17 Mutual (14.5)

"How could they failed!!?" The table in front of him cracked beneath the force of right hand.

Gustav's raging voice echoed across the spacious room inside the castle. He was given this room by the grand prince as an accommodation for his visit. The elegant marble floor and concrete walls prevented his voice from reaching anything beyond the room. The only one who could hear him was the similarly mad wizard who sat across from him.

"I thought you were sending your greatest warriors for it, yet they were all slaughtered, none survived!" Runford's voice rivaled his friend.

"You were lucky they didn't take prisoners then! Or else our whole scheme would be compromised!"

"I was under the impression that your greatest warriors were able to kill a single child! Yet, how surprised I was when I was almost caught by the guards in our meeting spot!"

"Then…" Gustav looked at his friend eye to eye.

"They definitely know something is up"

"Curse! That child!"

Runford sighed, he never acknowledged his opposition up until now. If he only realized sooner how weak his adopted father's hold over the realm, he could've made preparations before coming here.

"No…, it's not her," he said, putting his left hand on his chin. "It's the people around her. Captain of the guards, the Western Keepers, and even the Pontifex himself supported her"

"Why do you worry about that? Couldn't you just…uh…" Gustav pointed at the puppet guard who was standing behind Runford.

"Make them like Naki? Mind-control them?" Gustav nodded silently, which made his fried sigh louder and shook his head. "Dear friend, you see how skinny I am now?"

Gustav shift his eyes down from his friend's face and on to his body. The long robe he wore was covering it, yet it was hugging his body tightly, thus revealing his small frame. There was no mistaking it, Runford looked like he hadn't eaten in 3 days.

His cheeks were sunken to the point where the shape of his skull was visible. His hand were nothing more than bones and nerves, same with his body shape.

"This is the effect of me controlling just two people"

"Holy Hilde…, that's…very restricting…"

"Controlling animals are easier because of their simple thoughts, they never had any desires beside food and sleep. Thus, they are easy and required little effort to control. But people, they are harder to control because of how complex they can get. Thus, more magic is required to make them puppets. Maybe, once I had research this magic long enough, I would discover a breakthrough that would make it easier to control someone"

"Yes…then we shall control this continent and be unstoppable!"

"Yes…we…"

Gustav smiled grinning. He then stood up from his seat and walk out to the exit door.

"I must go…, your father has invited to watch a play he organized as part of my visit here"

"Oh yes, he also invited me, but I declined. There are several eastern keepers who wanted to discuss their term of cooperation, I must attend them"

Gustav's face suddenly cringed, before he spoke again, in a whispering tone.

"Be careful dear friend, I heard from the servants in this place and my personal sources that something about your father's Spymaster and how terrifying he is. Just be careful not to leak this to anyone"

"Pfft…oh you silly brute! There is no Spymaster, the old man himself told me that"

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Albert's routine everyday was monotonous to say the least. Even for a workaholic prince.

Each day he would wake up before dawn and proceed to immediately put on his imperial attire, with the help of the servants. After that, he busy himself attending the Temple of the Alliance, house of worship for all the continental gods, he would pray in here for several hours, most oftenly until the sun was a thumb high above the horizon.

Riding from the temple back to the imperial palace, he would meet with the Richtersfelden elite that populated the high city. He would spend a couple of moments listening to their complaints and the latest news that buzzed the capital. He always wanted to go to the outer city and listened to the poorer commoners, but addressing each concern from his 300 thousand or so subject in the city would definitely take up most of his time, time he had already reserved for his other routines.

Even now, he was already late to the daily council meeting. Walking to the closed small room, with a circular table in the middle, he sat right next to the elevated chair. He gazed tiredly at the empty elegant chair. His father, the emperor was sick, he had been for the last month or so.

Each of the councillors began reporting the situation in their respective fields. The Steward reported the peasant unrest due to taxation in the emperor's home duchy. The chancellor reported the complaints of the hundreds of princes that made up the empire. The Marshal reported that the red company, one of emperor's personal army, was restless for an assignment. The Palace keeper reported the massive designed flaw that was still plaguing the imperial palace, even though it should've been addressed 300 years ago. The city guard captain reported daily criminal activity in the capital and how they were dealt. And finally, the imperial physician, he said that the emperor's health has yet to improve and he was still bedridden.

