As soon as Mako could walk with less difficulty, his first act was to meet with the queen of all Galandria.
It wasn't easy. Even for a Royal Court member, getting a request to the queen took effort.
But she finally agreed. The queen received Mako in a grand castle hall that, to his surprise, was meant to be her office.
The room was adorned with exquisite red curtains, furniture with intricately forged metal legs, and fabric patterned with imperial flowers.
The red curtains veiled massive windows overlooking Galandria's great city. Still, slivers of light slipped through the gaps, illuminating the room.
Mako walked several meters to reach the desk at the far end of the vast office, his footsteps echoing through the space.
"My queen," Mako said, bowing.
"Oh, Mako!" the queen exclaimed. "No need for such formalities. Come, take a seat."
The queen's voice was gentle. She carried an aura of great authority, her long silver hair flowing—not from age, though she was older, her appearance suggested no more than her thirties.
The queen of all Galandria, the kingdom's second most powerful figure, rose from her seat, revealing an elegant, long dress adorned with intricate floral patterns. It was ostentatious, but her regal bearing suited it.
Mako took a seat, watching as the queen paced the room. She approached a nearby bookshelf, searching for a book.
"What brings you here, Mako Sol?" she asked, pulling a book and flipping through it.
"Well, my queen… Since Arthur's attack…" Mako began as the queen walked toward him.
"Yes! I remember!" the queen interrupted, halting both Mako and her brief reading.
She returned to her desk.
"I figured it was something like that," she admitted.
Without further ado, she handed Mako the book she'd taken. It was a small, thin green volume.
"What's this?" Mako asked.
Then he examined it closely. The queen had opened it to a specific page, and what he saw stunned him.
It was a family tree, a beautifully inked engraving with portraits of some nobles.
Reading the names, Mako realized who it concerned.
"Wait! This is…" Mako murmured.
"Sir Arthur II's family," the queen said. "A curious noble lineage."
Mako fell silent. The queen observed him with a steady gaze, then gave a faint smile.
"Don't look at me like that, Mako. Since Arthur's attack, I've been busy too… Did you think I wouldn't be prepared for this?" she said.
"Please! That's not it!" Mako said, waving his hands in denial. "It's just… My queen…"
"I told you, no formalities. Call me Verónica."
Mako swallowed hard.
"Queen Verónica," he said nervously, "what I'm trying to say is that Arthur's behavior seemed strange. I need answers. I fear it's not an isolated case."
"I know. His daughter escaped. I read Zork's report."
"Not just that…"
"Something else worries you? That's odd," the queen interrupted again. "I understand investigating Arthur's past… But if it's not to prevent another attack, you're wasting your time."
Mako didn't know how to respond immediately.
"Arthur knew my parents," he said bluntly.
A heavy silence followed. It lasted mere seconds but felt eternal, weighed down by its gravity.
The queen seemed to reflect, and after considering it, she glanced at the family tree in the book.
The drawing showed a tree with few branches—perhaps two or three generations, ending with a portrait of a much younger Arthur at the base.
"Your parents, Galandria's heroes during the rebel uprisings that sought to overthrow the crown," Verónica said with a bitter tone.
"Yes…" Mako said, head bowed.
The queen stopped looking at the drawing to meet Mako's eyes.
"I imagine you were very young then," she said, closing the small green book.
Mako opened his mouth, but the queen didn't let him speak.
"I'll put it simply, Mako Sol," Verónica said with unusual severity. "If this is just a personal matter, we won't hesitate to remove you from the Royal Court."
Her words hit Mako like a bucket of cold water.
In short, he was walking a very thin tightrope.
Queen Verónica sighed.
Gently, she handed the book to Mako.
"Clear?" she asked.
Mako nodded.
"Crystal," he replied.
"Good," Verónica said as Mako took the book. "Find his daughter and deliver her verdict as soon as possible."
The word "verdict" unsettled Mako. It wasn't just tied to his execution (before rewinding time); now it evoked Sir Arthur II wielding his ability, repeating that word endlessly.
Verdict.
As he rose from the chair, Mako couldn't resist turning to ask one last question before leaving the grand office.
"Queen Verónica," he said.
The queen sighed.
"Yes?"
"What exactly was Sir Arthur II's crime against the crown?" Mako asked.
"Treason," Queen Verónica replied.
Sensing Mako's question demanded more, she continued:
"He murdered members of the nobility."
With that, Mako gave a farewell bow. The queen remained at her desk, reading books and reports.
◇◆◇
Mako decided to return to his mansion that afternoon with Polifemo.
"What now?" Polifemo asked, fluttering around him.
"It doesn't seem like I can do much. The queen was clear. I need to find leads on Arthur's daughter," Mako said, dejected.
Stepping into the mansion after so long felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the castle.
To his surprise, the hallways and rooms bustled with servants. Some cleaned rooms, others tended the gardens, and even personal guards, filling in for Ana, trained in the courtyard.
The mansion was alive again. It warmed Mako's heart.
"So… you're just giving up?" Polifemo said, disappointed.
"Of course not," Mako replied, annoyed.
Surveying his surroundings, he sighed. He'd come far, yet his vengeance against Erick to reclaim and elevate his House felt distant.
The thought irritated Mako further.
"Zork's handling the search for Arthur's daughter," Mako told Polifemo, strolling through the mansion's halls.
He occasionally greeted new workers warmly.
"I haven't thanked you for everything you've done here," Mako admitted as Polifemo bounced side to side instead of flying or walking as usual.
"It's nothing, don't flatter me!" Polifemo said, stopping his bouncing. "It's my job, after all."
Mako's irritation eased, and he chuckled.
During their pleasant walk, a servant approached Mako and Polifemo.
"Master Mako, Polifemo," the servant said. "You have a visitor on behalf of a certain Willy Fox."