"'A heart-to-heart talk'?"
Guinnevere had began doubting even her mind as she tried to process what Ashen had just said. It was an unbelievable sight for her to see Ashen having such a subdued expression and even speak in a cool tone.
As far as she knew, this has never happened before. Ever.
'This is the first time I have ever seen him act like this. Not even towards Evaline...'
All she can recall of those times was Ashen being a little too frank but very doting towards his daughter and extremely abrasive; frank and confrontational to anyone else. That's why Guinnevere and everyone else sees him as a misanthrope.
She blinked twice to make sure she was not seeing some illusion. Denying the sight to be no more than a passing mirage. However-
"So you're not planning on getting off me then? Fine. Do what you want..."
-his callous words and the sight of him being cool about it proved otherwise.
A long awkward silence hung over them as they continued to stare at each other; one uncomfortable and the other completely exhausted.
Guinnevere had-in some point of her life, wanted to have a decent-emphasis on 'DECENT'-talk with her beloved Ashen ever since his first disappearing act years ago. Granted, he did return to England after a while, but the shock Guinnevere felt upon his disappearance was so great, she considered abandoning her duties as First Princess just to go and search for him.
"So? Any questions you wanted to ask?", asked suddenly by Ashen, Guinnevere nearly jumped up in surprise.
"Eh? Ah-",Guinnevere quickly found herself at a loss.
There were so many things that started to pop-up in her mind as if a door had opened and a downpour of ideas came in like a roaring river.
Where have you been? What happened in the last few years? Did he even miss them while he was gone? Did he cause trouble for a country somewhere? Did he get sick or IS he sick?
Questions that she wanted to ask, but felt like all were irrelevant. Her concern is already made apparent by how she's been desperately trying to keep Ashen from pushing himself further. Thus, there was only one thing she settled on asking;
"Then...let me ask you...why did you leave and never came back?"
An ear-deafening silence.
Nothing made a noise-not even wind-in the room as Guinnevere looked at the eyes of Ashen who stared back into her eyes.
It was like her question effectively silenced every sound around them. Like a scene where a character goes and says something so absurd that everyone else who heard could not even utter a gasp in surprise.
She had wanted to know the answer to that ever nagging question she had ever since he had totally left.
She knew she was not remiss in showing him her affection and her care; She knew she had already proven herself to be capable of being there to be the mother of Evaline even though she is not her biological daughter; to be one fit to be live by his side as his wife. So why? Why did he leave with nary a word to them-even to his own beloved daughter?
The long uncomfortable silence was broken by Ashen who then sighed, "If I said that it's because I hate humans...you won't believe me anyways...", he shrugged, "Let's see...", he pauses with a pensive look on his face.
'He was serious about hating humans?', Guinnevere noticed the sheer seriousness of Ashen as he had said that he hated humans. However, what confused her more is that he often terms humans in their entirety. If so, how come the only extent of negative thoughts he had shown or displayed towards Evaline-who is a bonafide human-is that of annoyance with regards to how she behaved as a child?
It just didn't make any sense for Guinnevere. In the first place, why did he answer her mother, Olivia's, call all those years ago if he hated humans?
'He never explained anything to me even when we first met...'
Such was the extent of Guinnevere's confusion with regards to Ashen's thinking. But that also gave her the idea that Ashen, may have a special reason for doing so and that very idea is what had been nagging at the back of Guinnevere's mind for many years.
"I left...because I thought it was a necessity...", Ashen muttered as his eyes gazed on the ceiling.
"Necessity?", Guinnevere wondered, "How was it a 'necessity'?"
"Really? You gonna make me explain it from the top?"
"Of course! If not, I will have to use every ounce of my strength to keep you in here till the end of time!", Guinnevere declared angrily. She really wanted to know the answer.
However, despite her words, Ashen just stared at her calmly and after a momentary pause, "Then, listen carefully because after this...I am no longer saying it again...", he spoke of the reason to Guinnevere for the first time in the long time they have been together.
*****
At the throne room sometime after Evaline had left her mother and father alone...
"WE HAVE TO STRIKE BACK! WE MUST DISPLAY OUR MIGHT AND PURGE THOSE WHO WERE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO ATTACK OUR HOMELAND!"
