The next morning, we are back in the main square outside the palace, in front of a sea of elves once again. This time, my group and I are standing out of the spotlight, next to the nobles. Instead, Elira, Alara, and Ilina are the center of attention.
Alara looks quite apprehensive, and I don't blame her…this will be rough. I feel more empathy for her with every passing day. I sigh deeply.
[Hey Alara, just hang in there! I can't believe I'm saying it, but it pains me to see you this upset. Would offering you another favor improve your mood?] (Mizuki)
Surprise registers on her face, then I see her smile softly. She shakes her head subtly, but the smile stays on her face.
If some encouragement was all it took, that's no price at all. Besides, I have bigger plans for her and her territory the more that I think about it. Best to foster some goodwill with her when possible.
Elira walks in front of them with her magic megaphone.
"People of the Elven Kingdom, welcome to the official royal announcement!" (Elira)
A round of cheers rings out from the crowd briefly, and Elira waits for them to die down.
"Before we begin the main announcement, I have a few statements prepared! Everything that you will hear today, as before, was disclosed to your respective noble lords and ladies, and they support their Queen's decisions! First, henceforth all approved travelers in our country, regardless of race, will be entitled to basic elven justice if they are the victim of a crime!" (Elira)
Elira pauses as the crowd begins murmuring. They don't seem fearful or agitated, just surprised.
"Second, it has come to my attention that Lady Nedonera and her escorts are not properly recognized under our countries existing policies. So, I decree that, due to their immense power and influence, Elder Dragons will now be treated as foreign rulers under our laws, and their escorts as foreign nobles! As such, they will be entitled to the same justice as elven royals or nobles if they are the victims of a crime while lawfully visiting our country!" (Elira)
The crowd murmurs as before, but this time they seem to be less surprised. That makes sense, they probably already viewed Nina as a kind of queen, based on their interactions with her until now. I'm guessing they haven't fully realized that this decree also makes a semi-noble human.
"Now that these decrees have been made, let us proceed to the royal announcement! It is my duty to inform you, the people, that there has been a change in the royal succession!" (Elira)
The crowd erupts in nervous chattering, and after several minutes it has not waned. Elira raises her hand, and it slowly dies down.
"This matter was decided by a voluntary challenge in single combat, so there can be no doubt of succession rights based on strength! Furthermore, all parties involved support the outcome, and there is no ill will within the royal family! All noble houses also support the new line of succession. From this day forth, allow me to introduce you to First Princess Ilina Ophelle, future Queen of the Elven Kingdom!" (Elira)
The crowd absolutely loses it…in a good way. In less than a minute, chants of Ilina's name are ringing out across the crowd. She's been more popular than Alara for over a decade, basically since she was old enough to interact with the public, and it shows. Without concerns for her strength or royal strife, they embrace her fully.
Elira hands the magic megaphone to Ilina, who looks more than a little nervous. As she prepares to speak, the crowd quiets.
"Elven people, thank you very much for your generous support! It's my greatest wish to live up to your expectations in my future role as Queen, and to further the safety and prosperity of the Elven Kingdom and its people!" (Ilina)
Applause rings out from the crowd, and Ilina returns the magic megaphone to Elira.
"Regarding Princess Alara Ophelle, she will be leaving the royal family and starting a new noble house. She will be granted her own territory amid the undeveloped lands, stretching from the western coast to Avalon. In addition, she will be granted royal funds to start development of her territory and allowed to hire one royal guard into her service if she chooses." (Elira)
Shocked whispering breaks out intensely in the crowd, and Elira hands the magic megaphone to Alara. Seeing that she's about to speak, the crowd grows quiet in anticipation.
"I willingly abandon my royal status and name. From this day forth, I am Lady Alara Zuki, noble of the western territory! I vow to develop that land into a place where elves can prosper and live happily! Beginning in the next few weeks, a natural hot spring destination in the mountains of my territory, complete with lodging, will be open to paying visitors. I'll also have agriculture and construction opportunities available for those interested in a fresh start!" (Alara)
Wait…Zuki!? She wouldn't…I give Alara a suspicious glare, and she just smiles sheepishly back at me. That elf totally did, she ripped her family name from mine. I'm at least as uncomfortable as I am flattered. I sigh deeply.
Following Alara's declaration, the whispering in the crowd shifts from surprise to curiosity, and I hear the phrase 'hot spring' repeated excitedly several times. I smile to myself…that's a pretty good start. Alara returns the spotlight to Elira.
