"If the news from before didn't surprise me, then whatever my father said left me completely stunned. It took me a moment to process that statement. I glanced at my father, wondering if this wasn't some sick joke."

"Excuse me?"

I frowned, wondering just who had the audacity to interrupt my dinner. There was a young soldier with brown eyes and brown hair, the kind of face that was both average and forgettable. I couldn't remember seeing him before, was he some kind of new recruit?

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Me?"

"Do you see anyone else here?" I rolled my eyes.

"Um … it's Ake your highness. He looked nervous.

"Ake." I paused. "Is there a title to your name? Do you hail from some important family?"

"No, my home is in the village of Lute."

"Well then Ake." I leaned forward, propping one hand beneath my chin. "Do you mind telling me why an ordinary villager has decided to interrupt my evening?"

"I …" He gulped. "Your father wishes to speak with you."

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, leaning back further into my chair. "If my father wants to speak with me, then he could at least have the decency to join me for dinner. What is it that he wants to speak with me about anyway?"

"I'm not sure."

"Is that so?" I sighed. "You may tell my father that I will join him once I finish enjoying this lovely meal. It's the least he could do after having invited me on such short notice."

"I …" He hesitated. "I was under the impression that his majesty wanted to speak with you now, your highness."

"Are you questioning my decision?"

"I um …" By now, it was clear that he was terrified. It may have been petty, but moments like these were some of the only entertainment I had in the castle. Of course, I knew my mother would punish me if I took things too far.

"Relax. I won't despise you for doing your duty. In fact, you look quite tense. Would you like some food?" I gestured toward my plate.

"I'm not sure if that would be appropriate, your highness." He said politely.

"But I didn't even mention what I was having." I smiled as I poked at my food. "There's roasted meat covered with gravy and fresh grapes. Do you know what kind of bird this is?"

"Oh uh …" He looked closer. "Is that filolial?"

"Indeed." I nodded. "Filolials are one of my sister's favourite birds."

"I see." Ake nodded. "It certainly looks delicious."

"Thank you." I hid a smile. "I'm sure she'll appreciate that."

My sister would have had a heart attack considering how much she adored the birds, but it was heaven in my mouth.

"Tell me about yourself." I said as I felt bored. "You're awfully young to be joining the royal guard. What made you decide to become a soldier?"

"I mean, there's not much I can say." He hesitated. "I became a soldier because I wanted to help people."

"Is that the truth, or are you just telling me what I want to hear?"

He flinched. After a few moments, he sighed.

"I needed the money. The farm my family owns was destroyed after monsters trampled their crops. It will take weeks before the fields recover, but I don't have that time."

"That doesn't mean what I said before wasn't the truth." He said quickly, looking embarrassed. "I want to help people, I really do. I just … didn't expect that I would be doing this."

"Is that so?" I tilted my head. "Well, I wouldn't trust my life to you, but for what it's worth there are worse reasons to join the royal guard. What time are you available tomorrow?"

"Why do you ask?" He scratched the back of his hair. "I have training in the afternoon. Is there something you need, your highness?"

"You want to become stronger right?" He nodded. "Meet me at the courtyard tomorrow before the sun rises and we'll have a friendly spar." I said standing up from my seat.

"Huh? Oh, thank you, your highness! I really appreciate it." He bowed.

"Don't mention it." I smiled.

/

"Malty." My father extended his arms.

"No." I stepped back. "I'm not a child, father. Do you really expect me to hug you at my age?"

"You'll always be my little girl Malty." My father grinned even as I sighed. "It has been some time since we last spoke, how have you been?"

"Decent." I shrugged. "I would say that things are a bit more calm now that mother is gone. I know she doesn't spend much time with me, but I would have at least expected that you would check in on me."

"I"m sorry if I haven't been able to give you that much attention." My father sighed. "Recent circumstances have forced my hand."

"What kind of circumstances?"

My father paused. There was a grave look on his face.

"Lord Seatto is dead."

I froze. "What?"

"The wave of catastrophe appeared directly over his territory. He died defending his people."

"I …" What kind of luck was that?

"With the regent's passing, I have taken power during Mirellia's absence."

"I … does mother know?"

"If she has not, then I expect she will learn soon. A messenger has already been dispatched, but I expect her agents would have informed her already."

"I see …"

I may not have cared about politics, but even I could see that this was a concern. The wave of catastrophe was one problem, but now the regent was dead?

The reason my mother selected lord Seatto as regent was to appease Siltvelt. After the war, tensions between Melromarc and Siltvelt were high. My mother tried to reopen negotiations through Seatto. He was respected by the nobility and common folk of their country. To declare war when he was regent would not have gone well with their people.

The other choice would have been my father, the royal consort. Unlike Seatto, my father was hated by Siltvelt for his actions during the war. There was respect for the king of wisdom's powers, but also fear. If father was regent, Siltvelt might have been dissuaded from declaring war. Or just as likely, Siltvelt might have been incensed to attack.

Ultimately, as someone who desired peace between our two nations, mother decided to appoint lord Seatto as regent. Although Seatto may have been respected by Siltvelt, the same could not be said for the Melromarc nobility who viewed him as a traitor to his own species.