Albert sighed as he addressed each of their concern. It wasn't even the biggest headache, as the imperial treasurer had yet to report the daily finance of the empire. As he read the long scroll that detailed the daily finance, Albert couldn't help but to rub his sleep-deprived eyes. There was nothing he could do about the finance for now, the tax from the vassal's had yet to come, so the massive bill couldn't be repaid by any means.

After the meeting was finished, he addressed the full box of letters sent directly by the imperial vassals. There were hundreds of them. He held the hearing session by sitting at his throne, elevated, but not the highest in the courtroom. Foreign emissaries flock to see him, judge him by their own standards as he relayed his comment regarding the letters sent by his father's subject.

Near dusk, he was already exhausted. The Palace doors had already been shut for tonight. The 24 year old prince limped his body up from the chair as he began to move on to his next routine. His head carried the weight of the octagonal crown he had yet to wear.

Even though the day was finished, he still had one more task to do, visiting his father's chamber. He didn't like being followed by his knight, even more so concerning private matters such as this. He dismissed them and told them to return to their rooms. As he let go of his cape and most of his attire excluding his shirt, he opened the majestic door that served as a gateway to his father's room.

Usually, the physician was here to attend to his father's needs, but a full tray of food and medicine suggested that he had already performed that, and was simply having a break. Albert didn't concern himself too much, in fact, he wanted to be alone with his sickly father.

As he gazed and sat next to the pale and sick emperor, he rested his hand on his palm, it was hot. He sighed again, out of all his tasks today, this was the most tiring, to see his beloved father unconscious. His situation had been kept a secret to the public, most believed he was spending his time in the duchy rather than the capital.

A sudden noise outside the room window alerted him. Albert immediately stood up and grip his blade, but didn't unsheathe it yet. He wasn't the most proficient with the blade, but when the need arose, he would ultimately had to use it. He stepped closer to the window, slowly moving, keeping his guard up.

His grip lost its power when he saw a single pigeon flying inside. The Black bird flapped its wing slower as it slowly landed on the emperor's desk. It cooed in a low voice that didn't disturb the sick man's sleep.

Albert walked slowly to the bird, as he noticed the small letter it had in its legs. As soon as Albert was in front of it, it flapped its wings again and flew away through the same way it came, leaving a small rolled up letter.

Albert looked closer and found a small note that was attached to the same band that tied the message. The writing on it read : 'Addressed to his imperial majesty from your future vassal, the Princess-Apparent of Calenon'.

Albert read the paper and was immediately intrigued by it. He glanced at his father before looking back at the small paper roll in his hand.

If it concerns his majesty, then it will surely concern me. He thought to himself.

With that in his mind, he began to untie the paper wrap and read the message.

_________________________________

Princess-Apparent Elissa sil Elizaron of Calenon to my divine imperial majesty, chosen of the alliance and of all princes.

My lord, I believe that we are living at times in which requires the most attention from us. I say this not as an order to fulfill your divine mandate nor as simply obligation as my liege, but a request to aid in exchange for my eternal favor, the details of which are below.

My father, Grand Prince Elizar Sil Elizaron, had wrongfully accused me of being illegitimate despite the overwhelming evidence fortifying my claim to be his successor. His reasoning was so illogical that it wouldn't make this message a serious message. His highness instead had sought a false pretender, or more dangerously, a Commonwealth puppet to be the one succeeding him. I believe I do not need to elaborate further on how dangerous a barbarian could become if it could ever obtain the support of us civilized folks, more so in control of one the realm's most influential vassal.

As such, I believe it would be in our mutual interest to see such things never happen. Hence, I seek my lord's support in any form, money, men or influence. Although my lord had no obligation whatsoever to help me, I would be eternally grateful if my lord recognized my importance as the future lady of Calenon.

That is all I could express in this letter, if my lord requires more explanation or simply agrees with my situation, then I expect a letter soon.

Princess-Apparent Elissa sil Elizaron of Calenon.

