warning, it may touch on sensitive topics.
discretion is advised.
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(6) "Cold" - Jorge Méndez (Sad Piano & Violin Instrumental) - YouTube
Such nonsense nowadays, tolerating their behavior shouldn't be their priority, at that point, what they should worry about are family, shelter, and food, not to meddle in the royal family affairs, perhaps they needed to be educated again?
Camilla shook of that thought of her mind.
That day was special, she couldn't care less, focusing on such frivolities was taking away her precious time, today as every third day was special.
She finished picking up all what she needed, assisted from one of the maids of the place, she took again another sip of that intoxicating and repulsive flask again, feeling how her buds were already burning, she had to brace herself again.
Again, walking to the garden entrance, she made sure there were enough flowers for her bouquet, she couldn't help but smile at the gift they left behind, feeling guilty for defiling their land, it was a necessary evil to break away from such beautiful gift, seeing again how the treehouse was losing its green, she couldn't help but feel distressed.
Their home was fading away each day.
Looking again at the sky, her thoughts were accompanied for the sound of the people around her, it was frustrating that with each season in that place, the time started to 'lose' control, she knew it was already the sunset in that place, but the clock in the treehouse was a reminder that their home was falling apart little by little.
She couldn't stay too long; they were waiting for her return.
As she stepped to the pedestal, Nyx welcomed her, in a heartbeat they were back at Nohr, again to the now "warm darkness."
At the northern fortress again, when they arrived, Nyx collapsed again on the floor, as always, she had to drink too another flask to recover her magic energy, Camilla for her side could barely hold her stance, travelling between realms was only possible with the assistance of those two key figures.
Aqua left behind instructions how they should proceed, if there was a chance to take back what Hoshidians took from them, without much choice, they had to follow.
She had to rest for a moment, the portal took on more energy than she thought it would.
Just a minute, a minute of remembrance.
Why was she doing that? Forcing her body beyond her limits? Such foolish question, anyone who know the story behind the fall Kamui´s army could tell why.
It all started with the kidnap of their precious leader, Kamui. She could remember it clear as the day, how the Hoshidians gambled the lives of the people, it was something expected of Iago, but the honorable prince, Ryoma? Such nonsense could be taken as a bad joke, or perhaps a way to dishonor the samurai a few seasons away, now everyone in Nohr knows about their cowardly tactics.
"Is see….."
Was all what Garon could say after they returned, Elise was still weak for the disease, but all the other warriors and knights were recovering quickly, at least physically.
Peri was dealing with her own sadness, Sylas couldn't handle his shame, Flora, Felicia and Jakob couldn't look neither at the princesses faces, Aqua remained silent the whole time.
"And?"
For the first time in her life, she couldn't restrain her thoughts, Garon commands were absolute, but after being at their confession, knowing how they stayed so close of each other, it was all what he could muster? She knew there was no hope of facing him, but now there wasn't a glimpse of fear or obedience, he wouldn't do anything for their now son-in-law?
Xander talked about what happened, how it happened and what they could do, he even revealed the nature of their relationship, perhaps it was wishful thinking form his side, but maybe he could reason with him?
"He fulfilled his task, it their problem now"
He spat without sympathy or regret in his voice, he just stayed in his throne, leaning in his arm as he always did.
Even if she was furious for his decision, there was no time to waste, after all, there was something important happening in the deeprealms.
Aqua suggested that instead of taking her to the treehouse, Elise could stay in one of the deeprealms, to help her recover her health, unfortunately her recovery was awfully slow, of all people, she took the greatest and heaviest hit from that tactician.
How she will enjoy beheading him in due time.
But now, after a month of taking care of her and Kamui´s army stationed in their garrison, there was no mistaking it at that point. Elise always fell asleep for long periods of times, twelve to fourteen hours per day, Aqua had to force to move and eat, to cheer her up, after all, when she heard the news about Kamui, she was heartbroken for weeks.
