Lionel's Point of View

If I had tried harder, would everything have turned out differently?

If we had proof, could I have made father believe the cruelty of the crown?

Had I chosen differently, what would have happened? If I had accepted Alstair's offer, could we have ended it peacefully?

If I had let Alstair and Gil escape, could I have saved my father?

While feelings of doubt and regret storms around in my heart heart and mind, Lily starts swaying like she's about to fall over.

Knowing how Lily deals with herself I feel my stomach knot up with anger.

Why doesn't she ever tell anyone when she's in pain or about to crumble?! This stupidly arrogant person! Completely ignorant to her own state, be it physical or her mind!

"Augustus."

I call Lily as I walk up to her with rushed steps and put a hand on her shoulder somewhat heavily, but she's completely unresponsive... and instead she goes limp like a barely stuffed rag doll under my touch.

"Hey!"

My stomach sinks as I grasp her desperately to keep her from smacking her head against the floor. I somehow get a hold of her shirt long enough to let me slide an arm under hers and around her body to get a proper hold of her limp body. I let the shirt go and use my other hand to support her as I kneel down slowly, but Lily isn't reacting to any of this.

My stomach knots up again.

Her clothes are covered in so much blood, that I don't even know where to look for injuries at this anymore. I move to let her head rest against my shoulder.

How is her breathing?

I put my fingers to her lips and concentrate for the feeling of breath, and quickly conclude that something feels... off. Her breathing is steady. Her empty expression from fainting is even replaced with a calm one I lean her against my shoulder.

Is she... sleeping?

Soleil rushes to my side quickly and puts a hand on Lily's forehead. I move my fingers from her lips and watch Soleil for any hint of severity. The gentle light from Soleil's hand caresses Lily's skin for a few moments before the light fades and Soleil gives a sigh of relief.

"There are no major injuries. He just passed out from exhaustion. He should be fine after a bit of rest. Healing magic generally doesn't remove physical fatigue though, so he'll have to sleep it off," he concludes and gives my free shoulder a little pat before heading off.

I end up letting out a sigh as relief washes over me. Just combat fatigue...

I look over Lily's sleeping face and gently brush the blood and tears from her cheeks. She had just barely managed to stay awake to see off the people important to her... if she hadn't, regret would probably have eaten away at her heart the way mine does now.

Still, with how much she has gone through, Lily is probably going to sleep for quite a while. Her mind is strong, but her body cannot actually keep up with her. I need to find her a place to rest.

I shift my hold on Lily's body to lift her, and immediately I am reminded of how slight and feminine her frame actually is. I ended up thinking about this as well when she was sick last time, but this body really wasn't built for the reckless things she puts it through.

Even so she really does her best.

I lift her up in my arms properly and shift her a bit until her head is tilted towards my chest and just let her stay there for a moment.

She looks so peaceful as she breathes steadily in my arms.

... and at the sight my mind slowly fills with questions. Both for her and... for myself.

If asked, could I honestly answer that Lily had not been a reason I did what I did? Had her life not been put on the line in the first place, would I have acted?

Of everyone involved with this, I am the only traitor. Everyone else here were justified in their actions towards the crown due to the crown harming them or their families, but House Tepet hasn't suffered under the actions of the crown at all... we've always been spoiled.

... and... if not for me then father-

I squeeze Lily tightly as a jolt of pain goes through my chest. I try to ward off the guilt lingering in the back of my mind, but the thought and the thought of telling my mother and brothers begins to haunt me as well.

'Why didn't you try harder to convince him?'

'Why did you leave his side'

'Why did you leave him to die?'

I...

I need to bring Lily somewhere to rest.

"Wolfram, has the north wing been cleared?" I call across the room.

Wolfram looks at Lily in my arms and then sends this... glance to Eric:

'Are you okay with this?'.

It's uncomfortable. It's... not like that.

Eric just casts a casual glance at me and then to Claire...

My eyes follow his to Claire, who is... blushing?

...why?

I end up narrowing my eyes a bit at Claire, as the relief from Lily sleeping, is replaced with an uncomfortable tension under Claire's gaze. A gaze that seems to devour both Lily and I whole.

I snap my gaze back to Wolfram.

