Chapter 12: Royal Audience

Don't forget to drop those power stones and add to your collection!

*

"Your Majesty, I now present to you, Brigadier General of the Erebonian Empire Imperial Army, Giliath Osborne and his son Naoto Osborne.", Colonel Bright declared as he stood next to the entrance of Queen Alicia's throne room. Most of of the interior was built in pale purple and white marble, much like the rest of the castle was.

Except in this room, there was a much longer red carpet that extended all the way to the other end of the room. A very regal red leathered chair could be seen at the other end of this red carpet. This was definitely your typical fantasy-like throne room royal families often had. And the throne was currently occupied by a rather pale indigo haired aged woman dressed in regal attire. This was of course Queen Alicia the Second.

Queen Alicia the Second resumed governmental affairs after learning of her son's passing not to long ago, as her granddaughter was way too young to inherit the throne. If I recall, this princess was born the same year as Estelle, Elie and I, in S1186. That means she was one year old like the rest of us. (A/N: Sus)

'That really is an auspicious year, isn't it?', I thought inwardly in my mind.

Anyways, as of now, I had long finished exploring what we could together with Estelle, limiting our range to the ground and first floors of Grancel Castle. We did come across other maids during their work and they became surprised seeing us, but they didn't stop us. They were likely notified by Hilda beforehand. And now, father and I could be seen waiting at the entrance to the throne room.

Estelle could no longer be seen with us. She was quite sad to part ways with me after that short time spent together as her eyes made it very apparent. Her mother, Lena Bright, consoled her and were now resting in one of the guest rooms. It seemed Queen Alicia granted audience to only father and I. Cassius probably had plans to introduce his daughter later to the Queen.

A few minutes prior, just as we arrived, ready to enter the throne room. Giliath saw me still stood by his side, and spoke out to me which drew my attention.

"Naoto, I want you to watch how I introduce myself to Her Majesty. You will eventually learn proper etiquette for such things. Regardless of being in Liberl or Erebonia, there will be a good chance you will debut in the high society of nobles once your coming of age happens. Each noble is required of this, and you no less. This will be a good lesson for you.", Giliath explained to me.

"Yes, father.", I nodded my head in acknowledgement. "Did you go through the same thing?", I decided to ask.

Giliath shook his head, denying me.

"Unfortunately, no. I was born a commoner. It is your mother who was special, not only to me but to Liberl No doubt you will have your own trials to face.", Giliath responded.

"I understand, father.", I said, acknowledging him with a nod.

"Good.", Giliath said with a smile.

That's one thing to be wary of for sure, being part of nobility and all...

And the noble trope was quite dominant in the Trailsverse, especially within Erebonia, where its regions were governed under the four main houses, officially known as the Four Great Houses. They were ran by Duke Cayenne, Duke Albarea, Marquis Rogner, and Marquis Hyarms. The Four Great Houses ultimately responded to His Majesty the Erebonian Empire Emperor at the top of the chain, but when it came down to governmental affairs and such, each house properly maintained their given region. And in regards to Heimdallr, there is the Imperial Diet, which was mostly governed by the Governor, in and turn, it was where the Chancellor stood at its peak.

My same father would eventually fill the position of Erebonia's Chancellor, while the father of a certain shotgun wielding green haired glasses fellow of Class VII would eventually become the Governor of the Imperial Diet. But that would be a story for the future...

I've still got a good five years before father takes that position into his own hands. I have to learn everything I can from him, because after that point, no doubt will my life become turbulent.

For now, that's it in regards to Erebonia's standing.

As for Liberl, it was quite different.

Queen Alicia the Second held most if not all authority over her land, the country of Liberl. Each year she would hold a banquet to invite the representatives of each city. This event was formally known as the Royal Assembly. Mayors of each city would come to participate to talk about what would happen during the next year. Even the Dean of the school to where most Liberl royalty attend, the Jenis Royal Academy, could earn a slot in this once a year event.

Combine that with the Royal Army of Liberl, and that pretty much sums up Liberl in a nutshell. To add to that, Cassius Bright was currently a Colonel within this army. The top dog here currently went by the name General Morgan, and once he retires his position, it would be none other than Cassius Bright to take his reins. And that same Cassius Bright is Estelle's father, the same little girl I just spent some time alone with exploring the royal castle during the last hour or so.

Right now I was in the middle of all this, and I couldn't help but feel an imposing air, but at the same time, a sense of familiarity. It's like I was returning back home after a very very long visit.

