Lunaria collapsed to the floor upon listening to the executive decision made by her father. Her legs instantly turned jelly as she lost all lower body strength from the decision.
"Luna!" Kaze grabbed Lunaria before she fell hard, one of the maids in the room also rushing up front to help the princess.
"Lunaria," Laevia hastily got to her daughter's side and checked on her condition. "Come on, Kaze. Take her to the side."
Together, the three brought Lunaria to a nearby chair where she could lean her body. Laevia casted some sort of magic on Lunaria's forehead, where her uneven rapid breathing began to settle down. With her hand clutching her chest tightly, Lunaria's face turned pale white as she was made to stop hyperventilating. Clearly, this was a case of panic attack, one that Lunaria was vulnerable to from her anxiety still not healing.
"K-Kaze…" Lunaria wheezed, leaning her body towards his where she buried her face into his chest. "Kaze…"
"Laevia-sama, will Lunaria be okay?" Kaze asked the Empress as she commanded the maid to bring over a glass of water.
"She will, it's probably the shock that she has to part ways with you that overcame her rationality," Laevia sighed. "I feel bad that she has to suffer because of the news, but it was better than directly announcing it without you two having prior knowledge first."
"Kaze, please ask any questions you may have, and we will try to explain everything to you," Reginsleif walked over and sat in an armchair opposing them. "I understand this is not fair for you, especially my daughter, but it is what that has been discussed."
"Lunaria not returning was already something we expected when discussing about the end of our trip here," Kaze started explaining his stance. "Since it would be too big a risk to allow Lunaria to return to a foreign nation where her safety is easily compromised, the obvious solution is for her to remain here and probably only leave the nation heavily guarded. We now know the devils are involved, only that we don't know whether they have any more need for Lunaria and when they will strike again."
"Precisely," Reginsleif nodded firmly. "I'm glad you took the initiative to discuss the near future with Lunaria already, so that eases things for me. Sir Ethan agreed that it would be too much trouble to allow Lunaria or anyone from Aravel to enter Czech again in a public form, meaning that all meetings and visits between our nations are postponed. For the time being, the most we could do is send you and your friends back before cutting any means of normal communication."
"… Reginsleif-sama, would it be rude of me to ask if it is possible for me to stay in Aravel?" Kaze asked in a low, unsettling tone. "I… know this is probably a dumb idea, but I don't want to let Lunaria suffer from potentially being unable to see me for years."
"If you think we haven't considered THAT possibility, you should know it opens a whole can of worms," Reginsleif smiled wryly. "First of all, that would mean withdrawing you from school in Czech and having you study here. How are we to explain to the school board on this? Does this mean that Aravel is now open to the public or only allows people entry to the nation as long as they have connections with the royalties? How would this affect your friends? Secondly, the public on both sides might not react well to allowing a human to stay in Aravel after all that happened. By allowing you to stay here, not only will we have to provide an explanation for the people in Czech, but we also have to explain to our citizens as well. You and your friends coming is probably the talk of the town by now seeing that no one has ever been into Aravel for decades, so they would know if even one of you is missing. For people on our end, some would not be pleased to learn that we are willing to accept a human just because he has ties with us. This would also mean we have to announce your relationship with Lunaria publicly earlier than we expected, making it a double-negative what would do no good. Thirdly, our relationship with Czech has not… been the best it has in years."
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"If you remember, Lunaria had caused quite a lot of destruction from going berserk in her dragon form, of which there were lives lost," Laevia took over for her husband. "As much as the blame wasn't on us for causing the damage since the culprit were the two devils and the bandit camp, the public is concerned that 'if not for dragonkins from Aravel, there would not have been an incident in the first place'…"
"T-That's outrageous! Do they not care that you are the victims in this?!" Kaze felt bewildered by the accusations. "How would they know that the intentions of the devil were only Lunaria and not anything else in Czech?! Why would they not blame the weak system that is barely able to detect any entry or suspicious activities by the bandits beforehand?!!"
"Kaze, do you think that has not been discussed by Sir Ethan?" Reginsleif gently rebutted. "Remember: this decision was one made by both sides, meaning our Council and Czech's Chancellors. The investigation report that has been released to the public blamed neither side, instead focusing more on the devils behind everything and what weak points that were unexpected. Normally, this would have been enough to quell the public, but, you know, you can't change what a person's perception is easily even with the truth."
"We're not saying that we blame you that night for not looking after Lunaria, Kaze, nor are we saying that we don't accept you to stay with us in Aravel," Laevia placed a comforting hand around Kaze's shoulder. "If there was a choice, we would have offered you to stay with us and our daughters, but with the situation as it is, we can't just deny everything to the public or hide you from Czech."
"Here comes the unfortunate part that we haven't told you," Reginsleif grimaced. "Do you remember how we helped you out of jail when you were falsely accused? Well, it seems like certain people were not happy you 'somehow' escaped and want to hold you accountable for everything that has happened because of a simple jailbreak. It was deemed that it would be beneficial if the blame for everything was shifted to one person rather than a nation or two, which would improve the public image and only be detrimental to that single person… which is you. Of course, Sir Ethan tried to reason them out of it, but it is still something to consider."
