Volume 2: Interlude
Originally Drafted: November 2nd, 2022
Originally Published: November 14th, 2022
【 Tristainia, Capital of Tristian, Royal Palace | December 1st, 2558 】
The clacking of heels echoed with each step upon the cold stone floor. With the hallway unusually silent, the noise was more pronounced — and this particular area within the Royal Palace was vacated for this occasion.
With the usually vibrant and bustling place now nothing more than a liminal space. A passageway that had been swept quite thoroughly for any signs of infiltration and kept clear of any spies by the Princess' Musketeer Corps.
Karin Désirée de La Vallière, the Duchess and Matriarch of the Vallière family — strode through the sparsely populated halls on her way to a more secure location. Deep within the Castle's own complex interior design.
It didn't take long for Karin to arrive. The distance traveled seemed far shorter without any distractions or hindrances on the way over.
The Duchess stopped in front of a rather bland looking door. Unremarkable and insignificant in appearance, it would not arouse the mind of any suspicion. But for her to be called to such a place as this, she knew matters of importance would perhaps soon take place.
After all, nobody would take such precautions otherwise.
As she opened the door in front of her, she was greeted by the sight of the Princess' aide, the Chevalier Agnés de Milan next to another individual she couldn't quite make out. But based on her own intuition, she could guess who it was.
There was no other person more often seen beside the Princess than her loyal retainer.
The blonde woman, with her hair cut low for practicality — gave a nod to the Duchess as she entered. A gesture that was reciprocated in turn. With the Duchess giving her own, albeit in a much more refined manner; the result of years of experience traversing the world of aristocracy.
It was only after this short greeting that she finally turned her attention to the other person in the room. Here was a girl, covered entirely in a black veil.
Distinctly indistinct in her appearance, the outfit hid her figure quite well. But to a keen eye, that would not suffice.
With practiced caution she looked around, and then whispered to the Chevalier words that could not be made out from the distance she was at, but was soon made clear as she left the room, closing the door behind her.
The veiled woman took out a staff from within her clothing. Waving it about and muttering soft chants before a faint glow and dust like particles filled the room in an almost overwhelming silence.
"Was the silencing spell truly necessary?" Karin asked. To which the veiled girl nodded.
"Given what we've heard of the UNSC's strange abilities and the ever increasing dangers we find ourselves in? It wouldn't hurt to be too careful." The woman explained to which the Duchess could only nod in agreement.
It was a fair and logical move. She still didn't quite trust the UNSC, especially after finding out that they, even if it was accidental, had shot one of their daughters upon arrival. Her trust in them had been basically non-existent.
Exacerbated only by their strange magics and powerful technology, she wouldn't doubt for a moment they might have a way to spy on others without them realizing.
But she didn't have the time to ponder such a thought.
After making sure the room had no magical ears and no peeping holes, the woman slowly removed her veil.
Revealing in front of her who was none other than Princess Henrietta.
The Princess was polite, beautiful, and intelligent. Not many could match her in those regards and still possess this admirable elegance while doing so.
The Duchess, smoothly and with practiced ease, knelt down on her knees in respect.
Henrietta in her soft-spoken voice, was mellifluous and pleasing to the ears, gently said. "It has been a while, Madame Vallière."
Overcome with an almost overwhelming sense of emotion, the Princess leapt at the Duchess. Arms wide as if waiting for an embrace.
Reluctantly, the Duchess received her. She wasn't a very emotional person, despite having given birth to three daughters she was without a doubt proud of. Her strict demeanor demanded her to keep such open displays of affection under lock and key.
However, in this one moment. She'd let it be. The Princess hugged her tightly in an embrace that would've felt more akin to a farewell than a greeting.
"Your Highness," Karin asked worriedly, "Is something the matter?"
Looking up from her moment of weakness, the Princess paused before letting go.
