The remaster is proving to be both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I'm enjoying it, but a curse because it's absorbing a lot of my time. 😅
Chapter Seven: Part One
Dawa and Sigrun didn't necessarily have a rivalry, but when Dawa was first assigned as Astraea's assist they would compete very good-naturedly regarding having sisterly roles with Astraea. One thing they used to compete about was brushing Astraea's hair. Though Dawa was responsible for maintaining Astraea's hair length below the required twenty-five centimeters, they both liked to play with her hair. Astraea didn't have a preference; she loved both of their company.
"Do you think they'll notice?" Sigrun asked. She was ascending the stairs leading to the war room beside Astraea, while Dawa and Ferdinand followed behind their respective charges.
"Not likely, Your Highness," Dawa said, her tone somewhat amused.
"To be fair, I did not notice until you pointed it out to me, Princess," Ferdinand said.
"Shh, we're here," Astraea quickly whispered over her shoulder. "Good morning!" she announced to the war room.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," the room chorused, saluting Astraea as she moved to the head of the table. Denzel, Vahan, Brendan (and their assists), David, Richard, Lambert, Regulus (with his bodyguards), Sasarai (with his advisers), Primrose, Viktor, and Brownie.
"Thank you all for coming so early," Astraea said with a small smile. "Rufino is fixing a breakfast buffet that we can attend after this meeting is over."
"He was trained by the Black Dragon Clan, right?" Richard asked. "I knew someone from that clan."
"So did I," Viktor said. "People kept showing up challenging him to cooking competitions. I was put on the judge's panel a few times."
"Our next focus is going to be on getting Kion and Philomena," Brendan said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Has there been any news from the capital since my defection?"
"For all intents and purposes Blutkrieger appears to be under lock down," David said. "The city is sealed."
"'Sealed'?" Denzel echoed, his brow rising. "The King must know our intentions."
"It's not surprising," Vahan said. "He's not been King so long without reason. He probably realizes that we're going to try for Philomena next and is keeping her under house arrest."
"Philomena is his favorite out of all us," Sigrun said. "It would make the most sense for the King to keep her closer."
"It sounds like it will be difficult to get the Princess to our side," Regulus said thoughtfully. "What about Prince Kion?"
"Our reports say he's north off the mainland in a sea patrol," David said. He glanced at Astraea. "We might have to—"
He suddenly stopped speaking. Everyone looked towards him in confusion and Astraea gave him a sideways glance. "What's wrong, David?"
"Your Majesty," he said after a moment, his brow furrowing. "Your hair."
Astraea broke out in a small and she pointed to him. "You're the first to notice!"
"What about her hair?" Sasarai asked.
"Well, you have it down and not tied back," Vahan observed. But then his eyes widened. "Astraea…! You've grown out your hair!"
"Yes, I have," Astraea said proudly, puffing out her chest a little. "Dawa, how long is my hair?"
"It's measured at thirty-four centimeters as of this morning, Your Majesty," Dawa said with a soft smile.
"Ah, now I get it," Regulus said, nodding a little. "You Zelantans love wearing your hair long, don't you?"
"It's a symbol of the power in our bodies," Sigrun told him. "A true sign of a warrior."
"Ah, I've heard of that," Sasarai said, glancing at Dios. "A mercenary brigade from Zelant came to Crystal Valley once. The whole lot of them had long, flowing hair."
"How come your hair isn't long?" Viktor asked Richard.
Richard shrugged. "I tried growing it out once, but Mueller said I looked stupid with long hair. He was right of course, so I've kept it short."
"Clearly I don't need long hair to showcase my power as a warrior," Regulus said, gesturing to his own chest.
"Then why didn't you win against me?" Brendan asked him. Regulus glowered at him.
"I apologize for bringing us off-topic," Davis gently interjected. "But as we all can see, we have a new problem with the lockdown at the capital. Since Princess Philomena was given the task to fortify the city, she has certainly not left it. That will make recruiting her difficult."
