Chapter Text
Once Upon A Time, in a far away land, there lived a king who was all alone.
He had vast lands and large wealth, but his heart longed to love and be loved by someone.
So, he travelled the lands of his kingdom to find a lady for his heart, yet found no one enraptured him despite their beautiful appearances and charming words.
Suddenly, battle struck between him and a kingdom who was envious of his wealth and power.
Thoughts of love faded away into anger and bitterness as he was engulfed in a war of loathing.
Thus, the King resigned himself to his lonesome life.
***
Slam!
“Who in Remodira thought they were doing this for children?!” Yerenika huffed as she closed the book. “There’s no illustrations in this as well! How are they even teaching the children? Battle? Envy? Wealth? Power? Anger and bitterness?! War?! I’ll sue whoever wrote this book.”
She flipped the cover to see the author but no name was there, the author remained unknown.
“Coward.” She hissed and shoved the book back to the shelf she found it. “Probably knows that they weren’t writing a children’s novel. If you knew that, why did you label it even?!” she groaned, “What am I going to read to Brigette now?”
The thought and mention of her niece sobered her. What was she doing here, ranting about some book and author? But then again, she did need a break.
Yerenika sighed and collapsed on a library chair close to her, cranking her neck left and right as she rubbed the back of it. The last few months have been exhausting.
She had woken up to this world after a memory of a bus accident. Though she had thought herself to be in a hospital, what greeted her wasn’t the sight of white walls and the smell of disinfectant. Instead, she was met with crying maids and a room she had only seen in western historical dramas of pompous women and political scheming.
Thankfully, the latter wasn’t the case for her.
She had somehow awakened to the world inside of her phone, “Brigette Wants to be Happy.”
But what about me? She wanted to cry. I want to be happy, too.
Though the novel of the plot didn’t involve any terrible villainess who poisoned female leads to get the love of the male lead (“make it make sense, people.”), or political schemes and seduction to rise to the top (“this ain’t game of thrones!”), it did involve tragedies. Lots, and lots of tragedies.
It all began with her father’s greed, which tore the Glückmahn Treaty apart. Bellecourt, impatient after two years of waiting for the King of Livovny to humble himself, attacked the small kingdom and took the eldest princess, Theresia, as a hostage. What was worse, however, was the fact that the eldest princess, who was wife the Duke of Levan, was pregnant.
It kept getting worse.
The Duke went into battle to rescue his wife, but failed and died in the field. Her sister was struck by the news and gave birth prematurely, resulting in a sickly Brigette. For ten years, the princess and her daughter were kept from their homeland, resulting in the Queen’s torment and eventual death. Her death persuaded the King to surrender to Bellecourt’s demands and pleaded for his daughter and granddaughter’s return.
I’m happy that they’re back. But isn’t this where it went from worse to terrible?
A plague struck from the west of Rhyger, slowly descending upon Livovny and taking the lives of Princess Theresia and thousands of Livovny’s people. The king survived but was weakened from the illness and was confined to his chambers, bedridden.
Thus, Livovny entered a state of regency under the last remaining child of the King, Princess Yereninovika.
“Haa…” Yerenika curled in on herself, resting her head on the table before her.
It had been difficult. She was immediately thrown into royal duties she had to learn from scratch from the very moment she woke up. The matters with the Glückmahn Road were progressing, though. One of the first things she did was to appease Bellecourt’s king by paying off what her father had collected from his greed and decreased the toll and tax of the road’s usage.
It’s bound to cause issues soon. She sighed, feeling the weight of the country that wasn’t the place of her birth. Livovny’s economy depended heavily on the road’s profits.
For now, she had issued an investigation on Livovny’s side of the Cezanne Mountains, to see if there were any minerals that could be discovered there.
“Auntie?”
Yerenika jumped with a gasp, turning her head to see her niece looking at her.
“Brigette!” she let out a sigh of relief. “Sweetheart, what are you doing here?”
