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 in 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.
TO BE CONTINUED...