"It should be fine," Wolfram calls back with hints of a smile, though also a somewhat worried look. Eric grabs a couple of knights of House Celeste and sends them along with me as guards for Lily while she's sleeping. My own knight Rover moves next to me as well, despite having been gutted earlier. Soleil had put him somewhat back together... but Claire's magic just seemed to undo the injury entirely as though it had never been there. I may have my problems with Claire, but as a soldier and as a leader, I'm impressed... and as someone close to Rover, I am thankful.

If not for Claire and Soleil, then Rover wouldn't have been able to return home to his daughter.

...what will I tell mother?

I turn and head down the hallways, as I carry Lily to the northern wing of the palace. Once there I place her in the guest room that is usually mine. It's more easily defendable than her own after all as my room was... was considered a safe place to retreat for Alstair and I if we were under attack.

Lily gives off a small dissatisfied hum as I place her down on the bed, but then goes back to being fully unresponsive again. I don't think I've ever seen her be this defenseless before.

...I stare at Lily quietly. If we let her stay in her bloody clothes she'll get sick, but undressing her is a bit... If we bring in a girl to do it, it'll probably be suspicious.

"Lionel-sama."

Magdalin Ruche, calls me from the doorway she's peeking in from.

"Yes?"

I turn to I look to her, but Magdalin gives me this narrow eyed stare...

"...if a girl wished to hold Augustus-sama's hand, could she? And without being looked at?"

No.

That girl could be Claire.

I end up narrowing my eyes back at Magdalin for a moment, but in the end step away from the bed. It should be just fine if it's her.

"Since you're the closest friend to his twin sister and a close friend of House Celeste, I suppose it can be arranged, but the knights will stay," I reply uncomfortably.

I step to the door with my back to the bed and let Magdalin inside. Her weird request right now is for helping Lily... I cast a last glimpse of Lily's sleeping figure and then clench my hand for a moment.

I don't want to leave... but as much as I want to stay to make sure that nothing happens, I really must go back.

I look to the group of Celeste guards.

"I'll leave her to you."

—-*—-

Lily's Point of View

...what is this...?

My head hurts...it's hammering. I turn over on my side as an immense headache wakes me from my slumber.

What happened?

My mouth feels like the desert and my stomach feels like it's about to turn inside out.

I open my eyes and find the gentle light of a sunrise filling the room from a beautiful ray of light through the narrow window by the bedside.

Did I pass out and sleep through the night? I'd expected someone to be here, but it's only me...

I reach up and bathe my hand in the golden, almost cherry blossom light.

The light of the room glitters and sparkles as it slowly floats through the air...

Like Kenta.

My dry throat knots up as the memories of yesterday come flooding back like a violent storm.

I feel my eyes begin to burn as I grasp for the glimmering dust, but catch nothing. The soul of the person I reach for is gone... so why is it my heart fills with questions when it is far too late?

The beautiful view becomes a watery, colorful blur as I remember that last smile... that last relieved smile on Kenta's lips.

Why did he give up his existence for me? Why would he prioritize this one mortal life of mine over his soul?!

...why?

It isn't worth that much, Ken-chan...

I could've been reborn. I wouldn't even have been in pain anymore.

Why didn't you tell me that in this world you would die fully?!

I feel my chest tighten and roll over on my side, but it's still hard to breathe through the pain. I curl together under the duvet and hide away from the light as my body crumbles into a shaky mess from sobs though I try to suppress them.

I managed to give Ken-chan a warm goodbye. I managed to let him die with relief in his eyes... so why won't the tears stop falling?

Am I again the reason people close to me die?

I don't want that... not again.

I don't want to see them suffer anymore. Though they shine so beautifully, my heart is being ripped apart. I can't... I can't carry this weight. Even if you smile. Even if you tell me you want me to be happy... the void inside screams.

The door to the room clicks open, and I tug the duvet over my head and hold my breath to silence the sobs... and yet my body continues to tremble.

Go away.

I don't want to see anyone right now... I... I'll be fine soon. I'll put back up the composure and play your games again.

But please... leave... I don't want to be seen like this.

"I'll leave a glass of water here, Augustus-sama."

Magdalin calls out to me. Carefully. Sweetly.

"I'll be waiting outside, okay?"