"ARE YOU DAFT?! DO YOU WISH TO EXPOSE OUR COUNTRY TO OUR OTHER ENEMIES?! WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE THE DEFENSE OF ENGLAND!"
The shouting of various military personnel echoed in the vast room.
Evaline sat silently at her intended throne atop the steps at the farthest back of the room. She looked at the arguing men-Lord Knights from the remaining loyal Knight Orders-and she sighed for right now, with the absence of the Queen Regent which is her mother, the men have been shouting at each other non-stop. At one side of the room were the remaining nobles who were left inside the throne room during the siege of London who remained silent as they looked on at the bickering Lord Knights.
Normally someone should've stepped in already to diffuse the situation, but for some reason, the one who is currently in-charge, Queen Regnant Olivia-Evaline's grandmother, was silent.
"Grandmother...", Evaline whispered while pleading to her grandmother with troubled eyes to ask her to put a stop to the bickering.
"Fear not my child. In a few seconds, these old farts will clam their mouths shut.", Olivia said with an assured smile and just as she had said that-
*BAM!*
-the doors of the throne room swung open violently causing everyone bickering to stop bickering almost immediately to turn and look.
"Since when were any of you permitted to bicker like undisciplined children?"
A couple of knights - wearing sets of black and silver plate armors each - entered after declaring so.
"Lord Arnold and Lord Edward!", the two bickering Lord Knights exclaimed.
"Seriously, you are before the throne-not to mention, the Queen Regnant and Princess! Have you no shame?!", the one in silver armor angrily pointed out while crossing his arms as he entered.
"But milord! This imbecile is thinking of sending out the remaining forces of England to launch a counter-attack! It is a really foolish idea!", the Lord Knight who was pushing to focus on defending England spoke.
"Why you-! Just holing up in our country will immediately tell the countries opposed to us that we are weakened! Have you forgotten how discordant humanity has become in the past century?!", the Lord Knight who proposed to muster their forces retorted.
"Silence, Lord Gunther. You are before the throne.", the Knight in black armor immediately cut Lord Gunther- the pro-war Lord - off with his somber voice.
"Urk!", Lord Gunther was rendered speechless at the black Knight's words.
Evaline who watched the exchange unfold was surprised; her grandmother's words was spot on.
Now, Evaline knows little of the relationships between the various Lord Knights of England since out of the 14 Lord Knights, Evaline only has a close relationship with one; the Lord Knight in black armor;
"Lord Arnold Maximillian, I am grateful to see you have come to answer the call under short notice.", Olivia greeted the old Knight with a smile.
"It is but a part of my duty, your Majesty. I am relieved to see you safe and sound; you as well, your Highness, Evaline.", the Lord Knight Maximillian greeted back with a slight bow.
"Un! I am relieved that you also made it here without much trouble Lord Edward Lance.", Olivia replied.
"To you as well, Lord Maximillian.", Evaline also replied.
The old Knight bowed and then returned to face his fellow Lords, "The rest of you be silent and hear me-", his voice boomed and caused all the other Lord Knights in attendance to stifle their voices, "-we, the 5 Lord Knights here, are what remain of England's Chivalric Orders..."
"!", a collective gasp echoed in the room as all the Lord Knights in attendance heard Lord Arnold's words.
'Eh?! Really?! Was I so out of touch with the other Knight Orders that I did not notice it?!', Evaline was a little shaken by the words of the old Knight.
She does however know of the names of both the Order and their leaders and thus, based on her knowledge, as there are 14 Lord Knights in England, there are 14 Chivalric Orders;
The Knights of the Woodland Owl led by Lord Knight Hamel Amberson
The Knights of the Silver Wolf led by Lady Knight Denise Fauxberg
The Knights of the Spring Dawn led by Lord Knight Arman de Lespaul
The Knights of the Winter Dusk led by Lord Knight Mark Hawthorn
The Knights of the Lone Mountain led by Lady Knight Ambriel Clarks
The Knights of the Rivermark led by Lord Knight Gunther Banks
The Knights of the Golden Eagle led by Lady Knight Esther Estelle, who incidentally holds the prestigious title of 'Bradamante'.
