A Knight's Lilies

"I write hoping you are in good health, admiral. But I must regretfully inform you that during the course of our navigation exercises, we have encountered an abundance of altered biomass. The sixth squadron have already eradicated any that they have seen encroaching from beyond the shores, but the situation seems to be worse than the earlier reports suggest. It is both my colleagues and my opinion that…"

- Captain Lance Cres, Nautican Union Fifth Fleet - Sixth Patrol Squadron, "Report To Admiral Marne"

Sophie finally saw the palace of kings in its entirety. No longer was she furtively hiding behind Eva or Frederick as they scurried around together. She now stood just as tall as they once did, no longer in the shadows. Yet she still felt a growing sense of uneasiness. Her arms itched from just being inside, the only thing keeping her from worrying more being her responsibility to Ary.

The walls of the palace seemed to be watching her, the hairs on her neck standing on end. Immovable stone and marble facades glared quietly at her every step, her every echo ringing out like she had just offended the very soul of this place with her presence. It didn't help that the orderly pillars and columns seemed so meticulously designed as to almost physically intimidate her with their presence. The marble broke the flat facade in a way that appeared to leer over her, each column casting a shadow that seemed just slightly different than the last.

Against the ominous intrusions, there was at least a grandiose majesty to it all. The walls were covered with Carradorian artifacts. From shields, to swords, to banners, armors, tapestries, furs, and even the occasional artwork or too. There was an odd discordant harmony to it all that connected it all together. The weaving of Carrador's inherent pride in its own martial might interspersed with just enough reminders that there was time for finer things in life as well.

Armed royal sentinels stood almost motionlessly under the shadow of the columns. Each pair looked more like statues than soldiers if not for the slight shifting they did once the party passed them. The guardsmen angling to leap into action should any whiff of hostility so much as taint the air.

A few errant nobles and petitioners also paused in their duties to stare at the passing group. Hushed whispers and conversations crept in from nearby hallways. Even the occasionally barbed comment about 'elves' or 'imperials' even made it to Sophie's ear. A reminder that this was certainly not Arteria anymore.

"Chin up, head high." Eva tried to smile at her, "We're only meeting the king and his inner council for now, no biggie."

"Eva." Sophie hissed, a few familiar habitats from her days as Eva's maid flaring back up, "Be a little more serious." She was thankful that Eva noticed her discomfort, but she knew that Eva had her own issues.

"I am, I swear." The girl giggled, though judging by how she unwittingly shuddered a little, Sophie narrowed her eyes.

"You're not, I can tell." Sophie fussed a little more.

"Sophie." Eva hissed back.

She just sighed and massaged the bridge of her nose. Eva was a lost cause. She had been so focused on those in her party as well as the role she was to play in the coming meeting that she hadn't noticed her mistress's increasingly frayed nerves.

"Just remember to breathe every once in a while."

"Ach, same goes for you too." Eva huffed.

The nearby saints giggled a little at this exchange, their leader Suzuki even shooting Eva playful inquiry before being shot down with a grunt.

Just like when they were young, Eva made an insubstantial gesture of acquiescence. Ceding the argument to her while pouting, clearly unhappy with the verdict she had been handed down. Honestly, this girl. Sophie sighed internally.

Even back then, Eva was a headstrong and stubborn soul. But in times of stress and if she was found to have been unable to at least mitigate the nervousness she felt, she would often drop between emotionally too serious, or too carefree. Not that Sophie was much better. I learned it from the best, I suppose.

She looked down to find Ary sneaking a glance up at her, the redhead clearly amused, though not enough to vocalize it. Sophie made a face and the girl giggled a little in turn. The noise drew the attention of the saintess Suzuki as the dropped a little further behind the church contingent.

"Yeah?" Sophie whispered towards the girl, preempting the need to dig out the question behind Suzuki's lips.

The class president half smiled half smirked, as she dipped her head apologetically towards the duo, at least somewhat aware of how many unseen pairs of eyes might be on the group.

