More Hands

Everyone had moved from Monica's room to the Main Hall of the palatial building where Napoleon waited for them. He was sitting on the bejeweled chair of his royal seat, his eyes shifting from one family to the other while Osvaldo stood behind him, and he let out a sigh, as though he had expected this day to come.

"What is the issue?"

Monica's Father bowed his head in greeting, but the disapproving look on his face barely flinched. Monica still stood beside Madeline and Cassian, looking ready to support them in case her Father had some sort of objection against their presence.

"Sire, you are more than aware of the rules relating to Whitebrige civilians forming alliances with someone who doesn't have the blood of Whitebridge running through their veins. Your late Father made this rule clear."