Toris

Before I was called to attend another audience of the King, I was waiting for Miss Natalya, who was to be taken to the barracks where I would request for her acceptance in training the soldiers with me. Since the prince had succeeded in convincing the King of accepting Elizabeta and her crew to be our allies for the war, I had thought about her skills and advantages for the Borussian army. And she has the potential to be one of the strongest in the kingdom. In addition to that, she would be capable of training some of our soldiers for preparing them for the war – although I was certain that it would not be a long war if Gilbert would call the dragon to participate on the battlefield. Miss Natalya was extremely surprised when she approached me. Her typical facial expression was just as present as always, but I was certain that she was touched to have the opportunity to join me in our forces. She was a loner but protected the ones she loved the most with her heart.

When I showed her the barracks and explained her the Borussian militia system, plans and organisation. "The soldiers will be glad to train another such a talented fighter," I told her which caused her to blush cutely.

"I don't think so," she had answered with a straight face. All she ever wanted was acknowledgement, even if her façade had not shown it. The assassin had not realised that I acknowledged her more than any other of the pirates. "I honour you," I softly spoke before I had taken her hand – which she let me touch – before continuing. "I admire you."

She was silent, but her widened eyes spoke more than thousand words. "Miss Natalya, I cannot tell you how happy I am to hold your hand and not watch you die on the gallows. I don't know what I would have done if you were to be killed by any Borussian soldier's hand," I admitted, "I am glad that I have met you, even if our first meeting was not how I was dreaming of meeting such a wonderful person."

I directed her hand towards my face and kissed it lightly.

"T-Thank you," she stuttered and tried to sound as cold-hearted as possible. But her face was flustered and her eyes down-casted. She was eyeing the ground after exclaiming her thanks. I did not further press on it; she was a silent woman who needed time. But my smile widened after her hand did not release mine. It was still holding my warm hands we continued our walk through the army grounds.

After that – in my eyes short – meeting, I was ordered to the King.

I was standing in front of the throne room with Kirkland, Fernández Carriedo and Elizabeta. One day after the talk with the King, those three had been ordered to an audience. I was the one that would accompany them; making sure that they were behaving appropriately. After they had been lead to their new chambers, servants had taken care of their new clothing and appearance. The King wanted them to look serious if they were to be officially pardoned and accepted to the Borussian army. The announcing also included our new function in the army. Afterwards, the king will approach the people of the Kingdom with a speech. They should be aware of the coming war and should not fear the new allies of the realm.

"The King wants to see you."

"Indeed," I answered before I motioned to the three others behind me, to enter the room. Elizabeta was silent, but Kirkland's face was red. Not because of nervousness to face the King, but because of Antonio, who had been provoking on the blonde pirate for minutes. Since we had waited in front of the giant doors, Kirkland looked as if he wanted to punch the man in front of him.

"I am not going to be your cabin boy, mind you," Kirkland hissed while walking towards the doors.

"We will see," Antonio whispered with a smile, "sailor."

Elizabeta was walking between them to avoid any other confrontation.

"Your Majesty," I exclaimed, before kneeling down. The other three mimicked my moves.

"Arise, Colonel."

My eyes met his for seconds before he focussed on Elizabeta. I had suspected him to know her father because of his obvious shock when Gilbert had mentioned the name Héderváry. And now the King of Borussia was observing her intensely and a glint of recognition could be seen in his eyes.

"Miss Héderváry, I assume," he then spoke and Elizabeta jerked her head up.

"Y-yes, Elizabeta Héderváry. At your service, Your Majesty," she announced respectfully and received a small smile from the King before he addressed me again.

"I came to the decision to promote you to lead all of the ground forces in the war."

I was speechless . . . did he say 'lead'?

"Colonel Laurinaitis, from today on, you will be a general," he mentioned, causing my breath to be stuck in my throat.

"A-a General?"

"Indeed, you are the most competent member of my army, and you alone succeeded in following the Prince and protecting him. You were taken hostage because of your loyalty towards the Kingdom and should be rewarded with a new rank."

