A/N: I think I keep going back and forth between Saturday and Sunday, but I double checked, and S1200, January 1st, is Saturday. We will be using this timing convention going forward. Happy Trails and happy reading!
*
The rest of the breakfast went off without a hitch. Everyone was merry. Both Princess Alfin and Sherryl talked up a storm after the embarrassment faded. On one side sat Empress Priscilla, Crown Prince Olivert, Prince Cedric, Mueller, Kurt, and Claire, while on our side sat Princess Alfin, me, Aurelia, Roselia, and Sherryl. No one sat at the head of the table, and it remained vacant. A total of eleven people, but the dining table was so long we only occupied a single section of it. Ahh, the perks of being part of a royal family.
As for Crown Prince Olivert, his condition returned to normal once the hangover medicine kicked in. And now, it was around 9:30AM on Saturday. For most, the work week has ended, and it is now the weekend. Princess Alfin and the rest of the schoolgirls attending St. Astraia have until January 9th, next Sunday, before they have to return to school to begin their next term, beginning January 10th. We have an entire week to have fun here in Erebonia, and I am sure Princess Alfin will want to make the most of it.
And with Roselia lurking around to teach Emma and I the forbidden incantation, Lucifen Lied, perhaps Princess Alfin might dabble in a little bit of Magic? She expressed a keen interest in wanting to learn it. She just lacks the Mana Core. But if Roselia could do the same as she did for Aurelia and I, she could do so for Princess Alfin too.
In regard to Crown Prince Olivert, one often forgets how old he is. His demeanor remains youthful, but by the time you play Trails in the Sky, which is in two years' time, he is already twenty-five years old by then. That means he'll be turning twenty-three this year. He was much more in line with Sara Valestein's age, compared to the rest of us. Only Mueller was older than Crown Prince Olivert by three years. He should be twenty-five right now. That was one thing the two had in common. The disparity in their age was quite large. The difference between Crown Prince Olivert and Prince Cedric is twelve years, and the difference between Mueller and Kurt is fifteen years. Kurt's actually the same age as Princess Alfin and Prince Cedric. Talk about crazy, huh?
Each side also had different mothers too. This is much more common when it comes to Nobles and Royalty. Many opt to either have a Missus, or a second or third wife. In their eyes, polygamy was common practice. And I'm pretty much in the same boat. Grandmother permitted me to form that Royal Harem, and it's still in its beginning stages. More girls will be joining it in the next few years. I'm planning to take it slow, but not too slow. You just have to time things right. Both Angelica and Ennea promised not to go overboard already until we're all of age too. And I'm glad it will be that way. There's still five whole years before we can become more intimate with one another.
A lot of that action will likely take place around the time I wrap up my studies at Thors Military Academy~
When it comes to Royalty in particular, having less heirs makes those more secure to sit upon the throne, but it also gives a higher risk of one's bloodline ending if war does break out. To combat that, it isn't farfetched to say that royal families would often have up to five or ten children to secure their future. Liberl works similarly.
While an Emperor of an Empire may designate Nobles to rule pieces of land on the Emperor's behalf through its class system, Liberl is considered a monarchy. It has a sole, designated ruler at any given time. Any government changes would go all the way up to its King or Queen. Its throne offers a much bigger pressure to what I'd consider an Emperor to have, but being an Emperor gives a much more satisfying feeling seeing so many vassals working under you. Contrary to an empire, bloodlines are much more precious to a monarchy, since you only have one ruler. So is it that uncommon to have a harem?
I don't think so, anyway. I thought Grandmother would be more surprised when I proposed such an idea to her, but she permitted it right away. To each their own, but it'll allow me to enjoy some fun time with those around me without having to worry about choosing one over the other.
It still begs the question why Father betrothed Princess Alfin to me. I even received the blessing of Emperor Eugent and Empress Priscilla. It is only a matter of time now when the official ceremony will happen, even if it is years into the future. Right now, Liberl, Ereobnia, and Calvard exist in harmony, and Father will be finalizing the Non-Aggression Pact with Grandmother, so it is possible Father is using this as added security so Liberl and Erebonia don't act out of line again once the pact is official. If that really is the case, then so be it.
