That same day, Natra’s crown princess, Falanya Elk Arbalest, visited the detached royal villa. Willeron Palace was the royal family’s primary residence, and as the seat of government, it knew constant foot traffic. The villa was thus built as a quiet getaway. Excluding emergencies, only the royal family, necessary staff, and several high officials were permitted entry. With just a single step, one entered a silent space seemingly frozen in time.
And for the past several years, it had been a site of recuperation for a certain individual.
“How about here, Father?”
Falanya placed fresh flowers by the window as spring sunshine flowed into the room.
“Yes, that’s good. The wind will carry their fragrance,” replied a voice from the chamber’s center.
A man in the prime of life lay in bed. He vaguely resembled Wein and Falanya, and this was no coincidence. Owen was their father and Natra’s convalescent king.
“Ah, what a gentle spring scent. You picked these out yourself, didn’t you?”
“Of course. They’ll brighten up your room, Father.”
“I’m fortunate to have such a thoughtful child.”
Owen smiled at his dear daughter, but it felt tired. His body couldn’t muster a full grin.
Father…
Owen had been delicate since birth, and his health worsened after an abrupt change in climate several years ago. The king had relinquished his government duties to Falanya’s older brother, Wein, to spend his time recuperating. However, his current appearance made it painfully obvious he was still far from well.
“Don’t frown so, Falanya.”
Her face must have betrayed her emotions. Falanya straightened up, and Owen’s next words were gentle.
“I’m honestly doing well. I’m growing more able to walk, and I’m sure I’ll stand before our people again someday. Besides, I refuse to die before your wedding day. My Myrabelle, my dearly departed wife, would be furious if I didn’t bring word of the ceremony.”
Anyone could tell Owen was putting on a brave front. Nonetheless, Falanya refused to snub her father’s kind efforts.
“…He-he, you’re right. I have to become a bride so I can watch you burst into tears.”
“That’s already a given. I might not look it, but I cry at the drop of a hat.”
The two exchanged small grins.
“Well then,” Owen said. “What shall we discuss today? Last time I recounted how Myrabelle and I fell in love.”
During Falanya’s visits, she usually shared her day-to-day life, while Owen recounted his own public and private history. The princess always came with something fresh and exciting to talk about, but as a bedridden king, Owen was running dry of topics.
As he pondered what to discuss next, Falanya made a request.
“Please tell me more about Wein, Father.”
“Wein?” he asked in surprise. “Needless to say, you understand him just as well as I do.”
“I… I thought so. The people and I praise him as kind,” she said. “But I’ve recently wondered if maybe the Wein I know is only one part of him. I’ve investigated all his political moves since becoming regent, hoping to learn his motives…”
“And you’ve seen a side of Wein you didn’t expect?”
Falanya nodded.
At first glance, Wein’s tactics appeared to have the nation’s best interests at heart. However, more digging revealed cutthroat choices that disregarded the citizens’ well-being. Of course, Falanya had no intention of condemning Wein over this. Still, his precise, analytical methods, capable of calculating even others’ emotions, cut a stark contrast against the compassionate brother the princess knew.
“That is why I wish to know what you think of him, Father.”
“Hmm…” Owen mused as he observed his daughter’s earnestness. “Before I answer, let me ask one thing. If I share my opinion, what will you do with it, Falanya?”
“Huh…?”
Falanya stared in surprise, for she was caught off guard.
Owen clarified. “You’re aware that people are multifaceted, correct? Wein is no exception. In other words…That’s all there is to it. Even if he’s hiding a fierce nature, that doesn’t mean his love for you is a lie. Why exactly are you so fixated on this?”
“W-well, I—”
She scrabbled for an answer.
Why?
Her father’s question forced her to recognize that she lacked an answer. What was Falanya after? Initially, she delved deeper to confirm her brother’s good heart.
“I’m not going to criticize Wein. I’ll help if you’re concerned, but that may change if you plan to use the information against him.”
“…”
Owen seemed to be admonishing Falanya, and she fell into thought.