My expression did not change as I accepted his decision with a small "Thank you, Your Majesty". Despite of the mention of the abducting, he did not glare at Elizabeta.

"Miss Héderváry, Mr Fernández Carriedo and Mr Kirkland, you will receive your own battleships and work with the marine and lead your crew. Your experience on sea and with the enemies is important for us to win," the King approved, "And I know that Edelstein will fight on Borussian ground and use the open sea for his allies."

All of them blinked and I had to admit that it sounded strange to address those three without "Captain" or "Pirate".

"Your criminal activities will be pardoned and you will be promoted if the war is won," the Royal head of the kingdom warned, glaring at the two men in front of him. "All of you will have the function of an admiral if you succeed. . . Do not dare to disappoint me."

Kirkland's smirk could be seen as he turned his head towards his rival. He wore a challenging look but focussed immediately on the King as he mentioned the remaining persons who would have the most important role in the upcoming war.

"The prince and his mermaid are in command and give you the needed orders. They are responsible for the protection, magic and the dragon due to the mermaid's capability of using powers," he explained and noticed that Kirkland gave him an extremely weird look, when he said the Prince and his Mermaid. "You will follow every of their orders and organise your plans. The four of you are commanding your given army afterwards. . . Understood?"

We nodded and uttered an "Understood, Your Majesty", before he dismissed us. The King shortly explained that he needed to inform the public of the plans as we walked out of the room. He told us that within the next two weeks, we should be prepared for war.

"Admiral, he said," Kirkland smirked, turning towards Antonio who mirrored his expression. "Indeed, Admiral, and we have to take every commands from the Prince and your precious mermaid," Antonio then expressed provokingly, "I wonder what kind of orders she wants me to follow."

Elizabeta rolled her eyes after hearing that clear allusion. Kirkland on the other hand pulled his sword. "Fight me, you bloody idiot," he hissed, his face as red as a rose. "I do not allow such awful words when Miss Sakura is concerned."

The guards around us wore fearful expressions and were uncertain about this scene. Were they to intervene or not? They knew about their former pirate's history and did not expect any civil behaviour. "Oh, so you are not already addressing her as Mrs Kirkland."

Antonio's smile turned into laughter as his opponent's – or one could say colleague, due to their new ranks – face worsened. I turned around with a shaking head and caught the figures of Sakura, Feliks, Miss Natalya and the Prince who were approaching and seeing us. They were within earshot and witnessed the ridiculous scene.

"Boys, please stop . . . we have an important role in the Kingdom now," Elizabeta intervene with a sigh, having noticed the approaching party.

"Oh yes, important role," Antonio smiled again, "you have the most important one, Princess Elizabeta of Borussia."

The brunette froze immediately after being called by that title. She was aware that every present in the hall must have heard his statement. After her frozen state was broken, she drew her cutlass "I-I . . . I will kill you."

Now it was my turn to sigh and eyed the walking group again. Feliks was chuckling while Natalya shook her head. Sakura and Gilbert on the other hand were flustered and watched the odd assembly of former pirates battling. They hadclearly heard Antonio's words and seen Kirkland's and Elizabeta's reactions.

"I hope we can win a war with this bunch," Feliks muttered with a smirk. And I could only agree with his statement. All of us were now considered part of the Kingdom.

[A/N: Liet and Belarus have a little moment :D she is warming up to him :3. Spain is a gentle and caring character, but I think in his pirate days he was a provoking badass xD, so in this story, Pirate Spain is sassy and I love it :D. Someone needs to tease Iggy, because angry Iggy gives me life :D ]

Reply to reviews:
Regna of the forest: Thank you :3. Yeah :D I hope it makes sense XD that's what I am mostly aiming for in my story that it is logic :). Oh dear Lord no xD that would be so awkward :'D. Lizzie's family story will be completely revealed in 2-3 chapters :D.
Aquafin: Thank you :D :3