"Queen Elira, it's my understanding that your country sometimes grants permits to members of other non-human races, which allow them to travel and conduct business within your borders. I was wondering if you'd consider granting a similar kind of permit to a dwarf friend of mine...Percivil.
"He'd like to open an enchanted blacksmithing shop in Eden. Would it be possible for him to receive official permission to own property and conduct business in the Elven Kingdom for that purpose? While I'd consider it a personal favor, it's my understanding that this is something that would also greatly benefit your kingdom." (Mizuki)
Elira's eyes widen as I watch her expectantly, but before she can respond, there's the sound of chairs scraping and hands slapping on the table. Then, several incredulous voices overlap at once.
"You convinced a dwarf to come here and make weapons on demand!?" (Helena)
"Wait, when you say here, do you mean Eden? Will Lady Alara's territory be getting its very own source of enchanted items!?" (Darak)
"You want a non-elf to own property in our kingdom!?" (Jorah)
"Seriously, Mizuki!? Percivil reconsidered!?" (Alara)
I blink repeatedly, fixing the nobles with a blank expression for several moments.
"Uhm...I believe the answer to all of your questions is...probably?" (Mizuki)
Ignoring their shocked expressions, I turn to Elira.
"Queen Elira...your decision?" (Mizuki)
Elira's eyes slide away from me thoughtfully, her lips pursed as she sits in contemplative silence for a while.
"I believe that can be arranged...with some conditions." (Elira)
I raise my eyebrows.
"Of course. What conditions might those be?" (Mizuki)
A small smile appears on her lips.
"To ensure that such an unprecedented level of allowance for a non-elf truly benefits the entire kingdom, and not just Alara's territory, this Percivil must agree to reserve 20% of his blacksmithing efforts in the kingdom for royal requests, and at least another 20% for requests from territories other than Alara's.
"He must also accept elven apprentices to learn his craft and expedite the work unrelated to enchantments. Finally, he'll have to pay taxes just like elven businesses. Would that be acceptable?" (Elira)
Hmm...that seems fair, though it's not my decision to make.
I use magic sense to scan for Percivil's location, considering making a request for him to come downstairs to answer Elira's questions directly. However, I'm surprised to find that he's down in the valley.
Huh, I guess he left the mansion for something. No matter...
I bow appreciatively at the expectant Elira.
"I believe those are quite reasonable conditions, but I naturally cannot accept the offer for Percivil. However, I will pass along your conditions and let you know of his decision as promptly as possible, Queen Elira." (Mizuki)
Elira nods.
"Very well. I look forward to his decision." (Elira)
She quickly turns towards the nobles, including a reinvigorated Jorah who looks like he's about to start another round of hysterics. Elira addresses them with a stern voice.
"I'm sure that many of you have concerns, so let me quickly address a few points. First, keep in mind that this is, first and foremost, a favor to our kingdom's valuable ally, Mizuki, and not something meant to appease you all. Second, I will not be insisting where Percivil sets up such a blacksmithing shop or lives. It should be obvious that his presence would benefit our kingdom too much to risk alienating him over something so trivial.
"Finally, given my stipulation that at least 20% of his efforts go towards benefitting those in your territories, I won't hear any dissent about unfairness. I also won't be insisting which of your territories he contributes those blacksmithing efforts to, so...you'd be wise to play nice. Now, with these things in mind, are there any other, reasonable concerns?" (Elira)
Elira sweeps her gaze over those at the table, her eyebrows raised expectantly.
Some of the nobles who have been supportive of Eden, like Darak, Helen, and Cara, relax and let out small smiles upon hearing the details of the arrangement. Tessa frowns, but merely shakes her head with dejected acceptance when Elira's gaze lands on her.
Meanwhile, Alara is staring at me with an excited gleam in her eyes, no doubt thrilled about this revelation after Percivil turned her original offer down.
However, one proud voice, a champion of fairness and noble intentions, really, rings out.
"M-my Queen, regarding giving a non-elf acquaintance of his such freedom within our kingdom, I don't think th-" (Jorah)
Elira cuts Jorah off, her tone becoming flippant.
"Wonderful! It seems there are no more relevant opinions to be heard on the subject of Mizuki's request. In that case, I hereby declare this matter settled." (Elira)
Jorah stutters in shock while several of the nobles try to suppress amused smiles, and I hear Nina chuckling mischievously next to me. Even I raise my eyebrows at the display.
Damn...that's some serious emotional damage. I guess Elira's out of patience with Jorah, not that I blame her. He's been pretty goddamn annoying today.
Jorah looks like he's about to protest, but his son, Zakariah, quickly clasps his shoulder and shakes his head disapprovingly. Seeing this, Jorah remains quiet, his expression equal parts solemn and frustrated, and an awkward silence falls over the room.
After several moments, Elira clears her throat.
"Ehem...well then. As planned, we have now discussed the trains and informed you all about the Empire and Mizuki's...nature. So, let's move on to finalizing the details of our kingdom's initial security measures. How each of your respective territories will be preparing and cooperating in the face of this threat from the Empire." (Elira)
There's a round of assent at the table, some of it begrudging. However, before further discussion can start, Ilina steps forward, her voice polite but firm.
"Actually, my Queen...there's something else important that we should discuss with the nobles today." (Ilina)
Elira's eyebrows raise slightly, her expression thoughtful, but then her face becomes tense.
