Alara steps forward again and speaks.
"Lady Tessa, I suggest that you quit trying to overturn this outcome. I unilaterally refuse to be reinstated ahead of Ilina in the royal succession. Even if I were reinstated in the royal family, I will not be the next Queen." (Alara)
Tessa looks at Alara in shock, but Darak is the first to ask a question.
"Princess Alara, may I ask why you agreed to such a wager at the time? You stood nothing to gain, and you clearly believe at present that you're no match for Princess Ilina." (Darak)
Alara nods her head sadly.
"First, the royal family was not aware of Ilina's strength at the time. I still believed her to be completely defenseless. Second, Mizuki offered to face me in a deathmatch if I beat Ilina. He can't use magic, so I considered it a virtual execution. He even convinced Lady Nedonera to pledge that, if he died in the deathmatch, she would never retaliate and would resolve the demon crisis." (Alara)
All eyes turn to me, and Darak looks especially thoughtful. Helena begins laughing hysterically.
"Hahahahahaha…oh my, so in other words, Mizuki played every one of you for a fool, eh? Fufufufu…to think that you orchestrated an entire succession change with no power of your own. Tell me, Mizuki, how long were you planning that?" (Helena)
"Lady Helena, I'm sure you give me entirely too much credit. I merely acted in each moment, proposing what I thought would be best for everyone and serve my Lady's interests. Everyone's actions were their own – I didn't force anything." (Mizuki)
Helena snorts in disbelief at my response, and Tessa tries to jump on the opportunity.
"My Queen, even Helena is convinced that Mizuki tampered in our very line of succession – there can be no greater crime. Surely, you believe that he should be dealt with accordingly?" (Tessa)
Helena interjects first.
"Fufufu…what crime, Tessa? Even if I thought that Mizuki knew exactly how the whole thing would play out from the day he arrived, it wouldn't be a crime. He never stepped one toe out of line. Princess Alara's destructive actions were repeatedly met with generous offers from him. She eagerly accepted those offers, and this was the outcome. We have no right to contest any decisions we've heard today. Can anyone convincingly argue otherwise?" (Helena)
There is a telling silence from the nobles. Elira capitalizes on it.
"Excellent…then can we finalize Ilina's rise to First Princess, and Alara's new noble house? If so, we will proceed with the royal announcement tomorrow, and the celebration of Ilina's new role." (Elira)
There is a round of exasperated assent from the nobles. Tessa sits in angry silence for several moments, but eventually gives her begrudging assent as well.
"If that is my Queen's decision, so it shall be. However, I note that today's events have only demonstrated just how much of a threat to the Elven Kingdom the human Mizuki intends to be. His hostile actions towards Princess Alara are alarming. I hope it's clear that his position among our people needs to be reconsidered, and you all keep that in mind when we discuss the permanence of his presence tomorrow evening." (Tessa)
My time to shine.
"I believe that you're mistaken, Lady Tessa. I'm sure you can point to no hostile actions from me. If fact, even after all the events that have transpired, Lady Nedonera and I have already offered to aid Princess Alara in her new life as a noble. It is one of two requests I wished to make of Queen Elira today." (Mizuki)
Everyone's eyes snap to me in surprise, even Elira's.
"Mizuki, are you serious!? You truly want to lend Alara your aid after what she's done!?" (Elira)
"Of course. As I have said before, I don't hold grudges, and I think it's important to be reasonable to those that are friendly to you. Alara's initial transgressions were counteracted by her exit from the royal family, so that matter is settled. By contrast, she's been generous in her interactions with us recently, so we offered to help her develop any new territory without strings attached. Her desire to protect the elves seems sincere, so I only see it helping the Kingdom in the long run if her territory flourishes." (Mizuki)
Everyone in the room is stunned, except Alara and my group.
"Fufufu…what Mizuki says is true, and I confess that I was just as shocked at first. I no longer think he's the threat that I once considered him, for what it's worth. This was my opinion even before he offered me aid, and it's only clearer now." (Alara)
Elira is practically dazed, but she manages to follow up.
