If there was anything the Unseelie seemed to enjoy doing, it was to simultaneously match and oppose whatever the Seelie fae were doing. If Sovalon's palace halls were decorated in gold to replicate sunlight, it only made sense for the Unseelie to replicate the style in silver to represent the moonlight.
Heracles noticed this as he walked through the halls of Tivalon, with Sadik to his left side and Kiku in front of them both. The two blond Unseelie attendants had been surprised by the Seelie Prince's appearance, and by the demand for an immediate private audience with their King and Prince. The one blond fae - Tino - was now leading them through the palace to the hall directly connected to the Royal Family's private chambers, while the second blond fae - a younger fellow named Emil - teleported ahead to find the Unseelie King and Prince.
They reached an enormous doorway where two guards in blue uniforms stood on patrol in front of it, and Tino stepped forward to speak to them.
"His Highness The Prince of the Seelie Court, here to see His Majesty The Unseelie King and His Highness The Unseelie Prince."
The guards nodded in assent, and in unison turned to open the two doors wide for the group. The four of them stepped through into a large hall, with white walls and every ornament done in shining silver as if to mimic moonlight. The centerpiece of the room was the enormous glittering staircase, which ascended to the next floor and to the corridors and chambers beyond. On the second floor in the side wings, closed doors denoted the entrances to various parlours and offices. The first floor only had one set of doors on each side, both wide open to reveal large parlours beyond.
As they reached the center of the empty hall, the second blond fae reappeared at the base of the staircase.
"His Majesty The King and His Highness The Prince will arrive momentarily," Emil announced, "They request that Your Highness waits here for them, and for Tino and I to take our leave."
"Thank you," Kiku allowed, "You may both be dismissed."
The two blond fae quickly vanished, leaving the Seelie trio alone in the large hall. A click of a doorway prompted Heracles to look up to the second floor, where a brunette maid was carrying a basket down the corridor overlooking them.
"Remember the plan, we only stay as long as necessary," Kiku hissed, "The moment I tell you it's time to leave, teleport back to Sovalon without delay."
"Yes, Your Highness," Heracles muttered in unison with Sadik.
Two Unseelie fae guards suddenly appeared at the top of the staircase, both tall and blond with yellow wings and blue uniforms, and looked down towards the awaiting visitors. Moments later, two more fae appeared at the top of the stairs, ones that Heracles had definitely met before. The Prince was tall and blond like the guards but was wearing a red suit, while the King was a bit shorter with silver hair, red eyes and a black suit.
"Your Highness, Kiku," Gilbert exclaimed as he started down the stairs, followed promptly by Ludwig and the guards, "What a surprise!"
"Your Majesty," Kiku hailed, "Thank you for accepting my visit, and on such short notice too."
"Not a problem at all," Gilbert said as he reached the bottom steps, "Emil said you wanted an immediate private audience?"
"Yes, that is correct," Kiku confirmed, "A matter has arisen for which I must personally consult with you."
"I am a bit pressed for time this morning, but we can fit in a quick visit right now," Gilbert determined, "Ludwig, can you lead Kiku and his men into the parlour? I just need to speak to Mikkel and Berwald quickly before I join you."
"Of course, brother," Ludwig complied, "This way, Your Highness."
Kiku nodded to Ludwig before silently following him, prompting Heracles and Sadik in turn to follow him towards the parlour on the left wing. Behind them, Heracles heard the King quietly giving the other two guards an order.
"Go get her from her room, and bring her downstairs immediately. Stay alert for anyone or anything out of place."
Heracles heard the two guards mutter in obedience, just as Ludwig reached the doors to the parlour and turned to face them again.
"Will your guards be joining us, Kiku?"
"That will not be necessary," Kiku declined, "They can wait outside."
"As you wish."
Ludwig led Kiku into the parlour, while Heracles took his spot by the right door and Sadik went to the left. Heracles turned back to see the King now walking towards them, the two blond guards now having disappeared.
"Gentlemen," Gilbert acknowledged as he approached the doorway.
"Your Majesty," Heracles muttered as he nodded, which Sadik did as well.
Gilbert entered the parlour and closed the doors behind him, leaving the two Seelie guards alone in the large hall. While the muffled voices began speaking behind them, Heracles noted the brunette maid on the second floor going into yet another office.
"She's doing the whole row," Sadik whispered, "After this one, we should be clear to move."
"The parlour across the way should be empty, it will do them perfectly," Heracles replied, also in a whisper, "Just a matter of Kiku keeping the King and Prince distracted long enough."
As they stood there in silence and waited, Heracles reflected once again on the soothsaying that led to this moment. Seeing into the future was always particularly dangerous, especially when that foresight could prompt bad decisions that alter the fates and send everyone down a different path. While he had told the truth the other day about what he saw in his visions, there were things he could not tell Arthur just yet.
Heracles had seen who exactly this Unseelie Queen would be, and informed Kiku after the fact, but the path to her coronation was deliberately kept hidden by the fates. It seemed there were still too many variables in play, and events must transpire exactly as destined for this queen to join the fae. As such, their infiltration today was the extent of what they would do for Natalya's rescue, and then they would leave before they could interfere any further.
Finally they heard more movement from upstairs and looked up to the second floor. The brunette closed the door to the office at the end, then vanished from sight.
"She's gone," Sadik hissed, "You should be clear to go now."
Heracles focused on the parlour doors directly across from them, summoned his teleportation magic and blinked. When he opened his eyes again, he was two feet in front of the doorway to the open right-wing parlour, and spun to see Sadik still in position at the closed doors of the parlour on the left wing. Heracles took a minute to look around from this side of the room, ensuring nobody saw him teleport across, before entering the parlour. There was nobody inside, and the furniture was already pushed aside to create a large open space in the centre of the room.
Heracles nodded in satisfaction as he closed the doors behind him, then pulled a red gemstone out of his pocket and sent a message.
I am in position, teleport to me.
Heracles pocketed the gem, and only had to wait a few seconds for Vladimir to appear in the room, quickly followed by Tolys.
"Heracles," Vladimir greeted, "We are in Tivalon, yes?"
"We are in the private halls of the Unseelie Royal Family," Heracles described as Tolys rushed over to look out the window, "Kiku is in the parlour across the hall with the King and Prince, Sadik and I are guarding those doors. Royal and guest chambers will be up the stairs."
"Natalya was definitely in this part of the castle," Tolys verified, "Hopefully the King and Prince don't learn we're here."
"Let's hope Prince Kiku can keep them distracted long enough," Vladimir remarked as Tolys left the window, "I've just messaged Arthur, it's time to make the faerie ring."
"I will leave you to it," Heracles took his leave.
As the two fae summoned their magics in hazes of burgundy and forest green, Heracles quietly stepped out of the parlour, and silently shut the door behind him. One last perimeter check confirmed that nobody saw him leave the second parlour, aside from Sadik across the way guarding the parlour on the left wing. Heracles blinked, and a moment later opened his eyes to find himself back where he belonged, by the left wing parlour door with Sadik.
"They're working on the faerie ring?" Sadik asked quietly.
"Yes, my task is complete," Heracles answered, "Now we just need Kiku to tell us when to retreat."