The little red-haired girl shuffled closer to Yerenika, as if she was burying herself in the regent’s stomach. “I went to your study but they said you were here in the study. Are you reading the boring stuff again?”
Yerenika giggled at her niece’s perspective of the laws of Livovny. But Brigette established in her mind already that whenever her aunt comes to the library, she would be busy perusing the laws of the country, trying to understand them to get a better grasp of her new role.
“No, sweetheart. I was just looking for something to read to you later in bed.” Yerenika bent her head to kiss the top of her niece’s head. “I thought some nice story would be wonderful to read before bed. It will lead to some development and some interest in reading for you later on.”
Seeing the confusion on her niece’s face, Yerenika shrugged off her mind’s knowledge for now. The theories and studies of her world have not been established in this world yet, so many do not know the reasons for her actions.
“Never mind. Why did you look for me anyway?”
“Nothing.” The little princess muttered. “Just felt lonely.”
Yerenika bit her lower lip. To keep a tight grip on the palace’s finances, and to aid the public during he plague, as well as to minimize its spread, she temporarily dismissed some servants and lessened the number of staffs. The palace was an epitome of the current situation in the country. Quiet, solemn, and mournful.
The Princess Regent picked up her niece and embraced her tightly, hearing the bells of the Temple chime in the distance. More deaths.
“It will be alright, Brigette. Auntie’s here.” Yerenika whispered softly, letting the child weep on her should silently. “I will make sure you’re safe. You deserve to be happy, Brigette. I want you to be happy.”
No matter what happens.
***
“Are you sure about this?”
Yerenika continued to write on the parchment as she responded to her friend. “It’s the only way for her to be safe. Besides, you know what the priests say about her divinity. It would be best for her to be sent to their care.”
“Care?!” a slam followed and Yerenika’s ink bottle toppled over and she finally glanced up.
The Duke of Levan breathed harshly, his face red and anger storming in his green eyes.
“’Care,’ you say?” he laughed, as if the word was absurd. “Need I remind you, Yerenika, of what their care brought to us?”
Yerenika sighed and placed her quill down. “You know as much as I do of how Theresia and Brigette were looked after in Bellecourt. Brigette tells me that the King made sure they didn’t lack comfort. Rather than hostages and prisoners of Bellecourt, they were treated as guests.”
“They’re our enemies!”
“They’re our allies now.” Yerenika pressed, “The war is over. Negotiations and diplomacy are underway. We are finally at peace.”
“They killed my brother!”
Yerenika didn’t respond to that, nor did she say what her mind wanted to. She knew and understood her friend’s position, but he had to understand hers as well. Brigette won’t be safe here. Not with the plague and family who was struggling to survive on their own.
“They killed my brother, took your sister away, led to Brigette’s poor health, and all this devastation in Livovny was because of everything with them!”
“Sergey.” Yerenika stood from her chair and rounded the desk, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It’s true, they took many things from us,” her hand on his shoulder tightened as she felt his trembling figure. “but remember that it wasn’t them who crossed the line first. I’m not defending Bellecourt, but it was Livovny’s mistake in the first place.”
“They could have just discussed-“
“It’s all in the past now.” She placed a hard tone on her voice, silencing Sergey Levan. “Brother-in-law and Theresia are gone…” Yerenika sighed. She hadn’t known the sister she had for long. She had weeks at best. But it was undeniable that the eldest princess’ charm led to her becoming the sister in her heart, despite their time together only being short.
“We have to move forward and think of the future, think of Brigette. She’s only twelve, Sergey. She deserves more than to be confined in the palace and fear the plague.”
“And you think Bellecourt is good for that?” Sergey spat bitterly.
“Bellecourt has restrained the plague on their end, for now. It’s safer than here. I wish for her to train in the Temple of Laurus, as well.”
