This is up late because I had to rewrite this chapter. š
As a reminder, both the Chizou Star and theatre polls will be closing this Saturday, 9/7, at 9:00 PM GMT. The results of both polls will be posted at the beginning of the next chapter, which should be posted on 9/8. If you cannot vote in the polls then feel free to vote in a comment and I will count it towards the final total. In the event of a tie I will utilize a randomizer to determine the winner. These are the polls:
Would you like to have plays in this story?
- Yes, with Nadir as the Star
- Yes, with NÄį¹aka as the Star
- Yes, with the third member of the troupe as the Star
- Yes, with someone unrelated to the troupe as the Star
- No plays
ā
Who would you like number 93, the Chizou Star (Cook) to be in this fanfic? (can make up to 3 selections)
- Lester (Suikoden I/II)
- Hai Yo (Suikoden II)
- Retso (Suikoden II/V)
- Mamie (Suikoden III)
- Yasaka (Suikoden VI)
- Yu Kum (Suikoden II)
- Goetsu (Suikoden II)
- Shiki (Suikoden II)
- Ryuki (Suikoden II)
- Bashok (Suikoden II)
- Ryuko (Suikoden II)
- Antonio (Suikoden I/II)
- Gyokuran (Suikoden II)
- Jinkai (Suikoden II)
- New Character
Chapter One: Part One
In Blutkrieger, the capital of Zelant, sits the fortress castle of EisenblĆ¼tig. The Reiser Family has ruled from EisenblĆ¼tig for generations on a steep hilltop overlooking a fortified city of three hundred thousand. Only a single narrow road led up to EisenblĆ¼tig. With 500 rooms on seven stories, it was one of the most fortified castles in the entire known world.
Beneath the confines of EisenblĆ¼tig is a dark and wet chamber known only as the Crypt. Dimly lit and musty, within the Crypt the Reiser Family has kept one of their most prized keepsakes; a snow-white sacrosuchus called Bhayankar. A fearsome creature known to be 10 meters long with a massive jaw and sharp teeth, it is not known how long the royal family has had Bhayankar. What is known is that he is fierce, and can eat a person with a single bite. Bhayankar is feared throughout all of Zelant, for it is believed that those who cross the Reiser Family have been fed to Bhayankar.
But there is also a tradition within the royal family. When a recognized heir is set to start their mandatory military service at thirteen, they are sent to the Crypt to face Bhayankar down. They must spend a minimum of ten minutes sharing a room with the fearsome sacrosuchus. It is felt that if an heir feels themselves worthy of leading Zelant, then being in Bhayankar's presence should not frighten them. After all, Bhayankar will be their biggest asset as either King or Queen.
King Franz stayed down in the Crypt for three hours with Bhayankar. It was the longest that any Reiser royal had ever been in the Crypt, and his achievement was celebrated throughout Zelant and even across the Western Continent. To spend ten minutes with Bhayankar was already harrowing, but three hours was unprecedented. It was believed this record would never be broken.
Until it wasā¦by King Franz's own child.
When she turned thirteen, Princess Astraea Reiser was sent into the Crypt as her brothers and sisters had been. Prince Brendan had lasted the longest of the siblings at ninety minutes, while Princess Philomena fled the Crypt the moment her ten minutes elapsed, giving her the shortest time of her siblings in the Crypt. Astraea however not only defied expectations, but she did something that was considered impossible. She conquered the fearsome beast.
Astraea was in the Crypt for so long that the rest of EisenblĆ¼tig forgot that she was in there. By the time her absence was noted, seven hours had elapsed. Fearful that the princess had been eaten by the sacrosuchus, soldiers and the princes and princesses were mobilized and even King Franz himself suited up for battle. But when the king and the princes and princesses and soldiers entered the Crypt to see what happened to the king's youngest child, they were all in for a shock.
Bhayankar was found sleeping fitfully in the Cryptā¦and Astraea was found on his back, fast asleep as well.