She waits for a moment before leaving and closes the door behind her. Causing my tense shoulders to drop just for a moment before tensing once again.

That girl is a blessing I truly feel I've not deserved.

I don't want to lose her.

—-*—-

By the time the tears finally stopped coming and I could even somewhat control myself it had been a couple of hours... drinking the water was painful, but it was partly due to having slept for far longer than I thought.

While I'd been sleeping the initial moves had already been made to prepare for the new rule Emilia wished to make.

The awakening of a light mage in house Listere was considered a miracle, as they'd not officially had one survive to adulthood in almost a century.

This miracle was attributed to the young princess.

Though the propaganda of the crown till now claimed people blessed by darkness to be evil, they also claimed that those blessed by light were equally good.

That two of these light mages now condemned the crown and claimed that this supposed demon girl was good caused a lot of debate at first, but was rapidly accepted.

When the Headal diplomats that had been captured said that Headal would accept Emilia as the new ruler, the decision to accept Emilia was made promptly.

In the end, the proof of the corruption became merely a secondary solidification of her position.

Of course, having the national heroes on her side helped as well, but if not for Soleil and Claire then they may not have fully believed that I'd been attacked first and that Lionel only stepped in to help me.

The condemnation of the corrupt crown was declared a couple days after convincing the royal army and the city guards. Ever since then the capital has been under strict control by the royal army, the Celeste knights and the soldiers House Stanbell brought along.

None enter or leave the capital without permission.

—-*—-

Royal Army Commander's Point of View

"Lord Tepet, the meeting has been called."

I see the new Lord Tepet flinch visibly at my words.

He simply stands from the table where he was checking over paperwork and looks me in the eyes to thank me, then walks past me. Of course, he cannot hide the discomfort.

To take the title of his dead father under those circumstances is certainly bitter, and hadn't it been Lord Lionel then I never would have accepted as easily as I did.

To see guilt lingering in his face is good.

Lord Normand Tepet was a good man. Since the crown was corrupt, then certainly they must have manipulated him. Lord Tepet... Lord Normand Tepet was always too trusting after all. Especially to women.

I follow closely behind Lord Tepet as we head for the great hall. It will be the second grand meeting where all the nobles have been called to attend.

The first happened yesterday, where... mountains of proof was put forward of the crimes of the crown.

It was far more expansive than the princess first declared.

We head into he great hall which is already mostly full. Every high noble is attending, as well as a few influential lower nobles such as House Ruche who is closely connected to House Celeste, and House Talwen whose young Lady... young Miss Claire is blessed by holy light.

I follow Lord Tepet closely as we walk into the great hall and end at the rises on each side of the red carpet. Being of House Tepet, he is closest to the princess on the right side. On the left is House Listere.

As they are again blessed by light it makes their position easily rival that of House Tepet.

Furthermore, both Soleil Listere and Lord Listere himself are attending. It looks like the father isn't ready to let the son take over the House yet, though the son is clearly important not to be here on his own.

The pale ivory and gold clothes make House Listere stand out pure against the many other colorful nobles... only Miss Claire Talwen herself looks purer. Her cloud white hair glimmers as it glides over her slender shoulders... she is as beautiful as an undisturbed winter morning. I end up glancing now and follow her slender neck down to the formal dress that just barely reveals her collarbones but still... still fits the shape of her body.

I draw my eyes away from her and tug at the collar of my shirt. It's no wonder she was a candidate for the crown... because of her power.

Lord Tepet stops up at the railing and glance back at me with a somewhat pitiful look... I am fully aware that any infatuation in this direction is pointless, but if nothing else I can still appreciate beauty, right? Besides, the heart of Miss Claire Talwen belongs to the Child of Scorog. Augustus Celeste.

As though when we speak of rain... he appears behind us. The two Celeste brothers appear in their elegant midnight blue suits, calm and collected.

As I'd heard... the child of Scorog is tiny.

The two brothers walk past me, and for a moment I am nearly side by side with the person that's nearly considered invincible, but also the most mysterious existence in Ristaze.

He's more than a head smaller than me.

He looks exhausted... but cold. It doesn't look like he's slept for a while despite recently having slept for three days in a row.