"Stop that, please! There's no need to be so formal! Neither the Cardinal, my Mother, or those greedy court aristocrats who buzz around wearing friendly faces are here! Oh, don't I have any friends who will open up to me? If even the person who I'd consider my aunt, the mother of my dear old friend whom I've missed for so long, acts so distant, I would just die!" Henrietta ranted, releasing her pent up frustration.
Slowly recomposing herself, she turned to the older woman and spoke forlornly.
"How I envy your daughters, Madame Duchess. Freedom is such a wonderful thing."
She said these words with a bitter undertone. Something that was quite noticeable compared to her normally charming and positive demeanor.
"This is unbecoming of you, your Highness," the Duchess softly chided her as she did with her daughters when they were younger, "You are the Royal Princess, are you not?"
At those words, Henrietta could only crack a small saddened smile.
"That may be so. But I live my life as if I were a bird trapped in a gilded cage. Unable to decide for myself how I'd truly live..."
Her soft voice trailed off near the end.
"Despite all that, that doesn't mean your role is unimportant. You've the unenviable role of being the one the people look up to, Henrietta." Karin said, dropping formalities in this one instance.
Noticing this, Henrietta felt grateful at the Duchess. The woman who was like an Aunt to her, who had brought into the world one of the few people in her life she could call a friend.
For once in what felt like a long while, Henrietta felt at ease.
"Thank you, Auntie." She whispered quietly.
As she calmed down. The Duchess looked at her with a worried glare. "What worried you so much, that you'd go to such lengths to ensure secrecy?" Karin inquired.
"I'm getting married." Henrietta replied in a rather subdued tone.
"I see." Was all Karin could say.
So, things have gotten to the point that going through with forging an alliance through marriage would be the only way. The Duchess inwardly thought.
It was a matter of fact that Tristain, amongst the Brimiric nations was arguably the weakest. Given its small size and rather lower number of battle-ready mages. A defensive position was the only real move they could play. Something which could be alleviated with an alliance to the other kingdoms.
The ideal partner for such an alliance, Albion, however was out for obvious reasons.
The infighting brought about by Reconquista being the chief among them. As soon as the rebels won, a thought that was frightening to the Princess for other reasons, they knew that the rebels would soon set their sights on Tristain.
Undoubtedly to be the site of future conflict. Add to that, their strange otherworldly neighbors complicating things further. They were left with no other choice but this.
Karin inwardly gave an apology to the Princess. Unable to voice out her concerns over making such a sacrifice.
"Certainly, it can't be helped, right?" Henrietta said so, a tear threatening to well up within her eyes as she spoke.
But it was clear from her depressed tone that she did not want this marriage.
"Henrietta, what truly troubles you so?"
"Even now our enemies still move in the shadows. Even though they may not do so openly, they've been trying to find ways to annul such a thing from happening in the first place."
"And they've found that thing?" Karin inquired.
Henrietta nodded.
"A letter…" she muttered weakly. "Evidence of correspondence between the Prince Valiant of Albion and myself. It was foolish of me, I know. But if they get their hands on it then this alliance will truly be over before it ever started."
"I don't know if we can stand alone but the only one I can count on to stop it from happening, is you."
"Therefore, Duchess…" she returned to a more formal way of speaking. "I desire the aid of The Heavy Wind. You've served my mother well in her younger years, and I know it to be presumptuous of me to ask…"
Though her words weren't finished. The Duchess could tell what she was about to ask her. Perhaps it may have been reckless, a stupid mistake done in the heat of passion that brought this on. But she could not allow this one mistake to cost them everything.
With that in thought at the forefront, Karin the Heavy Wind made up her mind.
"Say no more." The Duchess interrupted, stopping the Princess from berating herself any further.
"Thank you." The Princess said sincerely, before wrapping her arms in another hug towards the older woman.
Karin could feel the wet moisture of tears trailing down from the princess' cheek down to her side, but she let it be. Not willing to interrupt the moment before the princess released her grasp.
"Be safe." She urged her as she let go.
