Gilbert
His eyes pierced me, before diverting his attention to Sakura. He recognised Toris – he was the most skilled commander after all – but the presence of a new person next to me was interesting for him. Instead of answering me immediately or inquiring after my health, my father spoke to the mermaid. "And who are you?"
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her stepping closer to him before curtsying. "My name is Sakura Honda, Your Majesty."
"Father," I mutter, growing impatient the more he was staring at her with wary eyes.
"I don't understand the meaning of this," he replied, "You refused to give permission to the Marine to lay a hand on those pirates who had committed a crime in abducting you and then you demand an audience with me and are accompanied with one of those people."
Normally, a father would request after one's health when the son had been away for weeks. But not my father. He was cold and apparently preoccupied with thinking about the pirates, his army had imprisoned minutes ago. Sakura's facial expression stayed neutral, while Toris' nervous air affected my mood. I was feeling unsettled despite my pretence of wearing a straight face.
"We have been betrayed."
My voice was strong, a little too loud for the present people in the throne room. The King's eyes caught mine again. "The Edelstein family has ordered my abduction in order to wage a war against our Kingdom. They intended to steal the amulet."
His eyes fell on the amulet around my neck. "But they did not succeed."
"No. . ."
His hard look softened for a second, "Son, what happened?"
After minutes of telling him the odious tale of the Eastdorn's royal family and their treaty with Roberts, my father remained calm. Although no one could read his expressionless face, I knew he was reflecting on all the information we had given him. After explaining the plan, the King confronted us with silence.
"You expect me to work with your pirate friends?" he asked, glaring at me. "It's against my principles."
At that, my brows knitted. "Your principles, you say? But working with pirates for economic matters had never bothered you? Father, Double standards have no place in our politics."
He did not need to question my reply; he was aware of what I meant but changed the subject from my accusation. "You must be jesting in your request, Gilbert. I will not officially claim my alliance with those pirates. They will be hanged for their crimes; they threatened the Kingdom and abducted you for their greedy needs."
"Vater, verdammt nochmal, Edelstein und Roberts sind die Bedrohung, nicht die Piraten, die du exekutieren willst!" My voice boomed through the hall. Never before had I addressed my father angrily in public. The man's face frowned and stood from his throne. As he was stepping forward – but with a fuming expression – Sakura moved in front of me. The guards were shocked; they did not think of anyone to stand against the King and walked towards her. It reminded me of the conversation I had with Sakura. She told me that my father could not control the dragon. The mermaid was my bodyguard and would face everyone – even the ruler of Borussia – to protect me; although my father's statement of hanging the pirates must have angered her. "How dare you stand in the King's way," one of the guards shouted, pulling his sword.
"I protect him," she answered calmly but focussed her eyes on the King.
Before the situation could escalate, I intervened. "I already engaged them in my plans; I don't need your approval. Sakura, Toris and I have decided to fight, with or without your permission."
The King's eyes widened for a moment. He knew I would never utter such exclamations without having proof or a plan.
"How?"
Every present turned around to face my father. His tone had changed; he was curious to hear about my idea.
"We broke the seal," I said, "Sakura can perform magic and the dragon is under my control . . . We have a weapon and can fight them." My eyes stared into his in the hopes of convincing him. "You need to trust me; you said I needed to mature and be serious about life. Now I have faced the danger that threatens to destroy my home and my people. I have learnt what I am supposed to do. Father . . . let us fight to protect the ones we love."
For twenty-two years, I had never opposed my father so strongly than in this moment. I was dead serious and he noticed my stubbornness. It was clear that I would not back down from my attempt in saving the people I care about.
To my wonder, my father returned to his seat. "How do you plan to integrate those pirates in the army?"
I sighed silently; he was thinking about accepting my suggestion. "You could engage them as privateers; and after the war we would pardon their crimes by recruiting and accepting them officially in our forces," I breathed, hoping my idea would please him in any kind. He motioned for me to step closer to him and I obeyed. The look in his eyes had changed. I approached him closely and saw a small smile on his lips – a sight I have not seen since my mother had passed away.
"I trust you. Although I fear what will await us, but . . . you sounded just like her," he whispered. "The fire in your eyes . . . The determination in your words. It was as if she had expressed these emotions and would be in the same room. You have more from her than you know. And that frightens me. Gilbert, you would risk anything for those you love . . ."
He never spoke about my mother and the soft look in his eyes showed his vulnerability; his fear of losing someone again who was important to him.
"Don't worry," I murmured, laying my hand on his. To hear such things were touching and I felt my heart lighten up at thinking of his words. "I will take care of this. Sakura can create a shield around our bodies to protect us. We have a dragon and pirate crews who accepted to fight for us."
He sighed deeply, "How will I explain this to our people. . . I will need to officially declare war on them."
"Father, they are already preparing to attack us."
His eyes gazed into mine. "Who will be in the command besides you and your mermaid?"
"Laurinaitis, Fernández-Carriedo, Kirkland," I paused, seeing my father's face scowl. He knew the two Captains I mentioned. Nonetheless I continued, "And Miss Elizabeta Héderváry."
My father's eyes widened in shock and his face paled a little. "H-Héderváry?" he stuttered, something he never did. Did he know her? I could not question his odd reaction when he quickly accepted my decision. Normally, he would have inquired after every detail of the mentioned persons, but after hearing Eliz's family name, my father told me to make preparations, while he would leave the throne room.
It was extremely strange and something told me that he and Elizabeta's father shared a past history. "W-we have the King's approval?" Toris asked, not believing that we succeeded in convincing my father, although they had witnessed his odd behaviour at the end. "We have," I smiled, "we have saved our friends from facing the gallows.
[A/N: I wrote this quickly this evening, I was a little sick, so I hope the chapter is not too crappy D: ]
Translation:
Vater, verdammt nochmal, Edelstein und Roberts sind die Bedrohung, nicht die Piraten, die du exekutieren willst – Father, damn it, Edelstein and Roberts are the threat, not the pirates you want to execute.