Here is a event that is the same as a funeral of a close pet to a royal...A royal election, Most will try to sully their names before hand and pray to their own gods for this not to happen but alas it ends up these who are chosen and begin their hatred of the land they once loved...Pitiful really when you think about it but let us see who will given the crown of thorns in this bleak and dreary day.
As the day of the festival ended we see Mathis sitting at his desk in his room, the sky outside was a pitch black and Orelia laid in bed snoozing away while the prince was looking full of stress, still rummaging through stacks of parchments trying frantically to find something until his eyes opened, finding a older parchment that he had to blow the excess dust of to get a full read before he was send jumping by Orelia putting her hand on his shoulder,
''I thought you were asleep?!''
She rubbed her eyes and yawned, seemingly unphased by the wood elves response,
''I woke up and saw you sitting here...What is that for?''
She grabbed the parchment from his hands and after reading it her eyes widened,
''Really? You don't want to be king this much?''
Throwing the parchment down showing it was some type of transportation magic seemingly sending the user to the far north, Mathis laughed nervously before sighing,
''Fine...I just don't want to spend my life in charge of the people when I want to be free myself...I only just got it and I don't want our marriage to be the king and queen but the prince and his new princess...I'm sor-''
Orelia kissed the man before pulling back and smiling at him,
''I don't mind either way but if you don't want to that badly then you need to find someone who would...I'm going back to bed anyway goodnight I love y-''
She opened her eyes fully for the first time when she heard what she almost said, she felt nervous and panicked and scurried into bed before she heard the footsteps walk over to her before Mathis kissed her forehead and whispered into her pointed ear,
''I love you too...Get some sleep I can handle this in the lab to not wake you up again''
The girl turned to face him, pulled him in for another kiss before she spoke,
''I love you to...Good luck''
The girl rolled back to sleep with a smile as the prince grabbed some of the parchments and made his way into his lab for the night.
Kyu was sleeping soundly until he was woken by the sounds of Baarias crying, she was sitting on her desk with a photo in hand making the fallen stand up as she tried to wipe the tears and hide the photo before he could see, now smiling with small tears still forming she spoke,
''Hey pretty birdie! What are you doing up? I was jus-''
''Looking at a picture that made you sad right?''
The princesses eyes widened as the angel sat at her feet on the floor in front of the desk and continued,
''Would you like to talk about it? I believe that is a duty of a husband to help his significant other through internal conflicts right?''
Baarias was stunned, never had Kyu showed any level of interest in her personally before and the thought made her cry a little more making the angels head tilt in confusion before she grabbed his hand and smiling through the tears,
''Thank you but I think I am just being childish...I don't want to be queen, I want to focus all my time on discovering the many wonderful and dark secrets of magic, where did reserves come from? We know it was given to us by gods of every pantheon and across the span of the four era's but why? We may know the answer but we do not know the reasons...As my master told me...If i really want to find them out then find them put, all it takes is your resolve and effort...Surely I can't put in the time if I am queen of the kingdom but if that is what the people want then who am i to rea-''
She was interrupted by the fallen one kissing her and making her head go blank as his arms caressed her before he pulled back and spoke with no emotion in his face,
''Do not fret I believe I can handle this, I will be in Willabaar's lab and I promise you that I will stop you becoming queen.''
Kyu went towards the door but heard her voice once more,
''I love you...But his name is Mathis..''
''Ah yes...Well then I will be in Seirei's lab if needed.''
The angel walked out as Baarias laughed and went to lay in bed, the same place that Kyu just laid and drifted quickly to sleep but not before one more sigh could be heard as sounded on the verge of sleep,
''Fuck sake...I am going to have train him hard…''
Bee was snoring loudly in his chamber until he was awoken by the sounds of crashing metal as he saw Gura with a large sword in the all and her breathing heavy before she turned to see the now sitting dwarf looking at her with confusion as he pulled out a rolled parchment of Ember Root and spoke as he lit it with a flame brimming from his hand,
''So let me guess...No one actually wants to be in charge of this place right?''
''I thought that was obvious...The people are good but we all have our own duties in the kingdom even Yyvone...Surprisingly even Mathis has a title other than prince here so It makes no sense for any off us to become the new ruler…''
''Then just let me handle it tomorrow.''
Gura turned to see a now fully dressed Bee making his way over and kissing her on the forehead before hugging her and speaking into her ears,
''I'll be in the royal asshole's lab if you need me okay. Don't worry you ll not have to become queen if you don't want to.''
He went to walk away but was grabbed by the woman as she kissed him before he let,
''Why do I love a idoitic dwarf like you?''
''Because who else can kick your ass?''
They shared a laugh as Bee left the room and Gura laid in bed and finally fell to sleep.
Mathis was sitting at his main desk in his lab, scratching his head and looking through all the documents but to no happiness it seemed until he heard the door open and turned to see both Kyu and Bee standing there,
''What are you two ding up now?''
''Probably the same as you asshole...You and Gura and I'm guessing Baarias don't want to rule...that you thinking so far?''
