Royal Reunion

The journey between the Magic Academy and the Capital of Tristain, Tristania, only takes half a day at a good pace, allowing Louise and her entourage to arrive at the palace not seven hours later.

The royal palace itself looked incredibly majestic from both afar and up close. With large marble walls decorated by blue and gold accents, along with many inscriptions written along the walls... To the eye of a plebian, these would just look like decorative features, but most nobles can easily recognise them as magical runes that both enhance the palace's defensive capabilities, while also denying entrance to anyone that means harm to the residents inside.

Of course, such magic has been lost since the palace was constructed, the original owner being one of Brimir's sons makes this not only a national landmark, but a historical one as well.

Louise is led by Agnes and a few of the Muskateer unit towards the palace, through the heavy doors and into its maze-like interior. This was also another defensive addition that'd been added and enhanced with magic, causing any unwanted intruder to get lost within its depths if they had no method to counteract it. Fortunately, Agnes was well versed enough with its layout that getting lost was almost impossible.

Usually, when someone is summoned at the Princess or Queen's behest, they'd be received at the throne room by many heavily armoured guards. But, since Princess Henrietta had ordered otherwise, this was intended to be a private meeting.

Soon enough, Louise was standing before an intricately carved wooden door, Agnes stood beside her as she tentatively knocked on the door. "Princess! Louise de la Valliere has arrived!"

...

The group of Muskateers are momentarily confused when rapid tapping could be heard inside, followed by the door swinging open, revealing a gleeful princess, who immediately envelopes Louise into a hug before pulling her inside the room.

The princess herself was an incredibly beautiful sixteen years old girl with short dark purple hair, which was adorned with a silver tiara with blue gems. She wore a luxurious white dress that barely held her large breasts at bay, and a purple cloak around her shoulders that indicated her position as royalty.

The princess was about to close the door behind her, but Agnes stops her momentarily, "Ah, Princess! Headmaster Osmond asked me to give you this." she says, handing over the book and letter.

Princess Henrietta gives a small nod as she takes it, afterwards shutting the door in the Muskateer's faces... Once she and Louise were alone in the beautifully decorated room, she shows a bright smile and hugs Louise again, "Louise! You don't know how good it is to see you!"

"P-P-P-Princess! T-this is improper!" she squeaks out, never having expected to be greeted in such a manner... Despite her apprehensions though, she felt incredibly happy in the Princess' arms, as if the days of disaster prior hadn't even happened.

Henrietta pulls away and pouts, "Mou, Louise, I get to hear people trip over themselves to greet me whenever walk around the palace... Please, just let me speak to my childhood friend how we used to."

...

Louise slowly nods, "I-if that's what you want... Henri..." she quietly says with all of her etiquette training screaming at her to not address the princess in such a manner.

Henrietta smiles, hugging Louise again before leading her to sit at a nearby table, "I've wanted to see you again for a long time Louise, but my duties kept me... I'm sorry."

Louise feels incredibly frantic as she hears this, royalty shouldn't lower themselves in such a manner, even when with friends. But before she's even able to dispute Henrietta's words, the princess continues.

"I tried to help when Lord Gramont started sending inquiries to the Academy. Even trying to keep you from getting expelled, but... Even with my position..." she trails off solemnly.

"H-Henri! It's not your responsibility to deal with my problems. Everything that happened was all caused by my inability to properly use magic... My failures shouldn't weigh on your shoulders." Louise says, her eyes moist at having caused difficulties for her oldest and best friend.

Henrietta shakes her head, "No... If anyone's to blame, it's that familiar you summoned! It must have been a demon sent to harm Tristain... Why else would it be able to cause so much strife in so little time..." she mutters, "Lord Gramont almost persuaded the Council to have you imprisoned for the death of his son... I managed to stop such a thing from happening but, I fear Lord Gramont may begin acting against me in future..."

Louise frowns, "But to act against you is to act against Tristain... That's treason!"

Henrietta releases a sigh, "Louise, are you aware of what's occurring in Albion?"

Louise nods, "A rebellion I hear?"

"Not just a rebellion... The nobility started a Coup d'état, killing King James and taking control of large parts of the territory... Prince Wales is attempted to fight them off, but his defeat is inevitable." Henrietta struggles to hide her pained expression at the mention of Prince Wales.

Louise, Henrietta, and Wales had all been friends in the past, as Albion was one of the closest allies of Tristain. Indeed, Louise suspected that Henri and Wales had a more intimate relationship than they publically and privately admitted.

Henrietta continues, "I fear that it wouldn't take much to push Lord Gramont and his supports to attempt something similar to what's happening in Albion. Indeed, even now they might have opened communications with the rebels..."

Louise furrows her brows, completely unable to comprehend someone doing such a traitorous thing in a land they were supposed to protect. "Why doesn't anyone do anything about it then? Put Lord Gramont to trial, investigate who he's speaking to...?"

"Unfortunately, despite how it might look, the royal families holds little power over the other nobles. My mother allows the Council to make most of the decisions for her, and even the loyalty of our soldiers might be suspect..."