Prince Alfred and Princess Céline of Firene.
Prince Diamant and Prince Alcryst of Brodia.
Princess Ivy and Princess Hortensia of Elusia.
Princess Timerra and Prince Fogado of Solm.
All of the young royals from the four nations of Elyos gathered under the same roof - Café Terrace's roof, to be exact. There was silence in the first few minutes. There was a lot of staring and no talking. Céline sips her tea. Timerra eats her meal as quietly as she can. Ivy fixes up Hortensia's hair.
"So... uh... how is everyone doing today?" Alfred broke the awkward silence.
"Uh, fine?" Timerra replied with a bit of uncertainty.
"Oh, out with it already!" Hortensia whined. "Me being here makes you all feel weird, doesn't it?"
"Just remember, everyone. I once tried to kill you," Ivy reminded.
"Well, yeah, but your father did kind of leave you for dead at the border," said Alfred.
"He did what?!" Hortensia exclaimed, shocked to hear this.
"Oh, right. I forgot to tell you," said Ivy. "At the border, after Father took King Morion, he told me to stay behind and stall the Divine Dragons' forces. His worship and devotion to the Fell Dragon had clouded his mind. He didn't sound at all concerned for my life when he left me behind."
"But... that's not... it can't be true," Hortensia said in denial.
"Our father loved us, Hortensia, but I cannot deny that he had given me little to no chance to survive the battle at the border," said Ivy.
"I mean, I knew he was acting different, but... I didn't think he'd leave one of his own daughters to die," Hortensia said with sadness and disbelief.
"I gotta ask you something, Princess Ivy," said Timerra. "If your father had lived, would you still be here with us?"
"I was already planning on betraying Elusia," said Ivy. "Father's death made the choice easier, even if there was the fact that Hortensia would be my enemy."
"Well, all that is in the past," said Diamant. "Princess Hortensia is safe and we're all here fighting for the same cause. That alone should be enough for us to move forward."
"Brodian and Elusian royalty teaming up to stop the Fell Dragon. I never thought this would be possible," said Alcryst.
"Don't forget Firenese and Solm royalty," said Céline. "I do have some reservations about some of the allies we've made, but it does give me comfort to know we have a common enemy to unite against."
"Good. It would inconvenience the Divine Dragons if we were at each other's throats," said Diamant.
"Speaking of the Divine Dragons, the princess has lead us very well in these recent battles," said Alfred. "I guess her brother's decision to give her full command was a good idea after all. It scares me thinking about how quicker and more efficient our victories have been."
"So, about the Divine Dragon Prince, is it true that he has amnesia?" Hortensia asked.
"It is," Diamant confirmed. "A thousand years of sleep has affected his mind, and not in a good way. We have been trying to help him become the Divine Dragon Prince the legends told of."
"He's a fast learner, that much is certain," said Alfred. "His leadership skills need more work, but he's a very capable fighter for someone who doesn't remember his past."
"I have to admit, I was surprised to hear he lost his memories," said Fogado. "I honestly had doubts about the story, but I'm not one to accuse the Divine One of lying. It's just... sending him into battle with an incomplete mind, it's risky."
"Queen Lumera is gone, so he couldn't afford to just sit back and wait for his memories to return," said Céline. "I will say, I never expected the Divine One to be so... human... upon meeting him."
"He acts like your normal everyday good neighbor," said Alfred.
"If anything, it's his sister who acts more like a deity," said Timerra. "I gotta admit, the look she gave me when we said we were keeping secrets, it took a lot of willpower not to appear intimidated in front of everyone."
"She does value all of us as allies and friends. Something close to an attempt at deception would understandably upset her," said Diamant.
"In her defense, she did just lose her mother," said Alfred. "She's been a bit cold and distant since we left Lythos Castle. I mean, sure, she's still friendly to us, but I often see her with that near stoic look on her face."
"Until recently," said Céline. "She's been smiling more, especially at her brother."
"Was she upset at her brother before losing the rings at the cathedral?" Alcryst asked. "One would think that mistake would make her act more distant towards him."
