A Knight's Lilies

"Reports from the Korathi Highlands suggest that many of the more disparate tribes have begun uniting to face a greater. While in essence, this is them serving their purpose alongside the main clans within the clanhold of Korath. Should they enact any form of large scale coordinated migration or worse, dispensing with previously established norms. Then we risk opening up a third front in a situation when one is in active conflict while the other one at a tense stalemate."

- Speculatores Praefectus Aquinors Maximus, Frontier Intelligence Service of Traxia, (Threat Reporting: Korathi Frontier Developments)

The ball slowly came to a close as a few of the more important members of nobility began giving speeches thanking the royal family for the occasion. Some even slipped in a mention of their own people who deserved acknowledgement in their eyes. No doubt raising quite a few statuses amongst the ranks of minor nobility. But even by then, Sophie had noticed more key ranking figures of the court disappearing into the side rooms. Although the King hadn't announced an official end to the festivities, she could tell that it would be soon.

Eva was busy spending a few more minutes with Frederick whilst the others slowly gathered around Sophie's table. No one had a real idea of what the court of nobles would be like given that not even Eva had been subjected to one before. Sophie assumed it would be more akin to the hostile cross examination that happened with the king's council. A sort of aggressive interrogation but at a larger scale. Though how exactly it would be formatted was anyone's guess.

Mentally at least, Sophie found herself more or less of hale of mind. After her earlier minor breakdown, she had come to the conclusion that things here would either work out or not. Because if she boiled everything down to the bare basics, the Carradorians either liked her or didn't. And the main objective of getting Eva reintroduced to Carradorian society was already looking like a surefire success. In that respect, things were fine even if her party would have to struggle a little harder once they crossed into Melton.

Still, if it meant that tonight would be solved without much fuss, it wouldn't be the worst result that she could've imagined.

She turned to face Ary, the girl calming her own nerves by tapping the seating of her wheelchair. Peering over, she could make out the faint trace of the fae Yana. One who had often been usually boisterous but for today, at least, had been given free reign to just sleep to her heart's content since they worried about royal mages sniffing her out if she was allowed to roam freely.

How blissful that must be. Boring sure, but to not have to care about any of all this happening. Sophie thought to herself.

Across the ballroom, she spied a few more high ranking nobles filtering away into the side entrance. Their faces and ranks remained unknown to her, but their ornately decorated attire told her all she needed to know about their place in the societal ladder. Their offspring on the other hand, clearly did not share the same privileges as a few minders kept them occupied with the court's food and drink instead.

Eva made a few hand gestures, the girl still accompanied by Prince Frederick. Sophie recognized a few of them from their youth, but these were not meant for her. A call to be ready amongst other symbols. One responded to with a few movements of acknowledgement from the head of the saints.

Suzuki quickly turned to disseminate whatever information she attained to the other saints. Her instructions made them hurriedly finish whatever food or drink they might've been leisurely snacking on just moments ago. Their movements caused Lucinia to finally break from their ranks, the Traxian bidding them a fond, if quite temporary farewell as she moved to rejoin Sophie. Catching the hint, Hanabi also began saying goodbyes to her comrades as she scurried across to accompany the Traxian.

Sophie flashed them both a welcoming smile. Hanabi met it head on while Lucinia predictably adopted a more muted reaction in turn. Ary on the head, was met with warm receptions from both at her smile. And while Sophie was in complete agreement, she was still a little jealous. To draw her thoughts away, she decided to query the two.

"You two enjoy yourselves so far?" She asked.

Hanabi took the liberty to throw up a subtle thumbs up as they drew closer.

"It was nice catching up." Hanabi nonchalantly shrugged.

"Heheh, I could tell."

"Yeah?"

"Mmhmm, you all were having fun, really."

"Fair enough. Won't beat hanging with Aoi's group, especially since 'gumi's not here. But Suzu's team is friendly enough. A lot more relaxed than at the Academy though, that's for sure."