These few minutes passed by in silence after Giliath asked his request of me, and we soon heard Cassius Bright's voice echo down. Looks like he was calling for father. Colonel Bright also announced my name to enter, which I found surprising. Still, Giliath took the lead, and both of us entered the throne room belonging to Her Majesty.

Once we entered, we were greeted by several soldiers on each side. They were part of the army, and each soldier wore a green beret on top of their heads, each with a standardized Orbal rifle held vertically within their palm. Each one remained silent as father walked along the red carpet, as did I. As Second Lieutenant Schwarz and Captain Richard were currently on patrol around the castle and the city, they were currently not present. Sieg was not here either.

Before this, I will say once Sieg noticed me the first time as we first arrived in Grancel Castle, I did hear a ding from the Gamer system. I will have to look at the skill later, but during that, I obtained a new Passive skill, [Falconer] - Lv1 0/100. Well, even if I don't have time to look at it now, it is pretty self explanatory. Perhaps I'll be able to raise falcons and train them later on.

Father kept walking until we moved passed the soldiers. Cassius also returned to the front, next to Her Majesty. Once we arrived within distance, father stopped, allowing me to get a good look at who was in front of us now. It was Her Majesty, Cassius Bright and one other person I wasn't expecting to be here.

It wasn't the princess who I was kind of expecting to be there. Since she currently isn't present, she was probably in her private quarters with the Head Maid tending to her. With what has been going lately, losing one's parents at only one year old...fate can be rather cruel sometimes. I wonder, did her grandmother inform the princess of the news yet, or is she still waiting for her parents, only to never come home?

I could only sigh inwardly. With me being in Zemuria now, I could probably change some things to suit my tastes, but with fated events like the Crown Prince's and his wife's passing, those were out of my control. For now, I can only be in the present, with father to raise me.

Speaking of father, he was currently silent as he observed the queen. As such, I took a glance to the figure to the right of the queen as Cassius stood by her left. It was another rather aged man. His hair was grey, combined with a full beard and a mustache. He also wore the standard Liberl soldier uniform as the others did. But one difference was the cape he wore, which flowed down to his front having the symbol of Liberl on it. He also wore a red shawl on his left shoulder. This man was General Morgan, one of the only active Generals within the Liberl Army.

As I recall, Cassius was currently his subordinate, wasn't he? It would make sense for him to be here together with General Morgan, but him being here was a surprise in itself. But father was not phased by his presence at all.

I saw father take a couple steps, only to bend his left arm and form a fist. He brought it to his chest, bringing his right arm behind his back. Seeing him do these actions, father wanted me to witness it as a form of etiquette training, so my eyes shifted to him, observing Giliath in silence. I then saw Giliath take a bow with his head, bending his body forward ever so slightly. Most of his bow came from his head. I then heard father speak to Her Majesty.

"I give you my utmost gratitude to Your Majesty for granting us an audience. It is with great honor for you to grace us with your presence today for this unannounced visit. You have my deepest apologies.", Giliath said, greeting Her Majesty in a polite tone.

"I am Giliath Osborne a Brigadier General of the Erebonian Empire Imperial Army. I have heard your feats to be many, but this is still the first time meeting you in person, Your Majesty. I extend my heartfelt greeting to you.", Giliath continued to say as he finished his introduction.

After that, I noticed a quick change in father's eyes which glanced at me for a brief moment. Turns out this was their first meeting after all. I know he is rivals on the battlefield with Cassius, but before this trip, the two probably haven't met in person before. Looks like its the same deal for Her Majesty.

Was he wanting me to do the same as him seeing father glance at me like that? To not anger him, I decided to follow his steps, taking a couple steps forward as well. I mirrored him with the same bow without tumbling over. This earned a raised eyebrow from General Morgan, but he kept quiet. I took this time to introduce myself as well. Since father used those words earlier, it's okay for me to use them too, right?

"Thank you for giving us an audience, Your Majesty. I also give my heartfelt greeting to you.", I spoke out with a bow, introducing myself to Her Majesty.

Hearing me speak that, a smile was brought to Queen Alicia's face. The moment we saw her stand up from her throne, the royal audience officially began.

*

Fun Corner:

Who is ready for for some family tracing? Where is Naoto placed in this?

Queen Alicia II is has an unnamed spouse and sister. This unnamed sister is Naoto's mother. Giliath Osborne is the father.

The late Crown Prince Judis is Queen Alicia II's son.

With that being the case, would he be half-sibling's with Judis, making the princess his niece?

Being an uncle at one year old? Haha!

*