"Perhaps she decided that being upset with her brother was not beneficial for anyone," Céline theorized. "Not only has she been smiling around him more. She's kept him close to her on the battlefield and it's proven effective for our strategies."
"One does have to wonder what the Divine One was like before losing his memories," said Alcryst. "I've heard the tales about his kindness and nobility, but he was only half of what I expected."
"For one thing, being a deity seems secondary to him. Being a good person, a good friend is primary to him," said Diamant.
"I thought that was why Her Divineness was acting weird, because she didn't get back the brother she once knew," said Alfred.
"But instead of letting failure upset her, she used it as a reason to be close to him," said Céline.
"Well, good for us, right?" Hortensia said. "As long as they keep each other smiling, they can be better focused when leading us."
"One question, though," Timerra interrupted. "Who gets the crown after this war is over? The prince or the princess?"
"That is for them to decide," said Diamant.
It was nearly time for the Divine Dragons' forces to depart for the Northern Fortress to retrieve the Ring of the Crux of Fate. Fogado and the Sentinels had to do some patrols around Solm first, and the Divine Dragon Princess Raela offered to accompany them. They spent hours keeping an eye out for bandits, the Corrupted, and any sort of commotion to resolve.
"Well, all in a day's work, Your Divineness," Fogado said cheerfully as he wrapped up his patrol.
"Quite an uneventful day, Fogado," said Raela.
"Hey, that's a good thing, isn't it?" Fogado replied, still chipper.
"You haven't changed one bit, Fogado," Raela chuckled. "Still as easygoing and carefree as ever. Always an honor to work with someone so unflappable."
"Unflappable? Ooh, I feel a blush coming on," Fogado responded, feeling very flattered.
"But we both know easygoing and carefree isn't all that you are," said Raela. "I can't help but notice that you're overdoing it, even exaggerating a bit."
"A... haha... w-what are you talking about, Your Divineness," Fogado replied nervously.
"Haha, well, if that's how you want to be, I can't stop you," Raela laughed. "But, seriously, you don't have to be so energetic when I'm around. I thought we talked about the last time I was here."
"I guess you did," Fogado remembered. "It wasn't too long ago, but it feels like it's been forever."
"So, why do you still insist on the banter?" Raela asked.
"I mean, would you want me any other way? Dull and boring? You know being a rascal is who I am," Fogado answered casually. "Hey, c'mon now, chin up, Your Divineness. Why don't we grab some dinner?"
"Dinner?" Raela questioned.
"Yeah! You, me, and some hard-hitting questions, like... who is your best friend and why?" Fogado continued.
"You still want to know if you're my number one friend, huh?" Raela teased.
"Nothing wrong with a little questionin'," said Fogado.
"Look, Fogado, it's always a delight to spend time with you, but..." Raela paused. "I already told you why I have to be careful with my connections."
"You don't wanna get too friendly with anyone," Fogado recalled. "I know you're a Divine Dragon, and I know I'll probably never understand how you feel. Still, I just want to spend time together. Is that so wrong?"
"Nothing about spending time together is wrong," said Raela. "It's just... how I feel when I connect with people, it's precious but it can also be an issue in the coming years."
"Don't you think that your stoic, deity act is why I want to spend time with you?" Fogado asked.
"Are you sure you and your sister aren't cooking up another scheme this time?" Raela asked suspiciously.
"What... hey... n-no!" Fogado answered clumsily. "I swear, no more schemes and secrets."
"You swear on your life, Prince Fogado?" Raela asked sternly.
"Uh... y-yes," Fogado stuttered.
Raela starts to laugh hysterically.
Fogado tries to laugh along, but it came out awkward and forced.
"Like I said, it's always a delight when we spend time together," said Raela.
"So, you're still not upset?" Fogado asked.
"Oh, I am still a little upset, but I think I can let it slide," said Raela. "Sure, Solm's independence is a questionable stance in these trying times, but I can't ignore the safety of your own citizens. We're spreading ourselves thin because of the Corrupted, but we all have to be careful."
"Well, I'm glad you understand," said Fogado. "Seriously, though, why act like an angry almighty deity every time we see each other?"
"Because it's fun seeing how people react to me," Raela answered with a casual smile.