"The monsters from the wave have overrun the Seatto territory and its neighbours. We are dispatching soldiers to contain the enemy, but it will take some time before they are able to arrive."

"And what about his heir?" I asked. "Did they survive?"

"Although the regent's death has been confirmed, Eclair Seatto is still missing. It is presumed that she died trying to protect civilians. However, even if she had survived, she doesn't possess the skills necessary to govern Melromarc during these times. No, your mother decided that I would be regent should the worst come to pass."

I nodded even as it felt like my head was spinning. At least I understood why my father was being so busy as of late.

"And that is why I have made an important decision."

I blinked. "What decision?"

My father looked me in the eyes, his expression serious. "I have decided that Melromarc will be the first to summon the cardinal heroes."

If the news from before didn't surprise me, then whatever my father said left me completely stunned. It took me a moment to process that statement. I glanced at my father, wondering if this wasn't some sick joke.

"I take it you are surprised. No doubt, considering your mother left to attend the international conference to summon the cardinal heroes."

"I … uh …" It felt like my head was spinning. "Is this really wise?"

"It is the decision that is best for Melromarc. I understand your reluctance. If Mirellia could see you now, I'm sure she would appreciate your concern."

"That's not the point! Why are you summoning the cardinal heroes?!"

Assuming things hadn't changed in the last 10 seconds, the summoning could only be performed once. This means that if Melromarc summoned the cardinal heroes, then the international conference my mother was attending would be useless! The other countries would never trust Melromarc again, believing that they intended to monopolize the power of the heroes for themselves. If they didn't raze Melromarc to the ground, then my mother would surely cause a storm once she returned home.

"It is a necessity." My father replied. "It will take time for the international conference to receive all delegates from the surrounding nations. It will take even more time for them to bicker about who will receive the aid of each hero first. That is time we do not have as with each hour, the monsters from the wave continue to spread across the country. The next wave is due in less than a month, we cannot wait for them."

"I … that makes sense?" I hesitated. "But I'm worried about Melty. You're placing her and mother in considerable risk by leaving them at the international conference. If you succeed, then the other countries might seek to use them as hostages."

"Should they do that, then they will receive no aid from the cardinal heroes." My father spoke firmly. "Melromarc will have the first chance to influence them, and if the other countries want to be protected, then they will be forced to cooperate."

"Mother won't be happy …"

"She won't, I know." My father's expression softened. "But I believe that this is the best decision I can take for Melromarc. I'm not happy Malty, but I will do whatever I must for the sake of my family."

Part of what my father said made sense. The cardinal heroes had great power, and any country would be hesitant to declare war on Melromarc should they have these assets. Furthermore, my father was the king of wisdom. His strategies brought Melromarc back from the brink of defeat against Siltvelt and his power was recognized across the world.

But would it be enough? Just as easily, people may not have cared about these threats. The other countries could force Melromarc to comply with their demands or else they would invade as a united force. My mother always put so much work into negotiations. Whatever reputation she had would be shattered after this.

"The summoning will occur tomorrow morning." I flinched. "I have already ordered the royal guard to remain on high alert, even though the purpose of the ceremony has been hidden from them. We cannot afford for the ritual to be interrupted."

I sighed. "I'm sure the Three Heroes Church would be delighted."

"Pope Balmus initially refused my request to help with the summoning, but there were others in the church who were more amiable to my cause."

I raised an eyebrow. It was hard to believe that the pope would refuse. It was less surprising that the church would jump at the chance to meet the deities they worshipped.

"I appreciate that you're telling me all of this, but why did you call me here?"

"The cardinal heroes will need people to protect them. However, you and I are both aware of the reputation of the Shield. It would not surprise me if after we announce the summoning, there would be no one willing to support him initially."

I frowned. Surely that was an exaggeration? There were several noble houses that were committed to improving relations with demi-humans, and even more willing to support the Shield Hero. Nonetheless, I continued to listen to my father.

"More importantly, I need to know that anyone associated with the cardinal heroes, especially the Shield, will be loyal to Melromarc."

Ah, there it was.

"You want me to help the shield hero?"

"Having a member of the royal family support them is necessary for Melromarc's reputation." My father said even as his expression twisted a little. "I will not tolerate any accusations from Siltvelt about their hero being weakened."

"That is … unusually generous of you father." I spoke carefully. I knew of his animosity toward demi-humans, and the shield hero specifically because they worshipped him." He rarely talked about the tragedy that caused him to lose his family.

However …

"I don't appreciate being used for politics. I thought I had already made this clear to mother."

"I know …" My father grimaced. "However, I do not have many options. Out of everyone here, you are the one I trust most not to betray me."

"Father …" I sighed. Couldn't you just choose not to summon the cardinal heroes? I wanted to say, but remained silent. Even if I didn't understand his reasons, I trusted him.

"Very well." I shook my head, resigning myself to this fate. "However, I expect to be rewarded for this. And if mother comes back …" I winced. "When mother comes back, you will make it clear that I had nothing to do with this plan."

"Of course, you may have access to any of the castle's resources to prepare. You have my gratitude, Malty." My father inclined his head.

I smiled, even if I felt nervous inside.