As always Giliath demands your power stones!
*
"The Treasury door actually opened...Impossible!", General Morgan exclaimed. Was he actually not expecting the door to open? He'd be the guy to doubt this weird situation. But they say actions speak louder than words. General Morgan was the type of person who always appeared calm and collected, and didn't bat an eye when he issued orders to his soldiers he commanded. It was extremely rare to see him mouth agape like this. Honestly, it was quite a funny scene to look at.
As for Her Majesty, she simply remained indifferent. Actually, I saw tears begin to form in her eyes, which caught me by surprise.
"You really are Aurora's child...", Queen Alicia spoke, keeping her tone soft. She began to hug me even tighter, letting her tears drop from her face. I don't ever recall seeing Queen Alicia cry in the games. This really must mean something to her. Father never did explicitly state the name of my mother at home back in Trista, likely due to confidentiality matters. Even uttering the name posed a risk. But I finally managed to learn the name of my mother!
It's Aurora.
This is a name I do not recall either, for that matter. The fact that I do know is that Queen Alicia had relatives, a direct sibling. This would have made her the Crown Princess, no less. In the present time, that position should now be vacant. Princess Klaudia will eventually become the new Crown Princess, but there's a new external factor added into the mix now.
Me.
Does this make me eligible to take the role of Crown Prince, the same role Crown Prince Judis had before his passing?
As I let Her Majesty enjoy a moment like this, I saw General Morgan's expression turn solemn. Another type of look I didn't expect the man to display. Amongst the Royal Army though, he is definitely one of the oldest who is still on active duty. It does beg the question how close he was to my late mother.
"You aren't referring to...Her Highness Aurora, are you, Your Majesty? We've declared her dead after she went missing from the castle a few years ago.", General Morgan said. So that's what happened, huh? What'd they call this again? Having an illicit affair or something? She dropped everything, including her status, just to be with Giliath. Just how much love did you have for Father?
As I was in my thoughts, Queen Alicia took this time to regain her composure. Like I said, it was extremely rare to see her break down like this. She always remained so calm and collected whenever we encountered her with Estelle's party in the games. This situation has now shed some light on the matter, and she quickly determined that I was in fact, a relative to her. And not just any sort of relative of the Auslese family. I was akin to another son to Her Majesty, despite having an insanely large age-gap. Boy, this is going to get weird huh?
If Aurora was Her Majesty's sister, she definitely gave birth to me rather late. Maybe late 30s, or early 40s? I was on the same level as Crown Prince Judis, who I believe is to be Her Majesty's son.
But because I'm approaching two-years old, it'd just be better to call Her Majesty, "Grandmother".
After she returned to her normal look, Her Majesty began to speak.
"We officially declared my sister dead, due to the lack of information we possessed at the time. It took an intensive investigation behind the scenes, which was led by Colonel Bright. By the time this investigation concluded, General Osborne was already on his way with Naoto here. I am deeply ashamed by our lack of confidence as a ruler in handling this matter. I couldn't protect what was dear to me.", Queen Alicia said, sighing.
"We are partly to blame for that, Your Majesty. Liberl has long since entered a period of peace. We've simply haven't a need to use the Intelligence Division as past monarchs have. We dismantled the department, and reallocated its resources to our other divisions. It wouldn't be hard for someone to slip past the Royal Army. With your permission Your Majesty, I shall establish the Intelligence Division once again.", General Morgan explained, trying to ease her worry.
So Liberl really doesn't have their Intelligence Division at this time, huh? It would be none other than Captain Alan Richard, or in this instance, Colonel Alan Richard, to form this department behind the scenes. And he used it to stage the Coup D'etat during the first half of the Sky story.
Surprisingly, Queen Alicia shook her head, denying General Morgan.
"A big structural change within our current government cannot be changed overnight by mere words, General. You are to continue doing your assigned duties. And again, I do apologize for getting emotional for a brief moment.", Queen Alicia said. "But onto the point at hand, do you still require additional proof of Naoto here, General? He is without a doubt the son of Aurora von Auslese, my dearest little sister."
Wow. Her Majesty shut General Morgan up rather quickly. It's always refreshing to see such a high ranking soldier getting berated by the Queen. Especially General Morgan. When you first encountered him in the games, he was always stuck-up. His hate for Bracers grew due to Colonel Bright becoming after the Hundred Days War. He didn't display that bad attitude now, but it was still nice to see how shocked he was currently. Surprisingly, he quickly regained himself, and knelt down. I didn't expect General Morgan to issue an apology.
"I require no further confirmation, Your Majesty.", General Morgan answered. He then looked my way, still kneeling. "Please forgive my earlier impudence, Your Highness. It brings me great joy to see a member of Her Majesty's family still alive and well.", General Morgan continued to say. Rising back up, he gave me a formal bow. While he bowed, Her Majesty placed me back on the ground beside her. I calmly walked up before him.
