"Empress Amatilda, I daresay my son Jonoviche looks very nice with young Princess Yanelis. Look how nicely they get along." Duke Ascall Fanene enthuses to the Empress.
"They do seem to be enjoying themselve, but it's much too soon to consider her partners now." Empress Amatilda replies as she eyes the children playing.
"Ami, I do feel it's worth a consideration. Ensuring our beloved children have good partners is our deepest wish, thus their potentials should be groomed from this age to stand beside them." Emperor Cisos gently suggests, but gives Ascall a meaningful look.
"I do agree, we'll allow the potentials to be groomed, but they'll chose from them themselves." Amatilda states, getting affirmative replies. She talks a sip of tea, but catches Yanelis watching her, sharing a subtle glance with her.
Later that evening, Yanelis walks beside her mother to her rooms. She waits patiently though only being four at the time for them to enter them. In the privacy, she dares to asks her questions. "Mother, why are you entertaining Duke Ascall's proposal?"
Amatilda smiles at her daughter, sitting with her at her receiving table. "When you see a snake, keep an eye on them. If you see a sheep, lead them properly and diligently so if one dares to bear fangs and turn into a wolf you can handle them immediately."
"Oh mother, what wisdom you held." Yanelis slowly opens her eyes after recalling such a memory. Of course, when she was crowned one of the first things she did was remove the whole of Duke Ascall's family. Chantal is the second born princess to the royal family, and Yanelis is the fourth.
"Your majesty, Commander Nariko Faustina is here with their findings." Sophia announces.
"Oh? Bring her in at once then." Yanelis states before pouring herself some wine.
"Your Majesty, I have reports regarding the blacksand seas. The pirates have been restless and destructively attacking any ships, regardless of how armed they are. It appears they're revolting against the Pirate Queen of the Eastern Seas." Commander Nariko reports while kneeling.
"Another revolt against the Pirate Queen? Geez, her siblings don't seem to be accepting her rule anytime soon. How's this affecting us?" Yanelis questions as she drums her fingers absentmindedly on the arms of her chair.
"Your Majesty, we've lost three trade ships so far and there's news of other territories being cautious of trading with us from the sea. This will limit trades to what can be transported by land." Nariko quickly replies.
"I see, so I guess the only response is to have you lead our naval fleets to remove this unruly problem. Don't bother the Pirate Queen's fleets, but remove any others that dare to interfere with our travels. Increase the water patrols by three for the time being." Yanelis orders with a large smile on her face, causing those around her to become weary and excited of what she'll do.
"At once, your Grace. I thank you for the honor of leading this battle." Nariko bows before taking her leave quickly.
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Asteropaios finds himself talking to Duchess Bertila almost as soon as he comes in. He finds out rather quickly that he appears to be a sought after commodity, every curious soul vying for a moment with him. As opposed to this, Jun melted away and is at the sidelines by himself. Not that there weren't groups of people at the fringes, none greeted him and he went there after greeting the Duchess.
"Prince Asteropaios, her Highness, Princess Chantal is such a beloved friend. Have you two met yet?" Duchess Bertila breaks into his thoughts, bringing his attention back to them.
"I'm afraid we haven't met yet. Greetings Princess Chantal." He gives her a respectful nod, catching the same features that so resembled the Empress, but also set her as not at the same time. A much more gentle feel came from her, in both demeanor and looks. Her pink hair was a bit darker, and her eyes were a bit more blue.
"My apologies, but I was to attend tea with you, the Empress and Consort Jun yesterday before it was interrupted. I am pleased to finally be able to welcome you to our empire." Chantal replies, smiling cheerfully and seeming to brighten the room from her simply existing. He realised that the princess was a powerful ally immediately.
"I thank you for your kindness Princess Chantal, I have been looking forward to meet the one that implemented the orphanage reformations. I believe I have much to learn from those with such foresight, diligence and care." he states earnestly.
"It is true that Princess Chantal here is a bright woman, both in mind and presence." Duchess Bertila adds wholeheartedly.
"Enough with the flattering, I simply saw an issue and worked to fix it." Chantal deflects with a flush to her cheeks before turning back to him. "Empress Yanelis is rather fond of those that can handle their responsibilities well, so do keep that in mind."
"I thank you for your advice, Princess Chantal. I shall ensure not to let anyone down." He humbly replies before his eyes falls back onto Jun. "Your Graces, may I inquire as to why Consort Jun is by himself on the sidelines? For such a kind man, I am surprised he's not more in the lime light."
