"I should have brought this out to begin with. I'm sorry you went through that, Grandmother.", Princess Klaudia said, still feeling sad.
"A letter...", Colonel Bright uttered, seeing an open letter now in Princess Klaudia's hands. She nodded at his words, and passed it over to Queen Alicia.
"It is. Please read it, Grandmother.", Princess Klaudia said, urging her to read it. As she passed it along, she did a quick sweep of the room, and landed on Hilda. Feeling her intent, Hilda could only nod her head in response. Princess Klaudia didn't even have to utter a single word for Hilda to know what she was trying to say.
All Hilda did was usher the couple of maids with her out of the room, with her included. Now, it was just Queen Alicia, Princess Klaudia, General Morgan, and Colonel Bright. All to whom Naoto has forged a connection with. Hilda too, but she had to direct the maids out.
Holding the letter in her hand, Queen Alicia began to read it.
'To my dearest Princess Klaudia, I hope this letter reaches you well and that both you and our bird friend Sieg are in good health. I do not know whether or not I will take up Falconry as a hobby now that I have Tama. And speaking of that, I will have to introduce Tama to you later.', The letter started. Queen Alicia wondered if this was Naoto's handwriting. She hadn't seen him write before as when she met him, he was still far too young. But now is another story. Queen Alicia wondered how much he learned in this time spent apart, but she continued reading the letter in silence. She raised her eyebrows as she kept reading it.
'That is beside my intent I bring you in this latest letter. It is regrettable to say, but this will be my last letter to you for the time being. Sad, right? It will be quite hard to have an open path of communication for these next few years. I cannot disclose where I am now, but I am sending you this letter after the fact of the events that have transpired. As for Grandmother, she will likely come to learn what has happened to my home. Grandmother, if you are reading this, I am sorry.', The letter continued.
Seeing this next part, Queen Alicia chuckled.
'Ufufu, it's almost like you wrote this wanting both of us to read this letter. Perhaps I overreacted for nothing...', Queen Alicia thought to herself while going over those words. Still, she continued reading the rest.
'But mark my words. I WILL be back. I will be back to reclaim what is rightfully mine. The Shining Ring, among other things. If you see weird people trying to claim that it isn't me, do not let them. As for my parting words, tell Grandmother that I have decided to enroll at Jenis Royal Academy for my first year of studies when I turn fifteen. I hope you plan to do the same. Stay well, Princess Klaudia.', The letter wrote, concluding its message.
'So you've decided to study there after all, how nice.', Queen Alicia thought, seeing the letter finish. She saw that most of it was addressed to her granddaughter. Queen Alicia even saw the official stamp of the Phoenix on the bottom right of the letter, making it official. Naoto even went a step further, putting a thumb print marked with his own blood. Seeing this, Queen Alicia knew this was the real deal. It couldn't have been faked.
"Naoto, you really are something...", Queen Alicia uttered to herself. Still, she smiled at her own foolishness. "I probably look silly now, don't I? I did not think I would receive a sudden faint spell after learning what happened."
"I really am sorry, Grandmother...", Princess Klaudia said, still teary-eyed. Hearing this, Queen Alicia smiled.
"Oh you aren't the one to be blamed for this, little Klaudia. It just goes to show that even with the entire country riding on my shoulders, even someone like me can break down if pushed enough. If anything, it's my fault.", Queen Alicia responded, leaning toward Princess Klaudia, and wiped her tears away with her hand.
Unexpectedly, everyone saw Queen Alicia rise up from the bed, acting as if she had already regained her strength despite collapsing earlier. It was more of an attack on the mind, compared to something striking her body. She had learned that her younger sister's son, Naoto, had his home burned down by a group of Jaegers. She saw Naoto as her own grandson, so how could she not react to this news?
Thankfully, the letter told Queen Alicia that Naoto was all fine and well. She wondered where he was now, considering Naoto couldn't disclose his current location to them.
Both General Morgan and Colonel Bright became surprised seeing Queen Alicia begin to lift her body up from the bed, appearing as if she was wanting to get off the bed.
