Claire remained in Queen Fiora's chambers, watching over her brother. Cosette was also present.
"How much longer will my brother be stuck in this room? I want him to come home with me!" Claire asked impatiently.
Kiett was still asleep, his wounds keeping him in a fragile state.
"You can take him home now. He's healing well!!" Cosette responded, advising Claire to keep an eye on his wounds.
"You should rest too. That attack was horrible, and it took a toll on you." Cosette insisted as she put away some scrolls.
"I'm fine… but I have to admit, I was really scared!!" Claire confessed while gently brushing her brother's hair.
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost him. He's all I have!!" she added softly.
Cosette observed her melancholic expression. "Why did you two join the Legionnaire training in the first place?" Cosette asked curiously.
Claire fell silent for a moment, thinking. "To be honest, we just wanted to follow in our parents" footsteps.
We know they died with honor fighting the Necromancer." Claire finally answered.
Cosette watched Claire's face as she glanced at her sleeping brother.
"You know, you're both skilled. I'm sure you'll achieve great things!!" Cosette encouraged.
Claire looked up as Cosette walked toward the door and left.
In the Grand Hall of the Castle, where the seats of the Four Noble Families were arranged, the nobles had already gathered before the Queen. One of the castle guards formally introduced each of them.
Royal Guard:
"Before Our Majesty Fiora Windham, Sovereign Queen of Averford, we present: Reece LuxFord, leader of the noble House of Attarus; Rohan Mahogany, leader of the noble House of Berkshire; Akira Alfgen, leader of the noble House of Hawthorne; and Prince Lon Bright, heir to the Bright-Windham royal family."
Lining up before Queen Fiora and Princess Liliam, they all bowed in respect.
"Welcome, and thank you for answering my summons so promptly. Please, take your seats!" Fiora announced.
The nobles sat down. Lon, however, looked visibly nervous, fidgeting with his fingers and playing with his thumbs.
"Your Majesty, if I may ask—does the young Prince have your full authority to be here at this meeting?" Rohan questioned.
Liliam frowned slightly, clearly irritated by the remark, and Fiora took note of her reaction.
"The young Prince has my complete approval. From now on, he will be present at our meetings, just as my daughter will in the future.
She is currently handling another matter." Fiora responded firmly. Liliam seemed pleased by this.
"Now that we're all here, we responded quickly to your summons, Your Majesty, as we also wished to speak with you." Akira stated.
Lon listened attentively, still looking nervous.
"The incident in Threnafell confirms what I feared. There is no doubt left in my mind!!" Fiora declared.
The room fell silent, the nobles intrigued. Fiora rose from her throne and walked to the center of the assembly.
"We lost far too many children in that cursed place. It was a mistake to send them there. Are you only realizing that now!?" Reece LuxFord accused.
Liliam stood abruptly, glaring at him. "How dare you question Her Majesty, you insolent fool!!" she exclaimed.
Fiora raised a hand, signaling her to calm down. "I ask that everyone remain calm. There is an explanation!!" Fiora declared.
But Reece didn't seem satisfied—until Lon suddenly spoke up.
"Why are you questioning Her Majesty? What gives you the right? You have no idea what happened there!!" Lon exclaimed, his voice shaking with emotion.
Liliam hurried to his side, trying to calm him down.
Fiora observed the young prince, impressed by his strength of character. The other nobles also took notice—Sparks danced through Lon's hair, as if it was charged with energy.
"Lon, calm down. Show respect to Lord LuxFord!!" Liliam scolded, but Lon refused to back down.
"You shouldn't be questioning Her Majesty! What right do you speak? You weren't there!!" Lon snapped.
The nobles exchanged glances as Lon's hair stood even more on edge, crackling faintly with latent power. Even Fiora looked surprised.
"Enough, Lon. You will leave this meeting immediately. I made a mistake bringing you here!!" Liliam said firmly, grabbing Lon's arm, trying to pull him away. But before she could, Fiora intervened.
"Wait, Liliam. You weren't wrong. The young Prince is in the right place at the right time!!" Fiora declared.
Liliam was stunned. "What… what are you saying? I don't understand!!" she asked.
Fiora gestured toward the center of the room, offering Lon the space between the nobles' seats.
Then, she returned to her throne. "Young Prince, please… tell us what you experienced during the Threnafell incident." Fiora requested.
Everyone, including Liliam, took their seats. Lon obeyed Fiora's request, preparing himself to reveal the horrifying truth about what happened in Threnafell.
―Meanwhile, in the streets of Averford―
Claire walked alone, deep in thought. Her melancholic expression was evident. Rain began to fall again, sending people running for shelter in homes and market stalls.
Claire, however, simply gazed at the dark clouds, allowing the rain to soak her hair and clothes. Her beauty stood out—her long black hair, her piercing blue eyes. The rain had almost drenched her completely when suddenly, someone approached from behind and placed a raincoat over her shoulders.
"Be careful, idiot. You'll catch a cold!!" Margott teased as she stepped beside Claire.
"You're ruining my fun. What do you want now? My brother's resting!!" Claire huffed.
Margott smirked, glancing around until she spotted an open tavern.