The two women share a look, the Duchess Bertila answers. "Consort Jun's condition has rendered him somewhat of an outcast in social gatherings. He's shy and many find it difficult to converse with him. It does pain me to see him so isolated though, I've tried to bring him into the fold many times."
"He's a prodigy, is he not? Who doesn't like a good musician?" Asteropaios asks, sharing a look with the two women.
"You mean to have him play here? What a wonderful idea!" Chantal agrees readily.
"This will help him to enjoy himself at least, I have no complaints." Bertila says, then adds. "If he agrees of course, I don't wish to cause him more strain."
"I shall asks him if he'd like to, and what he'd like to play." He tells them, then excuses himself and makes his way to Jun. He was stopped a few times, but was able to excuse himself after a short greeting by saying he was on a request from Bertila and Chantal. "Jun, how are you enjoying the festivities?"
Jun looks at him in wonder, uncertain how he appeared so suddenly. He rather liked Asteropaios though, strangely finding himself more and more comfortable around him. "I think it's fun watching everyone."
"Duchess Bertila's pianist for the evening had to cancel for the night, she would be relieved and honored if you would play a couple of songs for her and Princess Chantal." He tells Jun, watching as the man seemed to struggle with himself on how to reply. He reaches over and gently squeezes his shoulder. "It's fine if you don't wish to, they don't wish to impose on you. It's up to you what you wish to do." He adds, hopeful he'd agree but was fine either way.
Jun struggled to think of people watching him, feeling both happy and anxious. He glances over, seeing the hopeful faces of Bertila and Chantal which had him nodding before he knew it. "Ok." He says carefully, remembering his interactions with the women before. Both were so kind to him, he couldn't help but wish to do something for them.
"Please follow me then to greet the two, shall we?" Asteropaios only starts to lead Jun after he agrees. Their attendees flank them as they go, making more of a shield around them. He noticed it wasn't fully needed as the others appeared to easily part for them. "How long have you played for?" He decides to distract Jun with talking.
"Shortly after becoming Neli's Consort, so for four years now. She looked so admirable playing the piano, I found myself joining often." Jun answers with a true smile.
"You must really like the Empress, I'm glad." Asteropaios comments, causing Jun to blush again.
"I don't just like her, I love her." Jun replies, being shy again.
"Greetings Consort Jun, it's a pleasure to meet you again." Bertila greets him immediately as they neared them. The ring of women move with her, all greeting him.
"I'm glad that you've come to join us." Chantal says, her smile somehow brighter.
"He's agreed to honor us with a few songs on the piano." Asteropaios tells them, gaining excited replies from the group of women.
"He will?!" Chantal asks as though she's expecting him to take it back.
"I-I will! Please accept my playing as a thank you for your kindness Princess Chantal, Duchess Bertila." Jun answers suddenly, flushed face as he gives them both a bow.
"Of course we will!" Bertila replies immediately.
"Consort Jun, isn't that great?" Asteropaios asks, bringing him out of his shock.
"Yes!" Jun replies, gracing them with his smile and casing some of the women to gasps and blush. Indeed, Jun was a special weapon himself.
"Duchess Bertila, can you show us to the piano?" He requests, bringing her attention back.
"Of course, right this way!" She replies, showing them to a white and gold piano on a platform. "Please play whatever you wish, and for however long you'll like."
"Thanks Duchess Bertilda, I'll try to play my best for you." Jun says with a large grin, melting the hearts of the women watching. He starts to play, him testing the sound first to make sure it's tuned before allowing his fingers to flow with an effortless grace that was awe inspiring. Yes, he was simply a duel attack with nobles once he's given the right stance to shine. He held such a friendly and open hearted aura that it was impossible to dislike him. Under the lights, his red hair shimmered and his warm brown eyes betrayed his emotions and thoughts too easily. Besides that, there's definitely an air of innocence to him that captured hearts, especially women. Not even the great Empress could turn away from the lonely prince. Besides that, his fluid musical abilities showed his competence, further showing his skills in surprising ways besides him simply being cute. In short, he was the perfect one to capture the attention of others once he steps into the light.
And thus, he is Asteropaios' first and most important ally.
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"Consort Jun truly is as gifted as rumored. I'm glad to of had the chance to hear him play." Prince Ericus comments as he looks over the balcony to the stage below. His eyes move from Jun to Asteropaios though, a smile gracing his lips.
"True that it's always a treat to get the chance to experience it. However, this can't be the reason you requested a moment with me, so shall we start with this discussion?" Count Jebuk Aznárez states plainly as he stares at the other man, scrutinizing his every move.
"Certainly, I'm sure that you'll find this interesting." Ericu replies, giving him his full attention.