It was a shocking sight and a celebrated sight. Bhayankar, whose name had brought many to their knees in fear, had submitted to the princess and let her sleep on his back. Everyone was in awe of her bravery, and Astraea found herself with the rank of corporal immediately upon enlistment. Everyone could sense that this girl was destined for greatness. Astraea found enjoyment from the attention, but she was mindful that there was one person who wasn't happy with her accomplishment. One person wasn't happy at the attention she received.
That personā¦was her father.
IS 486
EisenblĆ¼tig had eight training facilities that were open round the clock. Training facility number 5 was a round rotunda with dark walls and enough seats to fit thirty people. During the day, sunlight spilled in through the windows in the domed ceiling. When the Sun went down however, the room was shrouded in darkness and required light.
Two figures were in the center of the room. One was a woman; a seasoned warrior at thirty years old. She wore black leather armor over a short white dress with white leggings and white boots. The hem of her dress and leather gloves were lined with fur. Her black hair was long, stylized with an inverted braid over right ear with slick loose hair on the left side. "Stand, Your Highness," she said. In her right hand she wielded a bullwhip.
Before her sprawled on the ground, was an eighteen-year-old girl. Dressed in a short-sleeved dark red dress lined with fur with black leggings and black boots. Her brown hair had come loose and spilled around her head on the floor, and her intense blue eyes stared absently at the rotunda above. She had a healthy complexion, but a small red line of blood ran from her hairline down the left side of her face. She barely noticed it.
Everyone knew who she was; Astraea, the youngest legitimate child of King Franz. The royal who had spent the longest in the Crypt. She was fond of facility number 5 because it was hardly used. She did not feel pressure to rush through her training when she was there, and she could work in solitude. Orā¦relative solitude.
Though in this current movement, she puffed out a breath of frustration. Dawa got the drop on me.
"Your Highness?"
Astraea sat up when she heard this and stared at the woman who stood before her. Dawa Thorin had been her assist for the past five years, and there was no one she trusted more. Though they always had bodyguards, heirs in the Reiser family always selected their assists. Astraea selected Dawa because of her excellent reputation, and she was glad for the choice she had made. They were close like sisters, which was unsurprising.
Dawa's brow rose as the princess climbed to her feet. She swiftly rolled up her bullwhip and secured it to her belt. "Let's call it a day," she said.
Astraea shook her head and swept down to pick up her own weapon; a brown leather knout just slightly over 120 centimeters long. She knew that she could agree or protest the suggestion. After thinking about it, she decided what she would say. "I'm fine," she reassured her assist. "I can keep going."
"You are bleeding, Your Highness," Dawa pointed out. "You'll need to get that treated."
Astraea reached up and wiped at the left side of her face. She saw a smear of blood on her fingers. "How bad is it?" she asked.
Dawa moved to stand in front of Astraea and brushed the hair away from her face. "A minor cut," Dawa said.
"Then I can keep going," Astraea said. "I still have an hour left of work that I need to do."
"We will stop for today," Dawa said firmly, her tone final. "Now, let's treat that cut."
Astraea bristled, but she knew there was no point in arguing with Dawa. Despite not being a royal, Dawa knew how to make her words final. She rolled her eyes and followed her assist to the front row of benches that framed the room. "And what will His Majesty say if he hears I didn't do eight hours of work today?"
"His Majesty has been occupied with other matters recently, hasn't he?" Dawa said over her shoulder. "I doubt he will notice."
Astraea saw her point, and she tried to ignore the pang of pain she felt from it. Dawa sat down and she motioned to Astraea. "Sit, Your Highness."
"You can't give me orders," Astraea said, but her tone was lighthearted as she took a seat in front of Dawa.
"I've used cruder words for others," Dawa said dryly. She opened her satchel and searched through it. "I'll clean the cut and then apply a poultice."
"That's excessive," Astraea said, closing her eyes.
"You'll avoid a scar." Dawa began wiping her face.