"He will return…. He must." She mumbled every time in her sleep "Honey…. You can't…. Miss it…"
As the time passed, it was obvious what she meant, after two months of staying of bed, she had to change her clothes for others more suitable to her condition, after all, the way her belly slowly began to swell was more evident as the days went by.
Camilla for a moment was overjoyed, of all things that could happen, there was a glimpse of happiness, even if Elise remained in bed for a while, she couldn't hold her happiness, Ellie and Peri were in ecstasy, they knew, but couldn't share it until Elise decided to tell them.
"Iago told me about Elise situation, are you waiting for permission or something?"
Wishful thinking, a grave mistake, a lesson she forgot.
They were careless, naïve and utterly fools for expecting something human from their father, when he summoned them, seeing how Iago had that sickening smile on his face, she knew it was his fault.
"F-Father? Wh-what do y-" Xander tried to question him but provoked one of his rants.
"You fool! What´d you expect from this? You don't understand? It for your own good" he grunted "You´re the first prince and Elise it's the second princess, but if she gives birth to a boy, then the succession line will be compromised, there´s only one way to avoid it, one head needs to roll, its either her or the child before its born, you chose."
It made her sick hearing that, Garon was cruel in many ways, but depriving her future niece/nephew their first breath? It was pointless, it was sheer evil for such stupid reason, there was no way Elise would push that matter or ask for her child to be the next king of Nohr, she was in fact, thinking to yield her right to the throne, as Leo painfully suggested.
"There´s no need for that father, even it´s a boy, she wouldn't d-"
"I don't see the reason to take any risk, do you?" he smiled, that smile stirred what was left of her loyalty "If you´re having doubts I can do it myself."
Nyx´s hand on her shoulder took her out her thoughts, she couldn't stay in that place any longer, taking one of the coats the maids offered, she continued her path.
Curious how the significant of those stairs changed, although she cursed their purpose of that fortress, it was the last place of Nohr where the eternal night never left the night, it had to be there.
Going up the stairs, she could feel the cold around the place, peeking out from one of the balconies of the intermediate corridors to the top floor, Kamui´s room was as he expected, with a thick layer of ice around it.
Opening the door, she couldn't hear anything from the stairs, she expected that it was the ice, but Jakob and Flora were playing anymore, Flora stopped playing the cello, helping Jakob to take off his cloves, even with his fingertips turning a shade of blue, he refused to let anyone play the piano, one simple mistake could have severe consequences, with dazed eyes and panting, Jakob looked ashamed for being seeing in that position.
"Are you hurt?" Camilla asked, taking them by surprise, Jakob quickly covered his hands.
"Nothing to worry about, Lady Camilla, we just finished playing as we should."
"So, you finished the song? Which one was it this time?"
"Cold"
"Rude"
"No milady, the song is named 'cold'."
She curled a little her lips "Oh… a joke from Anna I assume?."
Why such absurd display? Looking at her left, she could see the whole purpose of this, laying on his bed, surrounded by flowers was Elise, lovely as always. She approached and started to lay out the flowers around her. It has been months since she entered that state.
Many thins happened in the last months, Elise fell in that position due to her illness, pushed to the limit for her pregnancy, as the songstress warned, everyone had to sacrifice something to save her, it was the only way to save her, the only hope for her return. Guided by Aqua´s instructions, she looked at the small pendant she left in her departure. She had used her songs before to improve the condition that the princess acquired, but she had gone now, trying to fix this saddening stage of their lives, leaving this device that did something like her songs, with a high price.
Aqua taught them how to use a fraction of her own power, teaching anyone who could play, they made resonate the pendant, who maintained Elise body, using the pendant to maintain her body, they had to gather the flowers of her household to maintain her spirit close, the ice coffin was to maintain at bay her sickness, unfortunately, they needed those measurements to prevent the fever on her body to take her away, Flora and Felicia needed to maintain that place, the ice tribe sent help to honor Kamui´s work, but the maids were adamant to not leave their master´s wife´s side.