''Yes my wife shall not be queen, we must find another for the task. You do have two uncles right Mathis?''
Mathis raised his arm behind his back, grabbing its elbow with his right and cracking more than usual more than likely due to the stress of the whole ordeal as he spoke,
''Well yeah they are just as busy with their jobs as the rest of us. Well maybe Dracul but I'm not sure about it. He does like his studies and he is immortal being a Lytch and all so no royal succession but i cannot imagine he would be the type to attempt ruling forever but maybe…''
The eyes of the prince lit up as a devilish smile took over his face to the other two's confusion,
''He could be a dowager...for Yyvone.''
Bee's eyes opened as he seemed to understand as Kyu looked at him and mimicked his facial expression before the angel spoke with a robotic ness of his voice,
''Y-Yes...A D...Do...Do wage her…''
Mathis looked at Kyu,
''Buddie...what is a Dowager?''
The angel looked around the room before he looked back and responded,
''Ummm...it's like a general but a man''
Getting an ever more confused look for the pair.
''Than what is a gena..you know what not today. It's not important right? let's just talk to this…'Dracul' person.''
Mathis looked at the two,
''Oh yeah you two have not formally met him yet have you? He played himself in the play...You know the one that Bocaj saved and promised to serve him?''
The two seemed to remember the shadowy creature that was their other than the man who played the cult leader, A even more evil looking skeleton that made Kyu shudder as he spoke,
''Wait...That thing was not just part of the illusions of the play? Oh Yoru save us all.''
''Don't worry he is harmless...Mostly. Well anyway let me explain the plan before we get some good rest...Yyvone will be queen if you do exactly as planned.''
The two nodded as they sat and the men talked before heading back to their rooms and getting some rest before they executed their plan.
As the sun looked bigger than usual this morning rise, the people still were up in jubilation and making their way to the palace to vote on who would be their leader only to stopped at the palace doors by all of the royal family present, standing in line with their respective partner, All except Yyvone and Mathis who ran out with the little girl on his back laughing and grabbing his hair until he pulled her off, Orelia grabbed her smiling making the girl blush and look away as usual before Jericho walked forward and spoke,
''Welcome people of the kingdom of Recocto! The winds have risen from the edges of the Seven Sands. Their cursed forgotten lands having moved untapped power that we could have known, we no longer stand above it fully powered and ready to return the endless fresh water sea to a place safe for all but the leviathan of old but now we rejoice for the vote begins now! All royals will give one final speech before you go on and decide! Would any like to go first?''
He turned back to his surprise to see young Yyvone with her hand raised and a big smile beaming on her blushing cheeks walking forward as the eldest here composed himself before turning back to the crowd.
''W-Well it seems the youngest of us, the Seventieth royal child of the Price line! The young monk prodigy that the first born himself says is a fine student! Yyvone Price!''
The crowd all started their cheers once more at their small little princess who curtsied before she gestured one hand softly making the crowd all calm and smile along with her as she began to speak,
''My people, I love this land and all the people who inhabit the beautiful kingdom of Recocto! I ask you all now from the bottom of my heart that I wish to spend my years being the one to rule you all with a soft touch to you and a wrapped fist for our enemies! In case you think my age a problem now that uncle Dracul has agreed to be my Dowager until I turn sixteen in eight years time, I will be taught by the man who taught my father, your first king who to rule and I will embrace it with open arms! I also hold the support of the Chief warden of the Dragon Spire Prison and your fourth of princes Mathis Tysol and his new wife and your future princess Orelia Tysol! I also have the support of the grandmaster of the Cardor Institute and your second princess Baarias Price and her new husband Kyuuwin Kurama-Price and finally the first born princess and the leader of the Recocton Forces Gura Price and her new husband Mountain Bee! As you can see I wish for this role and have the support of everyone here only not the Second Prince Jericho as I did not ask him after receiving such overwhelming support...Follow me and I will lead us like Bocaj! And like my father said, COURAGE FOR CURRENCY!''
The crowd erupted as the royals behind also joined in the early celebrations, making Jericho not sure how to react before shaking his head, letting out a small chuckle before joining in.
The commoners made their way in droves through the palace doors and going to the furthest back where there was a opening to a grand training ground out of a selfish monk's wildest dreams where the royals all now stood, watching everybody place their votes as the day went on seeming forever until finally at the start of sunset the last ballot was done and all that remained was to count the results, Drax and Dracul picked up the boxes with there magic and proceeded to walk off before shouting back to them all,
''We shall have the results by the mourning so get some rest!''
As they walked out of the eyesight everybody decided that it was time they all slept as well and made their way back to their rooms.
As the subtle pitter patters lessened as are heroes all walk inside their respective places out of their more royal attire to more comfortable nightwear, we find Kyu and Barrios talking casually as she compares suits of armor for her little pet as he started speaking, looking the balcony out to the moon.
''I believe your sister will be taking the throne and that will mean your eventual explement you know that right.''
