After weeks of travel, the royal entourage finally arrived at the capitol of Ylisse. As their carriage moved through the streets, the young mage took in her new surroundings with great interest. Morgan tried to make note of how the city was organized and the architecture of the buildings. Compared to the capitol of Plegia, the capitol of Ylisse seemed far more disorganized. Unlike Plegia the streets twisted and turned in various directions, buildings varied greatly in size and quality. There was no clear order of things. It simply seemed that the Ylisseans had built their capitol piecemeal according to their needs. However, it was not all chaos. Four main roads that lead from their respective gates to the castle divided the capitol into four segments.
Seeing her interest one member of the Ylissean entourage (a well-spoken mage named Laurent) was even kind enough to tell the curious bluenette about the political structure of the city as he rode beside her carriage.
''It can be said that each segment is a small independent city within the capitol itself. Resident of each segment will every third-year vote for a representative, who in turn would sit in the ruling council of the capitol.''
''So, anyone could in practise be in the ruling council?''
''In theory anyone who can prove that they have a residence in that segment yes. In practice the position is usually occupied by the higher classes, as only they have the necessary financial resource and oratory skills to secure the majority of votes.''
For Morgan, this was a different world.
In Plegia, members of such ruling bodies could only be chosen by the king himself. These chosen officials would then be responsible handling the maintenance and expansion of the capitol. Whenever a new area needed to be built, the new city area would be constructed in a grid pattern. The width of the streets would only vary according to a handful council-approved specifications. Buildings would only be built after the council had determined their future functions. Nothing would be done before the city-council had made their deliberations and by extension received the approval of the king.
In short, Plegia was a far more controlling society then Ylisse. At this, Laurent simply added.
''Fascinating, to think that our societies can be so different despite both nations being a monarchy. I believe that your system could be called an Absolute Monarchy, while Ylisse would be more of a Constitutional Monarchy. There are certainly merits and flaws in both systems. And I would like to point out...''
Like a philosopher, Laurent would continue to talk with Morgan about the differences between their cultures. Never really taking any sides, but simply stating the merits and flaws of both sides. A true scholar, Morgan took a liking to the older mage and his objective view of the world. It was refreshing to finally have an intellectual sparring partner, and the bluenette found herself entertained for most of the trip through the city.
While they moved towards the castle, a crowd was quick to gather to welcome their beloved Exalt and his Shepherds home. They lined at the side of the main road cheering loudly as the Exalt proudly rode on horseback at the front of the column and greeted his subjects as he rode pass. There were few guards, yet people knew how to keep a respectful distance from the royal convoy as they moved towards the castle.
As for the residence of the Ylissean royal family, the castle of the capitol of Ylisse could easily match its counterpart in Plegia in both seize and grandeur. It appeared to be solely made of white stone and marble, which gave it a white radiance whenever the sun shone unto the capitol. Furthermore, the masonry was of such exquisite handwork that one would believe that the castle had simply sprung op naturally from the earth instead of being built by any hand or skill of man.
As they rode past the castle gate and into the courtyard, they were greeted by a huge entourage, which consisted of dozens of the famed Ylissean falcon knights as well as some officials, who stood waiting at the main gate of the castle. Among these officials stood a finely dressed woman with a tiara. Morgan quickly guessed that the woman was most likely the queen of Ylisse, which was soon confirmed as the woman quickly approached Chrom and gave the Exalt an affectionate hug as he climbed down from his horse.
As the Exalt returned the affection of his wife, he whispered a few words to his queen before making a gesture towards one of the guards. The guard in turn gave some orders to a few servants, who proceeded to move towards the first carriage and assist princess Lucina with getting out.
While the princess had grown strong enough to stand and walk a small distance by herself, most of the time she still needed to use the wheelchair to move around. At the sight of her long-lost daughter, the queen gave an audible sob before rushing towards her last living child.
Morgan had at this point stepped out from her carriage with Noire and Severa following close behind. She felt awkward observing the scene before her, how the split family of the Exalt was finally reunited. Before she could decide her next move, Frederick stood behind them with two guards.
''My ladies if you would please allow us to escort you to your quarters, I'm sure you must be tired after that long journey. Your belongings will be bought along later.''
Despite his polite words, his tone and the guards made it clear that this was not a mere request.
''The Exalt will summon you tomorrow after he has seen to matters of personal importance.''
The Guard Captain motioned the three sisters to move along. After a few minutes, they soon arrived at their assigned quarters somewhere in the western wing of the castle. Each girl got her own room of similar size and equally furnished. They were separated into different floors with Morgan's being the last room in the top floor. If the decoration of the rooms where any indication, the girls had been assigned rooms that was intended for visiting guest of importance. However, Noire and Severa got assigned a guard each at their door. Strangely Morgan did not have such ''security'' posted at the exit of her room, and Frederick made no indication of correcting this. He merely bowed and stated.
