STAGE NINETEEN: THE FIRST CONSORT
Back to her purple-haired disguise, Freyja just found herself walking alongside the young lord Saifer around the city the next day. Observing him, Freyja pondered on how he is supposed to be about 1000 years old, but by human standards, is a bit more on the child-like side. He dragged her around the city showing off goods he found cool, delicious sweets, food, drinks, crystal factories, machineries. Freyja was very much fascinated, but felt guiltier by the second, enjoying the trip while her friends are still locked in the capital.
"So, will you help me?" She asked once again, but Saifer just looked at her. She could tell that he's still finding it very difficult to process what she was saying. "Hm… I'll think about it." He said, before urging her to go back home with him. "Hurry, let's go back home."
"But…" Freyja hesitated. "I'm sure the Famirth clan can easily see through my disguise."
"So what? You don't have a place to stay to anyway. It's up to you if you don't want to." Saifer started walking ahead of Freyja, occasionally glancing back at her. Freyja sighed, and resigned to it. She will have to face them sooner or later, anyway. So, she decided to go as suggested. Seeing that she's following him, Saifer kept a little smirk on his face.
As Freyja expected, the moment Saifer announced her arrival in the mansion, the entire house was suddenly thrown into panic. The Lenfiare is the least person they expected to have in the house. Despite Freyja assuring the house staff to not make a big deal out of it, they still did their best, scrambling on whatever time and resources they have to welcome the guest.
When Freyja was finally invited into to meet the clan matriarch, Sarilay Famirth, she immediately confirmed that Freyja was the real deal. She respectfully invited Freyja to take a seat across her, on the big, oblique table, with her sons and daughters seated around. Freyja felt the nerves starting to get to her, as Sarilay and her children stared at her, observing her every move.
Freyja took a deep breath and presented herself formally. "I am Freyja Lenfiare Leafen." She introduced, briefly calling her five guardians out to prove her identity. "Please have a seat, Lenfiare. I assume this will be a long talk."
To begin, Freyja narrated how she was exiled to Earth, how she lived as a human, and painstakingly gathered fragments of her memories along the way. She knows that it wouldn't be wise to lie to someone as perceptive as the Famirths. That's why, except for one detail, the one about running away with Kirin, she was truthful for the most part. Once she finished her explanation, they all fell silent, especially when she started telling them about how her mother and friends were imprisoned by Leriouge Aethelmaer.
"Which is why—" She took a deep breath, before stating her request. "I request assistance from the Famirth clan. To save Lady Reyrah Fiega, and my friends."
Hearing Freyja's story was just too much to process all at once. After a long, awkward silence, the eldest son of he Famirth clan finally spoke. "Are you going to be the Lenfiare, then? Are you going to drive Aethelmaer out?" He asked, a hint of excitement in his voice. It's a good sign for Freyja.
"If I have to."
The eldest son was about to persuade their mother to agree, but Sarilay cut him off. "And give us a good reason why we must help the cursed Lenfiare? Lady Reyrah Fiega is a friend, and someone I greatly respect. But, you know very well what will happen to the Famirth family if we assist you." She asked, a hint of venom in her tone. The Famirth children looked away.
"You have a very good reason, Lady Sarilay." Freyja said, her eyes piercing straight at hers. "What the Aethelmaers are doing right now is detrimental to Celestia." She answered. "We are not sure if Leriogue Aethelmaer can indeed control the core, much more produce an heir that could. We have an urgent matter at hand. The core is depleting and alarmingly at that. They said I'll bring destruction, but come on! Even without me, at this rate, Celestia is bound to be destroyed!" Freyja put forth a convincing argument. She could tell by the looks in their faces that the Famirth agree with her reasoning. This gave her the confidence to continue. "I swear on my life and in the honor of the Leafen clan! I will never be the demon in the prophecy!" She declared. "And If I become Lenfiare, and the council demand for research for alternate ways to control the core, then, I pledge support." Freyja sounded confident, but she's internally hoping that Sarilay take the bait anyway.
"That sounds interesting. But how will you assure us that you won't break your pledge like what Alfiore Kinju did?"
"That's simple." Freyja sighed, and smiled in relief. "I've been caging half the core for more than a thousand years. I don't have much time to live. Twenty years, at most?" She divulged. "To assure you, I will give half of Leafen's assets in advance to study machinery and alternate ways to control the core. And…" She then looked at Saifer and grinned. "I will do my best to have an heir with the consort."
Saifer spit out the juice he's drinking, hearing what the Lenfiare just said. His face, all red. "Wh—what are you saying!?" He almost dashed out of the room in embarrassment, but Freyja ran after him and grabbed his arm tight, dragging him back. "Why are you running!? That's normal, isn't it!?" Freyja herself was starting to get flustered, as Saifer continued making a big deal out of it. Freyja almost regretted saying it. "L-let go of me! You're crazy!" He shoved her face away, but she won't budge. "Help me here, would you!?"