"You needn't be this way, Mister Morgan. You can continue to be yourself just like before. This is all still new to me. Father rarely spoke of mother. I didn't know I was related to this place until a short while ago.", I said, urging General Morgan he was fine. Hearing me speak this much, General Morgan raised his eyes.
"That was spoken rather well, Your Highness. Just how old are you, exactly?", General Morgan questioned.
"I'll be turning two in a couple months!", I happily responded. Hearing that caused Her Majesty to chuckle.
"Haha, it looks like we have a little genius on our hands. You're already speaking in such a way. Should I say, as expected of being the son of General Osborne?", Queen Alicia said, feeling pride swell within her. Her eyes then shifted downward, becoming more serious again. "Sadly, it looks like General Osborne is keeping this matter under wraps. While that is fine, it pains me to hear about it like this."
"You mentioned Mother's name, Your Majesty. It was Miss Aurora, right?", I asked, wanting to make sure I heard her words correctly.
"Indeed. Your late mother, Aurora, was a very kind and gentle woman, Naoto. She had a lot less exposure to governmental affairs compared to me, but she still helped out our townspeople in ways that she could. In the end, I succeeded the throne. My son, Crown Prince Judis, was set to ascend, but alas I had to reinstate my position. Regardless of this, it is nice knowing how this came to be. My little sister's life had not gone to waste, even if it did mean getting together with your father.", Queen Alicia said to me.
I felt that strangely familiar sense of warmth spread throughout my body. This is getting a little weird. To be honest, I didn't think I'd gain two families like this. One half being Auslese, the other being Osborne.
"I heard Mother didn't survive. But that doesn't mean I've been alone. I've enjoyed the family given to me. And now it seems like I have a new one.", I responded, putting a smile on my face. I did see Her Majesty sad, so I hope these words will ease her. It looks like they did, as she smiled back at me.
"It is good to hear that, Naoto. I understand General Osborne is very stern, but you will do well being raised under him. I will not drag you away from the life you have lived thus far. On that, you have my promise as Queen. It is not like you are the very last descendant we have. I have plans to pass down this throne to my Granddaughter comes of age. Yet, if you do show an interest in being a part of this, all you need to do is say the word. I presently have no plans to reveal your existence to our country.", Queen Alicia said, explaining the situation to me.
Now there's a shocker. Her Majesty just stated I don't have to assume the role of Crown Prince right now. That spot will be left vacant for quite a while. It sounds like she'll be the reigning Queen for the time to come, which makes sense. From now until the Sky games, it was Queen Alicia II who ruled the country. She gave me the option to let that continue to happen. I could return with Father, and grow up with Rean.
And I think that is a good plan. I want to be beside Rean more. It is unfortunate, but I will not be Liberl's prince for now. Perhaps in the future, maybe?
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I do not want to leave Father and Mother, and my new little brother. Father is trying to conceal me too, so I don't see much of a problem. For now, at least.", I said, deciding how I will go from here.
"Good. Good. Then you will depart with General Osborne after the funeral service takes place. For what we discussed here General Morgan, it is to not leave these walls. I shall separately consult with Colonel Bright on this matter at a later time.", Queen Alicia said to him.
"I will take this secret to my grave, Your Majesty. His Highness's status will not get leaked. I just have one question. Your Majesty is hosting a banquet tonight, yes?", General Morgan asked.
"Indeed. Several influential figures will be in attendance tonight, both locally and internationally.", Queen Alicia answered, quick to realize what General Morgan was referring to. She looked back at me, and asked a question. "I do apologize in advance Naoto, but would you mind sitting with your father during the banquet? Seeing as the decision has been made, once we exit this door, we will go back to being strangers. It hurts my heart to say this."
"That was what I was planning to do since the beginning. Before that starts, can I request one thing, Your Majesty?", I decided to ask. You might know where I'm going with this, since I brought it up earlier. I saw the Queen look at me, gaining interest.
"What is it, Naoto?"
"While we're alone like this, may I call you Grandmother?", I questioned. The moment I said that, Her Majesty wore a huge smile on her face. She immediately acknowledged my request.
"Of course you can. You're my little sister's child. It's more proper to call you my nephew, but with this very large gap in our respective ages, I don't mind if you call me Grandmother. My Granddaughter has started addressing me like that too.", Queen Alicia happily answered.
"Thank you, Grandmother.", I said, smiling back at her. Any ounce of anger General Morgan held before all of this took place was completely gone now. The expression he wore now was that of reminiscence. Maybe he served under Aurora at some point, despite Grandmother mentioning my mother not participating in too many politics?