“We have-“
“We do not have priests to spare.” She released her grip on Sergey and returned to her place. “I have not made this decision without thinking of others, Sergey. I, too, wish for Brigette to grow here in Livovny and be by my side, where I can see her – but that cannot happen.” She picked up her quill and fixed the ink bottle.
Sergey sighed and wiped the spilled ink with his own handkerchief. “We only got her back and we’re losing her to Bellecourt again.”
“We’re not losing her.” She corrected sadly, “We’re protecting her.”
As she continued writing her letter, she thought of the other reasons why she was sending Brigette away.
***
King Euredian Louis Soledor de Bellecourt,
Thank you for receiving this letter, as well as returning my niece to our home. I have no doubts that by now, you have heard of the situation here in Livovny. I am not requesting for aid. If I was, it would be shameless and thick-faced of me to do so, especially after everything that our family has done to our two nations. My request is much simpler.
My niece, as you recall, is young. The youth do not deserve to be in a state of such unhappiness because of the greed of the elderly. I ask of you to accept Brigette back in your watch and care, and that she be trained in the Temple of your ancestor. The priests have confirmed of her divinity; however, their numbers here have fallen with the illness that continues in our land. She is excited to learn more of her new talent and has told me stories of your family’s ability. Brigette tells me how your son has divinity as well and is looking forward to training with him. I would be happy to know that she has a friend to lean on in Bellecourt. I hope you would indulge us in this, and that Prince Dekalb does not mind.
I wish for her to have a happy childhood, and I am willing to sacrifice my time with her to ensure that. I pray for your kindness and understanding.
Yerenika Sofya Livovny
Princess Regent of Livovny
***
The Temple of Laurus should be a place of silence of peace, but with the plague, it has become a temporary shelter for those who need help and those who are desperate for it. Yerenika’s blue eyes peaked under the hood of her cloak as the Archbishop of Livne directed her to a more private room where she could spend her time in Temple in solitude.
“I apologize for the lack of service, Your Royal Highness.” The archbishop whispered as they passed through a line of patients who were on the floor, coughing and ill, struck with the plague. “We have run out beds and the numbers grow by the day.”
“Thank you for informing me.” She responded quietly, watching a desperate mother shushing her crying child who was red with fever. “I’ll make sure to send more aid to the Temple. Should there be anything more – food, water, help – you only need ask, Archbishop.”
“Thank you, Princess Regent.”
They walked through the halls of the Temple. The warm yellow lights of the candles were a sharp contrast to the gloomy atmosphere persistent with the plague, as well as the white pristine walls of the holy site.
“Are you sure of Her Highness’ divinity?”
“Quite sure, Your Royal Highness. I have never seen such a pure divinity that is found with your niece.”
Yerenika remained silent as they now were far from the crowd and close to the priest’s prayer room.
“… I plan on sending her back to Bellecourt.”
“Your Royal Highness?” the Archbishop gasped, “But it has only been months. Why –“
“The plague, among other things, and I wanted her to train her divinity with you, but everyone is preoccupied, and I do not wish to pull you away from people who have more need of you.” She continued on as the priest was about to protest in being unable to teach the princess. “As much as I hate to admit it, Brigette is safer in Bellecourt.”
Yerenika entered the private prayer room and sighed as the Archbishop closed the door behind her. She glanced around the Livovnyan architecture before moving forward to the statue at altar and kneeling before the marble wolf with eyes made of ruby.
Before she came here, she was no religious person. She believed in God, but didn’t pray much, not when so much has been lost to her. But this time, she was willing to offer herself to God, or to any other heavenly entity out there to protect the one single thing she has left, even if its not truly hers to protect.
“… Why did you send me here…” Yerenika rubbed her pounding forehead before gazing at the frozen animal desperately. “Do you think I can save the lives of many with what I have done? Do you think everything will change?”
Yes, sending Brigette away was a good plan.