Baarias walked to Kyu hugging him from behind as she softly spoke,
''I don't like that as much as she pretends to hate me, it's all bluster. she should grow out of it. Hate to imagine her being like Zandar...that's a thought right Kyu? Don't want that now do we.''
she chucked as Kyu turned, hugging into her as he spoke softly.
''I will need to meet Bee and Willabaar in the lab soon to guarantee your failure. You should rest.''
She looked out the window and smiled the fallen walked past she shouted to him,
''Hey! I love you! Say it back!''
She had a half pout and a half smile as the angel tilted his head like usual and spoke,
''I love you...That all you wanted?''
She was in shock but nodded as the fallen one left and she smiled while slowly creeping into bed giggling like a school girl as she tried to sleep.
Mathis was sitting at his desk once more looking at the stacks of parchments again and tapping his finger endlessly until Orelia shouted through her sleepy voice,
''Stop that and come to bed will you! It's cold tonight!''
The prince stopped as he looked at his future wife wrapped in a blanket and half asleep before he walked up to kiss her before he spoke,
'' I love you so shush...I need to meet Kyu and Bee in the lab to make sure everything went of without a hitch okay?''
She smiled through the blushing as she nodded making the prince chuckle as he moved towards the door but turned back to her before he left,
''Make sure you get some sleep, okay? Our wedding is the day after tomorrow remember?''
Her face widened as she threw a pillow at the door making him close it and leave before it hit as she screamed at him,
''Idiot!! How will I sleep now!?''
She rolled back into bed as her frown turned into a subtle smile as she closed her eyes and drifted off slowly.
Bee was getting dressed ready for something while Gura was already laying under the blanket and staring at the roof thinking about what would happen tomorrow and where he was going off to before the dwarf sat next to her and spoke,
''I need to meet with his royal asshole and the bird to make sure Yyvone get's in tomorrow so get some rest I should not be too long.''
''Fine...I hope we are not making a huge mistake by having her do this...She may regret it.''
Bee kissed the woman on the forehead before he laughed and headed towards the door but turned back to speak one last time,
''Ain't that the story for most royals? I love ya so get some sleep before tomorrow got it?''
She smiled and nodded at the demon before he closed the door and she rolled over and closed her eyes with that smile staying as she drifted off.
Mathis sat at the large dark oak desk waiting as he heard the noise of the door opening, seeing Kyu and Bee arrive and take a seat each, Kyu on a desk's chair close to the prince and Bee sitting on the edge of Mathis's desk itself making the prince look him up and down before he spoke,
''So did you do what I said?''
The dwarf nodded and took out another rolled parchment of Ember Root, lighting it the same way before he exhaled a cloud of blackened smoke before he answered,
''Yeah I did don't worry...The entirety of the military and monastery are voting Yyvone...What number that put us at?''
Mathis rolled his eyes as he did the maths,
''If it is all of them then around twelve million votes...There are eighty odd million living here mind so Birdie tell me, how did you get on?''
The angel took his attention from using his wings to blow the Ember Root smoke away from him before he spoke,
''Oh yes...Baarias said she was able to convince the entirety of the institute to agree to vote for the young princess...she said that us around nine to ten million but then she also convinced Wilt to talk to the vendors and Alchemist and so on for her and that was another two million for her...How does it look?''
Mathis restarted the maths in his head,
''Twenty-Three million...Well I used my position at the prison to sway around four million and from just talking I'd add another million on that...Twenty-eight million eh? Nice to have over fifteen percent guaranteed but I'd like more….Well we have done all we can I would say gentleman...I just hope we have done enough.''
The dwarf started to chuckle before he choked on the smoke he breathed in, after he recomposed himself he turned to Mathis,
''I get we can't do anymore but...Have you thought about what you will do if you get chosen?''
Mathis made a grim face turning back to the desk, now hands clasped under his chin as he spoke,
''I could not tell you Bumble Bee...I really can't but even if I do somehow get given this cursed role it will not stop the plans we have set. Shitto and all the steps will fall and if it is that easy to attain godhood by just pulling the emotions of mortals to the surface and feeding of it then we just pick one that we think suits us and take the title...Sound good to you?''
Bee let out a sour smile before shaking the princes hand, the two then looked over to Kyu who seemed to be in a world of his own before putting his hand in also, the three men all nodded once more and made their way out of the lab and into their respective rooms, slowly getting into bed with their significant other and sleeping what might be for some of them, theur last night of freedom before being giving the crown of thorns.
Well it seems like a royal family united seems to be able to steer the ship but what about when a ruler is chosen? It seems the youngest seems to agree with what is coming but only being eight and if she lives a full and healthy life she will have to sit on that throne for a mortal century...Oh I would not wish that on even you...Hm? Ah yes we now move on to the final part of this groups time in the kingdom of Recocto before they start their journey into the Badlands and hope to find their opponent and finish him for good this time...The steps still being a thing does shock me quite seeing as they were formed at the end of the first era...makes me wonder if any of the other originals still claim that petty title...Alas we are about to find the new ruler of the kingdom will be but then after that the wedding of the False Heroes...Oh how I am glad I do not need to attend that drivel...You want to hear about it...Of course you do...Fine let us continue.