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“Lady Courtney, Lady Elvira, Prince Julius, her majesty requests a private audience before the start of the discussion,” said a neatly dressed attendant.

“Very well,” said Courtney nodding to Queen Shanna.

“Might I also accompany?” interjected Serene.

“If the house of Haggard sees no qualms, then who am I to interject,” calm and composed, the maid locked her fingers onto her belly. Such a sign, as is by the customs, meant no ill-will. A premonition, language via gestures in the trying times of olden war.

The lowered head-count of guests meant no much to those at the banquet. They were quicker to have morsels in their mouth than thought in their mind.

“Mother,” said Eira, “-the Haggard’s are getting more audacious.”

.....

“I agree with her,” said the charming man, “-please, there must be a way to ensnare them for the disrespectful attitude.”

“I’m afraid not,” said she, “-Serene is the secretary who’s also closely tied to the Blood-King’s faction. The people view the nightwalkers as saviors to our nation. There’s no undermining the influence they hold.”

“How did they acquire such power for mere bloodsuckers?”

“The Blood-King,” said she, “-my late husband who abandoned us for the sake of war. I’ll never forgive.”

Perched atop a refurbished tower, the council room scanned the surrounding kingdom using the circular windows. Well-lit and comforting for matters of utmost importance. Walls often had ears, thus, the Queen’s decision to have the meeting a place from whence one could only enter using the stairs. The vexing climb towards the gateway to heaven. In a twisted manner, the rumbustious title fitted the tower since the populous’ fate depended on the exchanged words.

“Greetings Queen Gallienne,” said Courtney in respect of her majesty.

“Please drop the formalities,” said she with a toddler in hand, “-take a seat, there’s no need to be on edge.”

“I see the young prince’s grown into a handsome little boy,” complimented Elvira caressing the boy’s cheeks.

“Yes, he does cause me quite a lot of trouble.” *Clap,*

“You called?” inquired a strong presence.

“Yes, could you take the prince to his chambers?”

“As you wish,” a snap and he vanished.

“Was that Theodore?” wondered Courtney.

“No, he’s Theodore’s pupil. A very strong and capable young man that one.”

“I can tell,” commented Elvira, “-there’s an air of mystery and confidence about.”

“Shall we start?” the room tightened.

“Why did you call on us?” wondered Courtney.

“It’s about the Federation. Forget the war, for now, we have more urgent matters. The Argashield’s losing power as we speak. We can’t afford to hide the truth anymore, King Staxius is gone. Silence isn’t sufficient. We have a duty to the people.”

“It has been a long time coming,” said the prince, “-I do apologize for speaking out of line.”

“Go ahead,” said Gallienne.

“Thank you, majesty. We’ve fought for half a decade to keep my father’s disappearance a secret. The Federation is strong in terms of raw power, what we lack in cohesion we made in military might. That being said, Oxshield and Arda were the two spears rivaling the Wracia Empire. Arda’s dulled, and Oxshield’s disposition is more towards peace than warfare. The root of the problem is that man, the one calling himself Lucifer.”

“Shanna’s fiancé, why, don’t you like him?” asked Gallienne.

“Not a matter of liking, he’s dangerous. Lizzie and I, and I’m sure Lady Serene too has felt the undermining aura.”

“I see...” deep thoughts clashed for a plausible solution, “-it seems as if,” the demeanor fell to a distressed sneer, “-destiny is against us.”

“I don’t think so,” added Elvira, “-Arda and Oxshield were bound to clash at one point. The reason for the discord at the moment is a power-struggle. The Federation’s leader is gone. However hard we might try, there’s no way to gather Elendor, Easel Run Gard, and Arda under the same banner. The common ground between the nations is lost, there’s nothing to ally under.”

“Naught is lost,” voiced Courtney, “-we have a common enemy.”

“Elendor?”

“Yes. It’s only possible Arda and Oxshield return as one.”

“At this stage, I don’t think we can do so,” said Julius in doubt.

“On the contrary, dearest nephew, we can have them be one.”

“How so?” wondered Queen Gallienne.

“It’s going to take away significant power – the lessened load should be easier to manage,” astute and concise, the words spoke as if the prophecy of a seer.

“How?” wondered Elvira as well, ‘-wait,’ her mind clicked, the resulting gesture at Courtney resolved by her blinking slowly. ‘-Lady Courtney, hats off.’

“The House of Haggard break ties to Arda.”

“What?” the table slammed, “-you can’t be serious,” argued Gallienne, “-come on, it’s not real...”

“Aunt Courtney is right,” said Julius, “-Lizzie and I have already voiced our determination to abdicate from the royal family. Taking us out of the picture will give more space for each party to move and bond.”

“What about thy mother?”

“Saddens me to say; I do love her, don’t get me wrong, mother’s not the same any longer. She’s not the caring lady I remember; not the lady who once had father as the happiest man on the planet. She’s chosen to move and have a relationship without consent from me or Lizzie. Tis selfish of me, I care not, my allegiance shall always lie in where my father walked.”

“I see,” the exhale felt like the last breath of a man, “-the house of Haggard’s turning to a neutral party?”

“Yes, and so is Phantom, both I and Elvira agree on that aspect.”

“What about the fight against the conglomerate?” inquired the very observant Gallienne.

“It’ll have to wait. Besides, we don’t really care about Arda all that much, isn’t that right, nephew?”