Sergey was always away from Levan’s estate, as his duties as Prime Minister always called for him to be in Livne and even in other parts of Livovny, especially now with all the tragedy that is happening in the country. The priests here cannot look after Brigette in their own temple where the people infected with the plague rush towards to. They don’t even have enough eyes to monitor her training, that was how dire the situation here was.
And her…
Yerenika clasped her hands in prayer to whatever god would be able to hear her.
“Even if I don’t survive this,… Brigette, she’s all that really matters. I’m begging you, keep her safe, please.”
Princess Yereninovika Sofya Livovny did not survive the plague in the novel.
***
Euredian was never a man who shied from anything.
When he was born, he was thrusted into a world of publicity and over the years, was groomed to be prepared before his people. When Livovny dared to act impudent, he waited for two years for them to realize their errors; and when they didn’t he attacked and held their princess hostage. When Livovny declared war, he led the frontlines and commanded his men.
Yet at the sight of his son’s closed door, he hesitated and pondered if what he is doing is right, and if his son will be alright with his presence. Though, it would seem that he had no time to ask his conscience if it’s alright as the door slowly opened and the person who did so stopped at the sight of him.
“… Is there something you require, Father?”
Euredian subtlety let out a quiet sigh through his nose and let out a shadow of a smile despite his son’s glaring eyes that shared the same color as his.
“Dekalb, how are you?”
“Fine. Is there something you need?” the eleven-year-old boy continued to glare at him despite their height difference.
“…”
Whenever he envisioned himself as a father, he would always imagine him and his child bonding in the gardens of the palace, as he did with his father in his youth. He always thought that he would be his son’s mentor when it came to the affairs of the kingdom, and that he would be there whenever he would ask something in relation to his divinity.
Euredian didn’t know he would be this distant with his own family. A stranger, or more like an enemy to his son’s own eyes.
He swallowed the bile in his throat and raised the letter in his hand. “I received a letter from the Princess of Livovny.”
For the first time in his life, Euredian saw wonder and interest in his son’s eyes in his own presence. Sadly, however, it was more for the person in the letter, he knew.
“Brigette wrote?”
“Manners, Dekalb.” He corrected softly. “You may have known her since you were little, but she is a princess.”
“I’ve known her more than you. She’s more family than you. I can call her with her name.”
That was a low blow, but the boy was not mistaken. Still though, it hurt Euredian and he regretted how he let himself be distanced from his own flesh and blood just to keep the peace between him and his wife.
“Dekalb…” he began, sadness seeping in his voice. “You know how much your Mother doesn’t want me around…”
“If you don’t want her or me around, why bother keeping us here?”
“No!” Euredian nearly shouted, panic lacing his tone as the thought of Dekalb far from him and in the clutches in Soleia was enough to bring him to ruins. He glanced discreetly at the servants loitering the hallway, waiting for orders, before letting out another sigh. “Must we do this in the hallway?”
“What did Brigette write?” Dekalb easily dismissed him, not meeting his father’s eyes as he was now focused more on the opened envelope in his hand. “Are you going to give it to me or not?”
Another sigh, pained and exhausted. “You misunderstood me. Itt’s from her Aunt, Princess Yereninovika.”
What a long name. He thought to himself as he recalled the desperate contents of the letter. Yereninovika. A child of victory. Her name does not suit her situation right now.
“Princess… Yereni….” Dekalb fumbled over the name, unused and unfamiliar with it. “I don’t understand. Has something happened to Brigette… as well?”
Euredian glanced at his son, who was now more somber than before. He closed his eyes and cleared his throat.
Even now, he regretted sending the princess back to her family, even though he wished no ill-intent and wanted them to be reunited after the matriarch’s death. Still, his decision of sending them back was what eventually lead to the death of Princess Theresia. Euredian back then had no idea of the plague that was brought Azekian and Livovny low. He had heard stories of illnesses spreading in the west but thought nothing of it until Azekian declared a ‘quarantena’ for their people.