"Your Majesty, should you really be moving around like that so quickly? You just recovered. We can't afford another collapse. Our physician informed us that if you suffer another one, you might become unfit to rule the throne.", General Morgan said, showing both seriousness and worry in his eyes.
"Oh please, General Morgan. I am already feeling as fit as a fiddle! I do apologize for this blunder of mine. I have enjoyed this rest very much. I'm just bursting with energy!", Queen Alicia said, smiling at everyone.
"But...", General Morgan still tried to say. Contrary to his worry, Queen Alicia did actually feel energized, despite collapsing earlier. It wasn't physical damage. She easily stood up from the bed, and managed to stand up. Princess Klaudia smiled seeing her grandmother now standing.
"No buts, General. There is a more pressing matter to discuss. I am feeling quite fine. Come now.", Queen Alicia suddenly said, urging the two to follow her.
"Would it happen to be related to our enemies lurking in the shadows?", Colonel Bright asked.
"Hmm, there is that, isn't there? We've already received intel that Erebonia is currently mobilizing. While we do not know their number, we did learn that they have new orbal tanks in the making by the Reinford Group. A lot of them were purchased by their Nobles. And yes, while this did in fact happen, what I want to discuss is not related to that. It is a different matter.", Queen Alicia answered.
"It's about Brother Naoto, isn't it?", Princess Klaudia questioned, drawing the two's gaze to her.
"Naoto...So this is about that little boy who came with General Osborne a few years ago. My daughter Estelle quite liked him. The two played around the castle a lot before that banquet started, haha!", Colonel Bright responded with a laugh.
"...Indeed. I was taken aback that he could open the Treasury too. I know more than you do, Cassius. That boy is still a mystery to both of us. Most of his files are locked away, even to someone of my rank. Just who is he, Your Majesty?", General Morgan asked, also interested.
"There was a reason for that, General. Colonel. Before I provide you my answer, you two remember that I once had a sister, correct? She wasn't too deeply attached to the throne. I wasn't either at the time. Little Klaudia here would have had her father ascend the throne if it weren't for that accident. But life happens, and I was the one who succeeded it.", Queen Alicia began to say.
"Lady Aurora? She passed away a few years back. We marked it as a national-level secret, so you wouldn't likely know of this, Colonel Bright. She rarely showed herself in courts. She had little interest in it. What are you suggesting here, Your Majesty?", General Morgan asked, frowning.
"That's right. I am glad to see Naoto holding such ambition, even though it was just through a piece of paper. As his Grandmother, I couldn't be happier. He has every right to lay claim to the throne. The boy you met five years ago is my late sister's son. Through some twisted fate, she took a fancy to General Osborne. They had a child together. Due to the disparity of their ages, I simply decided to call Naoto my Grandson. It is easier that way.", Queen Alicia stated. She quite dropped the bombshell of a news on them. Even Cassius had shock in his eyes.
"That boy is Her Highness's child!?", Colonel Bright exclaimed, showing visible shock.
"I do not lie. As accursed as Naoto's blood might be, he is, at the end of the day, an Auslese. Just like me. Just like Princess Klaudia here. And with what I just read, his safety is confirmed for the time being. We do not know his whereabouts, but Naoto stated that he will return to us.", Queen Alicia responded. Her eyes were completely serious this time. The two even felt a cold chill run down her spine. It was very rare to see Queen Alicia this serious. "And so, I will make a declaration right here and now, with both the Goddess Aidios as witness, and members of the Royal Army."
"...A declaration, you say, Your Majesty?", General Morgan asked after pausing in silence for a moment. He wanted to not ask as to what it would be, but at the same time, he was interested.
"Yes. Although it will not be official until Naoto makes his return to us, from this moment forth, I declare Naoto von Auslese the next Crown Prince of Liberl. He will be one to rise to the throne after me!", Queen Alicia declared, even causing Princess Klaudia next to be surprised upon hearing that declaration.
"W-W-WHAT!?", General Morgan exclaimed, finally losing his cool demeanor for the first time. His voice was loud enough to reach beyond the Queen's private quarters, making the maids who were cleaning the terrace nearby to look on in confusion...