Despite the show of confidence she put on for her late mentor and his other student, every step she took in her Kinatro sent waves of terror racing through her body.
She just barely turned twenty-two yet she was about to inherit the entire Aurigan Reach. She wasn't ready back then for her father still had so much to teach her before he was abruptly taken away from the realm of the living.
But she had no choice in the matter.
It's seven years later and she still wonders if she is ready now. Back then everything in the Coalition was running smoothly and that still would have been a lot to handle for her even if it was just the Coromondir system alone. But now the whole region is in the midst of reconstruction and she must take the entire weight of it on her shoulders.
Even the High Lord and Ladies of old would have struggled with such a daunting task.
Just like the day of the coup, with every step, Kamea took up the stairs to the throne she felt the pressure rising within her. It took a large amount of restrain to keep herself from gripping onto Nico's arm to calm herself, she even thought about canceling the whole event.
What was she thinking of putting on that front for Alexander at the palace? All that false bravado and fake confidence. Internally, she was terrified of the future.
The wolves were gnawing at her gates, there were snakes in her garden waiting for an opportunity to strike, and she still had to deal with the important duty of producing an heir and going off what her advisors were saying, including Alexander to an extent, the sooner the better.
"War was so much easier", Kamea muses, "Attack that base, defeat that unit, hold that objective. Is it truly so much to ask that peace be just as simple as a battle?"
Kamea takes notices of her three House Guards in their mechs at the entrance of the hall, forming up directly in front of it, preventing any potential sniper from getting a bean on her. She glances up and takes note of the members of her Royal Guard who were patrolling on top of the building, providing a three hundred and sixty-degree coverage of the entire area surrounding the hall.
"If only the Founding Houses cared as much for the Reach as a whole as my guards cared about my safety. The Coalition would be back up and running in no time. But other than Alexander, the rest of the Founding Council is only concern about their own territories and interests" Kamea tells herself, "It is like I am dealing with children."
Kamea takes a deep breath, careful not to show that the pressure was taking a toll on her.
"Can I gain the full support of the oligarch of Mechdur?"
"Can an heir to House Karosas be located or will I be forced to divide up their territory among the remaining houses and can I do so without showing favoritism?"
"Will I ever be able to fully trust House Parata again?"
"What should I do with the minor nobles who were sworn to my uncle?"
"Even more pressing, what shall I do with the military assets of House Espinosas?"
"What if the pirates turn out to be a bigger threat?"
"What if I am unable to produce a suitable heir?"
"What if the Taurian Concordat demands reparations for the families of the victims of my uncle's terrorist attack on Perdition?"
"What will I do if they do and it turns out to be more than I can afford to give?"
"What if the Magistracy of Canopus refuses to loan us money to help us get back on our feet if we have need of it?
"What if the Espinosas' insurgents prove to be a bigger problem than I previously thought?"
"What if the rest of the Founding Houses decide that they are better off on their own or with someone else?"
All these thoughts and more bombard Kamea's mind, push to the point where she thought she was going to collapse on the floor from sheer anxiety alone.
"I am surrounded by enemies on all sides and I do not know if I can-"
"Kamea", she hears a voice in her ear say.
The future ruler raises an eyebrow and looks around. Her guards, while close, were too far away to lean over and whisper in her ear.
"What the?"
"Kamea", she heard again.
Now she was started to think that she finally lost her mind from the stress and was now starting to hear voices in her head.
"Kamea, it's Nico. Did you forget you have an earpiece in?"
Realization dawns on her as she remembers that she indeed decided to keep one in even during the coronation, despite the pleads of her servants to go without it for it would make her look unladylike in her dress.
"One must always be ready", she told herself as she looks down at the front and center pew, where her top mechpilot of the civil war was indeed talking into his communications watch. At first, she wondered how he got this frequency but then she remembers that Alexander is sitting right next to him and no doubt gave it to him.
"You don't have to respond but I can tell that you are overthinking things", Nico says.
Kamea narrows her eyes a bit and was about to say something when Nico kept going.
"Every time we were going over battle plans, you moved your fingers a lot when you were looking at a map and it told me that you were blowing something out of proportion, which you always were."
Stealing a quick glance down, Kamea sees that she was indeed tapping the fingers of her right hand on top of her left. She lets out a low sigh at this. Nico did always have a knack for small details like that. He helped her devise the battle plans for the Arano Restoration as much as she did.
"Look, I get that you got a lot on your plate and it feels like the whole world, system, coalition, whatever, rests on your shoulders, but you have to stop thinking that you're in this alone. You got Alexander, the entirety of House Madeira, the common people of the Reach, the crew of the Argo, and me helping you out", Nico assures her, "I hate to be blunt but you need to stop acting like this was that day seven years and realize that you're going to get through all of this, you just got to be willing to accept that you are not going to be able to do it by yourself."
A loud gong rang throughout the complex, signaling to all those in attendance that the coronation was about to begin.
"Time for me to stop talking. But one more word of advice. A little something my mother told me a long time ago", Nico tells her, "Forget about what happen in the past and look toward the future. Learn from what happened but don't ever let it control you. You need to keep moving forward and never look back. Dragon out."
It was in that moment, right as the religious representative started walking up the stairs with the Aurigan crown in hand that Kamea remembers something.
When the coup first started, all she had was Raju, Alexander, and Nico, even if he was just someone she just met at the time. When she was on the run in the frontier, all she had was Alexander. When she launched her first offensive at Weldry, she had an army, Alexander, Nico, and his small crew, along with the backing of the Magistracy. When she realizes that she could have saved Raju if she had just launched the attack a few hours early, Nico and Alexander were by her side to comfort her as she grieved.
At no point when all of this began did she have neither Alexander or Nico by her side.
When the Concordat enter the war at Artru and the battle looked bleak, Nico, who could have easily turned tail and ran with the Argo and all, not only stayed but fought off the Taurians to buy time for Kamea and her guard to escape. Through overwhelming odds, the man who carried the callsign of Dragon and his crew continue to be a thorn in both the Directorate and Concordat's side, never once showing disloyalty. Nico was also there at the final battle in the arena against Victoria, taking on three mechs at once just to make sure they didn't interfere with her duel with her estranged cousin.
She has heard and thought this many times before but only now, at the dawn of her reign, did the realization sink in. Nico could have turned down her offer. He could have gone to the other side. He could have not even joined her in the first place.
But here he stood once more by her side.
And she actually had the audacity at one point to believe he was only doing it for the money. She was a terrible friend to ever doubt him.
"I have to do better. I have to be better and realize that I have people who will always support me", she told herself as she straightens up and prepared herself for what was to come as the crown arrived in front of her and was lifted over her head, "And I will be."
A moment later, Lady Kamea Arano, the Countess of Coromondir and the victor of the Aurigan Civil War was no more.
In her place was born High Lady Kamea Arano, the official leader of the Aurigan Coalition and the Sword of Restoration.
A/N: Back to the Argo next chapter and back to business.