Camilla finished contemplating her dear sister gentle figure, and approached Jakob, with a kind smile, the butler clickled his tongue, there was no helping it.
"Im sorry milady"
"Don't be, you´re doing your best, go and get a healer, i´ll handle it for now" taking his position, she took the scores and following Flora lead, their started to play.
With each note, Camilla could see from the corner of her eyes how the pendant in Elise neck momentarily glowed with a blue shade, until it turned withe they could stop, it was impressive that Flora and Jakob used half of the day just to replenish the enchantment, only a few more hours to finish, to gain another week, even if she was using her coat, Camilla could feel how each note tore her soul, how the pendant had to take some of her magic to continue.
Regardless of how they suffered, a moment of that pain was nothing to ensure the princess return.
Meanwhile in Hoshido.
It has been two days since Yukimura apprehension, even if the tactician condition was critical, they spared no expense, using Hayato´s knowledge, they make sure the tactician couldn't use any of his mystical skill´s, not that it mattered since the moment he arrived to the medical area in the ground floor, he fell asleep, drugged by the painkillers they forced in his body.
So there was Ryoma with Reina and Orochi, in one of the conference rooms at the second floor, even if it was a private affair, Sasaggeyo, one of the old members of the council couldn't believe what happened behind the curtains of the royal palace, it wasn't strange that the confused crew stopped the moment Ryoma made his demand.
"ah….ah-ah, im sorry Lord Ryoma, but I think I heard incorrectly, this old man couldn't understand what you just said…."
"I said that I want to make effective one of Lord Kamui´s rights, to convene a meeting regarding the charges against our tactician, Yukimura" Ryoma said, delivering the documents collected by all the witnesses and evidence.
"…..Could you…. Elaborate?"
"He has put in danger Kamui, son of the late Queen Mikoto, there are charges of treason and plotting against the royal line, serious infractions against the safety of the nation and the people, aggravated violence and trying to flee"
They started to whisper for such accusations.
"….. I refuse to be a judge in such thing, Lord Ryoma, I can't be part of a show trial!"
"Excuse me?"
"Lord Ryoma, the council, and the laws with the knights exist to prevent any kind of tyranny from the royal family, you can't summon me to bring me these unverified notes and said it´s a trial, even if you find a prosecutor, this case with the defendant without counsel is untenable under our law, there´s a process we must follow"
"There are dire circumstances, we can grant anything you ask for in order for the trial to be declared constitutional."
"Watch your words Lord Ryoma, they can be mistaken as an attempt to bribe me and the council."
"Im sorry, but we don't have time, im asking you this because you can help us to prepare the trial, it´s imperative that we stop Yukimura´s moves as the second highest general."
"If you want to take away his title you can't, do it with this useless parchment of demands!" the old man complained, scratching his long beard "There's no motive, no actions, no statement from the victims."
"We are ready to show our evidence the day of the first part of the trial."
"That's not how the law works, Lord Ryoma, you can't just make demands and expect me to agree to participate in this charade!" he sighed "Look, I wont move a finger until you do the minimum, you need to present evidence of your claims, not just make gratuitous statements, gets testimonies and bring evidence, I can promise you we will work as fast as we can and start with the investigation to prepare the prosecutor to prosecute a criminal trial if it´s the case, or if it's a civil trial. If you claim that he harmed Lord Kamui you need to bring a medical report, to ensure the damage on his body and mind, if you´re going to force a trial with no preparation I don't want to participate, am I clear?" Ryoma nodded "Good…. Now…. Reina…." He sighed "….You´re accused of certain things, unfortunately until we can investigate these claims, we cant take your words, there´s the possibility of conspiracy, I will not file charges if you act as the law indicates in times of war, but as a personal advise, stay in the city."
"So you´re doing nothing?" Oboro inquired.
