Finally Home

"My nephew and niece— your cousins, Your Majesty. They must have been worried and so, they visited immediately."

Jarte felt drowsy and his headache raged on. Even so, it would be best to gain as much favour as possible, given the circumstances.

"Let's not keep them waiting, in that case. I would so like to meet them."

Octavia smiled weakly, "As you wish."

Then, her screen disappeared as a lady frantically rushed in. Her long white hair was in a braid but that's what not what caught Jarte's attention. What struck Jarte the most was her forehead. It had a star shaped object engraved in it. It glowed with a mix of green and pink. Her skin seemed as white as her hair. No colour visible anywhere but the star engraved on her forehead. Even though she breathed hard and her eyes were filled with panic her skin remained unchanged.

She curtsied before him, there was no fear nor pity in her eyes. She was concerned but not for him, "Greetings, Your Majesty. Pardon my rudeness but may I?"

Her eyes barely set on him, it was focused on the figure lying on the bed. Jarte was surprised but he nodded in consent. The young lady seemed to fly past him and to the Queen Mother. She held Octavia's hand, pressed it to her own cheek and started to let out her sobs while trembling,

"Your...Majesty..!" The Queen Mother merely smiled and patted her head gently,

"Now, now, you mustn't cry so. I am well."

"You lie to me, Aunt!" Her sobs continued as she kissed Octavia's hand.

"This is why I say Her Majesty spoils her rotten." A familiar voice spoke as a figure emerged into the room, "Ana, you've behaved so rudely with our king. A lady mustn't act so."

Jarte turned his face to take a look at who had spoken. It was the white haired teenager from the ceremony. The teen bowed properly before speaking,

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Leonard De Askalt from the House of Leon. I am the Duke of Vievaz and the current Representative of the House. I carry the symbol of the Lion upon my hand."

'He must be of the Ancients' bloodline, in that case.'

[Intelligence +1]

Leonard's relaxed voice continued on, "I congratulate you on the successful coronation ceremony. I also apologize on behalf of my sister. To show that she means no disrespect, the crybaby should introduce herself properly."

Leonard looked at the lady and frowned, "Come on, Ana. Don't keep His Majesty waiting."

He then proceeded to cross his arms over his chest.

Jarte smiled mildly. Before he could say anything, the girl strirred. She curtsied once more,

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Her eyes were very puffed up from crying yet there was still no colour in her face. This struck Jarte as very odd. "I am Anastasia de Askalt."

She sniffled, "Pardon my rudeness earlier, Your Majesty."

Leonard's voice grew as light as feathers, "Well done, Ana!" He took steps towards the bed and patted Anastasia's head.

"You mustn't forget your manners, dear sister."

"I won't, Leo."

The Queen Mother chuckled. Jarte thought she was too young for her brother to be so severe on her. She appeared no older than fourteen.

Jarte's voice rose, "I thank you for your sincere congratulations, Duke Leonard and Lady Anastasia."

Both of them seemed to lighten up at Jarte's words. The girl had stopped crying, much to Jarte's relief.

Leonard scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "Everyone pampers her so much, Your Majesty. I do my best to make sure she presents herself properly."

"You're a good brother, Leonard."

Jarte's heart was beginning to feel warm once more. Despite the bad beginning, this truly felt like home. He was used to being alone but the people before him made him feel at ease. But the new King knew he couldn't be too trusting. Even so, he felt grateful for this brief moment of relief.

Kyestra scrunched up her nose lightly, "You're so harsh on her, Duke Leonard. Lady Anastasia is so pure of heart and she's such a beauty! Hard to believe that you two are siblings by birth."

Leonard furrowed his eyebrows at this remark, "Well, I can assure you that I feel the same regarding you and Duke of Kalistra."

"You think my father is a beauty? Oh my, I must speak of this to him." She brought her gloved hand to cover mouth and feigned surprise.

"That's— That's not—"

Leonard cleared his throat before regaining his composure, "Acting Duchess Kyestra, I recommend you behave yourself in the presence of His Majesty!"

Kyestra rolled her eyes in response, "How dull."

Zephyr muttered under his breath, "These two never change."

Avohld elbowed Zephyr from the side which made the latter step away while rubbing his side.

Leonard and Kyestra looked in their direction. Leonard tilted his head lightly, "What is it, Knights?"

Avohld smiled brightly, "Nothing of concern, Your Highnesses."

A smirk appeared on Kyestra's face, "Your hearing is terrible as ever, Leon."

"You...!"

It was so hilarious to see them childishly bicker among themselves that he couldn't hold it back anymore. Jarte began to laugh lightly. The both of them composed themselves after recovering from their initial surprise due to seeing him laugh.

Anastasia smiled at the scene before her and walked over to the other side of bed to greet Kyestra, "So pleased to meet you again, Your Highness."

They exchanged greetings and Kyestra gave the younger girl a hug before they both drifted into a conversation and seated themselves away from the bed and on a comfortable couch. Jarte could only hear them murmuring things to each other and Anastasia sometimes giggled lightly, always careful to not be too loud.

The knights stood still and the royal healer was creating a potion on one of the smaller tables. He seemed to be mixing ingredients, murmuring spells and sometimes using the same green energy as before with the movement of his fingers.

Now that the ladies had moved away, Leonard sat down on the bed and took Octavia's hand to kiss it. He then gently held it between his hands and smiled lightly,

"Heal well, Your Majesty. I'm sure you taught the culprit a good lesson! The battle goddess brings home yet another victory."

Octavia's expression remained unchanged at this, "It's quite late, Leonard. You were hasty to come here at this hour."

Leonard could not but sigh, "I thought so. But Ana wouldn't listen. She was already crying when I left my seat to fetch her and start for our chambers. And—"

His voice lowered a little, "I was anxious about your wellbeing too. Thus, I did not protest even if it's most inappropriate to disturb Her Majesty at this hour." The glow from his eyes dimmed.

Octavia merely patted his head with affectionate eyes.

[Warning: 'Fatigue' too high. Return to King's Chamber immediately]

Jarte spoke louder than usual to draw all attention to himself,

"It is quite late. Queen Mother must rest. And, the worst has passed so there's no need for everyone to worry further. Let us all retire to our chambers and prepare for the ceremonies to come in the next day. Mother shall recover by the morning and prepare for the festivities in all her glory."