"Oh?" Sophie arched an eyebrow at the interesting tidbit.

"Don't need to look so surprised, Sophie. It isn't anything scandalous, if that's what you're imagining. It's just that the church is a bit strict when we're in lessons. And given that Suzu is the class president and her squad the ones standing front and center, well let's just she can be a whole lot more proper when she wants to be." Hanabi shared.

"Huh. And that's why you left, right?"

"Yeah. Way too regulated." The outlander sighed, "But speaking of, I wasn't the only one that enjoyed chatting with some old friends, eh?" Hanabi gave the errant Traxian a nudge, drawing attention to her.

"What?" Lucinia scowled.

"Did you enjoy the ball?" Sophie stepped in to ease the pressure off of Hanabi.

The Traxian's expression softened, "In a way, I suppose, a little more than I had originally intended."

"Hah, like I said. Outside of schooling or drills, we're all just people. Suzuki too, apparently. And Emi." Hanabi quipped before giving the Traxian another sly nudge.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucinia narrowed her eyes.

"You can probably fool Sophie…"

"Oi. I'm not that dense." Sophie scoffed, her reaction earning her a giggle of amusement from Ary.

"But you can't fool the rest of us. We saw how you danced with her out there. Didn't give the rest of us "

"Mm, mm." Ary offered the outlander her vote of support.

"Ugh, you all could've just asked if you didn't know how to dance." Lucinia scoffed, "But it was nice, I suppose." She murmured the last few words under her breath.

"What was that?" Hanabi teased.

"I said, it was nice." Lucinia drawled exaggeratedly, the Traxian's annoyed tone ruined by the small smile of joy on her face, "It felt… good, making a new… friend." She seemed to savor the word.

"Heh." Sophie sniggered.

"You quit it, you elf." Lucinia dulled her usual barbed insult.

"I'm just happy for you."

"I know, and that somehow feels even worse."

"Alright, alright, save the jabs for later. Looks like we got to focus up." Hanabi sniggered and chimed back in.

The elf and Traxian turned to follow Hanabi's gaze. At the front of the room, the king and royals had now begun to extricate themselves from the ballroom. Prince Frederick bidding Eva farewell with a light bow. With his departure, Eva was finally returning to them after almost an hour of closeness with her prince.

Alongside the royals departing, it also meant the floor had somewhat cleared out. From where they were sitting, Sophie could see where Sophia and Mila had wandered off to on the other side of the ballroom hall. There, the two had discovered the elusive bardic duo.

Elaria's face was a dull red even from here, a sign that more than enough alcohol had entered her system to affect her. While Sophie had no real baseline beyond herself for what a void crafted being might have in regards to alcohol tolerance. Seeing how Elaria semi well composed yet swaying a little in her seat, Sophie guessed that there was still a long way to go before her sister was under any true risk, though that there was any effect at all was a surprise. Raylani on the other hand, was as dutiful and poised as the assassin ever was. Unlike her moderately inebriated mistress, the dark elf remained stoic and unaffected, and now even half tending to the swaying girl.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

It was only seeing their semi isolated position and the way in which a few empty chairs had been angled to face them that Sophie had a new inkling that now explained their absence. While undoubtedly Elaria had used their time at the ball to rope in even more nobles with her tales of adventure, travel, heroism, and of the world at large. With how almost deliberate their location was in separating themselves from the rest of the party, Sophie wondered if there had actually been more thought behind it than just that. That Elaria was almost aware of the attention that Raylani would attract and used it to her advantage in entertaining the nobility but also to avoid compromising Eva's mood investigation as well as to draw even more attention onto Sophie and the others.