_________________________________

Albert couldn't help but feel intrigued. Normally, nobles would submit such requests through a petition box which was opened everyday. But this mysterious lady had gone through such lengths to train a pigeon and had the audacity to contact the emperor through abnormal means. Albert had lost words trying to describe his impression of it.

One side told him this was an inappropriate behavior made by an egotistical vassal, but the other side told him about the potential of this situation.

Although they were isolationists, elves of Calenon were still considered a vassal of the empire, thus their annual situation was reported back to the emperor, but because he was sick, the news was given to Albert instead.

He knew about the mysterious stone-cold princess, at least what was given to him by his spies. Elves talked about her beauty and her cunning demeanor all the time. When the nobles met her during an official visit, such was the case when Count-Elector Reinhardt of Westmarch. The count recalled her interaction with the princess as like talking to an adult noble who understood the weight carried by each word, even though she was only 8 at the time.

Regardless of the sender, having a vassal, no less an elector, engaging diplomatically with a rival of the empire would mean something nefarious was in the shadows. While being an imperial prince, Albert wasn't entitled to the title of emperor. The only legitimate way he could continue his father's legacy-if he died-was being elected emperor by the most electors, which included Calenon.

After thinking thoroughly, he had something in mind to help the young princess, and something he wanted from her in return. A signature of a new mutual cooperation.

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The Silveril forest always had a gloomy atmosphere, it was due to the climate, which meant Silveril rarely had a day without massive clouds covering the sky and the sun. The lack of sun however, seemed to motivate Sera more as she rode her horse through the dirt road that leads deeper into the forest. Behind her, was her father watching, closely following her trotting horse. She had only learned horsemanship some time ago, but she had already managed to skillfully control her horse.

Sera looked livelier than a month ago when she was possessed by someone proclaiming to be her father. Yohan had closely watched her ever since for any other signs that might hint at the girl's biological father. She had recovered the day after that night, but Yohan took the time to restore her to maximum fitness before making the journey to Silveril. His heart weighed heavier the closer he rode to the mountain.

They eventually arrived at their location. A large elven fortress concealed behind the myriad of trees and guarded closely by a hundred elven guards, one of the continent's finest warriors. The walls were made in accordance to elven principal architecture, that is, focusing more on aesthetic value rather than pragmatic ones. However, they were covered by runes made by green vines, a sign that this place was guarded closely by a druid.

The two armed warriors guarding the front gate immediately noticed the pair and then promptly crossed their dual-blades, preventing them from moving inside.

"Halt!"

"What's your business here humans?!"

The two guards yelled loudly at them.

Sera had stopped her horse abruptly, making it feel agitated and screeched loudly. It was only until she patted the neck a couple of times that the horse managed to calm down. She hadn't noticed her father's horse was in front of her, blocking her from the guards.

"We are here to meet with Master-Keeper Zani, guards"

The left guard glanced at his comrade at his side, to which she responded with a head shake.

"Lies! Lady-Master Zani had no appointment today. She received no prior message regarding any business!" The left guard stated.

"You better state your true reason here! Or else…" The pair of guards readied their weapons and took a stance.

"Like I said before, I'm here to meet with your commander. I am not seeking any conflict" Yohan raised his hand to the air, but still the guards didn't budge.

"Out with it, then! If you do not move in the counts of three, then we shall apprehend You immediately!" The right guard stated while moving closer in sync with her partner to the left.

"One….two….thr-"

"Halt! Halt! Halt!" Someone from inside the fortress called. The sound was heard louder the more time it was repeated. "Stand down! Alisia! Hinthor!"

The two guards snapped when their names were called and promptly put away their weapon and moved back to their original position.

Sera watched as the two guards moved in sync, turning their back against her father before stomping at their original position and went back to their usual stone form. She watched as an old elf lady came from the gate. Her hair was white, whiter than her eyes, which had scar marks around them.

"Yohan!"

"Syrill!"

Yohan hopped down from his horse only to be immediately greeted by a warm hug. He wrapped his arm around her, committing every feeling he had to it. She did the same, the old hands didn't restrict them from having an intimate moment.

The two guards were flabbergasted, they almost broke their stone face. But, quickly, they reverted back to normal, or at least tried to while watching their grandmaster hugging a non-elf.