Princess Alfin enjoys being around me and I can definitely see us being together in five or six years, so I'm not the one complaining here. I'm just trying to wrap my head around all the undercurrents that are happening because of what happened. If the scales tip ever so slightly, all hell could break loose. It only makes my curiosity grow, wondering how things will play out from here. Things have already derailed from the original timeline enough as it is, and I am beginning to wonder if this is the same line of causality the games tread.
It's a heavy topic to discuss. That's for sure. Too much for now. Around an hour passed since we enjoyed breakfast. Everyone's demeanor grew tremendously during this time, with everyone being their usual selves again. In regard to where Sherryl's thoughts currently lay, I'm glad she's back to normal. She'll have to get used to various shenanigans, if she truly does intend to serve me later on. Apart from Sherryl, I occasionally glanced at Roselia. She remained aloof, entering conversation here and there. She didn't act out of place, thankfully.
Thanks to the cheery atmosphere, the hour passed by. Around ninety minutes to be exact. It was 9:30AM on Saturday now, as I have said. It has been a while since I was able to sit down and enjoy a good, heartfelt breakfast with some of the people I have come to accept as my friends and family. I consider this place my home away from home, and from last night onward, Princess Alfin has learned my true identity as a bastard child. She knows that now, but still accepted the outcome. You couldn't ask for anything better. In comparison to that, the only person who knows that I am a reincarnator is Roselia, and Roselia alone. Even Father doesn't know it, but I wouldn't be surprised at this point if he would find out. He is the Blood and Iron Chancellor for a reason, haha!
I dare not to bring it up with Father. Not unless Father does. Not yet, anyway. Perhaps not until the matters of Immortals shine some light later on during the latter half of the Cold Steel games. I have no intention of dying in such a fashion either. I will pilot Testa-Rossa, alive and well. And if I am forced to choose a side during the Rivalries, I will likely end up fighting alongside Rean and Crow. It all depends whether or not Rean comes to learn that he has a half-brother or not.
Regardless, this breakfast was just what I needed to calm all of these wandering thoughts down. My thoughts are much clearer on how to tread the S1200s, beginning with Trails in the Sky. I will watch the events unfold, enjoy my school life, and pass the Vermillion Trials. During this, I saw Princess Alfin stretch her arms out, only to pat her stomach. I was surprised how she downed all that food, but turns out she was pretty hungry, as everyone else was.
"Everything here was delicious. I give my compliments to our chefs.", Princess Alfin happily said, and clapped her hands together.
"Those are some fair words, my dearest sister. It is much more enjoyable passing the morning with you all like this. I feel like I am in tip-top shape again, haha!", Crown Prince Olivert responded, doing a grin of his own.
"Well, that's fine and dandy, Your Imperial Highness, but I think there is a stack of papers that is calling your name. Need I remind you that unlike Her Imperial Highness, you and I are not on holiday leave. There is plenty of work to be had now that it is the start of the year. Can you act like a grown man for once, and not indulge yourself?", Mueller asked, and sighed. Hearing that, I saw Crown Prince Olivert's demeanor subtly change.
"You needn't remind me of office matters, Mueller my boy. Those stacks of papers never, which never seem to escape Aidios's grasp, will see the light of day. I assure you.", Crown Prince Olivert responded. Despite that, he swirled some water around in a glass like he does with his wine, and downed it, only to proceed to look our way next. "Which is unfortunate to say, Your Royal Highness, but as much as I would like to join you on this next venture, I have prior matters to attend to. Surely you have such experiences back in Liberl, do you not?"
"Haha.", I laughed. "You are not wrong. I have dabbled in governmental affairs back in Liberl, but it is Grandmother who holds the reign for the most part. I only handle what I can handle, but before long, I will be designating this role to someone else. I have already hired a secretary to handle matters on my behalf. In due time you will meet them."
"Oh? You hired someone yourself? It can't just be anyone. I'm curious as to who it is who will handle your affairs from now on.", Princess Alfin mused, wondering who it was.
"As am I. Perhaps we could even share a drink or two, getting to know one another~", Crown Prince Olivert said, returning to his smug grin. That earned another immediate whack from Mueller. "Fine, fine. Point taken. It will be nice to meet them given the chance."