The Knights of the Grey Dragon which was led by Queen Regnant Olivia's late husband and has yet to find a successor to its mantle of leadership after the latter's passing.
The Knights of the Lion Queen who is led by Queen Regnant Olivia Creed up until recently before she passed its leadership to Lord Calvin Brighte.
The Knights of the Tower who is led by Second Princess Amber Creed who are better described to be mostly researchers and engineers.
The Palace Guard, a Knight Order led by Lord Knight Edward Lance.
The Knights of the Ashen King led by Lord Knight Arnold Maximillian.
And finally the Vallkyries , an all-female Knight Order that is led by none other than Queen Regent Guinnevere Creed.
At least, this was the extent of Evaline's knowledge. Afterall, it seems her mother, Guinnevere, forgot to teach her the specifics of the recent data about them.
"Based on the members present in this hall, with the exception of Lord Calvin Brighte who was executed for treason 5 days ago, only the Palace Guard, Ashen King, Valkyrie, Rivermark, and Silver Wolf remains. The rest has deserted England.", Lord Edward added with arms crossed in dismay.
"Only those 5..."
"Wasn't Silver Wolf almost decimated 5 days ago?"
"I heard Lady Denise was badly injured."
"Do we even still have enough strength to maintain our borders? I don't think France and Germany would be remiss of the chance to push through our borders...", a question was asked by one of the murmuring nobles who was in attendance.
"Good question milord.", Lord Edward Lance replied, "The Palace Guard only has 12 of their formerly 129 Knights with the missing number being fatalities."
"All of them were fatalities?", Queen Olivia asked. Her tone and demeanor completely different from her flippant attitude from when she was just looking at Lord Gunther bicker with his fellow Lord Knight earlier.
"Yes, your Majesty. All of them."
"!", the nobles gasped, "Then who is currently safeguarding the palace?!"
"That would be the Knights of the Ashen King, milords.", Lord Arnold replied, "As we had suffered minimal casualties considering we had to face the multitude of Greek monstrosities that were set loose in the city of London."
"How many are left in the Ashen King, Lord Arnold?", asked Queen Olivia.
"80 of the original 104, your Majesty and around 40 surviving reserves ready to complete their training and initiation.", replied the old Knight with a humble bow.
Queen Olivia held up her hand and gestured for Lord Edward to continue, "Rivermark is probably the one who got away with the least amount of casualties; from what we found out after making a head count, they still have 45 of their 62 Knights."
"Is this true, Lord Gunther?", Olivia directed a question to the Lord in question.
"Yes, your Majesty."
Hearing the declaration, Evaline wondered. She was not knowledgeable of the deployment of each Knight Order aside from the Knights of the Ashen King, Valkyrie, and the Palace Guard so-
"How come only Rivermark suffered minimal casualties amidst this terrible battle?"
"!"
Hearing the gasps of the audience, Evaline realized that she had spoken out loud.
She sees everyone in the room look at her with mixed emotions; some shocked, others with their mouths agape and many more that could be summarized into one expression; utter disbelief.
"Eh? Uh...", suddenly, Evaline felt like crawling into a hole and hide. The pressure from all the gazes of everyone in the room felt like it would crush her soul.
'I should've kept my mouth shut!'
She regretted in her mind. That question she had just uttered was simply because of curiosity due to having only participated in London's defense via patrolling around the immediate area surrounding Buckingham Palace.
Though it was a very reasonable question on her part, she thinks that it was probably impertinent of her to say so given that she is simply a princess and not a military commander.
"A reasonable question my dear.", luckily for her, Queen Olivia came to her rescue, "Lord Gunther. How were you able to secure the safety of the citizens and of your own Knights with minimal casualties?", Queen Olivia quickly followed up.
In her mind, Evaline made a sigh of relief. If it was the Queen Regnant asking, surely, the people in attendance wouldn't be so apprehensive and would be obligated to answer.
"Well, your Majesty-", Lord Gunther did not miss a beat and readily began explanation until-
"Ready the Knights!"
-the voice of Guinnevere declared as the doors to the room burst open.
Everyone's eyes quickly turned towards the sudden commotion. Evaline herself was surprised by her mother's sudden intrusion and even more surprising, was her father, Ashen standing right behind her mother with an indiscernible expression on his face.