"Ehem!"
Sarilay interrupted, getting everyone's attention. "Alright. We will think about it, and consider your deal." Her words greatly relieved Freyja, along with Sarilay's children who are obviously eager to go against the Aethelmaer clan. Sarilay ordered the staff to prepare a room for the Lenfiare, and attend to her needs. Saifer and his siblings excused themselves, but Freyja, before retiring to the guest room, just had to ask Sarilay one last question.
"Lady Famirth." She called. Sarilay stayed still. It's as if she's been expecting for her to ask more questions. "Yes, Lenfiare?"
"Please answer me honestly." She began. "Alfiore Kinju, what do you think of him? Do you really see him as a traitor?" Her question was completely unrelated to the alliance. But, she just had to know. She wanted to know, from someone who has worked with her father first-hand. Sarilay could tell, the reason why she asked. At the back of Sarilay's mind, she felt sympathy for that child who was forced to shoulder judgement for something she didn't do. Sarilay could only imagine what she went through in her exile, and how she clawed her way back to Celestia. She deserves a frank, honest, answer.
"Of course, he is." She said. "Alfiore Kinju did not only break his promise, but he burnt the palace. That is a crime regardless of how you think about it."
Freyja looked down, hearing her answer. But Sarilay did not stop there.
"But, I cannot turn a blind eye to the kind of leader he was. Alfiore Kinju, despite being bombarded with attacks, endlessly compared to Leriouge Aethelamer, accused of incompetency, shouldering the backlash for Lifenya Lenfiare's decision against the Aethelmaers, never did he abandon his duty and his people." Sarilay looked up, remembering how Kinju used to endure everything, how he forced himself to go out, despite being mocked by the council for being 'inferior' to Leriogue. They would often tell him to stand back and let them handle things, because he might hear things he doesn't want to hear. But Kinju always persisted. He never turned his back. Never.
"Despite the struggle he's suffering with, he was a strong, kind, and competent ruler. The only thing he wasn't able to endure, was hurting you."
Freyja held back the tears about to flow from her eyes.
"That doesn't excuse him from his crime, but neither does the crime invalidate the things he did. That's my answer."
Freyja closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before facing Sarilay. "Thank you for telling me." She smiled, and excused herself, following the maid to the guest quarters.
~ o 0 o ~
Freyja comfortably laid on the soft bed, her head resting on big, fragrant pillows. She was so tired, she could just fall asleep. But, her mind won't let her. She's finally back to Celestia, the place she has always dreamed about, every night. It sure did not feel the way she thought it would be. If anything, she realized that the Celestia she knew is but a fragment of what it really is. Even so, she longed to know more. Her mind was full of questions, thoughts about how her father and grandmother ruled. How Leriouge lived his life and why he despised the Leafen clan. She wanted to know about the rebellion, about the depleting celestial core. She wanted to know about Reyrah Fiega, Alaric, and Alyon. And Kirin, she wanted to see him more than anything, even as an enemy, she wanted to see him.
"Lenfiare…" She almost jumped out of the bed in surprise, when the door suddenly opened. The young lord Saifer let himself in. He quietly walked to her, and sat on the bed. "You're not sleeping?" he asked.
Freyja shook her head. "I have so many things on my mind. How about you?" She asked. The young lord didn't say anything, but to Freyja, it looked like he also does not know why he's there.
"I did promise an heir, but not now, Saifer." Freyja joked, pulling the blankets over her. "Stop that!" Finally, the young lord reacted, making Freyja laugh. "Jeez, I'm just joking. You look super tense."
"You're not like the Lenfiare at all. You're weird and like a commoner." He commented. "Hey, is that an insult or what!?" She scoffed. "Well excuse ME, for not being royal. Technically, I've only been in Celestia for a few days what do you expect?"
"Aren't you wondering why I was chosen as your consort?" He asked, suddenly turning serious. He has been wondering about that for as long as he can remember. "I don't know. It's because we're born on the same day and the same time? I've been away for so long, so I really don't know. Do you?"
"They said, that when a Leafen with the mark of the heir is born, somewhere in Celestia, a partner who shares the same destiny is also chosen by the heavens." He explained. "Yes, we were born at the same time. That's why they made me your consort."
"You must hate it then." She sighed, a self-degrading smile on her face. "To share the same destiny as the cursed Lenfiare. I don't blame you for being so prickly with me."
"I really don't care about that." Freyja was shocked with Saifer's words. "Famirth clan may care about it a bit, but what I really hated about you was…" He looked at her, and grabbed both of her shoulders, shaking her. "YOU LEFT! You left me alone! You didn't even run to me! You could have done it long ago, just like you did now!" Saifer squeezed her shoulders, his deep blue eyes piercing though her golden orbs. She can see tears form at the corner of his eyes. "Why did you only come now?" His grip loosened, his hands sliding down her arms as he desperately held back tears.