"I don't care if I have scars. All warriors have scars."
"True. But women usually avoid scars on their faces, don't they?"
"It could be covered by my hair."
"It's best not to take chances." Dawa finished with the cleaning and rummaged in her satchel for the poultice.
"Hey," Astraea said suddenly, her eyes still closed.
"What is it, Your Highness?"
"I want to have dinner in the Main Dining Room tonight. Would you like to join me?"
"T-The Main Dining Room?!" Dawa sputtered. "Your Highness, that's the castle's largest dining room! The dining table could seat 100 people!"
"I'm aware. But I want to eat with my family tonight."
"Iā"
"And don't say you're not my family," Astraea said sternly, opening her eyes. "Because you are part of my family, Dawa."
Dawa was speechless for a moment, her mouth opening and closing. The older woman looked away briefly before she looked back at Astraea. "I am your assist," she said quietly.
"And we share the same father," Astraea said. "That makes you my sister."
"Half-sister," Dawa gently corrected her.
"What difference does that make? His Majesty is still your father, Dawa. Just as he's Aravine, Kerime, and Darya's father. You have royal blood in your veins, and you get an allowance. That makes you my sister, just as much as Sigrun and Philomena are my sisters."
Dawa looked moved by her words. She swallowed thickly before she slowly nodded. "Thank you, Your Highness." Her tone was low. She finished applying the poultice she cough and stood up. "Willā¦Will the other royals be joining us?"
Yes or no. It felt foolish to ponder over the question, but both were an option to Astraea. Ultimately she smiled and nodded as she stood up. "I'll ask my other siblings. Father has been so busy lately that he has all of his meals with Sir Albert, so I don't want to bother him by asking."
Dawa frowned when she mentioned Albert by name. "Is something wrong?" Astraea asked her.
"No, Your Highness," Dawa said after a moment. "Let us go and locate the other royals. Because of the size of EisenblĆ¼tig, I think it's best we stay to the East Wing, or else we'll be wandering forever."
The East Wing was the area of the castle that was accessible strictly to legitimate royals. King Franz and his seven legitimate children all had their living quarters there. The training facilities were located in the South Wing. "Let's go to training facility number 3 first," Astraea said. "Sigrun likes to do all of her training there with Ferdinand."
Dawa nodded. "That would be a good start. But tend to your weapon before we leave."
Astraea realized that her knout was still unwound. She quickly wound it and attached it to her belt. "Do you know why the whip is best suited for you, Your Highness?" Dawa asked her.
"Because you use it, and you trained me?" Astraea asked her.
Dawa's mouth quirked with a smile. "True," she said. "But a whip is better for you because of your size, Your Highness."
Astraea's smile faded slowly. "I mean this not as an insult to you," Dawa said. "But His Majesty the King has a broad build that seems impenetrable. Her Majesty the Queen had a slim build and she could not take many hits in battle. You take after Her Majesty, and thus you need a weapon that will keep your enemies at bay. A whip is long-ranged and with the right discipline you can strike your enemies down before they get too close. But if they do get too close, then you can also utilize a whip for close-range."
"And I have to be quick on my feet if that happens," Astraea said. "That's why I take dance lessons with Cisne, isn't it?"
"Correct. Dancing helps with your stamina and helps with dodging." Dawa motioned towards the door. "Shall we go, Your Highness."
"Yes."
They left training facility number 5 and entered a wide dark blue hallway with high cathedral ceilings. The training facilities were numbered on the doors. Astraea made her way to the facility labeled 3 and tested the door. It was unlocked and she opened the door. Training facility number 3 was slightly larger than 5, but it was empty except for two people who stood in the center of the room down a short flight of stairs. "Sigrun!" Astraea called, waving.
Both people turned towards her, but Astraea's gaze was on the twenty-nine year old woman clad in heavy black armor. She wore her dark blonde hair in a side chunky fishtail braid and her blue eyes softened. Sigrun Reiser smiled and raised an armored arm in kind. "Hello, Astraea!"