【 Albish Airspace, En-route to Newcastle | December 9th, 2558 】
Roughly a week had passed since then. As it took a while for the Duchess to settle her affairs in order before heading off to Albion. Having taken passage aboard a vessel that was allowed to routinely travel between the two nation's airspace, despite the restrictions imposed by the war.
Onboard an old merchant vessel, was where the Duchess was currently at. Officially, neither belonging to the Loyalists or Reconquista's side, it was the perfect ship to use in order to sneak into Albion.
But getting in wasn't the hard part, it was getting out. For she wouldn't be able to bribe her way back, she'd have to resort to taking the long way, riding atop her familiar, the loyal manticore companion that had been with her since her younger years during her journey as a Knight, protecting the then Princess Marianne.
Standing within the cargo hold of the vessel, where they kept their goods and where her companion was sequestered at. She brushed the mane of the avian hybrid creature with care. Caressing the furs on its head with a gentle brush as she thought of what was to come.
Rumors were abundant, that much was common elsewhere. But what she'd heard had been troubling. For it seemed that the usurper fool, Oliver Cromwell had finally decided to move his troops southwards. Towards Newcastle. She could only hope she would get there in time.
She muttered a silent prayer to herself as she contemplated all this. Not paying attention to the rather spartan environment she now found herself in.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a crewman from the ship entered her room. A rather skinny looking man who seemed as if he'd been living off of scraps his entire life, given how tightly his skin hung to his bones.
"We're coming up beneath Newcastle now." The man gruffly spoke.
To which the Duchess wordlessly nodded.
"I think it's time we get to work, old friend." She spoke to the Manticore as it beat its wings a single-time in response.
The view below descended into brief darkness for a moment as the looming form of the floating island blotted out the sun. From her perspective, it seemed like a dauntingly huge creature sprung up from above to cover the land in darkness. But she recognized it not as something to be feared, but a welcome reprieve.
Her Manticore navigated swiftly through the clouds, avoiding the roaming eyes of the Reconquista ships from above. Whenever they felt like they were within sight of one, they dove beneath cloud cover. Obscuring themselves in the process.
Though this act further delayed their arrival, it ensured that they wouldn't be seen. The Duchess clung tightly on the reins on her companion's body. Gripping white knuckles signifying just how much stress her maneuvers were putting her through.
She was silently grateful that the rebels never went under the continent. Being chased here would have been a death sentence, as it was known that traveling underneath in such a way was dangerous.
For Navigators amongst the sky onboard their airships, it was considered easy to navigate by relying on topographical maps, using magic of light and measurements. But here, at this moment, she had nothing else to rely on but herself and her companion.
Not long after, her view shifted. No longer was she evading the roaming patrols of Rebel ships from above as she silently drifted beneath what she could recognize as a hidden port.
A cavernous place made up of limestone. It appeared to be covered with white moss. As she neared, she noticed a token force of personnel awaiting to greet her. Though it surprised her to see what kind of armaments these men now fielded.
No wonder the Prince managed to survive so long up to now. Karin thought for a moment as she observed the men wearing tunics colored the same as the old uniforms of the Albish Royal Guard, but with added equipment that she'd seen the UNSC's own "Marines" fielded.
Body armor, she remembered it being called. It was a surprising sight to see them in such a way. But she didn't have time to ponder such things for long.
Across the secret port, a small entrance leading up to Newcastle itself opened up, entering the room was none other than the Prince himself. Wales Tudor.
The Prince approached, a warm smile plastered on his face at the sight of the Duchess.
"Madame Duchess, it is wonderful to see you." Wales gave a short bow towards her. "But what brings you here?" His tone shifted to one of suspicion.
"Important matters, one that cannot be discussed openly." She replied curtly.
"I see." The Prince nodded in agreement. "Follow me then. I hope you do not mind a short detour on the way."