A few commanding footsteps brought Sophie's attention back to Eva. Still in her pristine uniform, the girl radiated a sense of joy that one only could when experiencing something dreamlike. Sophie unwittingly smiled at the notion and felt an upswell of pride bubble up within her. She had known Eva long enough to also know about how delicately she had to navigate her relationship with Frederick back then and even at the Academy. While it wasn't something that had been kept a complete secret, there was always room for doubt or questions that would've made either party uncomfortable. But with tonight's very overt demonstration, there was no longer a need to hide or worry. They were now out in the open and the only questions they would need to field beyond political ones were the standard plethora meant for people in relationships.

"Hey guys, everyone alright?" Eva cheerily asked.

A round of nods save for Sigrid who let out a low trill. The mermaid had finally recovered from processing all that she had eaten during the ball.

"Hahah, good to know." Eva chuckled.

Sigrid replied with a friendly chortle before slowly trying to take in the sight of the ball winding down.

"Sophie."

"Eva."

The two smiled at each other.

"Like the books?" Sophie whispered a question.

Eva's smile grew wider, "Yeah, maybe even more romantic."

The two shared a giggle.

"And you, how was everything, Aryana?" Eva turned to ask her companion.

The redhead shifted a little in her seat before pretending to rub her chin like some wizened old sage.

"Sorry, let me rephrase." Eva smirked, "Oh wise Aryana of the mountains, how does doth fair?"

Seeing Eva being playful, Aryana let out a delighted giggle and beamed a massive smile at her.

"It was fun, o' seeker of knowledge." The girl replied as she bounced up and down.

"Hahah, good to know. Assuming all goes well, you'd all be welcome anytime at the Rosengart estate, I'll make sure of it." Eva grinned.

"I appreciate the thought." Ary nodded before pausing to glance at Sophie.

Hmm? Sophie quirked her head questioningly at the girl, trying to make her expand whatever thought she was having. Eva had evidently noticed the subtle gesture and now looked questioningly between the two.

Noticing the additional attention on her, Ary's smile disappeared as her brows knit themselves together in a frown. The girl's arms were now half crossed, her gestures shifting the mood to a more serious one. Ah, is she…

"Sophie was pretty worried earlier." Ary chose her words carefully, her eyes now locked onto Sophie's, almost like she was searching for approval before uttering every syllable.

"Soph?" Eva's own smile vanished into concern as she looked towards her.

"It's not that serious." Sophie mumbled.

"Oh really?" Eva asked, though the question wasn't entirely meant for her.

"She was afraid of what if things went wrong. Or what if she didn't fit in. In Carradorian society, that is." Ary answered the girl.

"Sophie?"

"It was only for a moment. A brief thought." Sophie mumbled.

"Hmm, still. I get it, I think. But just know that whatever happens, good or bad, you'll always be welcome with me. That goes for all of you." She glanced towards the others, "Even you, you rascal."

"Ouch, sensei. All I did was go on my own. I had fun here too, you know." Hanabi held up her hands in mock hurt.

"Mmhmm. I saw. For that, I'm glad. But you leaving definitely makes it harder to keep an eye on you, you know? At least Ryo and Jun left before I even got there."

"I'll keep it in mind. And Sophie can watch me, right?"

"Eh? Yeah?" Sophie mumbled.

"Don't mind her, Soph." Eva grabbed onto her shoulders, "Just know that whatever the nobles decide, I'll be on your side. You're family."

"I know." She whispered softly in response, trading a gentle squeeze with Eva.

"Good." Eva smiled at her before briefly nodding in thanks towards Ary.

After a moment, the girl adopted a more commanding pose and looked between all of them.

"If you have anything to say, hold onto the thought for now. Because I think I just saw Grand Duke Walden head to the court of nobles and that's our cue to start. I'll go in first with the saints and make my case for myself then you. Mila already knows and will speak with Janos on the church's behalf. Then you guys come in, Sophie. Got it?"

Some nods.

"Good. No use worrying about things afterwards. We'll try our best right now instead, alright?"

"Got it." Sophie grunted.

Without much fanfare, Eva turned to go to brief the saint squadron. Just like that, Sophie felt her own good spirit from the ball evaporate as new knots tightened themselves within her in anticipation. The calm part was over and only the court awaited. Try our best now, hah. Easier said than done.