''Feel free to use any clothing you find in the chests that have been prepared for you. Your belongings will be placed in a common room nearby. A servant will inform you when its ready. I thrust that you can sort it out between you companions?''
An easy task, since most of it was Severa's anyways Morgan thought quietly for herself before nodding to the captain.
''I wish you a pleasant day then my lady, dinner will be bought to your quarters in a few hours. Please don't leave your room without permission.''
Giving her another bow, the stone-faced Guard Captain left the room and closed the door. One would easily mistake the captain for being a mere butler from his mannerism if not for his armour and weapons.
Having nothing better to do, Morgan decided to inspect her new home. It had all the furniture one could expect from a room made for nobles, as well as a bathroom, a balcony, and a small fireplace. The young mage was also pleased to learn that her room had a generous stock of books even if most of them were fictional romance tales.
As pleased as she was with her quarters, the bluenette worried for her sisters. Severa would most likely not take her new surroundings well since she had spent most of her life in barracks or simple rooms for commoners. Noire would probably hide in some corner or trash her surroundings (depending on which personality she had changed to). If the Ylisseans were wise, they should have posted four guards instead of one for the poor unstable girl.
Morgan was tempted to visit her companions but decided to heed Fredericks words and not leave the confines of her room.
Dinner was soon bought to her, and the young girl enjoyed it well enough before deciding to prepare to sleep as soon as she had finished her meal. She did not manage to sleep for long, as her slumber was interrupted by loud noises outside her balcony. The young mage saw that a large gathering of crows had landed on her balcony. It was clear that this was not a random flock of crows as they went silent as soon as Morgan began to approach them. As she stood outside the balcony, one crow began to speak with a familiar voice.
''You sleep lightly girl. That's good. I rather not have my birds burst into your room to peck you awake.''
''Lady Tharja?''
In response a different crow answered her question with an annoyed tone.
''Yes, who else? I have been sent by his majesty to deliver a message.''
Morgan felt her heart beating. Was this it? Was this the moment where her father furiously demanded that she broke free from the Ylisseans and returned home? That he had punished Validar severely for his blunder? Or would he demand that she began to spy on the Ylisseans? Morgan was sure she would not betray the Exalt kindness, but she looked forward to hearing her father's message, nonetheless.
''His majesty is pleased with the conditions of the treaty that is all.''
The bluenette felt insulted. That is all? With a wave of his hand, he had simply accepted that his own daughter had been sold of to their ancient enemy like a simple slave. Morgan knew that she should not expect much from her father, but it nevertheless hurt to be discarded so casually. Furthermore, the fact that he was ''pleased'' most likely meant that Validar did not receive any censure whatsoever.
''Is it all that he had to say? His own daughters got sold off and he simply says that he is pleased?!''
Again, a different crow answered her.
''Watch your tone girl, his majesty's will is absolute and he have no need to justify himself to lesser beings. His demands will be done. There is no escape.''
''No escape, no escape''
The other crows repeated the dark mage's last sentence. Morgan felt a chill and decided to change the subject.
''What about Noire?''
There was a pause.
''Noire is where I want her to be, you may consider your debt to me repaid.''
Tharja's voice strangely seemed a bit softer. Morgan did not fully understand her statement but decided to not dwell on it. To be set free of any debts to that dark mage was gift one would be wise to just accept.
Moving on to a more practical subject. The young tactician began to wonder how the dark mage manage to track her. Morgan remembered the day of her departure from the Plegian capitol, where she had overheard how lady Tharja had placed various hexes on her daughter of both protective and tracking nature. This might have been how she manage to locate Morgan, but then suddenly it hit her. Noire's room was several floors down the castle. There were at least fifty rooms in this wing of the castle alone. How did Tharja manage to locate her quarters without disturbing half of the castle with her crows?
''I keep track of all my subjects, girl. Some I do more thoroughly than others.''
''You're referring to only Noire, right?''
''No, you were once one of my subjects as well though I doubt that you remember it.''
The crows began to fly away. Tharja's voice began to grow weaker.
''What did you do? Why did you do it?''
Morgan began to feel cold across her entire body. She felt a headache was about to come.
''Why? It was because his majesty demanded it of course. He simply asked me to wipe your memory after he had separated you from that silly woman.''
''WHY?!''
Morgan shouted, caring little if she alerted the guards. None of the crows stood in the balcony anymore but flew around like a swarm of flies.
''It's not my place to question beings greater than myself. I'm but his servant. His will is absolute. There is no choice.''
''No choice, no choice.''
With that the crows began to disperse and fly away. Leaving Morgan alone on the balcony. No alarm was sounded that night, and Morgan wondered in the morning if she had merely dreamt the whole thing.
Easter is coming up, so next chapter would most likely be up sooner than this one. Thank you for reading and seya next time ^^