Astraea and Dawa descended the stairs to greet her, and Astraea's gaze shifted to the person at Sigrun's side. "Hello, Ferdinand."
Ferdinand towered over all of them and he wore bulky dark green armor. But the face that stared down at her was the face of a silver short-hair pinscher. Ferdinand was unique amongst all the assists of the Reiser royal family in that he was a Kobold. The first Kobold in the history of Zelant to be an assist to a royal.
"Hello, Princess Astraea," Ferdinand said, saluting.
"Were you both still training?" Astana asked.
"We had just finished," Sigrun said. "We may need to mobilize soon, so I want to be ready."
Mobilize? Astraea wondered if she should ask more questions or ask about dinner. Ultimately she decided to bring the former up later. "I want to have dinner in the Main Dining Room tonight. Would you like to join me?"
"The Main Dining Room?" Sigrun's brow rose in shock. "Are you planning a party, Astraea?"
"No," Astraea said. "I just want to eat dinner with my family."
Sigrun smiled and looked at Ferdinand. "I like that idea. Do you, Ferdinand?"
"I will follow you wherever you go, Your Highness," Ferdinand said.
"A very diplomatic response." Sigrun slid an arm around Astraea's shoulders and guided her towards the door. "What time will dinner be?"
"You know what time dinner is, Sister," Astraea said. Sigrun responded with a laugh. Indeed, mealtimes in Zelant were at the same time every day for everyone; breakfast at six in the morning, lunch at noon, and dinner at six in the evening. No deviation from routine.
"We'll finish up here and meet you there," Sigrun promised her.
"Just don't wear your armor to dinner," Astraea said.
"Do I look like Brendan, Little Sister?"
"I want you to sit with us too, Ferdinand," Astraea said to him. "Dawa will be sitting with us."
"Your Highnessā" Dawa began.
"Butā" Ferdinand said at the same time.
"If Astraea says so, then so be it," Sigrun promised. "I will bee you later."
Astraea and Dawa found themselves back in the hallway once more. "I'm starting to get excited," Astraea said. "We usually don't all eat our meals together."
"You are close with Princess Sigrun," Dawa said with a soft smile.
"She's my sister, of course she is."
"I mean that she dotes on you. That's a good thing, Your Highness."
Astraea agreed, but there was an underlying feeling that hummed in her mind. We get alongā¦but everyone expects us all to be in competition with each other.
They left the South Wing and headed towards the East Wing. They crossed a breezeway, with a luscious inner garden to their left. Astraea glanced towards the garden briefly but then stopped in her tracks. "Brendan!"
She recognized her oldest brother standing in the gardens, clad in heavy black armor speaking to a woman wearing light blue medium armor, with dark blue hair tied in a high ponytail. Astraea knew the woman was Brendan's assist, Yasmine, a naturally stoic woman.
But then her eyes fell upon Brendan Reiser as she approached. His brown hair was straight and loose, and his blue eyes were narrowed and hard. When the thirty-two year old's gaze shifted towards Astraea, his eyes did not soften. His jaw was still tight. Brendan was guarded, quiet, and unapproachable. Astraea knew that many were scared of him, and though she wasn't scared of him she did feel intimidated by him at times.
This moment though was not one of those moments.
"Hello Brendan. Yasmine," Astraea greeted each in kind with a wide smile. Yasmine saluted respectfully, but her dark eyes were also hard. "I'm going to eat dinner in the Main Dining Room tonight. Would you both like to join me?"
Brendan stared at her for an uncomfortably long moment of silence. Astraea wished that he would not do that. It made her feel self-conscious and embarrassed. Like she was doing something wrong.
"I eat my meals in my chambers," Brendan said finally.
"I know," Astraea said, her stomach sinking a little. "We all do. But I want to eat with my family tonight."
Brendan opened his mouth, but Astraea knew that he was about to refuse. "I'm asking everyone," she added. "And Sigrun just agreed. I'm sure everyone would agree."