"Is this really sensei? Err, is this really her?" Suzuki whispered back, striding down and matching their pace.

Sophie suppressed a snigger.

"No, no. She's usually who you see." Sophie raised her voice ever so slightly, taking a small amount of glee in how Eva's ears clearly wriggled as the girl tried to listen in from up ahead.

Suzuki shot her an unconvinced glance and Sophie couldn't help but giggle at the absurdity of this moment. They were on the way to see some of the most important people in Carrador, and here they were, gossiping. Maybe I've more in common with the nobles than I thought, hah!

"Eva's got her head in the game most of the time. But I'm guessing that she still doesn't like taking charge when things might affect more people than just herself." Sophie finally provided an answer.

Suzuki pursed her lips and took on a more thoughtful stance, the girl missing a step or two before returning to lockstep with Sophie.

"Yet she leads us." Suzuki motioned to the saints, "Is that not responsibility?"

"Well…" Sophie paused.

"Probably because you're all part of the church. At least with the blackhats anyway. So they carry some of that burden." Lucinia chimed in from behind them.

Sophie almost let out a startled yelp at the sudden interruption. Her surprise was echoed by Suzuki who also jumped a little. Only Ary seemed unfazed by the interruption, the girl even letting out a tired yawn. Though Sophie suspected that was more due to genuine tiredness from their journey rather than with any malicious intent. Regardless, the Traxian paid little heed to the redhead's gesture, continuing on despite the surprise etched across the other two's faces.

"I know the type. Reminds me a little of myself, if I might add. Though obviously different… style of dignity in which we carry ourselves." Lucinia added.

"Reminds you of you?" Sophie chuckled.

"Yes. She holds herself with a… a… noble's poise. In her own way. The burden of the people on her back."

"And that's like you because…?"

"Ugh, you insufferable k-elf! Must I spell everything out for you, you simpleton?" Lucinia pouted, "Because I recognise that stubbornness, the one in which a noble holds high the burdens of the world on my morals and beliefs. But when others are brought in, that is when I am given pause. Like her."

"Hmm… I guess."

"You guess? You ungrateful ingrate. Gah, I don't even know why I bother." Lucinia grumbled.

Sophie just beamed at the girl before turning her focus back to Suzuki.

"She's got the gist of it though. Eva's stubborn. Likes to tackle things head on."

Suzuki hummed thoughtfully, as if this wasn't already known to her.

Up ahead, clasps and sheathe buckles were undone, the ruffles and clatter pulling the two's attention forward. Some of the templar and inquisitors began disarming themselves, handing over swords, daggers, and shields to nearby royal guardsmen. Eva made a few hushed orders and the other saints followed along, the teacher now finally turning to stare at Sophie.

Sophie offered a tepid smile, she could see the nerves just from Eva's gaze alone. But her own worries were just as loud in her own head. In fact, when she thought about it, her own way of dealing with problems was much like Eva's. Keeping to herself and only asking for help when she really needed it. I suppose that too, I learned from her, heh.

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"Sophie." Ary's voice shook her from her momentary stupor.

"Uh? Sorry. What?" Sophie mumbled.

"Keep pushing." Ary chuckled.

Realizing she had simply stopped walking to think and that more than a few pairs of eyes were on her, her cheeks quickly turned a bright scarlet. Ignoring the burning feeling of embarrassment on the tips of her ears, Sophie quickly shunted herself and Ary forward.

"We'll be in and out real quick. Make our presence known and prevent any unwelcome surprises…" Mila's voice echoed down the hall, the young inquisitor standing alongside Janos and Eva while delivering her instructions.

"This is to help them know who we are so that we can avoid any diplomatic mishaps tomorrow." Eva added.

"We'll handle most of the talking today, so don't worry." Mila tried to sprinkle in some reassurance.

A few of the saints muttered amongst themselves before pestering their mentor with some questions.

Tuning out the conversations, Sophie focused on removing her own sheath and helping Ary along. The girl let out a soft purr of contentment at being fussed over. Sophie found herself feeling calmed by the momentary noise, however temporary it might be. Ary noticed and gently grabbed onto her hands, giving her a tender caress as she smiled at her. Sophie squeezed her hands back and the two traded another round of smiles.