Sadly, this moment of joy came to an abrupt end. General Morgan's revelling lasted only for a brief moment. He was quick to snap out of his stupor, as did we. It was because a woman's voice suddenly spoke out to us. The three of us turned around, and saw some figures near the entrance of the Basement.
"Now this is something I had not anticipated to see. And is that the War God bowing to a mere child?", A firm voice of a woman said, reaching our ears. I saw two figures standing, only to start approaching us. They didn't walk too slow, nor too fast. They carried themselves with grace, and remained steady. They appeared to be...two nuns?
These weren't your typical nuns you'd come across in my previous life. No, far from that. It was as if they were dressed to be adventurers instead. What'd they call those classes...Clerics, I think?
One of the two women was wearing a long black-sleeve top with studded leather armor beneath it. Beneath it was the typical skirt nuns wore, and it flew down in front of her. This skirt was different, as it revealed much of her legs. She finished the look off by wearing some black leggings.
"Teacher Ein, this seems to be the spot the old master mentioned. Though it sounds to me you've been here before. Was our worry all for naught? I will say this outcome was unexpected though, as you said.", The second voice said, also belonging to that of a girl. She appeared a few years younger than the first woman, despite both being exceptionally young.
"If it was anyone else who dared tread upon this Basement, I would have already cleaved your head straight off for trespassing into Her Majesty's Treasury, missy.", General Morgan said, threatening the two right off the bat. The first nun didn't even flinch by his words, and merely shrugged it off.
I immediately recognized these two. I didn't expect two members of the Septian Church to come here. Especially unannounced like this!
"Now that's no way to address an upright lady of the Septian Church, soldier. Even if it is coming from the War God himself.", The first nun retorted. "Still, this might be a blessing in disguise. We were initially unsure if Liberl's princess was fit to uphold our sacred Sacrament. But I believe the old master's worry truly was for naught."
"So you really do hail from the Septian Church. I did send the Church notice of the details of what transpired, leaving out key details of course, but I didn't think they'd send in some clergywomen to check in on the matter. And in person no less.", Queen Alicia said, greeting the two. I myself kept silent, still holding a watchful eye. But inwardly, I was shocked to see these two nuns!
"It is as Your Majesty says. Due to the sensitivity of this matter, the old master would have come directly to investigate, but they're feeling unwell at the moment. They dispatched me instead, and I just so happened to bring my cute squire along.", The first nun said, explaining the situation while padding the shoulder of the second nun with her hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you nonetheless, Your Majesty the Queen. We were tasked to see if the Artifact buried beneath Liberl would be at risk due to the Crown Prince's passing. I myself belong to the Gralsritter. The First Dominion. You may call me Ein Selnate.", The first nun continued to say, introducing herself as Ein. She bowed, remaining polite.
"And I am Rufina Argent. A Squire assigned to Teacher Ein. I serve as her shield. It is my duty to protect her, should anything happen on our journey.", The second nun said, also introducing herself. She was Rufina Argent.
Both of these individuals would play a major role in bringing up another one of the Trails protagonists, even though many fans don't consider him one. Kevin Graham!
I wanted to suck in a cold breath of air seeing these two appear before us in The Treasury. Considering that what rested beneath this land is tied to the Auslese blood, the Septian Church dispatched a couple clergywomen to check up on its status. The Shining Ring.
I wonder, do they know about my situation at all, now that I have cropped up here? Or was their surprise earlier truly genuine?
Either way, they are much younger compared to their counterparts in the games.
As to who they were, Ein Selnate. She sits as the head of the Gralsritter, which is a division inside the Septian Church whose task is to solely collect Artifacts. Their heads are called the Dominion, and she holds the first spot. Many Dominions acquire a personal Squire down the line. I don't know if it ever stated Rufina becoming Ein's Squire in the games, though. There is at least one thing to say, you should not underestimate the Gralsritter.
As for the girl next to her, she was Rufina Argent. She's very kindhearted in the games, but knew when to deliver her punches. She raised Kevin as one of her own. This certain green onion-like haired priest would become akin to an adopted sibling to Rufina. This would cause certain chains of events to take place. She wasn't a big baddie as Father would become, but she does end up becoming an antagonist in the games. This is the very same Rufina Argent.
And now, both Ein and Rufina were standing before us, introducing themselves as part of the Septian Church. It sounded like they were tasked to ensure the safety of the Shining Ring. The Shining Ring was passed down through Liberl's royalty. With a sudden passing of one of its members, no doubt did the Church become wary. They know how to respond quickly to these types of situations.
I guess the only thing they might haven't expected was me in the picture now, hmm? That was why Ein showed such a big surprised look on her face when she stepped in here!