People caught the illness like wood to flame, and like wood, they either make it through or are reduced to ashes.
Thousands have died, if not millions. Euredian, hearing that many from Livovny caught the plague, sealed the borders and kept those who just came from the West far from any village or settlement.
It didn’t hurt to be prepared.
Thankfully, his council was sound and Bellecourt still remains unscathed, though their numbers of magical ores have plummeted, much to his wife’s disapproval.
Ores or lives, I wonder which matter to her. Euredian, for how long he had known his wife despite their distance, knew she would choose the former.
“Princess Brigette is fine and is safe with her aunt.” Euredian began, watching how his son sagged in relief, “However her aunt fears for her safety and has asked me to retake her to Bellecourt for her own safety, should the plague spread.”
“Brigette’s coming back?” excitement now glimmered in those eyes and Euredian smiled. Despite the animosity his son may feel for him, Euredian would never do anything against his own son and would love him all the same.
“I am considering it. She has just returned to her family, and even her aunt is unwilling to be separated from her… remaining family who is of sound health.” I hear the King has weeks left at best. “But she wishes the best for her niece. They have also seemed to discover that she has a talent for divinity.”
Euredian blinked when his saw his son flinch at the new information given to them. He briefly wondered if Dekalb had anything to do with it.
“Brigette has divinity?”
“Yes. Princess Yereninovika,” gods what a mouthful, “wishes for her to be trained in the Temple,” he hesitated for a moment as he watched his son’s face, eager for every bit of information about the friend who left, “and she tells me that Princess Brigette tells me of how much she wishes to learn more about divinity in the Temple… with you.”
“Me?” Dekalb gulped. Euredian wished he could do the same.
For every time he had seen and spent with his son, he had yet to see his heir perform anything with divinity and he had thought Dekalb had not inherited the gift of their family. This did cause problems for him in the beginning, but learnt to accept it. Divinity or none, Dekalb was his son. Should the people say something about it, he will fight them with all he had.
Who are those with little to no divinity at all to dictate?
“… Yes.” He kneeled before his son who suddenly looked down, nervous all of a sudden. “Dekalb.”
It was the first time Dekalb responded to him unsurely, his eyes wavering and frightened. Euredian wondered what had caused this but for now, it was more important for him to comfort his son.
“Dekalb, it’s alright if you don’t have divinity.” He assured him, a hesitant hand on the small shoulder, causing another flinch to rouse from the little prince. “I have accepted it since you were little, and there is no need for you to fear anything about it. I will take care of everything. You can just spend time with the Princess in the Temple.”
Dekalb didn’t respond to him with words, but nodded mutely.
***
“Is this her?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Ferric nodded, as he placed down the document. “As well as the current situation in Livovny from what we have gathered so far. Information is weak, however, since many are unwilling to journey there.”
“Alright.” Euredian muttered as he took the papers from her, all without removing an eye from the miniature portrait of the future monarch of Livovny.
Princess Theresia had been in his care for ten years, and often met with her when he was concerned for her fragile health, as well as her daughters, and sometimes when he brought news from Livovny. He was familiar with the woman who stayed in Beryllia Palace, and he had heard of the sister before he attacked Livovny.
I thought they would resemble twins. How mistaken I was.
Instead of the red hair that those within the line of Livovny had, she had pink hair that resembled the sweets sold in Eugel Square. He had heard of hairs of such color, seen them in some of the nobility in his own country but often questioned its authenticity. Though, for some reason he seemed to be so sure that this was the genuine color of the regent’s hair.
But what really caught his attention was the color of her eyes.
Like the late princess, the Princess Regent shared the eye color of the Livovnyan Royal Family, something she lacked in her hair. The blue eyes that resembled the heavens, and shared the same color of the divinity he has in his entire being.
‘The priests have confirmed of her divinity,’
“Brigette has divinity?”