"Oh? I confess, I'm not aware what you're talking about. What is it you think needs to be discussed right now?" (Elira)
Ilina smiles at her mother apologetically. For a brief moment, her face becomes hesitant, but then she seems to gather her resolve and meets Elira's gaze evenly.
"I believe now is the best time to inform the nobles about my engagement." (Ilina)
The room falls deathly silent, and I watch as Elira's face pales, along with the faces of those who already know to whom Ilina is engaged, but weren't warned of her intentions to reveal it. Namely, King Dargo and Cara.
Meanwhile, slightly caught off guard by the suddenness of this change in topic, my heart begins to race, its pounding reverberating in my ears. There's no turning back now...her people are really going to know the truth about us.
At first, the uninformed nobles around the room all share shocked expressions. But then, their reactions begin to diverge. Tessa and Helena wear confused expressions. Meanwhile, Darak's face remains shocked, but...he slowly turns to stare at me, disbelief overtaking his expression. I stare back at him blankly, listening to the thumping of my own loud heartbeat.
Whelp. I guess he's figured it out.
However, before Darak speaks, Jorah's voice echoes in the room. He's staring at Ilina with an expression that's equally bewildered and excited.
"Princess, you have chosen a husband!? And at such a young age! W-well...I...wait, is it possible that you heeded my advice about Zakariah? I confess, this seems rather sudden..." (Jorah)
Tessa, Helena, and the others caught off guard by Ilina being engaged give Jorah incredulous looks, then glance between a stony-faced Ilina and a bewildered Zakariah, as though wondering if there's any truth to Jorah's inference. Meanwhile, Cara, Alara, Elira and others who know about or suspect my relationship with Ilina wear dumbfounded expressions, staring at Jorah in pained silence.
Yeahhh...he really is an idiot.
Zakariah clears his throat awkwardly, then speaks quietly to Jorah.
"Ehem...Father, you are mistaken. Please be more careful with such declarations in the future..." (Zakariah)
Jorah looks back at Zakariah in surprise, then back at Ilina in confusion. However, Dargo, seemingly the first of those 'in the know' to recover, clears his throat as he directs a nervous gaze at Ilina.
"Ehem...Ilina, dear...is this really the best time or place for such a thing?" (Dargo)
His gaze is insistent...tense...as though he's trying to communicate his concern about Ilina blindsiding them with this reveal. Elira seems to finally compose herself, her tone becoming a bit stern as she glares at Ilina.
"Yes, Ilina, I agree with your father. There's no need to discuss family matters so publicly yet. After all, you are young and there's no rush." (Elira)
Ilina stares back evenly at them both, her gaze unwavering. Her expression seems thoughtful, like she's deciding on the best response. However, before she can respond, Tessa interjects with an incredulous voice, her eyes narrowing at the royal family suspiciously.
"My King, my Queen...with all due respect, I disagree. Princess Ilina's comment implies that she is already unofficially engaged. Since her marriage is something that significantly affects our kingdom, and the balance of power within it, there is absolutely a need to discuss it. Especially so, since we were never informed of any serious courtship involving our new First Princess." (Tessa)
There's a round of assent from the nobles, except Alara, Cara, and Darak, the latter of which is still staring at me with a shocked expression. Helena directs a curious gaze at Ilina.
"I also find it...concerning...that such a courtship has progressed so far without any of us knowing. Princess, have you taken a liking to one of Cara's or Darak's extended family, and they've kept it a secret from the rest of us? I confess, if you're being courted by any normal elf, they will not live long enough to see you rise to power. So an engagement seems...unnecessary, given your age." (Helena)
All eyes in the room turn to Ilina, as Elira's and Dargo's faces tense. They both glance at one another, as if trying to strategize a way to divert this line of conversation, but Ilina speaks up before they can.
"Mother, Father...I apologize for not warning you about this beforehand, but...I've already made up my mind. More time won't change your concerns, only action will, so I'm going to tell them." (Ilina)
The king's and queen's faces widen in shock, but Ilina just nods apologetically. Before they can respond, she turns away from her parents and sweeps her gaze over the nobles, calm and firm. But, I can see a trace of nervousness in her eyes as they settle on Helena.
"To answer your question, Lady Helena – no, I'm not betrothed to a member of Darak's or Cara's extended family, nor a common elf. Instead, the person I'm engaged to...is Mizuki." (Ilina)
The entire room falls deathly silent, and my eyes begin to scan the faces of the nobles as my body tenses. Everywhere I look, there are faces of immense shock. As the silence in the room drags on, all the eyes of those present, from escorts to nobles, slowly begin to focus on me.
Feeling the mood shifting, my gaze naturally drifts to Jorah, who I expect to have a rabid outburst at any moment. However, to my great shock, he's just staring at me silently with a horrified expression – eyes wide and unblinking, jaw slack, and face ghostly pale. If Zakariah were to wave in front of his face, I doubt he'd even notice.
Shortly after, the clattering of a chair is heard as Jorah falls over onto the floor, fainting. Zakariah and his aides quickly move to check on him, but everyone else is still frozen in shock as Ilina's revelation sinks in, uncaring about the fact Jorah is now out cold.
Eventually, a cold, feminine voice is the first to echo in the room.
"That's absolutely unacceptable." (Tessa)