"I see..." The queen noted seemingly in deep thoughts as she closed her eyes carefully before shaking her head, "Then, it would seem to be a futile endeavor on your side, Prince Riel."
Hearing her words, the butler scowled angrily and wanted to speak up but was interrupted by the prince!
"Really?!" The prince's eyes widen in shock upon hearing this, "May I ask why that would be?"
"Hm..." The queen hummed as she examined him carefully before responding, "Since you are sincere with the child's works. I shall tell you what I am allowed to share. The one who created these jewelries requested a tight confidentiality over their identity. All they allowed to share was that the craftsman is willing to market these products to the outside world through Briar Valley. As for the craftsman, they are from Faeland and, for these products, their king and queen have agreed to create business connections with our Briar Valley specifically. Aside from them, there are no other craftsman or craft fairies of their kingdom worthy enough to obtain this permission from their ruler."
"Faeland..." The prince whispered in bewilderment and frustration, "The land of the fairies does not allow humans to trespass into their realm, including merman. That's... a shame... Is there anything we can do to meet them? Letters maybe?"
The queen shook her head, "They did not allow letters or any form of communications with them without their permission. Quite a fickle one. Those who tried to establish a business contract with them have all returned empty-handed but with an artifact. Those who tried to force them returned with their belongings in hand, but the veil taken from their faces."
Hearing this, the butler narrowed his eyes before whispering something to the prince whose eyes widen upon realization to the queen's puzzling riddle.
"Such a powerful person... But, your majesty was able to acquire the business connections with them." Prince Riel muttered in awe.
The Queen sighed as she responded, "We were simply fortunate to be in their favor as they gifted the contract to me. Unfortunately, it came with many restrictions to their identity. Otherwise, I would be more than willing to share their identity to the world."
"Such a craftsman with a pure and bold heart deserves to be known by the world." Prince Riell responded with a distressed sigh, "It's a shame that they refuse to do so."
Suddenly, a dark fae butler quietly walked into the room passing a message to an elderly maid standing beside the entrance. The maid nodded and quietly passed it to the queen who dismissed the maid with a wave of her hand.
"Apologies. Am I taking up your schedule?" The prince questioned hesitantly.
"It is not a problem." She responded, "Shall we continue?"
The butler whispered something to the prince who shook his head and responded, "It would seem that the king has requested for my immediate return."
"Then, let us finish this conversation." The queen finished as two pieces of papers appeared before them with the contents ready for their signatures.
"Very well." The prince nodded and signed on the pieces of papers
After she finished signing them, the butler took one of the copies and the two was escorted out by the butler. Once alone, the maid approached her with tray of tea set on there. As she poured the tea onto the table, she said, "Your majesty has been so busy these past few weeks. Would you like to rest for a while? Please excuse my recklessness, but the palace is worried for your health."
The queen took a sip and slowly shook her head, "These matters must be taken care of first and foremost. Also, aren't we still of good health?"
"Yes, your majesty." The maid responded hesitantly.
"Hah..." The queen took a deep breath and sighed as she looked into the tea, "This child. I wonder what is she up to this time? She had said that she had met with my grandson's retainers. The Zigvolt family also mentioned how the two got along rather well. Though the letters from my grandson states that their child has trouble allowing her to talk freely with him due to overthinking. Hehe... He also takes after his grandfather and mother. Sadly, it seems that Malleus may still have a little more work to do on his end."
The maid looked to the queen in confusion before recalling something and pulled out a letter she had received recently, "Your majesty, the princess had sent a letter for you."
"Again?" She looked to the envelope in surprise, "That's the second time this week."
She sighed before taking the envelope before raising a brow, "Why is it so heavy? Is this child trying to weigh me down with papers at this old age?"
The maid sighed inside her chest as she recalled how the queen had only boasted her healthy state just moments ago only to contradict herself now.
Upon opening the paper, she found a bunch of papers tied together in a bundle. Upon reading the one loose-leaf, her tired face gave a troubled sigh, "This girl... Once again... What silly children..."
"Your majesty?" The maid tilted her head in confusion.
"It is nothing." The Queen responded before looking over the top of the bundle of papers.
At first, she read it rather calmly till a smirk began to crack over her weary face. Though curious, the maid said nothing and simply refilled the cup whenever it was empty. What could it be that made the queen cheer up from her former weariness? Her children have passed away so early on. The prince, her only grandchild and descendant, was studying abroad and the princess was also there recuperating. Both had the ability to create such an effect, but neither were present.
Suddenly, the queen took the top piece of paper, folded it, and put it into a pocket before looking up and called the maid, "Take these papers back to my room. I shall read them once I finish the meetings. Be very careful with this."
"Understood." The maid nodded and took the bundles of papers as though it was a box of fine silk carefully tucked into her arms.
"Escort them in and prepare the black rose tea." The queen told her butler.
The butler nodded and hurried out seemingly in a cheerful mood. The rose tea was something that the princess introduced to the queen a few years ago after tasting the rose jam the capital produced as a specialty. However, black roses was something that had great difficulty in mass production as making the rose edible without its toxins was difficult to do and it was specially tended and grown in the palace making it a limited supply. Something the queen and the prince tended to since many years ago. However, that one visit from the princess of Faeland was enough for her to solve the problem. Not only could they make food out of the dried petals of pruned roses, but also tea. The taste of it was so fragrant that the queen was quite impressed with the feat and the result. Since then, it had become a favorite to have between the two grandparent and grandchild.
Sadly, the princess rarely visited the palace for major events and banquets, so they could not ask for advices regarding similar matters. However, amongst the handful of people who knew of her existence, all wishes to test her knowledge and skills in many areas after hearing of the relationship between her and the Zigvolt family.
Today, too, someone tried to meet with the princess but failed. Getting the queen of Briar Valley, not just her attention, but also on her side proved that the princess was quite capable.
Just the other day, the queen was quite disappointed to not have been able to attend the fairy gala with her grandson due to work when invited the opportunity by the princess. Only those in the inner court could tell that she was not in a good mood despite the aloof outer surface she displayed. Those in the inner court are those who holds the greatest trust of the royal family and displayed great loyalty to the kingdom and royal family for many years. Some were from the warring era while others were those who came just barely after. Each one knew the queen for many years and just about all have watched the heir since birth awaiting for that one special day. They had thought everything was normal as the prince continued to perform his duties in the dreary kingdom when the princess appeared out of thin air!
For the first time in a while, the queen once again consulted with her retainers and advisors. The rulers of a kingdom, that dislikes humans to such an extent of never allowing them to set foot in their land, adopting a human child and wanting to make her their princess?!
This one event was enough to send the entire inner court into a state of chaos as all knew messing with the fairies could affect the rest of the world. The state of chaos and confusion set in the meeting hall was so shocking that neither could understand when, how, or why this had occurred!