"Not at all"
The pair proceeded to walk up the stairs and into the surface portion of Newcastle. All the while the Duchess could only marvel at how quickly the remaining members of the Royal Army had taken up to the training that the UNSC had been giving them.
She could see that several of these men had been formed into small units. Each of them carrying an "Assault Rifle" of their own or something similar. Though different in model and make some appeared to be. Karin could tell they were no less dangerous.
Evident by the fact that the next moment she saw a man cleanly pierce through a wooden target with a scoped variant of the UNSC's rifles in hand.
The man appeared ecstatic, especially since a man in the familiar black uniform of one of the men the Captain of the UNSC's vessel had appeared with, congratulated him.
For a brief moment. Karin felt a bit incensed, then quickly realized it wasn't the Lieutenant who had so brazenly insulted them carrying that out.
She looked at the man. Intently trying to scrutinize him from every possible angle, only to be noticed back as he too returned the stare.
He seemed unamused. Simply crossing his arms in a defiant gesture.
The Duchess paid him no mind at that. She knew he was simply returning the gesture towards her. She looked back towards the Prince who had been waiting for her as she seemed to have paused mid-stride to observe the changes brought about during the last few weeks.
"What kind of deal did you strike with them?" The Duchess asked, to which the Prince seemed to stiffen up at the question.
"Deal?" He tried to reply coolly.
"The UNSC. I don't believe they'll do such a thing for free." Karin explained
"Ah, well… In that case, it's not them I'm dealing with directly." The Prince answered, seemingly discontent at that.
"Who then?"
"Someone who works alongside them, if I recall correctly."
Though the Prince did not say directly who it was. The Duchess could tell who it might have been as she recalled the rather irritating face of the Lieutenant.
The tall figure of the Spartan walked amongst the men practicing drills in the courtyard of Newcastle. Having just returned a few days ago from his little escapades in the heart of rebel territory, his imposing figure stood out in the crowd.
Reports of his small, yet vital victories against the rebels had brought newfound respect to the ever growing legend that the men like him seemed to be. Though David paid them no mind.
Ignoring the looks of awe that the men directed towards him, David cut through easily to get to Agent Johannes.
"Sir." David gave a crisp salute towards the man as he neared, an action reciprocated by the ONI Agent. "You called for me?"
"Aye, it seems we've got ourselves a visitor today." Johannes replied.
"Who?"
"Don't know," Johannes shrugged. "Seemed to be some noble woman, but given the armor she wore, I think she might be one of their knights we keep hearing about or something along those lines."
"Can you describe her for me?"
"Tall, pink hair, had a sword and a wand on her person," He began to list off the features he could remember from their brief staredown "Why? You know her or something?"
David paused for a moment. Remembering someone that looked eerily similar to that description. But that couldn't possibly be her. He did remember something about a noble brat with pink hair that was aboard the Eternity for a time. But that was a juvenile. Hardly a grown enough adult to enter Knighthood. A relative perhaps?
"No. Not personally at least."
"Well, let's just hope she doesn't bring too much trouble then." Johannes said as he turned to look back at the men he was still in the middle of instructing.
David nodded in response.
Author's Notes: I originally intended this part here to be an interlude so we'd see what R'tas and the Sangheili would be up to. But then I started writing and thought it'd best if I did a little something to bridge what I had in mind between Chapters 5 and 6. The Sangheili stuff will be left as the Epilogue after this arc.
Also, I hate to admit this. But I have been struggling with the source material, particularly in regards to Familiar of Zero itself. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the series, especially all the fanfic that came from it. But reading through it feels like a slog and I don't particularly enjoy ecchi and harem stuff anyway. Which is why I struggle to come up with ideas for this story on that side. Anything relating to the lore of this universe seems cool in concept but gets buried by a lot of the unsavory stuff I don't particularly enjoy. Low-key been contemplating just making the rest of this stuff AU and just broadly follow the overall outline, but then again I'd probably make it too different from the original. Don't really know where to go with this now that I think about it.