"You're soaking wet. You need something warm. Come on, I'll buy you a coffee!!" Margott declared, heading toward the place.
Claire grinned and suddenly jumped onto Margott's back.
"Now we're talking!!" Claire laughed as they both entered the tavern.
Inside, the atmosphere was rowdy and chaotic—drunken men, gambling, betting, and women working the room. It was definitely the wrong place for two young ladies. "Are you sure? …We could go somewhere else!" Claire said.
"Are you kidding? …This place is top-tier entertainment. Look!" Margott replied, pointing at none other than Blumiere Roux, one of their closest companions, playing cards with men twice his age.
"Well, this is his natural habitat!" Claire responded. "I bet you two copper coins he's got a couple of cards up his sleeve!" Margott teased.
Claire accepted the bet with a grin. "This could be fun!" she said.
Blumiere studied his deck of cards, glancing at the other men.
It was him against five, with a considerable pile of gold coins stacked in the center of the table as the prize.
"I'll raise two gold coins!" he announced, tossing them onto the pile.
If someone counted, they would find at least fifteen gold coins—an amount tempting enough for anyone.
Everyone at the table stared at each other. Blumiere remained calm, exuding immense confidence, almost to the point of arrogance. Seeing how relaxed he was, the others folded one by one.
Blumiere revealed his hand—undoubtedly the worst possible hand a player could have.
The men at the table erupted in frustration as Blumiere casually scooped up all fifteen gold coins and placed them into the pouch hanging from his belt.
"Well, gentlemen, that was a good game! …See you tomorrow!" he said, giving a slight bow before walking away triumphantly.
Claire smirked at Margott. "Well! …Looks like he didn't have any hidden cards after all. Pay up!" she said.
"Incredible!" Margott replied with an amused scoff, pulling out the coins and handing them over.
"Easy money!" Claire said, grinning.
Blumiere noticed them and walked over to greet them.
"Now, this is a surprise! …You two, together, in this tavern?" he remarked.
"What's so surprising, showman?" Margott shot back.
Blumiere pulled up a chair and sat next to Claire.
"You two have quite the complicated dynamic! …Friends and enemies at the same time!" he teased.
A waitress approached the table to take their order.
"We'll have two butterbeers!" Claire requested.
"And nothing for me?" Blumiere grumbled.
Margott patted the pouch that now carried the coins she had just won.
"You've got plenty! …Why don't you treat us for once?" she suggested.
Blumiere stood up and called the waitress over.
He handed her a gold coin and instructed her to serve a Turquoise Oasis to the biggest, roundest man at the betting table, telling him it was from the stranger sitting at the bar.
The waitress accepted and walked away.
"Blumiere! …Are you trying to get someone killed?" Claire asked, narrowing her eyes.
"That guy at the bar stole a barrel of ale from me three days ago, right before I left for Threnafell!" Blumiere replied.
A different waitress arrived with the butterbeers for the girls, while the first one delivered the Turquoise Oasis to the largest, roundest man at the table.
When she whispered Blumiere's message, the man immediately stood up, fuming, and marched toward the stranger at the bar.
"So, it was you. you filthy rat!" he growled before landing a brutal punch, knocking the man out cold.
"Ladies! …Say hello to Kiett for me, I hope he recovers soon… and I strongly suggest you take your drinks and get out of here!" Blumiere commented as if an all-out brawl erupted in the tavern.
Bottles and chairs flew as men swung wildly at each other. Claire and Margott grabbed their drinks and bolted out the door.
"Blumiere is insane!" Claire shouted as they ran away from the chaos.
―Back to the Royal Meeting―
Everyone at Queen Fiora's meeting listened attentively to Prince Lon's testimony.
"We were divided into six groups, each consisting of a hunter and three recruits. Our mission was to hunt the assigned beasts!" Lon declared, but Reece abruptly interrupted him.
"We all know that already. We all went through this trial in our youth—get to the point, boy!" Reece remarked. Liliam quickly told him to be quiet, as Lon was nervous and needed to recount everything he had experienced.
"Young Prince, please continue. I need everyone here to hear your testimony!!" Fiora exclaimed. At this, both Reece and Liliam fell silent. Lon continued.
―Flashback of Prince Lon Bright―
"We had been riding for quite some time. The rain suddenly intensified, and as we neared the Blue Wasteland, Alistar ordered the groups to separate. I remember all their faces—my friends were nervous. Then, a strange mist surrounded us. The rain became heavier, the air turned dense, and suddenly... we heard screams. Those monsters appeared. Arata, our leader, immediately ordered defensive stances. He led us toward the outskirts of Threnafell, but we were terrified."
―End of Prince Lon Bright's Flashback―
"I saw so many of my comrades get devoured by those monsters!" Lon cried out, tears beginning to spill from his eyes.
Liliam immediately rose from her seat to comfort her son, who was on the verge of breaking down. Fiora also stood from her throne and approached them.
"Liliam, take him to his chambers. Let him calm down. Once he does, come find me, and I'll tell you everything!" Fiora commanded.
Liliam obeyed and left with Lon, leaving Fiora alone with the nobles.