Brendan did not look pleased, but Astraea still didn't feel intimidated. "It will be just us. The seven of us with our assists. Don't you want to see all of together, Big Brother?"
Brendan's gaze shifted to his assist. "Do I have a meeting over meal tonight, Yasmine?"
"You do not, Your Highness," Yasmine responded. Her tone was low and husky.
Something flickered in Brendan's eyes; as though he wasn't pleased with her response. He looked back at Astraea then. "I will consider it," he told her. Without another word he walked away and Yasmine hurried after him.
Dawa exhaled sharply. "Are you all right?" Astraea asked her.
"I will not give an opinion, Princess," Dawa responded.
Astraea also held her tongue. Brendan and Sigrun were the oldest of the legitimate heirs, and both had already challenged King Franz to Royal Combat. Both of them had lost. But while Sigrun took her defeat and punishment with stride, the already withdrawn Brendan became more withdrawn. Astraea feared that he did not want to be around their father, and alsoā¦that he didn't want to be around them, either.
But he didn't say no, she reassured herself.
At the outer edge of the inner garden, near the entrance of the East Wing, Astraea spotted her next targets. She saw two women sitting at a large and impressive fountain. They were wearing light leather armor over dresses and using whetstones to sharpen their blades. Astraea approached the woman with loose brown hair with blunt texture and stopped at her right. "Hello, Philomena," she said.
The twenty-three year old princess quickly looked up, and the other woman snapped to her feet. Philomena narrowed her blue eyes at Astraea. "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that, Astraea."
"I wouldn't be a good warrior if I couldn't get the drop on someone," Astraea told her with a smile.
Philomena narrowed her eyes. "Are you saying that I am not a good warrior?"
Astraea's brow rose in confusion. "I didn't say that," Astraea said defensively.
"Please refrain from insulting Her Highness, Princess Astraea," the woman at Philomena's side spoke up. Astraea met the gaze of Aravine, Philomena's assist. The twenty-five year old wore her white blonde hair in a ponytail braid, and though she did not brandish her sword in warning her body was still poised. Her blue eyes were hard.
"Princess Astraea did not insult Princess Philomena," Dawa said, stepping forward. "But take this as a warning Aravine, to be more mindful of your surroundings."
Aravine flushed with embarrassment, and Philomena stood up. "Don't insult my sister, Dawa," she said warningly.
"She's my sister too," Astraea said. "As Dawa is yours. We are all sisters, right? So how about all of us go and eat dinner together in the Main Dining Room?"
"The Main Dining Room?" Philomena choked on a laugh. "That's nonsense, Astraea! The Main Dining Room is only for important occasions!"
"I want to have dinner with all my siblings," Astraea said. "I would enjoy it, as I'm sure you all would."
Philomena gave a toss of her head. "What makes you think I have the time?"
"Because we eat all of our meals at the same time?" Astraea reminded her.
Philomena scoffed, frowning a little. After a moment she shoved her whetstone into the bag at her hip and slammed her sword back into its sheath. "I'll think about it," she conceded. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to be somewhere else." She quickly stormed off, Aravine hurrying after her.
"ā¦She's never liked me, has she?" Astraea wondered. "I don't know why. Father loves her most of all of us."
"Don't say that, Your Highness," Dawa scolded her. "You know that's not true."
Astraea shrugged. "It's just a statement of facts. Philomena looks exactly like my mother, and she is more of a lady than a warrior like my mother was. Father has the most patience for her. I heard that he didn't allow anyone to shame her when she spent the minimum allotted time in the Crypt with Bhayankar." She grinned. "Maybe I should invite Bhayankar to dinner instead?"
"Iā¦don't think that would be wise, Your Highness," Dawa said, though she was smiling. "Shall we head to the East Wing, or would you like to explore this garden more?"
Astraea looked at the fountain, and after a moment she sat in Philomena's spot at the fountain. "I'll sit here for a little bit."