"You lot good to go?" Mila's familiar scowl filled voice echoed from far closer to them.

Sophie snapped her head towards the source of the noise and nodded, her own blade and Ary's holdout dagger presented for collection. A templar walked alongside the inquisitor and wordlessly collected their weapons, the metallic clanks of his armor when he moved the only acknowledge they received from the warrior.

"Not much we can prepare at this point." Sophie replied.

"True. Not enough time at this point too." Mila sighed, "Lady Rosengart catch you up to date on our plan?"

"Battle weary veterans, saving lives, fighting for justice and against the dark?"

"That's about the gist of it. Just try not to get aggravated by their line of questioning. They're like the council in Arteria. At least 'decades of being a prick', or so Lady Rosengart claims." The inquisitor scoffed.

Sophie sniggered. That sounds like how Eva would describe someone.

"Just keep your ear to the ground and your head on straight. Goddess knows even I'm out of my depth." Mila muttered.

Sophie's half smile died on her face. Of course, no wonder she's trying to arrange everything with Eva. Ary shared a look with her, the same word now on both their minds, Gratia.

Before any of the trio could break the icy silence that fell over them, a far more chipper voice piped in.

"No more sad faces folks, the guards are coming to get us." Elaria chirped.

The bard and her dark elven attendant were followed by the rest of the Lily Knights. Only Hanabi remained absent from the gathering, the girl having fallen into lockstep with Suzuki after the saintess had satisfied her inquiries with Sophie. The two adopted softer expressions than usual. The saintess dropping her serious demeanor for the more playful one that she wore when she asked about Eva, and Hanabi trading in her own aloof carefreeness for one more melancholic and thoughtful. A strange sight for her to see the two outlanders this way, but one that she was just glad she could, however unintentionally, help them catch up with each other.

Next to Eva, several royal guards began escorting the party down a side corridor. Turning abruptly away from the main hall, they ducked through several doorways. Each time the pomp and decor would seem to decrease by just a bit. By the time they arrived at their destination, shuffling into a wide dining hall, there was noticeably less finery than the front end of the palace. Though it was still far more ornately decorated than even most mansions. Here, instead of the more presentable pieces, simple banners and raiments of the kingdom's various knight orders stood on display. Most immaculately cleaned though here or there were some patches of dust, Sophie could tell that this dining room did not see as much use in comparison to other parts of the castle.

The one exception was the set of double doors that the guards now drew their attention to. Here, the dust was cleaned off the path, the carpets laid at angles that led squarely towards it. Two almost completely stilled knights stood on guard duty, the soldiers barely reacting even as the massive party came into the room.

The guards themselves traded a few indescribable motions amongst themselves before what Sophie presumed was the more senior of the bunch turned to face Eva and her followers.

"This way, madam. King Edelin will see you now." The man delivered without much fanfare.

Sophie's gaze met Eva's at the last minute, a flash of understanding passing wordlessly between them. Here we go.

"... alongside her, we present-" One of the court stewards introduced the group.

"It is fine, Eberhardt. We can save the formal introductions for the morrow. Go inform Sir Hauss that we might be delayed for a little while and to handle the court for now." A deep, calm but thunderous voice carried across the conference room.

"Ja, mein Herr." The steward bowed politely.

The well dressed but aged administrator said or gave nothing away in his expressions as he passed by the group. Carefully cutting through them and leaving the room without so much as a care in the world.

The room settled into a tense silence as both groups now had the chance to examine each other properly.

Under the dark green darks of the curtains that let in only thin slivers of light, sheafs of papers and documents lay in carefully stacked piles across a dozen cabinets found along the windowsill. There were no art pieces or much in the way of decorations here beyond the royal colors and a few shields etched with different emblems on each. Instead, maps and other military paraphernalia dotted the walls. At least a dozen guards stood at the ready, mirroring the amount of nobles that sat around two large ornate meeting tables. The war room, I see.

