Preparation - 2

-----Kaede's POV

Yesterday, we held a contest to see who's the strongest in terms of strength alone. I'm still surprised that Mell could've actually beaten Fleur, if only she had just a bit more energy. Sicily and Lillian didn't both facing off with each other which meant it was just me against Fleur for the final match. But just like I had imagined, I easily won in but a second, which didn't surprise anyone. Back when Fleur first turned, I had to take on Fleur, pinning her whole body to the ground, so I already knew it would turn out like this.

But today would prove to be quite interesting as Yui and her mother came by to visit me, letting me know that the queen would like to meet with me. I don't know if it's because of her wanting to make plans for the attack on Inasdale already, or if mom asked if we could meet when I told Mai yesterday about wanting to talk with her. Might be a bit of both. However it's not just me that's going to be attending, but Yui and her mother as well as Natalie and Neri. It's still odd seeing what Neri looks like after all this time and having to keep it a secret, but I wonder how she'd react if I mentioned that.

Iris: "Nervous?"

Kaede: "Not really."

We've just entered the castles grounds as we're about to reach our destination.

Yui: "Did the queen say if the meeting was going to be like last time?"

Iris: "No. I heard that this is just a private meeting and that she'd contact the others about today."

Yui: "Lucky."

Kaede: "Hehe."

Yeah, I still recall Yui and her mom looking completely exhausted from the other meeting. But even if today was the same, I think I'd manage. I don't feel all that intimidated by anyone at the end of the day, although the queen can be a bit scary sometimes.

We finally arrive as an escort led us inside. We pass the dining room and instead move up some stairs, completely different than last time. Before I was about to ask where exactly we were going, we stop by a door before our escort began to knock on the door.

Cecelia: "Yes?"

Escort: "Kaede has arrived, your grace."

Cecelia: "Bring her in."

The door opened before us as everyone besides the escort slowly made their way inside as the escort shut the door before leaving. The room was quite big, even having a round table at it's center with a desk off at the far end. It was then that I spot mom standing next to the queen who was sitting at the furthest side of the table. It immediately warmed my heart seeing mom smile at me, but I can't just run up to her, that'd be too rude of me given this situation. It was then that the queen looked up at mom, giving her a small nod before mom immediately rushed around the table, wrapping her arms around me as we share in a warm embrace.

Cecelia: "Thank you for coming on such short notice. Please, sit."

We end up taking our seats as mom already began to make tea for everyone, besides me of course. I sat on the opposite end of the queen, with Yui to my left and her mother next to her. Natalie and Neri remained standing, helping mom with the tea and snacks.

Cecelia: "I hear that you've accepted in giving aid to us in the fight for Inasdale?"

Kaede: "Yes, that's correct."

Cecelia: "It's quite a selfish thing to ask of you. I was sure you'd rather stay behind. May I ask why you decided in doing so?"

Kaede: "Many reasons actually. Firstly, you've been supporting me all this time, allowing me to remain here despite everything that has happened."

Cecelia: "I'd think that was to be expected. When I first met you, I didn't sense any ill will coming from you."

Kaede: "Thank you. But also, I'd like to rescue Yui's brother who is currently trapped in Inasdale."

I've already explained all this to Yui before, so she barely reacts to what I'm saying, but I know that she's just keeping back the pain and just trying to remain calm. I take a moment to gently lay my hand on top of hers to try and alleviate any anxiety that's circling inside her.

Cecelia: "That would be Fabian, yes?"

Iris: "Correct. Even if Ellen says that he's safe, I still hate the idea of him being so close to danger. I'm grateful to Kaede for choosing to do this for us."

Cecelia: "It would be beneficial to us as well. I'd also like Fabian to return safety."

Huh? So the queen also wants Fabian? I wonder why?

Iris: "Fufu. You still want to follow along with "that" plan of yours?"

Cecelia: "Certainly."

So Iris is aware what's in store for her son? Well I guess there's no reason to stress over that.

Kaede: "I'll be sure to get Fabian back... Which leaves me to the third reason. Arguably the most important reason."

Cecelia: "Hmm?"

Kaede: "I'd like to take a dark elf hostage in order to save my mother."

Cecelia: "Ohh?"

Of course mom's the one that reacted the most out of all of us, immediately looking my way as I just give her a smile. I don't plan on turning you into a vampire or cutting off your back. I'd like to ask a dark elf what their "technique" is and then I'll make my decision. Although by then, turning mom into a vampire would be far too risky, leaving... Cutting her back the only option.

Kaede: "You may already know about my mom's condition, and I might have found a way to fix it. But apparently from what I've gathered, only dark elves know of a certain healing technique that could help."

Cecelia: "Hence why you want to take one hostage."

Kaede: "Correct."

Cecelia: "I take it that you won't accept this plan unless you get your dark elf?"

Kaede: "Yes."

I didn't actually think about that, but I'm basically asking to bring yet another monster inside of Yarene. It's a selfish request, but just like what the queen said, it's also a selfish request asking this of me, so I think this is a reasonable request. But the queen falls silent for some time, as if she's processing everything that's been said.

Cecelia: "What will you do to the dark elf when you save your mom?"

Kaede: "Probably kill them."

Cecelia: "Then I accept your condition. I'll be sure to let the others know of your request for a dark elf as well."

Kaede: "Thank you."

I bow my head as we come to an agreement. It's nice to know that the soldiers will know of my request, so I shouldn't need to worry about them killing them all off. Which leaves me free to do what I need to do. Kill any high threat enemies, find Fabian, and grab a dark elf. Mai would also help with her magic as well, making it easy to just grab and teleport a dark elf back here, same with Fabian, leaving me to just collect blood from as many monsters as I can.

Lilith: "Y-you don't need to go so far for me, Selene."

Kaede: "I want us to live happily again. I can't do that knowing you don't have much time."

Cecelia: "Huh? What do you mean by that?"

Lilith: "According to Mai, I have a year left to live at most, but even without hearing that, I can sort of feel it. Every week it feels like my body's growing heavier."

Cecelia: "Tch. Why didn't you tell me this before?!"

Lilith: "I-I'm sorry, your grace."

Cecelia: "I'll make preparations immediately! Kaede, I'll send word to you when we're ready."

Kaede: "Y-yes!"

That was unexpected. I didn't realize how close mom and the queen have gotten. I haven't heard the queen get so heated before, and looking at Yui and Iris, they're also shocked to see the queen like this, leaving us to hold our breaths. But it does make me happy knowing that mom has others caring for her.

...

Yui: "Hah~ Can't believe I got to see the queen like that."

With the meeting now wrapped up, we left the room before going back down the stairs, following our escort.

Iris: "The queen must really like you, hehe."

Lilith: "I-I just help with anything I can. Cecelia's the one who allowed me a place to stay here."

And after hearing about my mother's condition, the queen asked mom to accompany me, at least until she finishes with the preparations. With the queen giving me this opportunity to spend more time with mom, it just gives me all the more reason to help her to reclaim Inasdale.

Ona: "Ellen!"

Suddenly, the queen's daughters come running up to us as we reached the bottom of the stairs. From the looks of it, they seemed to have been waiting for us to finish with the meeting.

Yui: "Hey~"

Undine: "Did you talk with our mother?"

Yui: "Mmm. It was Kaede doing most of the talking, haha."

Ona: "Oh? So you're going to fight with us?"

Kaede: "I'm surprised your mom told you these things."

Undine: "We..."

Undine/Ona: "Eavesdropped."

Iris: "Pfft."

Understandable. I would be curious as well with the bustling atmosphere recently. Although with my senses, I wouldn't need to be close in order to overhear such things.