"If the King were to deploy anyone against us, it would be Kion," Vahan said. "And…we all know Kion's going to be the hardest to convince to join us."
The mood in the war room quickly sobered. David however smiled and raised a hand. "All is not lost. We will get them both. Philomena will be the easiest to recruit but the hardest to come out to engage us. Whereas Kion will be the easiest to engage but the hardest to recruit. But I have faith that we will succeed."
"We will succeed," Astraea said, her tone firm and resolute. "I will unite all my siblings against the King and bring him down."
"We'll need a winning strategy to get Princess Philomena to come out and engage us once more," Lambert said.
"That is what I'm working on now," David said. "I'm preparing for two scenarios—one where we engage Prince Kion first, and one where we engage Princess Philomena first. I will worked quickly but efficiently to have proper plans depending upon which occurs first."
"You were always an overachiever, kid," Viktor laughed.
"Hmm," Sasarai said quietly. This did not go unnoticed by Astraea, but she decided to leave it alone for the time being. "Now that we know what's coming," she said. "Let's go and get breakfast."
Viktor didn't join the others for the buffet. Instead he remained in the courtyard of the castle sitting underneath a tree. He looked at his surroundings, taking in the soft sounds of the wind rustling in the trees. But instead of being a peace, one thought crept into his head.
They fought that…zombie werewolf around here, didn't they?
He looked down at his right arm. He was back to full health and his arm was completely healed, but there was still empty space where his right forearm used to be. He cursed under his breath and banged the back of his head against the trunk of the tree. "Let it go," he hissed out loud. "It's done. All you can do is move forward."
He was getting used to not having a whole right arm, but that didn't mean that he didn't have movements of anger and regret over its loss. Ugly unwanted thoughts sometimes crept into his mind, but he was getting better at replying to them.
I should have stayed at home— ( Yeah, but then the kid would have no one.)
Why did I come to this country— (Because HE'S here.)
I should have left— (But I didn't, and that's that.)
Why did I stand in front of the sea— (Because I did it a million times before, even in the presence of a kraken, and nothing happened. It was a freak occurrence, not a mistake on my part.)
I want my arm back— (You're not getting it back.)
Viktor dipped his head forward and let out a harsh breath. "I'll go see Edge," he said aloud.
"You."
Viktor's head snapped up. The familiar irritation flared inside of him to see Zerase standing over him; her mouth a thin line and her beautiful eyes a dark void. "Viktor," Viktor snapped at her. "My name is Viktor."
"I do not care," Zerase said. "You have turned the Night Rune against me."
"Oh I turned that annoying sword against you?!" Viktor said incredulously, scrambling to his feet. "Lady, I just met you days—weeks—" he gestured with his left arm and he frowned in confusion. "Wait. How much time has passed since we got here?"
"You do not know?" Zerase asked.
"Hey, time flies in wartimes," Viktor said defensively. "I spent five years fighting in the Gate Rune War, but I swear it sometimes felt like the war took—I don't know—twenty hours tops!"
Zerase arched a brow. "You are truly a stupid man."
"I don't have to take this from you," Viktor shot back. He jabbed a finger in her face and she swiftly swatted his hand away. "You have been nothing but antagonistic towards me since we met! I could understand if you were my ex and we ended on bad terms, but I don't know you Lady! I don't deserve this treatment, especially after what I've been through!"
Zerase glanced towards his right arm. "Do you expect me to feel sympathy towards because your sword arm was eaten by a monster?"
Viktor stepped closer, glaring into her eyes. "Maybe," he snarled through clenched teeth. "If you weren't such an awful, self-serving bitch the Star Dragon Sword would have chosen you? Instead of just giving you its baby rune and then ditching you?"
Amusement flickered in her cold expression. "You assume the Night Rune cares about empathy. The Night Rune commands the night and rules over creatures of darkness. It is why it can kill any monster. It would not judge me for who I am."