Brigette Levan. A girl who was raised in the palaces of Bellecourt, away from her family and now orphaned, raised by the last Livovnyan princess in the midst of a plague spreading in their lands.
A tale of woe, if I ever hear one.
He had no issue with the girl returning to Bellecourt, although he was hesitant to remove her from her remaining family. He was more than willing, actually. Euredian was willing to help anyone in need, especially for someone as young as the poor royal. He also knew of his son’s attachment to the princess, the two of them playing in the gardens of the palace in their childhood.
The princesses return to Livovny has also been the cause of the greater distance between Euredian and Dekalb.
The other and primary reason…
The doors opened and Ferric hastily entered, his words rushing. “Pardon me, Your Majesty, the Queen is requesting–“
“You’re sending aid to Livovny?”
Euredian sighed internally at red-haired mage who entered his private study. Her smile was there, cold and alluring to anyone who sees it. Euredian could not deny the beauty of his wife and queen, but he could not also deny the fact that he just married her out of necessity to keep the Tower under the control of the monarchy. Love does not exist in the relationship of the King and Queen of Bellecourt.
“Yes.” He closed the document on Livovny, hiding the princess’ face underneath reports. “This plague has gone on long enough. The western countries have trouble in fighting it and are requesting for aid from the Temple. It’s time we should help.”
Soleia Bellecourt hummed as she stepped closer to his desk. Ferric sensed the tension between them and left the room quickly, something Euredian was envious of. Everyone in the kingdom knew of how cold their marriage bed was, and of how the Queen lived in a palace separate to the King’s.
“Azekian is a more important partner to you than Livovny.” Soleia began, standing at the side of his desk. “Other than that, we need to strengthen our title as the leading force in Magic. Their kingdom is in shambles with the plague and we should use this opportunity to show them the power of Bellecourt.”
Euredian leaned away from his wife and rested his back on his chair, staring at her in bewilderment mixed with impartiality. He knew what she was doing right now. In the early years of his reign, and even before then, Soleia Elodia had always done her best to capture his attention and ensure that the woman he would marry was her and her alone. Once she gained the title of Queen and secured it with the birth of their son, she made demands and established the thought that she now has him under her grip.
If only she knows… He hid the smile he wished to show.
“I don’t think anyone in Rhyger would like it if we focused on politics than lives.” Euredian tilted his head at her. “And I doubt anyone would care at this moment or in the future should Bellecourt become a center of magical knowledge. Instead, they would focus on the fact that the establishment of such a stronghold was centered and done during the time of death. Should I not be concerned of how people would view my name and country?”
That was one of his problems with Soleia. Always greedy for the present, and not thinking of the consequences her actions would do in the future. She was stuck to the past, as if something was there tying her down.
Well, there is something after all.
“The wolf does not concern himself with the opinion of the sheep.”
“Quoting books to me, Wife.” He stood, “Have you run out of anything to say in your own words?”
“What matters to us is what are the results of our actions in the future, what legacy we could leave behind. Why should the opinion of those outside our walls matter? Their words will be erased by time but the things we leave behind for Bellecourt remains.” Soleia moved stood beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, the other covering his hand. “Our son will carry the legacy you will leave behind for him.”
“Legacy?” Euredian nodded, noticing Soleia’s gleaming eyes at the movement, “My son, the descendant of Laurus, will have my legacy, which is to establish the most powerful magical tower in Rhyger.”
Soleia didn’t respond. Instead, she moved away with that irritating smile faltering for a moment before remaining still on her face. “It is the legacy that your ancestors have also left for you.”
“Now, that is where you are mistaken.” Euredian raised a hand to point at her. “The legacy that my ancestors have left for me is divinity.”
Then, a burst of blue emerged from his finger and enveloped the walls of the room. Euredian watched the momentary fear in the Queen’s eyes as she folded in to herself, wary of the blue and white energy.