Sera had the same reaction, only this time, she opened her mouth longer than the pair of guards. There's something inside her growing more strongly the more she saw her father with a strange woman. Was it jealousy?

Before long, the two broke away while both their hands clasped against one another.

"We should get you to a room" She said, staring intently at the pair of eyes opposite of hers.

"Lead the way, then"

Zani led the two across the main courtyard of the fortress, where guards sparred against one another, unarmed. They received a couple eyes on them as no humans had ever entered this fortress. Sera moved closer to her father as they received a couple more side eyes from the people inside.

"Where's her highness?" Yohan asked while looking around.

"She is off hunting north of here, shouldn't be back until dusk"

Sera couldn't take her eyes off the training guards. The way their move managed to capture her eyes. They were fighting, yet they danced at the same time. The flow of each strike, accompanied by the rhythmic steps was enough to create something more beautiful than just a simple martial strike, it managed to create art.

Yohan noticed his daughter kept looking at the trainees and spoke to her as they neared a side building where Zani had led them.

"Why don't you take a closer look at them, Sera? You seem interested"

Sera nodded "Yes father!", before turning away to move closer to the training ground.

Zani signaled the training instructor who nodded back at her. Satisfied, Zani and Yohan both went inside together and Yohan closed the door behind him.

He then leaned at the door as Zani crossed her arms and sighed.

"Care to explain about her?"

She pointed her head slightly to the open window where he saw her daughter watching the training closely, unaware that she was being looked at.

"I adopted her three months ago, she is sweet isn't she?" Yohan's face lit up when talking about her daughter, yet Zani kept frowning.

"I already know about the gardener's new adopted daughter's, what I want to know is what she is" She looked at him with an inquisitive face, something he responded with a dark face.

"She's a vampire"

"Here? In daylight?"

"That's why she is special! The first time I met her, i also had the same thought"

"Yohan…" Zani looked up again, this time with a dread in her face. "Could it be…that…she is…her child?"

"I can't confirm it, but that same smile, the same hair color too…"

"By the moon" Zani covered lower part in surprise "But how is she only 9? We saved her mother 45 years ago!"

"That is something that prevented me from coming to your conclusion, it played through my mind these three months…" Yohan glanced back out the window to see her daughter watching the guards, they were jogging across the yard at a synchronized pace. "It could be because we don't know anything about vampiric pregnancy…"

"If she is her daughter, then is he…her father?"

"It is true, I could confirm it"

Her fear could not longer be hidden, her eyes opened widely when he said that.

"How?!"

"He possessed her for a moment, I think that was the first time he realized he had a daughter too"

"Then she is not safe…, we are not safe Yohan"

"You are too paranoid, love"

"I am not!" Zani slammed the table in front of her. "Have you forgotten how close we were to death when we fought him?"

"That was during a blood moon! Such a thing won't happen again for centuries"

"How could you know that?! Do you know when the next one will be? Precisely? What if it happened right tomorrow? Could you guarantee the safety of-"

Before Zani could continue, she found her mouth being covered by his. It lasted only for a few seconds but after he broke away, Zani was calm, or more accurately had no idea what to do. Although Yohan broke the kiss, he didn't lean away further from her.

"Listen to me" He said with a sharp gaze on her. "I know…I understand your concern, that is why, we should train her to be a warrior"

"You're going to use her? You're going to make this child into a weapon to kill her own father?"

"I don't have any choice Syrill! When we were at our prime, we didn't even manage to kill him, now we are both old, I don't even think we could even be near him without dying!"

"This could backfire, horribly"

"Yes, definitely. But that's why we should instill in her a strong sense of justice"

Zani looked at the child I questioned, the guards had finished their jogging session and moved on to intensive physical training.

"So…you came here to ask me about that…" Zani's face immediately dropped once she learned of Yohan's true intention.

"I'm asking you to teach her like you teach her highness. She could stay with me three days of the week, but she should be here for the other four."

"I assume you're teaching her about being an assassin, yes? Then I'm going to rough her up, put her in the same regime as her highness"

Yohan's face came back to normal, sighing and leaning forward again towards Zani.

"I trust you completely, Syrill"

"The feeling is mutual, Love"