"Uhm…Mizuki, what were the requests you wanted to make of me?" (Elira)
"Oh, that's simple enough, and I doubt anyone here would object to it. If you're going to grant a portion of the undeveloped western lands to Princess Alara, could you grant a specific area that she asks for? I recommended a particular area to her that I think would help her a lot at the start of development." (Mizuki)
"Well, yes, consider your request granted. Honestly, I was considering giving her the option to choose her territory anyway. You said two requests, though, what's the other?" (Elira)
"Ah…that. Well, you see, as Lady Tessa has just made very clear, not all the nobles intend to tolerate my presence here. This is perfectly reasonable to me, and if everyone wants me gone, or one of the nobles removes me in accordance with your policies, I have no issue leaving. However, I'd like to avoid another situation like with Princess Alara – scenarios where someone attempts to remove me or members of my Lady's party through more unsavory means." (Mizuki)
Elira grimaces.
"Yes…I'm sorry again for that. Obviously, everyone here is already aware that I forbid such actions. If compelling evidence is brought forward that they knowingly violated my orders, they would be punished in accordance with our country's policies. Did you have a more specific request?" (Elira)
Elira looks a little nervous, so I think she knows what I'm getting at.
"Yes, Queen Elira. The fact that I have no official rights under your policies was already brought up as a justification for ignoring hostilities against me. My request is simply that you declare exactly how I, as a royal guest and subordinate of Lady Nedonera, will be considered under your existing policies if I'm the victim of any future hostilities in your country. This way, there can be no argument of the appropriate actions thereafter." (Mizuki)
Tessa is quick to try and intervene.
"Queen Elira, there is need for you to yield to such a demand. Your word is law. If anyone in Lady Nedonera's party is unwilling to submit to elven law, then they are not being forced to stay in our country and can leave." (Tessa)
Elira is obviously irritated by Tessa's comment.
"Tessa, it was a request, not a demand. Furthermore, Mizuki made no specific request about what I decree, just that I make my wishes clear and official to everyone here. I think it's a reasonable request, and I intend to grant it. I'm glad you pointed out that my word is law, because that's my decision, and I won't hear any argument from any of you. You've been given quite a lot of voting rights lately, but not with this. I demand silence while I deliberate." (Elira)
Everyone falls silent obediently, and Elira appears deep in thought for several minutes. Eventually, she sighs deeply and makes her wishes known.
"From this day forward, I decree that any approved travelers to the Elven Kingdom will, regardless of race, be given the minimum rights of an elf in the specific cases of personal victimization. Furthermore, due to their immense power and influence, I henceforth equate every Elder Dragon to a ruler of a foreign country. As such, and when in our country with royal approval, their escorts will be equated to nobles in the specific cases of personal victimization. My word on this is final, and it will be publicized tomorrow." (Elira)
I see Tessa fuming, and Jorah too, but they say nothing. The other nobles look surprised, and a little wary, but not upset. I give a deep, appreciative bow to Elira.
[Thanks, Elira, I'll consider that a personal favor that you're welcome to cash in on later. I know it's a hassle for you.] (Mizuki)
I see the traces of a satisfied smile on Elira's face.
"Thank you for decreeing my allowances under your country's laws, Queen Elira, I greatly appreciate it. So, to clarify, if I am the victim of assassination attempts again, and the culprit is evident, he or she would be forced into labor, exiled, or executed, even if they were a noble? By contrast, if I were to violate any of your policies myself, even minor ones, you are free to punish me however severely you see fit?" (Mizuki)
Elira smiles and nods.
"That's correct. In your example, though, if any of the nobles here try to assassinate you, there will be only one punishment – execution. To attempt such a thing after all my warnings warrants only the most severe consequences. However, the evidence will need to be incredibly clear in such a case – something where their guilt can't be doubted. I will not be punishing a noble so severely on mere suspicion." (Elira)
I glance at Tessa, and she's smiling maliciously at me. I think I know why, too, and it makes me excited.
"I understand, but I suppose that is somewhat troubling. Unless a noble were to send their personal guard to assassinate me, like Princess Alara, it would be difficult to be sure of their guilt. An assailant could lie about the person behind their crimes or claim they were independent, and any hired mercenaries may have no knowledge of their employer." (Mizuki)
Elira nods, and Tessa directs a smug grin at me.
"That is our Queen's law, Mizuki, and you are free to leave if it concerns you." (Tessa)
Elira looks annoyed and concerned by Tessa, but her hands are tied. That's okay, we prepared a fix for this.
[Alright, Nina, you're up.] (Mizuki)