Amongst their numbers, Sophie recognised a few of them. The Grand Dukes sat near the head of the table near the king, and Margrave Klein, a noble who managed much of Carrador's northern trade routes and a person who Sophie had often seen at the Rosengart estate.

"Sire. My lords." Eva broke the silence and bowed politely, her voice more steady than Sophie expected.

A few of the saints half followed along.

Sophie waited until the inquisitors did their own bow in greetings before she also performed once, but kept hers particularly curt and hopefully unnoticeable.

A heavy sigh echoed from the front end of the table and King Edelin stood up from his chair. Almost immediately, all the other nobles stiffened in their chairs. Eva too stood unmoving, the girl's normally more expressive body brought to a nervous halt. Only Elaria and Hanabi seemed unmoved by the king's presence, though Sophie doubted if the two of them would be moved by much of anything.

"Lady Evaline Rosengart." King Edelin's throaty growl resounded menacingly in the air.

Eva stood at attention, the girl's hands now firmly, if a bit awkwardly planted on her sides.

"Honored members of the clergy." He continued.

Inquisitor Janos dipped his head in acknowledgement, Mila only barely able to resist how own desire to show more deference.

"And compatriots and visitors." His gaze settled over Sophie and the others.

She bowed once more but swore that she could see almost a hint of amusement in the king's eye.

"Whatever the circumstances of your visit. Whatever disagreements we might have. And whatever you might seek to find here, no matter. In the name of the honored House of Edelin, stewards of Carrador, children of Cyndralia. And in my own name as King of this land, I welcome you all to Carrador." He announced.

A few of the nobles grumbled their agreement, the muted response suggesting that they were not as enthusiastic about this moment as their liege. Eva herself managed to control her composure, the girl readily performing a small curtsy of thanks. After a few moments of pause, the king then motioned towards Eva.

Seeking some small measure of reassurance, Eva glanced over at her. Well aware that she wasn't the most popular in the room and that Eva's direct association with her would hurt her mistress. Sophie opted to try and convey her encouragement with only her eyes, taking great lengths to restrain herself from bobbing her head or smiling as she would usually do. Whether or not Eva received her message, she did not know.

Eva forced a smile onto her face and took to the stage.

"Your majesty, I am honored by the welcome. And extend my gratitude to the honored lords of the council as well." Eva spoke up, "Uhh, I am also pleased by your willingness to hear me out and to extend that some courtesy to my retinue and companions as well."

Her words elicited a small huff from one of the nobles. Another glared at him but didn't reprimand the man. Instead, the two of them seemed to search for a reaction on the face of a third, older and more senior member amongst them. Judging by how well dressed he was and the way he appeared almost dismissive of the whole proceeding, she suspected that he was one of the grand dukes. Indeed, he held himself with an air of gravitas and very deliberately pushed an inkwell forward to garner the attention of the other lords.

King Edelin tapped the table twice and the older lord dipped his head in thanks.

"Lady Rosengart." The man rasped, "It pleases me to see a member of such an… illustrious family return to us alive and well."

"My thanks, Lord Platts." Eva answered.

"And while I do not presume to speak for other members of the council, I can assure you we are glad you have returned." He continued and then abruptly paused. He then sighed and ever so slightly inclined his head towards Sophie, "However, I would be remiss to not bring to the council's notice that our nation is facing threats in the north from Melton, and the south with the Imperium. While we are at peace and at a truce respectively, it is my duty to bring to the council''s awareness of the folly that inviting a new threat from within would cause."

Here we go, Sophie held her breath.

"Which brings me to question the presence of her." He didn't bother to hide the disdain in his voice, "One whom we have declared a traitor to the crown and the people of Carrador. One who would champion the causes of our foes instead of our own. With the permission of your majesty and those in attendance, I request that an adequate reason be provided for her presence forthwith."

Sophie didn't dare let out her breath and make any noise. Eva briefly turned back to her, a knowing look in her eyes. Time to put on an act. I just hope they have my back.