The journey to the throne room proved to be rather unsettling. Her eyes and ears, used to the sounds of the cheer of the ballroom, had to now contend with the cold clinical silence that stretched out before her. Dozens of royal guardsmen stood at the ready as countless more likely watched from the shadows at the party's approach. Their unfeeling gazes unnerving her even more than the hostile glares from the nobility.

Only a scarce few servants still milled about in these hallways, the rest likely still too preoccupied with the ball to handle back castle matters. A few bored looking orderlies stared at them from down the hall. The tired but stern looking servants to the king wordlessly directed them through the hallowed halls of the court.

After a few agonizingly silent minutes of walking, they arrived at a set of heavily fortified double doors. Four Carradorian reiters clad in heavy full plate flanked the doors, their halberds held high as their heads barely even moved to acknowledge the party's presence. Only one the castle's steward seemed to take particular note of their arrival. The bespectacled and well dressed man lifted his head from a set of documents to examine them.

With an overly practiced smooth movement, he set his documents aside and frowned. But whatever his thoughts were shifted just as quickly as his examination came to an abrupt halt. The only thing that indicated there were any changes in his emotions was the hint of a frown as he realized who they were. Or rather, who she was.

"Miss Kastiane and company? I presume?" The man took the initiative to address them first.

Sophie kept her composure and bowed what she hoped was an appropriate angle before lifting her head.

"That would be us, sir."

"My liege has informed me to escort you into the chambers when you are ready. There is, I believe, no need to inform you of what is currently occurring?"

"No sir, we have been informed beforehand." Sophie replied.

"Sehr gut. I am, of course, obligated to remind you that there will be no violence or troublemaking in front of the king and court. Any such actions will, of course, be subject to harsh punishments."

"Of course."

"Gut. In that case, please do behave, for you are to face the court of Carrador. Now, take a moment to collect yourselves. Your other... kamerads are already inside. When you are ready, I will let you in." The steward declared.

Sophie dipped her head in thanks before turning to the others, finding half nervous half uncaring expressions.

"Show's all yours, Sophie. Good luck." Hanabi half heartedly chuckled, the outlander showing a rare moment of doubt.

Sigrid bobbed her head in affirmation of the outlander's words and let out a soft chirp of support. Lucinia meanwhile, just grunted, the Traxian likely the most aware of what might be awaiting them having been a former member of a court. Elaria just smiled knowingly and Raylani remained more or less expressionless as she always did.

Ary gave her hand a soft squeeze and Sophie squeezed back. The girl simply looked up at her, a strange determination in her eyes. One that Sophie had always respected. Acknowledging what was being passed to her, she stood a little straighter.

Behind Ary, Sophia was now the one to hold the wheelchair in her hands. Sophie's counterpart still looked all too similar to her, though she suspected that beyond mere fashion choice, this might've been something Eva could've influenced. She didn't know how, but she wouldn't put it past her mistress to have some reason for not forcing one of them to change their outfits before everything began. After all, they were in the capital of Carrador. And while it might not reach the heights of commercialism that Arteria had, there had been more than enough time and options. No use worrying about it now.

"Any questions?" The steward spoke up.

Sophie looked around and the others shook their heads or shrugged.

"No, sir."

"Very well. Luke!" He called out.

From one of the nearby servant hallways, a young man strode forwards with a handful of red straps meant to be tied around something. He presented them to the steward who in turn presented them to the party.

"Please, each of you take and wear one on your shoulder. Either one is fine as long as it's visible." With his instruction conveyed, the man returned to being like a statute as everyone wrapped the red straps across their shoulders.

Once he was satisfied, he clapped his hands to dismiss the younger servant and motioned for Sophie's group to follow. He sucked in a small breath and put a gloved hand on the handle to the wooden doors.

"Please mind the step. May the court rule justly." He announced.