As she came to understand her brother, his mysterious figure became clearer. It was like peering into an abyss that chilled Falanya to the core. However, this research was never meant to challenge him. There was another reason, one she couldn’t put into words.
Wein is kind. He loves his people and nation. Falanya told herself this to ward against anxiety that would otherwise consume her.
But if, by some chance, that wasn’t the case…
A servant entered the room.
“Please excuse me for interrupting your pleasant chat. Princess Falanya, Prince Wein has called for you. It’s urgent, so he requests that you hurry.”
“Wein did?”
Falanya’s brother couldn’t have overheard the discussion, but it was a surprise to be summoned by the topic of conversation himself.
“It must be quite important. You should get going, Falanya.”
“Oh, um…”
“What’s wrong? We can resume this anytime.”
At Owen’s insistence, Falanya agreed to leave. She bowed to her father and scurried out of the room.
He watched her leave, then murmured to himself in the quiet chamber, “My opinion of Wein?” he considered this with some consternation. “What do I say? ‘He’s a dragon in human form’?”
“…An invitation to a ceremony in Delunio?”
Falanya, back in Wein’s palatial office, tilted her head.
“Yeah. A messenger stopped by a little while ago,” the prince replied from the chair opposite her. Ninym stood next to him, holding Delunio’s missive. “The ceremony will celebrate the second anniversary of our alliance.”
The Delunio and Soljest kingdoms lay to the west of Natra. Previously, a trade conflict and growing concern over Natra’s rapid progress prompted Delunio to ally with Soljest and conspire to attack the northern nation. However, Wein’s tactics foiled their plans, and total responsibility was placed upon the ringleader, the prime minister of Delunio. He fell from power, and the three countries later reconciled in a loose alliance.
“The ceremony itself isn’t unusual, but I doubt they just want to celebrate,” Wein explained. “Falanya, what do you think Delunio is after?”
Falanya briefly mulled over her brother’s question. “To demonstrate the strength of the alliance both domestically and abroad?”
Wein nodded. “You got it. If Delunio holds a ceremony with all three representatives, it’ll renew the citizens’ faith in the alliance and deter foreign threats… Anything else?”
“Huh? Umm…”
Wein often tested Falanya with questions but rarely demanded further clarification once she found the correct answer. The princess’s mind spun in a frenzy.
“I’ll give you a hint. Try comparing Delunio’s current situation to Natra’s and Soljest’s.”
“Its current situation…”
This query would have stumped Falanya not long ago. However, the political opportunities Wein provided allowed her to mentally compare Natra, Delunio, and Soljest and reach a conclusion.
“By hosting the ceremony, they want to make a name for themselves within the alliance?”
Wein grinned. “Exactly. Sharp thinking, Falanya.” She beamed at her brother’s praise. The prince looked at his little sister as he continued. “Natra has been on the rise the past few years, and Soljest is as strong as ever. Delunio, by comparison, is falling behind. No, to be honest, it’s been going downhill since the last prime minister’s exile.”
“…”
Falanya scrunched her face. She had a vague inkling why, and Wein knowingly proceeded without comment.
“Their villainous prime minister pulled the strings before, but now the king and his vassals can take their newfound authority and normalize the nation… In a perfect world, anyway. Unfortunately, governance isn’t so easy. From what I’ve heard, the king listens to his new prime minister blindly, and this one is pretty terrible at his job.”
“…And that’s why they need to hold a ceremony.”
The alliance with Natra and Soljest kept Delunio afloat. If Delunio aspired to maintain the status quo, neither neighbor could overshadow it. This ceremony was part of their strategy.
“Now, here comes the real issue,” Wein began. “We could decline the invite if we want to snub the three-way accord, but Natra has no plans to break things off yet. So I figure we play along. The problem is… My vassals will give me a piece of their mind again if I try to leave now.”
“Ah… You mean…” Falanya heard about Wein being adopted by Ulbeth’s representative Agata. She also knew the vassals weren’t too happy about it. Knowing that, Wein had obviously called Falanya here because…
“Yes. I’d like you to attend the ceremony in my place, Falanya.”
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