"Let me know when you would like to go," Dawa said. "And I believe," she added. "That His Majesty loves you all equally."
Does he? But she didn't say it out loud.
Astraea entered the East Wing fifteen minutes later; which also had cathedral-like arched ceilings but the walls were soft yellow. After taking three steps into the Wing she was suddenly seized from behind and quickly spun around in a circle. "ASTRAEA!"
"Denzel!" Astraea laughed. The minute her feet touched the floor she turned and swatted her brother on the arm. "Don't do that!"
"Where have you been all day?!" Denzel demanded. "I wanted to spar with you!"
This was a sibling that Astraea couldn't help but smile around. At twenty, Denzel Reiser was the closest of the legitimate royals in age to Astraea, and he took his role as her big brother very seriously. As it was the East Wing he was dressed casually in a slate gray tunic with sea-salt colored pants. Denzel wore his dark blonde hair in a short messy crop and his blue eyes shined like they always did. He was one of the friendliest people Astraea knew, though he was an exceptionally good warrior with a plumbata.
"You shouldn't sneak up on the Princess like that, Princes Denzel," Dawa warned, frowning with disapproval at him.
"But I'm not a threat to Astraea," Denzel said with a shrug. "Besides, I can't help that my stealth training has erased the sound of my footsteps."
Stealth-training? Before Astraea could speak she saw movement from the shadows, and a man in his early twenties stepped forward. He was dressed in silver ninja garbs; a stark contrast to everyone else's attire, and a black scarf covered most of his face except for his intense amber eyes. His silver hair was stylized with a Mohawk fade, though most of his hair was covered by a black hood. Astraea forced a smile at him. "Hello, Musashi."
"Hmm," was the ninja's only response. Musashi was an enigma, and Astraea knew virtually nothing about him. She only knew that he wasn't from Zelant, and that he became Denzel's assist after Denzel saved his life. Since that day, Musashi was fiercely loyal to the prince, and only the prince.
Astraea shifted her gaze back to Denzel. "I think I know the answer, but would you like to eat dinner with the rest of us in the Main Dining Room tonight?"
"Sure!" Denzel responded with a smile. "When was the last time we all ate together?"
"Iā¦don't know," Astraea said. "But I want to do it tonight. Musashi can sit with us, too."
"No, thank you," Musashi responded.
"Your Highness," Dawa snapped at him. "No thank you, Your Highness."
Musashi gave her a piercing look. "We'll be there," Denzel said. "Will everyone else be there?"
"I still need to ask Kion and Vahon," Astraea said. "But they're next."
"Well I'll still go, even if they say no," Denzel said.
"Prince," Musashi spoke up. "We're still in the process of training."
"I know, I know. I'll see you later, Astraea."
"See you later," Astraea said. Musashi seemed to melt back into the shadows, but Denzel hurried down the corridor. "I wish my footsteps could be soundless."
"You'll get there," Dawa said. "Or close to there."
The next sibling wasn't hard to find. When she rounded a corner, she spotted Kion speaking to a young woman with shoulder-length honey blonde hair in a low ponytail. The twenty-eight year old prince wore his own dark blonde hair in a man bun with a slick back, and he wore light black armor. The presence of the armor surprised Astraea, as these were the residential quarters for the royals. "Kion!" she called out.
Kion Reiser glanced towards her. His eyes were not hard but not kind, either. He had a look of indifference about him when he looked upon his younger sister. Astraea almost wished for the scorn, as it would give her an inclination if her brother felt anything for her. "Are you going off to train?" she asked him.
"Gwenette and I just returned," Kion responded. "Is there something you need, Astraea?"
"Good afternoon, Your Highness," Gwenette greeted her, saluting with a smile. Unlike Kion, her green eyes were kind. She wore a powder blue capelet and dark orange robed dress, and unlike Kionāwho was a warrior who wielded a flyssaāGwenette was a member of the Magic Guild who relied heavily on rune magic.