“I don’t know what you’ve done to Dekalb, but I will find out. You have distanced the boy from me long enough.” Euredian stepped closer to his wife and leaned down on her ear, “You’re a queen because I made you one. I can remove it from you as well.”
Soleia glared at him, wincing from the bits of divine energy touching her skin. “You won’t take my son away from me.”
“Then watch yourself.” Euredian stepped away from her and faced the large window behind his chair, hands on his back as he lessened the divinity and returned it to his body. He glared at Soleia behind him. “You seem to have become bolder, Soleia. Never forget that I can take everything away from you.”
The Queen didn’t respond to his statement and Euredian straightened himself.
“I will personally go to Livovny and aid the efforts in combating this plague. I am the Lord Protector of not only Bellecourt, but Rhyger itself. It is my duty and responsibility to act.”
He heard an undignified huff before the sound of heels on carpet made its way to where the door was. When he heard the creak, he continued, knowing she would listen still.
“I will also be taking my son with me.”
A slam was all he received as a response.
***
The chair groaned in protest when Euredian stretched and rested his aching back on his chair. It was already late into the night and he had already burnt the midnight oil, so he used his divinity to light the room instead. He had dismissed Ferric earlier, with the final order of the day to send to Ivan a letter containing a proclamation of him being in charge of Bellecourt as Prime Minister while he was away in Livovny to help with the plague.
No doubt Soleia would be furious.
But Euredian was unwilling to give her more power than what she already has. She controls the southern regions of Bellecourt and the Tower already, and has established her own court in her own palace. This said court was filled with members affiliated with the Tower, House Elodia, and other Southern Lords.
If Euredian does not keep a tight reign on her, a rebellion might occur and House Bellecourt itself would cease to exist. Worse, he is the authority of the Temple. What would happen to the Temples and other priests should he fall?
What a headache. He pinched the bridge of his nose. I sometimes regret marrying her.
A fluttering wind from the opened windows sent the papers into chaos and Euredian cursed Laurus momentarily as he stood and scrambled to pick the papers up. He paused when he once again saw the miniature copy of Princess Yereninovika’s portrait.
Letting out a breath through his nose, he straightened his back and stared at the drawing in his hands.
Does she really look like this?
Soleia had a elegant beauty, a femme fatale one would say. Euredian won’t even bother lying despite his hatred towards her. Soleia could kill with her looks alone, Euredian thought it even possible. She was an alluring siren ready to drown sailors.
Princess Yereninovika was the complete opposite.
The shy smile, the bright eyes, the gently curled and styled hair. Euredian could almost compare her to a tamed cat. Soft and placating, a single touch was perhaps enough to make a man melt. Princess Yereninovika was like an angel ready to take the drowned sailor to his final resting place.
Sitting on the chair by the fireplace, Euredian continued to stare at the paper, his other hand supporting his resting head.
An angel, yes. Princess Yereninovika was indeed that. An angel of salvation, or an angel of death.
“She what?” Euredian asked Ferric to repeat himself.
“There were protests when the Princess was declared by the King as the Princess Regent. The Princess had been known for her gentleness, and the people were unsure of her leadership. In the midst of the plague, however, the Princess Regent aided in the Temple in the morning and led Court in the afternoon. Evenings were spent in the library reading the laws and constitutions, and later on, she would spend some time with her niece.”
“Despite having a goddess as one of their patrons, Livovny has always been hesitant with a female leader, though.” Euredian cocked his head. “How are the people taking in her leadership?”
“They disliked the decision of the Glückmahn fees decreasing, Your Majesty.”
Euredian frowned. “So, what? The Livovnyans refuse to admit their mistakes?”
“I am unsure of that, Your Majesty. However, the Princess has now decided that solely relying on the road was a bad choice for their economy.” Ferric continued, “She has now sent a squadron to investigate the mountains of Cezanne on their side of the border. Her Highness hopes that there could be minerals that would be discovered and mines to be established. There have been discussions of agricultural projects after the plague is dealt with.”