"This is truly horrifying, Your Majesty… What will happen to the families of the children who died!?" Akira asked, concern written all over her face.
Reece remained silent.
"I will personally take care of the families of the fallen. But this was not just an attack—it was orchestrated!" Fiora declared.
The expressions of the three nobles shifted dramatically, filled with fear and confusion.
"What are you saying, Your Majesty?" they asked, incredulously.
Fiora shared her suspicion.
"According to a survivor, someone who was nearly devoured by one of those creatures. She managed to observe a pattern in their attack!!" Fiora revealed.
"What kind of pattern? Are you saying he is near?" Rohan questioned. Reece was lost in thought while Akira recoiled in her chair.
"The huntress who survived noticed something… Those creatures were incredibly organized. She is certain they were looking for something—or someone!" Fiora exclaimed.
At her words, the three nobles rised from their seats.
"Then… he was searching for one of our recruits?" Reece asked in fear. The others were just as disturbed.
"I don't know… Maybe he was looking for my daughter. Perhaps he believed she would be there at that moment…" Fiora responded.
"I know this may sound cruel to you, but I will use this incident to convince the other kingdoms to accept an alliance and allow my Sentinels to study the Eighth Gate!" Fiora declared, shocking the nobles with this revelation.
"What does this mean, Your Majesty?" Rohan questioned. Fiora looked at him.
"I have already spoken with King Mustaffa of Aledis. He will support me in front of the other three kingdoms. In two days, they will meet at the ruins of Aldelviewreld. I will be there to negotiate. Because we must unite all the kingdoms to stop that bastard!" Fiora announced with unwavering authority.
"Your Majesty, are you certain they won't try anything against you? They could be setting a trap!" Akira warned, worried about the Queen's safety.
"I'll be fine. Mustaffa is on my side—that much is certain!" Fiora replied.
But their conversation was interrupted by the sudden opening of the chamber doors. Crown Princess Sonia Windham entered.
As she approached, the nobles bowed, but they all noticed she was carrying a scroll.
"Mother, news has arrived from the Kingdom of Aledis!" Sonia exclaimed, breathing heavily, it was clear she had run all the way there.
"Catch your breath, my daughter. Why the rush!?" Fiora asked, puzzled. Sonia took a deep breath, then opened the scroll and handed it to her mother.
"King Mustaffa received news from Aldelviewreld—the climate has changed drastically, Mother. It's snowing heavily!" Sonia declared.
―Fiora reads the scroll―
"To the Queen Fiora Bright-Windham, Sovereign Queen of Averford,
I fear that our meeting must be moved forward due to an emergency. Something is happening in Aldelviewreld—the climate has changed, and it is snowing intensely, accompanied by thunderstorms. We are bringing supplies and provisions for our forces. We will meet this evening. Along with this scroll, I am sending a runestone so you can link with me in Aledis and join us for arrival in Aldelviewreld together. I recommend bringing warm clothing and your trusted spear, as we do not know what might happen. Everyone will be armed. A cordial greeting to Your Majesty—I will be waiting for your arrival in Aledis."
―Fiora finishes reading―
Fiora took the runestone in her hand.
"I must prepare immediately. I can't miss this opportunity!" Fiora exclaimed. The nobles pleaded with her to take guards for support, but she refused.
"My spear will suffice. Besides, I hope I won't have to use it. You may all leave—our meeting for today is over.
I will summon you again when I return!" Fiora declared as she left the hall alongside her daughter, Sonia.
"Do you think it's a trap?" Akira asked. Reece pondered for a moment.
"I don't think so. If he recommended bringing her weapon, I'm sure even Mustaffa himself is afraid of whatever is happening there now!" Rohan remarked.
Fiora hurried to her chambers, grabbing a quill and the runestone, swiftly writing on an old parchment. As she wrote, she summoned one of her most trusted guards, who arrived immediately.
"At your service, My Queen!" he said.
"Take this scroll. Deliver it to Alistar. It is my order that he finds Montecristo wherever he may be and gives this to him if I have not returned within two days from today!" Fiora commanded.
The guard took the parchment and left. Fiora searched through her spacious wardrobes for a warm cloak and found a blue one. As she grabbed it, something fell—a black metal bracelet with a gray gemstone. Fiora picked it up gently, remembering the first time she saw it, a gift from her father when she was just twelve years old. Overcome with nostalgia, she placed the bracelet on her left wrist. As she activated it, a magnificent steel shield materialized, gleaming brilliantly.
"So, you were in this cloak all along… I wonder how long you've been there!" she whispered.
She put on the cloak and removed her crown. Sonia entered, watching her mother, her nervousness was evident.
"Are you okay, Mother?" Sonia asked.
"I'm nervous… and scared. This could go very well… or very badly!" Fiora admitted.
Sonia hugged her mother tightly. Fiora smiled, stroking her daughter's head, letting go of her fears.
"I'll be fine, my daughter. Don't worry about me!" Fiora reassured her.
"I know, Mom… I just really needed a hug!" Sonia replied. Fiora looked at her and kissed her forehead.
TO BE CONTINUED…