On the second day, the Vallière girls gathered on the balcony for breakfast in high spirits, while Sora looked a bit sleepy. Eleonore and Cattleya watched him quietly, faces faintly flushed. Louise sat beside Sora with a sweet, contented glow.
The Duchess occupied the head spot, sipping black tea.
"Louise—is Louise back?" boomed a deep male voice.
Sora glanced up: middle-aged man, blond-haired, steady demeanor—likely Duke Vallière.
The Duchess turned: "Mm—due soon. How'd the military council go?"
"Those ministers—hmph, dodging every which way, no real decisions."
"You—the boy." The Duke fixed on Sora. "Planning to steal Louise from me?"
"Can't say it that way. With me, Louise visits parents-in-law often. I'll tag along," Sora replied.
"You—heard you're Griffin captain now. Know recent news?" the Duke probed.
"Albion rebels thing. Prince Verus still missing."
"Now Republic of Albion. Diplomatic ties with Tolistine three days back. Some leak demands Princess hand over Crown Prince Verus—or they invade. Ministers bickered over it multiple times. Tell me: Verus really in Tolistine? Fight or not?"
Duke spoke; Louise and sisters held breath. War—perhaps Duke Vallière's call—could veer fate.
Sora faint-smiled: "Tolistine bends to rebels? Next demand: Princess Anrietta weds. Marry or no? Do, and rebels demand more later. Give or no?"
"Meaning?" Duke frowned.
"Fight! War shows rebels, others: Tolistine no pushover—earns equal status. Else? Seen weak, bullied wild." Sora declared loud.
Duke eyed young son-in-law: "Fight? Tolistine small—army tiny, standing 20,000. Albion post-royalist purge: 100,000-plus. Fight how?"
"Tolistine troops weak ages—not day's issue. Endures 6000 years thanks strongest mainland mages. Four square-ranks original—Gale Galin mother-in-law, Magic Academy Dean Osman, Marshal Gramon. Gelfin solo-killed 5000 rebels—ours won't tally less."
"Albion's lone Gelfin dead in revolt. No square-ranks now. Line, triangle far fewer than ours—likely wind mages."
"Tolistine mage edge crushes Albion rebels."
"Hmph—easy talk. Nobles as soldiers? Won't fund food—let alone frontline."
"Special times, special measures. Lead mothers-in-law commit—rest follow. Princess compels? Doable."
"Offend hundreds nobles? Win war, future endless hate." Duke eyes gleamed.
Sora mouth curved: "Never leaned on them for rank, strength."
Duke stared long; face softened, roared laugh.
Sora grinned slow.
Louise, sisters puzzled.
Duchess tea-sipped calm.
"Father, Sora—what?" Louise asked.
"Nothing—Louise, approve this son-in-law." Duke laughed, shoulder-slapped Sora.
"Ah—what, Father." Louise blushed.
"Perfect, Louise." Sora smiled.
Eleonore, Cattleya eyed Louise's sweet-shy envy.
"Kitchen—feast. Rush capital tonight."
"Understood, Father." Eleonore replied.
Five family plus Sora dined hearty evening; Sora seized to propose capital-run with Duke. Louise visit done—no stay point.
Duke nodded; steward prepped extra horses.
Post-dinner, Duke, Sora, Louise farewelled sisters.
Horses spurred, trio capital-bound fast.
Nightfall, hit Magic Academy—left Louise. Duke, Sora pressed capital.
En route, Duke advice-loaded Sora; views aligned much—Duke pleased, Sora warmed to future father-in-law.
Palace outer dismount: Duke to guards, "Vallière—military meet."
"Ha—yes, milord, enter."
Sora trailed; guards blocked.
"Captain—no clearance. Notify inside?"
"My guest—meeting." Duke light.
"Yes—understood. Captain—pass." Soldier yielded.
Sora followed Duke palace-in.
Past side-hall Anrietta meets; now main hall via Duke.
Candles blazed; hall figures sparse, voices audible.
"Ah, Sora." Anrietta throne-side.
"Duke Vallière—hard work."
Hall: Supreme Court President, Cardinal Secretary of State, Foreign Minister, Field Marshal Gramon, Magic Academy President Osman et al. Tolistine fate-deciders.
"Griffin lackey—no entry. Out." Court President stern.
Sora ignored.
"My meeting guest. Issue? Speak." Duke Vallière cold-eyed.
"Rules breach. Meet critical—prevent leaks." Foreign Minister.
"Griffin from my Academy—loyal Tolistine." Osman.
"Trust Sora—stay." Anrietta.
Ministers glanced: "Fine—back Duke Vallière, no chatter."
Sora smirked, Duke-rear posted.
Duke-side: Marshal Gramon, Hausmann.
Other: Court President, Foreign, Commerce Ministers, Cardinal Secretary.
"Everyone here—Republic of Albion war declaration on Tolistine." Anrietta.
"Hold—Princess, Albion demands Verus return—no war declare. Tolistine avoids needless fight." Foreign interrupted.
"Princess—war costs treasury empty." Commerce flat.
"You—you." Anrietta anger-trembled.
Sora sight-disgusted them.
"Verus not Tolistine—rebel war pretext." Vallière.
Secretary et al eyed. Why speak—prior silent watcher Duke Vallière?
"Albion provocation—Tolistine firm, harsh reply. Fight? We fight." Vallière deep-voiced.
"Well—fight right. Tolistine warless long—others see soft fruit, bite free." Gramon bellowed. "Hit hard. Crush Albion—warn Germania, Romania, Gallia: Tolistine no easy mark."
"Foreign lord, soldier—politics blind. Send Verus: Albion allies Tolistine, no threats. Peace your pursuit, Princess?" Secretary.
"Not so." Anrietta head-shook.
"Heh—Secretary, seen wolf-rabbit peace? Albion wolf—Tolistine rabbit, bites hard." Osman squinted-smiled.
"Princess—war? Dead soldiers Tolistine citizens." Secretary straight-stared Anrietta, pressure heavy.
"Me—me?" Anrietta lost.
"No hesitate—fight due. Decide, Princess Anrietta." Vallière.
"Princess—I Gramon lead troops—order."
"Highness—trust feelings, decide." Osman.
"No—war no, Princess." "Hand Verus—no war." "Reconsider, Princess." Foreign et al.
Anrietta dithered factions' voices.
Sora, Sora—she back-glanced Vallière-rear Sora, aid-seeking.
Sora gentle-smiled, lips shaped.
"It's fine—I'm here."
Anrietta steadied—least one reliance.
"I—I..." Anrietta straightened, decision-near.
"Report!! Report!!"
Bloodied soldier burst: "Albion—Albion—here."
Parchment clutched; hall-shout done, stiffened side-fell.
Ministers low-murmured, buzzed.
"What!" Gramon leaped, parchment-snatched to Princess.
Anrietta unrolled hasty-scan, silenced.
"Everyone—Albion war undeclared yesterday, breached Tarub village. Still claim no war?!" Anrietta raged Foreigns.
Ministers eyes-down. "Albion sneak-attack villainy—order fight, Princess."
"Good—as future queen, Princess Anrietta orders: Gramon, your army plus my three magic knights—annihilate foe."
"Order, Highness." Gramon joyed, one-knee accepted.
Gramon hall-exited; Sora followed. Griffin lead—battle-bound.
Please, Sora. Anrietta back-watched Sora thought.