"Yeah. I'll have to return the favor and have you show me around Grancel again~", Princess Alfin happily said, and looked at me. If she wants to drop by for another visit, I won't stop her. We'll see. "But that will be for the time to come. You are busy the rest of today too, right, Mother?"
Hearing that, Empress Priscilla nodded her head.
"I am afraid so. Both Lord Husband and His Excellency have left for business needs. I need to remain behind and attend to duties at the palace. Thankfully, most of it is covered by our maids, but it still requires my presence here. Seeing Olivert is going to be stuck doing his office duties, you will be with him, right, Sir Vander?", Empress Priscilla asked.
"Yes. I will not be able to show you to the Vander Dojo, Your Royal Highness. The timing is unfortunately bad.", Mueller said, and shook his head.
"That is alright. I have been designed to keep a watch over His Royal Highness during his visit here in the capital. Such matters have been left in my care by His Excellency. You can remain at His Imperial Highness's side. I will be the one to guide His Royal Highness out of the palace.", Claire suddenly said, who finally spoke out for the first time, only to look at Kurt next. "And Sir Kurt, was it? You plan to go along with us, right? Has that changed?"
"It has not. I have business to attend to with Father. I am feeling a little out of place here with everyone present though..."< Kurt said, and scratched his cheek a little bit.
"Oh please. You're coming with us and that's final. You are Sir Vander's younger brother. You have as much place here as he does. You might be young like me now, but we'd feel safer knowing there are still more Vanders with us. Right, Naoto?", Princess Alfin asked, and looked at me.
"What Alfin said. I don't see a problem with it. While I do have a prior engagement with Sherryl here, this matter will be handled once we arrive at the dojo. You said you wanted to come with us as well, right, Your Imperial Highness?", I asked and looked at Prince Cedric.
"Of course. Even I caught wind that Miss Sherryl here was a recent winner at those famous martial arts tournaments Her Majesty holds every so often back at Grancel City. I would love to see such a match between you two.", Prince Cedric said, nodding with me. "Plus, it might even give me a glimpse of how the Demon of Thors fights too, should she decide to step in."
"I don't really like being put on the spot...", Sherryl murmured, acting somewhat shy. That only earned another round of laughter from us.
"Well, I wouldn't mind having a bout or two if you all are up for having one. I won't go easy. I would love to see how far you have progressed in your own martial arts, Naoto.", Aurelia said, and nodded. "I do have high expectations of you as well, miss Taito practitioner. Your display a couple years back was a sight to behold."
"You really think so? That means a lot from someone like you.", Sherryl happily said, and smiled. With us sharing some laughs again, that was an indicator that our breakfast was over now.
Claire was kind enough to offer to be a guide for us in replacement of Mueller. Because of that, Her Imperial Majesty, His Imperial Highness and Mueller stood up, excusing themselves from the banquet hall. The maids then carried their now-empty plates after. Not a single piece of food remained. That's how delicious it was.
Now, it was just Aurelia, Roselia, Princess Alfin, Prince Cedric, Sherryl, Claire, Kurt and I. I saw Roselia turn quiet during this exchange, but she stood up, and began to follow the icy, blue-haired maiden who was now guiding us. We didn't go directly outside. No, Claire guided our group to what appeared to be a private orbal garage.
It hasn't been long since orbal vehicles were introduced into the general marketplace, but there were several parked here. It reached the tens. Each one looked very expensive. Each member of the Imperial Family had an exclusive orbal car. There wasn't much to think about this. Princess Alfin dragged us into her own assigned car. It was pearly-white. You even get to see it get used every so often in the Cold Steel games. In particular, when Class VII was escorted to Esmelas Garden.
Inside of it was practically a giant limousine, spacious and luxurious. The seats were very comfy, and we even had a dedicated driver. But Claire acted quick, and took over that spot, relieving the driver of his duties for the time being. Under such pressure, he knew well not to interfere.
Before long, a particular area within Dreichel's Plaza opened up, revealing a sole orbal car which began to drive along the road. Onlookers began to look on, seeing a member of the Imperial Family leave Valflame Palace for the day, wondering where they were heading to.
Well, I'll tell you where. We are heading to the Vander Dojo!