"What is the meaning of this, Guinnevere?", Queen Olivia spoke from the throne.
"Mother...", Evaline only muttered those words. Somehow, the atmosphere surrounding her grandmother, Queen Olivia, changed and grew heavy. Even the usual bright expression on her grandmother's face was now gone.
"Mother.", Evaline's mother, Guinnevere quickly strode inside, passing through all the Lord Knights and then stood before the throne with a serious expression on her face, "We have an emergency in our hands."
Queen Olivia continued to look at Guinnevere without a change in expression, " Do tell me what this 'emergency' is. Surely, it is great enough to warrant you barging in on an important war council.", Queen Olivia's tone carried a hint of anger in it that made Evaline shiver from her seat.
'What are you doing , Mother?!', Evaline started to panic in her mind.
"Greece is moving a large army north on a warpath towards France.", Guinnevere replied.
"And how came by you this information? As I recall, we have yet to send an actual scouting force to check on the Greeks."
"It's the obvious action after assisting a terrorist force in wrecking havoc within England.", the one who answered was Evaline's father, Ashen who just casually entered the throne room.
Everyone's attention turned towards him but he seemed unfazed by their gazes and continued to walk across the room and passing by every Knight Lord in attendance until he was finally right before the throne, "Right about now, France would be sending some kind of message pertaining to a request for assistance."
"How can you even know that you plebeian?", one of the nobles in attendance asked.
Evaline fought the urge to draw her sword and lunge at the haughty nobleman. However, one look from her mother was enough to make her stay seated. Her father, Ashen, didn't seem to mind the insult and simply obliged the nobleman,
"Ah...one of the noble-shits who failed to run away? Feh. I don't have a shred of motivation to tell you but since this concerns the well-being of my family, might as well...", surprisingly, he did not lash out at the obviously irritating nobleman and continued, "Europe has yet to decently recover from the aftermath of World War 3. We all know that right? With only a handful of the original countries still standing, it is almost a miracle some of you even survived.", he looked towards the thrones, "As for how I know, I just thought that if I was Greece, I would go ahead and march to war while England who is one of the more battle-ready countries is currently recovering from their losses and go attack the less prepared France."
Ashen massaged his stiffened neck;
"There are only a few options left for England if they wish to survive this sudden reenactment of history; help France by sending Knights or let them fall and end up facing the full might of the Greek's army.", stated Ashen while shrugging.
Queen Olivia looked at Ashen and Guinnevere with a pensive hum. A moment later, "I cannot simply go ahead and believe your words even if you are my well-travelled son-in-law, Lord Ashen.", she denied him.
"Grandmother, why?", Evaline asked in confusion. She thought that as a person who had recently been to many places outside of England, her father's words would be believable. However, her grandmother voiced her doubt and denied her father.
"Figured you'd say that.", just as her father said that-
"Your Majesty! Emergency!", someone entered the throne room in a panic. It was Knight from the Palace Guard, and he was completely out of breath.
"Speak."
"France is requesting for aid! Greece has declared war on Europe!", with the Knight's declaration, everyone in the room gasped in shocked. They could not believe that right after Ashen had just declared so, that he was completely spot on.
"Impossible!", a mix of confused reactions filled the room but Queen Olivia was unfazed and without missing a beat,
"Very well. You have done well. Get some rest, young lord.", quickly dismissed the young Knight before finally turning to Guinnevere, "Guinnevere..."
"Yes, Mother?"
"How soon can you ready England for war?", Queen Olivia's words caused the people in the room to twitch in shock.
"Your Majesty! You cannot be seriously taking that report for real? Should we not confirm its authenticity first before deciding?!", the nobles exclaimed.
However, Queen Olivia ignored them.
"With your blessing, I will begin today and be finished readying the England by next week.", Guinnevere answered decisively.
"Lord Ashen", Queen Olivia turned to Ashen, "by your estimation, how long do you think the Greek army would take until they reach the borders of France?", she asked.
"Hmm? Ah, if my memory serves me correct, Greece has already occupied up until Austria, but that was from years ago. Assuming that Greece has yet to take northern Italy or press on through Germany, then they would have at least 4 days. That is, if Italy is not their ally and would interfere with the Greek march."