This time, it was Kaze's turn to fall speechless. He couldn't believe that people in Tristania were even considering sacrificing him after Ethan tried to protect him. While he could understand it reasonable to pin the blame on him alone to settle the matter once and for all to redirect the public outcry, it was also unfair to simply throw everything on Kaze. Just because he escaped jail, which was supposedly just a place where he was temporarily kept to ensure that he wasn't a suspect in the attack, didn't mean that they could use this as an excuse. After all, it was already proven that every fault laid with the devils as the mastermind of the attack, and they managed to kill a devil at that.
Kaze glanced at Lunaria, who was still trying to calm down after Laevia's magic healing took place. From the way she clutched at his clothes, he could feel her hand trembling. Even the slightest touch made her recoil in fear. Combined with how cold her skin had gone, it was clear that Lunaria somehow couldn't bear to see herself and Kaze being apart for more than a few months.
"Wouldn't the logical solution in this case be to return to Czech together and then visit us once every few months?" Laevia suggested to Kaze. "I'm sure that much is doable. After all, it isn't rare for people to not meet each other for months at a time due to travelling to another nation or city. This also isn't the first time that you and Lunaria have been separated."
"I agree with my wife, Kaze. It's going to be hard for the both of you to not see each other often, but that is the most we can make do with this situation without trying to stir more trouble," Reginsleif nodded. "We can decide with the school through Sir Ethan so that you will be able to obtain a pass that allows travelling to Aravel possible at the end of the school year. What's enduring 3 or 4 months? Unless absolutely necessary, we can try to have you visit every month possible."
"… Am I only… limited to those few choices?"
"Ultimately, the decision lies with Lunaria. As much as I hate to admit it, the only reason we chose not to drive a harder bargain with Czech is out of consideration for our foreign relationship. We still value our ties with Czech, fearing that choosing to be more radical with our solutions would affect the future of Aravel and Czech as a whole. However, a radical solution is still available, subject to Lunaria's consideration. As a father, I value my daughter's opinion more if it means making her happy."
"Dear, I think we should let them be alone and discuss this by themselves. Lunaria would want that."
With Laevia convincing her husband to let them decide on the path to choose, Kaze and Lunaria were dismissed for the rest of the night.
- - - - - - -
The next day at Leiscatie Academy went by in a blur. Kaze had his mind occupied with words from the previous day the whole time, though he tried his best to focus on the lesson itself. As most of the activity for the day itself was normal classes before allowing students to return home earlier in anticipation for the last day they welcome their guests, time went by quickly for Kaze, who spent half his time in class with his mind elsewhere.
Yuuji and the others still weren't aware of whatever Reginsleif had told them yet. It was stated this would only be explained after the fifth day at school since they didn't want the mood to be ruined upon receiving such bad news. The only reason it was told earlier to Kaze and Lunaria was because of the time needed for their deliberation on the next step.
Since the night before, Lunaria had been in complete silence around Kaze. It showed how much of an impact her father's words had on her, especially when she went to sleep without cuddling him or showering together. Around the others, Lunaria masked her true feelings well enough that no one was able to tell anything significant went down the night before. Only her sisters were sensitive enough to know when their eldest sister was pretending or not, but it seemed like they knew it wasn't the right time to talk to Lunaria as they didn't approach her the entire day.
Once school was over, Kaze was immediately surrounded by all four princesses back at the palace. Without much of a choice, he could only divulge whatever information he knew and what was told to him. The more he explained, the darker their faces turned upon the realization of the severity of the situation.
"… and that's it," Kaze sighed, ending his long speech. "Any ideas? I sure as hell don't after getting a nearly sleepless night."
"Cowards," Lunatea cursed as she punched the wall. "This is why I don't feel good about the human nation. Every one of them unwilling to man up against the public with the truth."
"I'm sorry Kaze, I really am," Lucentia took his hand into hers to give him a gentle grasp. "I-I never expected the situation to develop so suddenly while you were here."
"I still feel like the only logical choice would be to admit your relationship with Lunaria-nee and have you stay in Aravel," Luniel mused with her arms crossed. "Just do it; there probably won't be as big a backlash as you expect."
Lunaea, unlike her sisters, didn't have much to say. With her head tilting downwards, she stared at the floor while pacing around the room uncomfortably.
It was definitely unnerving for them to listen to Kaze about his current situation and how it had affected Lunaria. At the same time, it wasn't as big a problem if it was just concerning being separated from Kaze for a few months. They were more concerned with what would happen to Kaze upon returning to Czech. After all, the way he spoke about the situation was almost as though there was some sort of racial riot regarding the dragonkins with Kaze being the one to blame.
"It doesn't make sense. We have already offered to pay for 90% of the damages to the nation and offered our deepest apologies. What more do they want?" Luniel rambled, getting more and more heated the more she tried to analyse the situation. "This is absolutely ridiculous. I don't blame Sir Ethan for what he has done to try and help you. He did go along with our plan to break you out, so I don't believe he will betray you-"
"Luniel, that's enough," Lunatea stopped her younger sister from further complaining. "Whatever the case, we don't have a say in it. It's up to Kaze and Lunaria-nee to decide what they would do from now on."