It puzzled Astraea as to why her brother chose a magic user as his assist when their styles clashed, but she didn't question it. "I'm inviting everyone to dinner in the Main Dining Room," she said. "Would you like to join us?"
"Not really," Kion responded bluntly.
Astraea was hurt by his tone, and she wondered if she should let it go or try to convince him. She settled on the latter. "But I would like you to be there," she said.
"It would be too much of a hassle to eat a simple meal in the Main Dining Room," Kion retorted. "I will have my dinner in my room, as I always do."
"But everyone is invited," Astraea pressed. "Even Gwenette can sit at the table!"
"Really, Your Highness?" Gwenette exclaimed, her eyes wide. She clasped her hands in front of herself. "You are too kind, thank you!"
Kion glanced at her for a long moment. Astraea could sense that he still wanted to refuse, but Gwenette's flattered excitement gave him pause. "Fine," he said irritably. "But only for tonight, Astraea."
"I'm so glad, thank you!" Astraea said. She gave him a hug and he went stiff in her arms. She let him and nodded to him. "Only Vahan is left. Do you know where he is?"
"I last saw him outside of his room with Kerime," Kion responded.
Giddy with excitement, Astraea hurried down the hall towards Vahan's room. All of the royals had massive bedroom suites, large enough for living quarters, sparring, and weapon placement. She ran past her own door and rounded the corridor. She saw Vahan and Kerime standing on the threshold of his room. "Vahan!"
Vahan Reiser looked towards her. Whilst she did not get the hostility of Philomena or the indifference of Kion, she also did not sense the warmth she got from both Sigrun and Denzel. The twenty-five year old prince wore his brown hair in a half-up half-down ponytail, and his blue eyes were the most intense of the heirs. He wore a dark purple tunic with black pants. He stepped back into the hallway, motioning Kerime to do the same, and closed the door sharply to his bedchamber. "Hello, Astraea," he said tersely.
Astraea reached their side and she looked at Kerime. The twenty-four year old wore his blue-purple hair long with undercut, and his blue eyes were narrow. He was dressed in light armor and his posture was guarded. "Hello to both of you," she said to both men. She gave her dinner proposal to them, with an added, "Everyone else is coming."
"You are inviting us to dinner in the Main Dining Room," Vahan said, phrasing his words as a statement and not a question. "And Kerime is free to join us."
"Yes," Astraea said. "As all assists are welcomed to."
"Then we'll be there," Vahan promised.
"Really?!" Astraea exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"Are you sure, Your Highness?" Kerime asked him.
"You are my brother and deserve to be treated as such," Vahan said. "I won't turn down an opportunity for you to be treated as an equal."
Kerime smiled, and Astraea felt pleased. Kerime was another illegitimate child of the king, but she always knew that Vahan had a closer bond to his half-brother than to any of his full-blooded siblings. It was a major reason why he had chosen Kerime to be his assist.
I wish he were that close to me.
Astraea pushed away the thought and smiled at Dawa. "Everyone agreed! Isn't it wonderful?"
"It is," Dawa agreed with her.
"Will the King be joining us?" Vahan asked.
"Iā¦don't believe so," Astraea said. "We all know he has his meals with Ser Albert."
"Yes, he does," Vahan said. There was a slight edge to his tone. "We will see you in the Main Dining Room at dinner."
"We should go and get ready, Your Highness," Dawa said. Astraea nodded in agreement and they hurried towards her room. She was happy to be able to spend time with all her siblings at once.
Wellā¦not all of them.
The royals converged upon the Main Dining Room before six. The room had dark wallpaper and the furniture was black, giving a less than welcoming feeling, but the chandelier emitted warm light. Astraea chose a more formal long-sleeved red dress to wear. It was always strange to her the comfort she got from the color red. It wasn't particularly a popular color but she was drawn to it. It was her favorite color and she felt powerful when she wore it.