Viktor boldly reached up and brushed her bangs back, revealing the Star Rune on her forehead. Zerase was so stunned by the gesture that she didn't move. "Then why do you have that and not a True Rune? Why did the Star Dragon Sword tell you that it would never choose you? I'll tell you why." He withdrew his hand. "Because it knows you, Lady. It knows who you are and doesn't like what it sees. But me?" he tapped his chest with the palm of his hand. "It chose me twice. It deemed me worthy of wielding it twice. And Edge?" he pointed towards town. "He's had that sword with him for over a decade. It chose him and it chose me. Not you." he pointed to her sharply. "Do yourself a favor and think—truly think—about why a True Rune that commands the night doesn't want you to wield it. Have some self-reflection. If you're capable of it."
Viktor stormed off towards town. He thought he would feel better telling Zerase exactly what he thought of her, but…he didn't.
Zerase remained standing rooted to the spot. After a moment she let out a breath. It was shaky. "I will kill him," she said aloud, speaking the words like an oath.
As the sun fell and night settled over the Old Capital, Nour found Astraea in the market district. But instead of speaking to Astraea, he grabbed Dawa's arm. "There you are, Dawa! I told you that rehearsals were tonight!"
"And I told you that I wasn't participating in the play!" Dawa snapped. She tried to pull her arm free but was unable to.
"Oh, what's your next production?" Astraea asked.
"You will see, Your Majesty," Nour told her. "Now COME, Dawa! Everyone waiting for you!"
"I told you I—Your Majesty!" she shouted over her shoulder as Nour began dragging her away. "Your Majesty, put a stop to this!"
"I'm sorry, Dawa!" Astraea called to her. "But not even Zerase could get out of one of Nour's plays!"
Dawa's face sank and clouded over. It was very clear that she was resigned to her fate. But she felt lonely without her assist at her side, and she looked towards the Gapaon stand. "I guess I could try that," she said.
She bought 10 spins for 5,000 Potch, but to her horror she got 10 white balls! "I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Satoshi told her in a sympathetic tone. "You must be having an unlucky night."
"I suppose so," Astraea said grimly. She didn't feel like spending anymore money and debated if she should go to the theatre, go to the baths, go see Daunte, or just go home. Ultimately she realized wasting 5,000 Potch on Garapon put a damper on her evening and she decided to go home.
As she walked through the district directly outside the castle grounds, David emerged from his house. "Oh hello, Your Majesty!" he greeted her with a wave. "Lady Dawa is not with you?"
"Nour has picked her for his latest production," Astraea told him.
David gave a wince but also reflexively laugh. "I don't envy her. Are you heading home, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then let me escort you," David said. "I was heading to the baths anyway."
"But the baths are in the opposite direction," Astraea pointed out.
David waved a hand. "It's fine. I'll keep you safe."
The courtyard was deserted, and the main hall was empty except for Viki next to her mirror. "Good night, Your Majesty!" Viki called out, waving to her.
Astraea waved back. "Thank you, David."
"Can I walk you to your room?" David asked. "I would feel more assured if I knew you made it to bed safely."
Astraea gave him a peculiar look. She had gone up and down the stairs of her tower by herself without issue before. But she decided not to press it. "All right, David."
They ascended the spiral stairs, passing Dawa's room. "I wonder what that closet is on the first floor?" David wondered aloud.
"I'm sure we'll find out eventually," Astraea answered. They reached her room at the top, but she stopped dead in her tracks. A cold chill started to crawl up her body. A…foreboding feeling.
"Are you all right, Your Majesty?" David asked when he reached her.
Astraea hesitated for a moment before nodding stiffly. "I'm fine." She grabbed the doorknob and pushed the door open. Her room was dark, but torch lights from the stairwell spilled into the room, casting shadows.
And she saw that someone was standing in front of her bed.