Euredian smiled at the memory of his earlier conversation. Smart girl.
Caressing the cheek of the miniature with his thumb, Euredian closed his eyes and hummed to himself. She was right on the decision to stop relying on the road. How can the people live on that alone? What if Bellecourt had decided to stop importing magical ores? They would lose their biggest client, as well as their provider of magical ores.
They should have focused on more resources. Minerals and agriculture.
Livovny would be a fool if they don’t accept her as their Queen. Euredian sighed. I assume that would be soon to happen.
***
“Brigette should have just come here. It would be safer.” Dekalb muttered to him as they walked to the carriage, Soleia behind them.
“The Princess would then be separated from the last family she has. Do you want that for her?” Euredian responded with a question, knowing now the biggest weakness his son has.
“… No.” his son responded with a grunt before getting inside the carriage, refusing any help.
Euredian watched his son and checked if the rest of the travelling party was ready for their departure. A nod from Ferric was a good indication as well and he turned to Ivan and Soleia.
“I trust you will take care of the Kingdom in my absence, Count Ivan.”
“I will do my utmost best with this trust and honor you have granted me, Your Majesty.” Ivan bowed, his hand placed above his chest, though anyone can see that he was wary of the Queen who was silently seething beside him. “I will leave you to say your farewells with Her Majesty, Sire.” Ivan bowed once more before going to the direction where Ferric was.
A tense silence was before the royal couple, neither willing to be the one to speak first, as though doing so would be a sign of defeat. Euredian was used to this, and so smiled smugly to himself when Soleia hissed underneath her breath.
“Should anything happen to my son because of this foolish expedition of yours, know that you will receive what is your due.”
“My Queen,” Euredian held his wife’s furious hands and hovered above it, refusing to place his lips on her hands which most likely have performed illegal deeds, “I hope you always know and remember that for me, what matters most is my son, followed by the kingdom next.”
You’re quite far from the list, Elodia.
The nails of the hand he held pierced through his leather gloves as both of them gave the other plastered smiles.
“Ivan is the one who is in charge. I have announced it to the rest of the Council and Court, as well as your little cult of followers.” He dropped her hand. “Holy Knights have also been commanded to centralize their forces in the Temples, Capital, and Palace. Don’t do anything I would not wish for you to do, Elodia.”
“Unfortunately, Husband,” she leaned closer and pecked him on the cheek, “I’m a Bellecourt now.”
“In name only.” He patted her hair, subtlety pushing her away from his person. “That can be easily arranged if you ask me. Believe me when I say I wish for nothing more than to remove my name from you.”
Euredian turned, refusing to hear another word from her and climbed on his horse, not sparing his wife another glance. He took a peek at the carriage behind him, nodding back to the coachman who assured him that Dekalb was secure inside.
The party to Livovny was large, with guards, priests, knights and holy knights with them. Not to mention the servants and the supplies they carried with them. Euredian wanted to opt using a portal for their transport, but it was too risky with the magical ores they were carrying.
Thus, the royal party of Bellecourt moved westwards slowly. Yet, despite all this, Euredian couldn’t feel any more liberated. He loved the Bellecourt Palace, it was the place of his childhood after all, but the memories of his youth and his adulthood could not be any different. The warm smiles and touch of his parents were not replicated with the family he now has, though he was willing to try and bridge the gap between him and Dekalb with this trip.
Euredian was unsure if his presence would be welcomed in Livovny, it was something that kept him up on the road when they camped for the night. Livovny suffered casualites because of the war between their countries, their princesses kidnapped and taken from them, their Queen lost to despair, their beloved Duke lost to battle, and thousands have lost their loved ones and lives.
Yet he hoped that with this aid of his during their time of night would help bandage the wounds that were caused in the decade-long war caused by greed.
As he glanced at the rising dawn with pink clouds and slowly-turning blue skies, he thought of a woman who offered him peace.