"…out of the good will of my heart, i´ll talk with the council to honor Lady Mikoto memory, but only after you present a decent case, otherwise you´re wasting your time." He said, with a final bow, everyone but the trio left the room.
"Useless, as always" Reina remarqued.
"It the first step to make it right" Ryoma commented.
"You don't understand, you´ll never understand" She crossed her arms "What was the point?"
"If we can take away Yukimura title, we can move to the next step, even if it cost me my position, its better that way, otherwise, the case would be against Kamui, we don't know how much Yukimura prepared, so we need to be cautious."
"You could have let me finish the job, you know?"
"In that case how long could you have stayed at his side? A month? A week? Before I had to arrest you for taking the life of the second general in charge."
"How funny, you believe you can beat me, I didn't know you were a child in your heart Ryoma" Reina said with such venom in her voice that Ryoma could only sigh in frustration "In the end, if you success in this childish 'justice', the only one who would keep her position would be Lady Hinoka, since she was away of all this, Takumi, Yukimura, Oboro, Kaze, Saizo, Sakura, all their retainers, you and me would be released from our duty, are you saying you´re fine to leave Hinoka alone with the burden of responsibility?"
"She…. Wouldn't be alone, Setsuna and Azama would be at their side."
"That´s if they woke up, you know, being comatose interferes with their duties as retainers."
"Sakura and that fox girl said they´ll recover in time, besides… I was thinking of honoring Lady Mikoto thoughts."
"How so?"
"Handing Hinoka´s hand to someone who can take care of her."
"So, a political marriage to fix this mess, you know she´ll never agree to your brilliant idea."
"I was thinking….. Kamui needs to stay…. So….."
"….oh, there´s not punch line? so incest it's your solution?" she gritted her teeth "How are you supposed to convince them? Actually, never mind, I don't want to know and i´m not going to let you go that far, how could you think it could work in the first place?"
"And you? How you 'adopting' Kamui could work?"
"He hasn´t done anything I cant handle, until now all what I heard from him is that he commanded a small militia, he hasn't invaded our territory and as far as I know, if he had to attack us is just in retaliation for our actions, in the worst case scenario I would have given up my position, I would be ashamed to be in front of my family if they discover what has been happening here."
"Ok, that´s enough!" Orochi stopped them "We clearly need to talk and you´ll talk, if you want Orochi´s help, then you will behave like grownups, so don't go for each other's jugular."
They glared each other for a moment and sighed. "Fine, anything for my child, but let me be clear, there´s no way I will support your… incestuous idea, if you want Kamui and Hinoka good side, I suggest another approach, there´s not way that they….." Ryoma awkwardly scratched the back of his neck "What?"
"Umm…. There are things…. That you don't know…. And if we´re going to work together now, there are a few things you need to know about…. Kamui birth…..and blood"
They couldn't breathe for a moment, his legs were about to give away, their lips trembled while all they could do was to form incoherent words, he was on the verge of tears while she could barely hold back her disconsolate cries.
"P-Peri?" Kamui mumbled, the proud knight awkwardly nodded several times, she couldn't move her legs, she raised her arms welcoming him, trying to reach him.
He stumbled on his way to get to her, even if it was a wild dream, he surrounded her with his arms, it was all what she needed to cry on his shoulder, he followed shortly after her.
They cried with all their heart, repeating the other name shamelessly, Oboro stayed behind him, looking at the spectacle with a soft smile.
"You adorable pair of klutz" she thought "I´ll just stay out your way for now….." She closed her eyes, not the best privacy but she couldn't walk away, she couldn't stay out their way since she was pulled by kamui who was grateful for her kindness, joining their silly embrace.
"SHANK YOU, YOU´RE PERI BESH GIRL FRIEND!" the knight cried, she really made her best to make a coherent phrase.
"Thank you, thank you for letting me see her" Kamui said burying his face on her shoulder.
Oboro couldn't help but pat their heads.
Chapter 39: Prelude.