As for Miss Claire Talwen... of course her eyes are drawn to the guy immediately. I feel sorry for anyone that truly falls for miss Talwen. You might be taller and more manly than Augustus Celeste, but you can't really compete with that guy.

Both Lord Tepet and Lord Augustus are both so calm and collected. When you see them like this they really seem almost beyond human, considering everything that's happened.

I stand back a bit behind Lord Tepet as the meeting begins and Princess Emilia steps up on the throne. The tiny five year old girl looks much too confident for her age, and she acknowledges every noble that has arrived... for now, only House Salender and most of their barons and viscounts haven't shown up. As it is, I'm worrying about having them rebel.

We won't be able to fend off House Salender while keeping control of the capital the way we are doing.

"We have multiple subjects on the plan today," Princess Emilia starts a brief summary once she has acknowledge the presence of everyone involved.

"The first is the fate of the underground of the Capital and everyone involved in it, as well as the system supporting it. For this, the heads of both the actual tax office, and the underground tax office will be brought forward."

She glances to Augustus Celeste at this rather than Lord Tepet... I end up looking at the small guy. Supposedly he's been raised in a foreign country, so maybe he has a different view of things?

"We also need to discuss army distribution, and dealing with House Salender, as well as the peace meeting with Headal, Crinia, Semor and Zocria."

She looks over the crowd as she continues, but there's no emotion in her young voice.

"Finally there's the discussion of the law system as well, as well as the law system for nobles."

There's a few quiet nods here and there.

I stare quietly at the princess.

Actually, there's this one thing bothering me deeply about the princess herself other than the blessing. It's not about her personality either, but the family name that Lord Tepet calls her by.

It's not the name of a noble family. It's not the maiden name of the queen either...

As part of proof of the cruelty of the crown we were lead to a hidden away crypt. The cursed mausoleum just outside the city, hidden away in the forest... the crypts there were several rooms long and with multiple bodies in each room.

I feel my stomach tense as I remember the number of child and baby graves in each room. In the newest one there were 14 graves. 14. 13 of those were for children... 9 of those for children exactly five years old, and the rest were baby graves... except for the last one.

With the Queen's name on... death dated almost 11 years ago.

Though the queen is still alive and is now imprisoned. Apparently she was the Queen's double.

Knowing of the corruption of the crown, one of their children, Elizabeth, went mad and killed the mother, injured the father as well as the former Lord Gilbert Salender and even Lord Normand Tepet before they killed her.

That's all the body double told us. The princess had just given a nod. No mercy towards her own mother other than keeping her from being executed.

Elizabeth's grave was crude, and the engraving had looked as though it had been done by a child.

I shake off the uncomfortable memories.

"Then, first, the peace treaty will be made at Castle Duvin, where all regents will be present. Furthermore, they intend on holding a party as celebration for the end of corruption."

A wave of disgust moves through the great hall in form of mumbles and sheer expressions of anger. Especially from Augustus and Lord Tepet.

It would be best not to bring the two of them to the party. None of them seem stable enough at this point.

"As such, I've decided to bring along Lord Tepet and Lady Lily Celeste for the event. Bringing more people would be a needless risk. As such I count on you to protect the borders and the capital from criminals and traitors while I am away."

Another wave of dissatisfaction and shock.

Lady Lily?

She's the former candidate for queen... why would you bring her along?

Princess Emilia looks directly at Lord Tepet.

"Your family has dealt with Headal many times before. I shall be in need of your assistance."

He resigns, but glances to Augustus Celeste with hints of worry.

I look to the small man young man as well. Is he protective of his sister? More importantly, why isn't she bringing Augustus? As far as I was informed they were rather obsessed with him.

"Lord Eric Celeste. Lord Augustus Celeste. I hear that they supported your sister's claim on the throne, and assisted her during school times. Furthermore, your sister was a classmate of Prince Jacques' fiancé. As such I will bring her along. Is this acceptable?"

The two brothers just go quiet for a while.

"Yes, your highness."

Without a fuss...

Sending their poor sister across the border on the most risky mission of a century with that little reaction?! No certainly Augustus clenches his hand, but that is all!

Castle Duvin is in enemy territory!

I look back to Lord Tepet.

Also, wasn't Lady Lily and Lord Tepet on rather bad terms?