"I don't feel good about it, but that is true," Lucentia nodded, giving Kaze a hug. "Whatever the outcome, please decide in favour of yourself. Being away from Lunaria-nee for a few months is nothing as long as your safety is absolute. We don't want to see you become an outcast or suffer from being branded a false murderer. Even if your decision is detrimental to Lunaria-nee, it won't be as bad as if you chose something that would harm you."
"No matter what happens, Lunaria-nee will always have her safety guaranteed while you won't," Lunatea declared before blushing while looking away from him. "A-As someone who loves you as much as Lunaria-nee does…. I-I can't let my lover be in harm's way, not when we have the ability to determine the outcome easily."
At her bold statement, Luniel let out a low whistle while Lucentia pouted, knowing that Lunatea certainly hadn't given up their fight on who could conquer Kaze's heart first.
"Lunaria-nee."
Lunaea's soft gasp when Lunaria came into her room broke the lingering silence after Lunatea's declaration of love for him. Everyone immediately focused their sight on her, wanting to see how she was feeling at the moment. Since they parted aways at the academy, no one really knew how Lunaria was as they didn't get the chance to talk to her in private.
Lunaria placed her bag on the study table and walked towards Kaze. Once she was in front of him, she leaned forward into a huge hug from the front, where she pushed him back using her body weight so he would fall flat onto the bed. Kaze, who had been sitting at the edge of the bed since a while ago, accepted Lunaria's body language and did as she wanted, his hand stroking her head once he was lying down.
"Luna… are you alright?" Kaze softly asked, calling her by her pet name that he used to show their intimacy. "We haven't talk since last night."
"... Mm," a soft muffle was all that came from Lunaria.
Gradually, her shoulders began to tremble as she broke down into a full-on sobfest. Lunaria hadn't cried the night before due to her trying to hold her emotions back and analyse the situation. Once she realized how hopeless it all felt, she was unable to control herself any longer and began crying.
Kaze widened his eyes the moment Lunaria cried. As if affecting him, he tilted his head back to look at the ceiling to hold back his tears. His frustration won soon enough, causing him to sob silently in response. All that anger and rage stored up upon learning how selfish the suggestion provided by Czech exploded externally in the form of tears, something that he never thought would bother him as much as him worrying for Lunaria. Perhaps it was a combination of both that overwhelmed him ultimately.
The atmosphere in the room wasn't pretty, to say the least. With the two main victims crying, it was hard for the others to act naturally. By the time Kaze calmed down, Lunatea and her sisters' eyes were wet with tears too. Their natural ability to sympathise with them was much treasured by Kaze, especially when he knew that they were concerned for him and Lunaria's wellbeing to the point they would not hesitate to offer help beyond their level of authority as princesses. This would even mean they were willing to argue with their parents, rulers of the nation, for the sake of a person completely not associated with them on levels lower than what their feelings would allow.
"Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be something so exaggerated," Kaze apologised to the princess with a sad smile, Lunaria still silently hugging him. "The answer is simple honestly: I just need to return with the others and answer any questions needed. Sir Ethan would help, I believe that much."
"… If that is what you want, I will permit it," Lunaria replied, causing the other princesses to feel shocked by her answer.
"L-Lunaria-nee! Are you sure?" Lunatea got down to Lunaria's side and questioned her. "We can't just let Czech do whatever they want to Kaze!"
"I agree with Lunatea-nee. As much respect as I have for Sir Ethan, I don't trust his retainers and subjects," Lucentia frowned. "Who knows what they are willing to do to make themselves look better."
"… No, I agree with Lunaria-nee," Lunaea interjected. "Kaze should return. It would be better for both sides in terms of future prospects. Besides, father said that he was willing to work a way around the ban by allowing Kaze to travel back and forth from Czech to Aravel if necessary. That means we can still meet once a month."
"Mm," Lunaria agreed with Lunaea's points. "I… am worried for Kaze too. I won't forgive myself if I find out later on that I made the wrong decision. It might be dumb for me to do this after learning what I had about human betrayal, but… I want to believe in Yuuji and Sir Ethan. I want to believe in Irene, Mitsui, Chris, Noel, Albert… all my human friends. Most of all, I want to believe in myself, that I can grow from my past mistake and trauma."
"Lunaria…" Kaze widened his eyes at Lunaria's answer. "… Are you sure? I don't want to see you breaking down again after I leave Aravel for good."
"I-I will definitely shed a few tears on nights where I miss you the most, but it won't be to the point that I need complete reliance on you," Lunaria looked up from his chest, her face stained with tears but filled with newfound resolve and determination. "Please. Just like Lunatea said, I don't want my selfishness to be your downfall that would deteriorate not only our nation's relationship with Czech, but also yours with our friends."
Without another word, Kaze sighed and briefly nodded his head. As much as he didn't want to, he went along with Lunaria's decision as he respected it. This was more than himself and Lunaria, it was about the people affected by their decision. Some things were worth sacrificing until they found a viable solution down the road.
For their friends.
For the future of the nations.
And most importantly,
For the sake of their relationship.