"My people, this concludes the royal announcement! Shortly, we will open the palace for the royal celebration. Please give a warm welcome to your new First Princess and new noble house!" (Elira)
The crowd breaks out into earnest applause and cheers, and the royal celebration is officially underway.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
Inside the ballroom, my party and I are gather off to the side. Much to Alto's pleasure, and Nina's disappointment, they are not the focus of attention from the common elves.
Instead, it's as if almost half of all the bodies in the ballroom are crowding around Ilina and Elira on the other side of the room. I expected as much…so I made sure to distance myself. Sorry, Ilina.
Alara is on another side of the room…apparently, she had the same idea. However, she's got a small crowd forming around her, and I can see a dumbfounded expression on her face. Even when she was First Princess, she wasn't this popular. Hopefully she doesn't hate the attention.
[Hey, Alara, looks like you're popular today! Feel free to use Alto or me if it helps. My company is repellant to the elves here if you get tired of the attention, and I'm sure Alto could help with questions about the hot springs plans and such.] (Mizuki)
Alara looks surprised, and glances around until she sees me. Then, she nods gratefully. Nice, that takes care of that – she needs to get used to it anyway, so I'm not going to insert myself unless she asks. I glance down to see Alto scanning the crowd nervously – she's next to me and has her arm looped through mine.
"Fufufu…worried that some of your admirers might find you, Alto?" (Mizuki)
Alto maintains her serious expression.
"No…you made quite the impression on the nobles yesterday, Mizuki. I'm worried about them finding you. I think you spoke for too much of the conversation, honestly. Nina barely talked. They still think you're weaker than her, obviously, and would follow her orders. Still, I'm sure you've greatly raised their appraisal of your influence within our group. They're also more aware of your scheming nature now." (Alto)
Scheming nature? I don't know what she's talking about.
"Well, that's a little funny coming from the person who declared her absolute loyalty to me in the first meeting, and explicitly cited me as the only reason you're in Nina's party." (Mizuki)
I feel Alto tense up.
"Fufufu…relax, I'm not upset. I understand why you did it. I appreciated you trying to set an example of how elves could trust me. I was only making the point that it was too late to convince them that I'm without significant influence in our group. However, I do agree about your other point…their too aware of how much I worked behind the scenes to put Ilina in power. Darak and Cara are clever, though, so its discovery was probably unavoidable." (Mizuki)
Alto sighs deeply, but her nervous expression doesn't resolve.
"Fufufu…I think Mizuki is talking as much as he needs to. I can't remember all his schemes in advance, and constant thought messages sounds annoying. I agree about those two elves, though, they recognized what a schemer he is. Cara wants to mate with him, so she won't be a problem, but the old elf has no such desire." (Nina)
Oh? You think so, Nina? How insightful. Nina's comment about Cara is enough to make Alto snap her head towards me in curiosity, then she smirks.
"What, are two wives not enough for you, Mizuki? You need a mistress, too? At this rate, you're seeming much less selective with women. Should Zara and I be offended you haven't tried to sleep with us yet?" (Alto)
I roll my eyes at Alto, but Zara gives a flat interjection.
"I'm not going to be offended, I like our relationship how it is." (Zara)
I smirk back at Alto. Why defend myself when I could just make fun of her?
"Thank you, Zara. As for you, Alto, I thought you reproduced by reading books, so I didn't see any point in trying to sleep with you." (Mizuki)
"If only I were so lucky…" (Alto)
I don't get the chance to tell Alto how sad that is, because a voice to our side interrupts my thoughts.
"Good afternoon, Great Dragon, are you enjoying the wine?" (…)
I turn to see a young elven woman with jet black hair, blue eyes, and a form-fitting black dress – it's the elf I presumed to be Darak Zardo's heir at the first nobles meeting. S
he has her arms crossed in front of her, with one hand holding a glass of wine, and she's giving an amused smile to Nina. There's not a trace of nervousness on her face – so she's bold, stupid, or powerful.
Nina is looking at her with a surprised expression. Probably because Nina has already had several glasses of wine, and the woman's comment has a teasing edge to it. Teasing an Elder Dragon about her drinking habits, especially when you have no rapport, is a stupid move.
"More than your company so far. Who might you be little elf?" (Nina)
I'd like to know that, too. A quick magic sense tells me that she's a mid 3 power level, and a high elf. That's impressive, she'd probably evenly match Alto right now.