“Rotherham’s a kingdom of its own, there’s no hassle of leading a whole nation then,” said he proudly.

“About that,” her eyes narrowed, “-I remember permitting the hero-king to do as he pleased... though, I don’t remember agreeing to...”

“The Hero King bears the name Haggard, and so, the right is bestowed upon the next head of the family, which is me, his twin sister, don’t you remember?” then and there, she moved to stand behind the queen, “-don’t worry, I’m not leaving you just yet.”

“How so?” the inaudible whispers left the room confused.

“We’re friends, and friends must help each other out. Phantom has forces stationed in Elendor. Elvira will buy as much time as you need. Discuss what needs to happen going forth with the Federation.”

“I suppose the discussion is over,” said Serene yawning over to the landscape, “-damn, you can see Dorchester from here.”

“Normal person can’t,” said her majesty, “-vampires do have very sharp eyes.”

“Queen Gallienne, be safe in trying times. Don’t be afraid to reach out.”

“As aunt said,” added Julius, “-I wish you the best of luck.”

Opening and shutting of the gates left a sour taste. ‘Just like that,’ thought the queen, ‘-three prominent figures in the entirety of Hidros left in the most polite way possible. They excluded details about Shanna’s seemingly good faith. Arda appears as the same idyllic paradise for demi-human created for the safety of their people. Sadly, rumors from a few contacts say otherwise. The country’s endured a massive loss from the failed relations with Alphia. Negotiations are still underway. If not for the Guild’s support I suspect Arda to have fallen in a week or so. So hard to see the thing a friend work for getting turned to dust. Is this what you dreamed about?” clouds passed at a running pace, “-Staxius, what are you up to in heaven. Knowing that personality, surely driving them crazy and entering one versus one.”

“Bring in the other representatives, we have matters to attend to.”

“Yes ma’am.”

The announcement of the Haggard Dynasty spread from the meeting outwards. Most laughed and ravished the thought of such a prominent figure ousted out the picture. Ambition could be enacted, and those wanting power had empty seats to fill at her majesty’s side.

“I bid thee farewell, for now, mother,” said Julius as the couple ambled flirtatiously.

“See you soon, son,” once more, her face and smile had him gag.

“Brother, why did you stop?”

“Nothing, let’s continue.”

“Okay,” the puffed cheeks rendered the pain bearable.

Down the noble district, at the precipice of the sloped hill laid the Haggard mansion. The interior and exterior were kept the same as so many years before, the yard was immaculate, the roads clean, and the mansion as resplendent as before. Looking at it from new sights, the place was of antique than new.

Retainers stood in a row at the doorway. “-Welcome back, Princess Lizzie,” said Rile standing first in line.

“Hello,” she waved, “-I’ve missed you.”

“We’ve missed you too, young lady.” The four assigned to guard Lizzie did so for the past few years. The head-maid, sworn to the house by the king, remains so as a mother figure. The vacant time allowed her to return home and visit her children even if a maid was bound to never leave and rest. The mentality of having servants treated the same as family members never once faltered.

“Laura, could you please ready snacks for the guests?”

“As you wish, Master Courtney.”

“What now?” asked she at the dining table.

“We move on I guess,” said Elvira, “-what’s there more to discuss.”

“Haggard Dynasty’s not going to be at lost, are we?”

“No, and I’m sure you’ve figured so. Leaving the nobility is actually better, breaking ties with a crumbling nation will serve in the longer run.”

“We’re no longer nobles,” added Julius firming the resolve.

“Nephew,” smiled she softly, “-we’ll reacquire our title of nobility soon. Your father once held the title of Baron before abdication and becoming King. We could pull strings and get back said title, though, being a lord and caring for one’s province is harder than imagined.”

.....

“No, we’ll be granted a title of nobility,” said Serene, “-Rotherham is thriving city. Since we broke from Arda, Queen Gallienne’s going to declare Rotherham a County or perhaps a Dukedom to allow for our ease of movement. Without us, the military might is naught.”

“What about the Blood-King Faction,” inquired Seiran bringing in the snacks.

“Seiran, good to see you well,” said Serene.

“Likewise, lady Serene.”

“She rose a good point,” firmed Elvira.

“We ought to check the Nox’s clan. I’m sure they’ll agree to follow us wherever.”

The vacancy left by the House of Haggard had an impact on Arda as opposed to Oxshield. The chevalier attitude from the head of the family fooled everyone. The plan was to have Arda take the hit and be made a potential target by the Wracia Empire. She and Julius sensed it, the malice of Shanna’s lover.

Friday the 19th of February. A Class-3 warning was upon the city. Most businesses were shut. People stayed on in the comforts of their homes. Day or evening didn’t matter, the blemished greyscale landscape and hard winds rattled the windows.

‘Again,’ sleep broke to legs laying atop his stomach, ‘-she’s been sleeping here too often.’ Aside from the first encounter, them sharing a bed was fully plutonic. ‘Better not wake her,’ out her feeble prison and on the cold floor, ‘-what’s wrong with me?’ a reflection showed a brighter version of himself. The guitar cover slowly built momentum mostly to the efforts of devote fans.

“Good morning, Igna,” yawned Celina running for the television.

“Good morning. Did you brush your teeth?”

“Yes,” the words flew over her shoulders, “-please make something sweet for breakfast.”

‘Alright,’ a softened smirk led to the bathroom.