"Yes," she thought, "I left them all. Saifer was right, I may be young that time but I wasn't clueless." Freyja admits that she had every opportunity to run south instead of to the palace, back then. In fact, she did consider ordering Avice to fly to the Famirth estate. But she didn't. She was afraid that Saifer and the Famirth clan will look at her like how everyone else did.
Saifer was waiting for her to retaliate, but instead, she looked down. "I'm sorry, Saifer."
Saifer quickly turned his back, surprised. "Well… it's not like I blame you or anything. Besides, I know you had it rough too. You're back. That's what's important." The last words, he only whispered to himself.
"Saifer," she called, grabbing his hand, urging him to face her. "I can't do anything about the past, but I can do something from here on. Will you…" She squeezed his hand, as she trembled. "Will you help me?"
There was a brief moment of silence between them. Even Saifer didn't know why he lashed out on her. Yes, he did hate being her consort at some point. But what hated is how he lived under the shadow of that title for most of his life. Consort this, consort that. He shared a fate with someone who isn't even there. The moment she disappeared, it's as if he started fighting against a ghost he couldn't even hit. It greatly frustrated him. He never expected the Lenfiare to come back, especially when Leriogue appeared. He was ready to completely give up on his life, and now she comes back, shattering whatever decision he has already made for himself.
Saifer took a deep breath and held her cheeks, almost slapping them. His dark blue orbs piercing right through hers. "Naturally! I'm your consort, right?" Saifer almost shouted, with a pout. A boyish look on his face, radiating sincerity and innocence. There was something in him that comforted Freyja. "Don't worry, even if mother disagrees, I'll help you." Freyja felt warmth surge inside her. She held his hands, squeezing it. "Thank you."
"But you have to promise me one thing!" He said, standing up. "Freyja Lenfiare, you have to win! You have to win against Leriouge Aethelmaer and be the Lenfiare." He didn't wait for her answer. He immediately turned his back, and he left the room.
~ o 0 o ~
Morning came, and Freyja dressed herself with the new light armor and robes the Famirth clan gave her. She changed her entire clothing, apart from the newly-washed robes she requested from the Runerich tower. Freyja headed straight to the meeting hall, where Sarilay, the Famirth children, the head officials, and her consort Saifer, are waiting.
"I hope you had a good rest, Lenfiare." Sarilay greeted. Freyja felt her heart race. Did she convince her? Will they help her? She can't sit still. Then, Sarilay spoke. "We studied your proposal but I don't think its beneficial for us to help you, considering the risk."
Sarilay's words surprised everyone. Freyja was too dejected to even notice that the Famirth children were equally shocked. "The Aethelmaer clan is a formidable opponent. The Famirth clan on the other hand, remained scholars for so long, without involving ourselves in military matters. If we assisted you right now, our neutrality will be questioned." She explained.
"Then are you saying that you'll sit still and watch!?" Freyja stood up, fists trembling. "No way…"
"I'm afraid that's the smartest move for us." Sarilay turned her back, the mood in the room sullen. No one dared speak a word, until Saifer, stood up, slamming the table. "Fine! If you don't want to help the Lenfiare then I would!"
"Saifer…" Freyja was speechless. He did promise to help her last night, but she didn't expect him to be this forward. Sarilay, his siblings, and the Famirth officials were visibly shocked.
"Not because I'm the consort, but because I believe in Lenfiare's cause. If we don't do anything then it's the same as watching Celestia crumble before our eyes!" Saifer gestured for a servant to come, carrying a pile of tomes, records from the Famirth archives. "The Aethelmaer clan tried for three generations and the best they were able to do is fuse half the celestial core in Leriouge. Although it was a success and an impressive feat, Leriouge has never been able to control the core the way the Lenfiares and Alfiores could. Even now, he hasn't even tried doing anything about the depleting power core, how can you stand by and let someone like that rule!?" Saifer started stating the cases of failed research that the Aethlmaer clan pursued and hid from the public eye.
"I may lack motivation, but I've always been curious about what happened to the Lenfiare and why she disappeared. I know what I am saying!"
Everyone fell in silence. Freyja observed the reactions of Sarilay, and Saifer's siblings. From the looks of it, they never imagined he would say something so forward. Freyja smirked. "Lenfiare Freyja, let us be on our way." He said, excusing himself, grabbing her hand. But before they could get out of the room, the eldest son stood up, a wide, confident smile on his face. "Hold on!"
"I have my battalion. I will assist the consort and the Lenfiare." He declared. The other two brothers, and the sister also stood up, pledging their support. "Take my team of sorcerers."
"I have the fastest soldiers. Let's go."
As they all went out to follow Freyja, Sarilay smiled. "Now that's surprising." She said. Then, she called for the head general and ordered him to prepare the Famirth troops, to protect the Lenfiare, the rightful ruler of the land.
~ o 0 o ~