She was the first to arrive and Brendan was the last. Most of them dressed in formal wear but Brendan wore his suit of armor. It was surprising to Astraea, as she couldn't imagine how he would feel comfortable eating while wearing armor.
Does Brother sleep in his armor? she wondered. But she kept the thought to herself.
The royals took seats at various point across the wide long table of the Main Dining Room. Everyone sat down except for Musashi, who refused to partake and kept to the perimeter of the room. No one thought anything of it. Astraea was disheartened to see most of her siblings spread out, though both Denzel and Sigrun sat close to her. "We will bring out the first course," a footman announced at precisely six. "Red cabbage soup."
Astraea was hungry, but she was also happy to see her siblings. But as the servants brought out their bowls, a maid burst into the Main Dining Room. Her eyes were wide. "HisāHis Majesty! His Majesty is coming!"
What? Astraea's eyes went wide with shock, and her mouth dropped open. Immediately both Brendan and Vahan gave her dirty looks but no one said a word. No sooner did the maid make the announcement that a guard came into the room and held the door open. And suddenlyā¦there he was. The King. Her father. Dressed in his splendor and wearing a golden cape. He was even wearing his jeweled crown! His brown hair was long and flowing, almost as long as his cape, and his blue eyes were narrow and piercing.
His expression was grim as he slowly moved into the room. Everyone scrambled to their feet and bowed respectfully as he reached the head of the table. His eyes scanned the faces of his children and everyone else. The silence was deafening.
Then he spoke. "Why are assists sitting at the table with all of you?"
Astraea's throat tightened, feeling more glares upon her. "I-It was me, Your Majesty," she said, averting her gaze. "I invited themā¦all to sit and eat with us."
"Well, they cannot," King Franz said harshly. "They are servants and these are good seats. These seats are too good for them."
The assists all quickly rose from their seats and moved to stand behind their charges. Astraea wanted to speakāto say anythingābut she didn't know what to say.
"That's better," King Franz said, his tone still hard. "I'm glad that Albert told me about your plans so that I may remind you all of your places. Albert?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." A man in his mid-thirties swept into the room. His hair was dark purple, almost black, and it was long but tied in a ponytail. He wore a long white coat and his expression seemed to always be frozen in bemusement. Astraea knew who he was. He was Sir Albert Silverberg's; King Franz's Chief Strategist and someone the king had proudly proclaimed as the "only person he could trust".
Albert looked out across the room and gave a soft smile. "Good evening," he greeted. "His Majesty wishes to dine here with his children, and Darya and I will be joining you."
Darya? Astraea then noticed the woman on Albert's arm and she recognized Darya; another of her half-sister's and Albert's wife. She was dressed in an immaculate white dress and she had a peculiarly smug smile on her face. Her hair was auburn and proudly long, and her eyes were blue as anyone with royal blood tended to have. She did not give her siblings a second glance, but allowed Albert to guided her to a chair to King Franz's left. He moved to stand opposite of her at King Franz's right. When he was ready, King Franz sat down. Everyone then moved to sit down.
"So what is the occasion?" King Franz announced as the soup was brought out. "Why have you all assembled here?"
"It was Astraea's idea, Your Majesty," Philomena quickly spoke up.
"Y-Yes," Astraea said, her tone soft. "Your Majesty, Iā¦I wanted to have dinner with my siblings. I wanted to spend time with them."
King Franz scoffed and shook. "Foolish sentimentality is unsuited of a Reiser, girl. You best grow out of it, or you will not survive in this world."
Foolish sentimentality? Astraea didn't understand. She just wanted to spend time with her family!
The mood was somber and almost no one spoke. Only King Franz and Albert spoke amongst themselves. The rest of them ate in silence, but Astraea felt the judging stares even without words.
Three of the people that Father kicked off the table were his children. But he still did it. I wanted this to be a good thing, but Father ruined. Why?
Note: EisenblĆ¼tig is modeled after both Wartburg Castle and Windsor Castle.