"It's Thursday today. I can ready England for war by Sunday at the latest.", stated Guinnevere.
"Sure you can.", Ashen then turned to Queen Olivia, "That's all the info I can pretty much give you about your current shitty situation."
Everyone remained silent as they all turned to Queen Olivia to see her response.
After a good moment of consternation, Queen Olivia stood up and declared, "Very well. In response to this, I-Queen Regnant, Olivia Creed, hereby declare war on Greece! "
"?!", everyone had a look of utter disbelief as they heard the declaration.
But Queen Olivia was not yet done,
"In addition, I hereby cede all military authority to Queen Regent, Guinnevere Creed!", not minding the confused exclamations of the people in attendance, Queen Olivia then turned to Guinnevere, "I will entrust this to you Guinnevere. Protect England at all costs!"
Guinnevere immediately stood at attention and declared, "I shall, Mother!", before turning around to face the Lord Knights, "You heard the Queen Regnant, prepare for war!"
"BY YOUR WILL!", all of the Lord Knights replied with fervor.
Queen Olivia nodded approvingly towards Guinnevere and then went down the steps and approached Ashen and gesturing Evaline to follow her. Ignoring the stirring noblemen who were obviously confused as to what to do.
"Way to go and divide your people with words.", Ashen shrugged at Queen Olivia.
"No thanks to you. Those nobles are all the ones who had no choice but to stay because the palace got surrounded by monsters during the siege. The ones who willingly stayed to protect the throne are currently under medical attention and since I value their opinion over those useless scum trembling over there, I could care less about those incompetents.", Queen Olivia replied dryly, "So...what do you plan to do now? You're in no condition to fight."
"Not a problem. I ain't even planning to join in on the fight.", Ashen replied.
"You mean you have a different plan?"
"Something like that.", Ashen looked at the thrones, "I'm leaving England again."
"Eh?!", the one who reacted was Evaline. She did not expect her father to say that, "Why are you going to leave again, father?! Didn't you promise that you would stay?!", Evaline almost choked on her words. Her heart, distraught at the thought of once again being left behind by her father.
Ashen sighed, "Dummy. You're coming with me this time."
"Eh?", her father's answer completely caught Evaline off-guard. She was sure that her father would simply just disappear again without a trace right after this after leaving her behind. Again.
"I just realized in the previous incident; you are too danger prone. Even more so now that your dumb mother taught you how to wield both blade and magic.", Ashen made an exasperated sigh, "It would ease my mind if I'm around to discipline you properly and keep you from getting yourself into more trouble."
It took Evaline a few seconds before she finally processed what her father had just said and soon, her feelings of dismay turned into that of excitement. Excitement due to realizing that she would be finally be with her father again. But there was one problem-
"But what about mother?"
-Guinnevere.
"Your mother has a country to run so she's staying here."
"Is that so?", Evaline felt disappointed by that but she understood. Her mother IS the Queen Regent. Though her father was declared the Knight King and King Consort, no one in the current regime recognizes it so it is fine for her father to go around the world without any restrictions.
"Mister Ashen.", a familiar voice called out amidst their conversation.
"Nitwit. So you're still alive?", Ashen regarded the Saint, Rosseweisse, in a callous manner.
"Can I ask you to please stop calling me that? I have a proper name you know?", Rosseweisse replied.
"Yeah I know. In any case, perfect timing, Nitwit. I was about to go to you and tell you something."
Hearing the unapologetic words of Ashen, Rossweisse shrugged in exasperation, "I will ignore that fact that you just casually brushed off my request.", she sighed, "What would that be, Mister Ashen?"
"You were planning to leave England to go somewhere far from battle with the Saint's Guard, right?"
"Yes, I am."
"Perfect.", Ashen smiled at Rosseweisse's reply, "Since you do not know where you are headed, you come with us then. By the way, saying 'no' is not an option.", Ashen declared.
"Eh? Why? And where are you even planning to go?"
"Why? The answer is pretty obvious. As for where, well...", Ashen cracked his neck, "We're going somewhere nice and safe."
"And where would that be, my dear son-in-law?", Queen Olivia asked.
Ashen smiled, "To the land of ice and snow, Russia!"