Shir had felt the looks when she walked through the halls to the courtroom. The servants or guards who had taken a seconed glance, cocking an eyebrow or narrowing their eyes at her. A Princess in a suit was not something they were used to seeing but Shir didn't care. It was surprisingly comfortable compared to her dresses and looked just as good in her opinion. With a quick breath, the Princess opened the grand doors, revealing the courtroom.
Both courts and their court members were all mingling and chatting without a care. Shir could hear that Commander Kyree had began to laugh at a joke. It looked to be Commander Gil from Montes had made the joke or whatever he had said to get the senior commander to chuckle. The guards by the door had given the Princess a suspicious glance, his glance a little too low for her liking. Shir glared at one and he immediately turned his gaze. After all, the Princess had been able to defeat any guard within trianing, it was well known that she was more than a competent Knight. Even if she hadn't officially been seen as one, no guard had ever doubted her authority let alone her skill.
Grabbing herself a quick drink, Shir looked around the room, noting that not everyone had arrived yet. Her mother and father, King Arvin and Queen Yobel, were sitting at their seats. Both of them in friendly conversation with King Shev and Queen Ivy. Noticing that Toney hadn't arrived yet, the Princess turned her gaze to the older mage. Montes's court mage, Eddie. He was also sat on his seat, looking through some old notebook that Shir guessed was his own studies. Remembering the old mages suspension when King Arvin had requested that Montes should stay clear of the volcano, she saw use in talking to him.
Her father was planning something, the least she could do is try and silence any worries. "Eddie, was it?" Shir asked politely as she sat down across from him. The older mage looked up, his concentration on his notes had broken.
"Yes is it, Princess, may I help you?" Eddie responded back, his tone polite but he did look to be bored of the wait.
"I'm just waiting on Toney" Shir shrugged, not bothering to hide her own boredom. Eddie looking her over with a slight confusion but after clearing his voice he spoke.
"I've met the young mage once, he was buissy on some kind of research, heavily based on alchemy?" Eddie asked, his tone sweet that Shir almost fell for his little trap. Having to keep in mind that before the alliance had been formally signed, they can still be an enemy.
"In a way, for now he is just trying to find a more effective heal. Desert flowers or whatever they're called are rare" Shir answered, it was a half lie. Since Toney had been complaining over the years about having to find the flower in such a harsh environment. With a nod the old mage agreed.
"I've been trying for years but he sure can try' he mused, chuckling even.
"I have no idea when it comes to alchemy but I guess he had done some experiments?" Shir shrugged again, hearing a chuckle from the older mage in response.
"Alchemy isn't for everyone but a useful skill. But I doubt you came to talk to an old man to hear me ramble" Eddie sighed softly, "is Toney joining us today?". With a nod, Shir answered.
"Yes he will but late it seems" the Princess gave a displeased expression. "He's not the most organised" she added but with her voice shifted with a chuckle as she joked.
As if on cue, the younger mage walked through the large doors and smiled a little brightly before making his way over. "Sorry I'm late, got lost in study" he chuckled as he sat down.
"I understand the feeling, to spend so much care and time to try and find the next discovery" Eddie nodded with him, having a tone of nostalgia. As if the older mage was remembering his time as a young mage, exploring and experimenting.
"Got any new studies, yourself?" Toney asked, his voice curious and soft. The older mage gives him a quick, mistrusting look before answering.
"Not exactly, I have a few experiments to do but nothing big" Eddie shrugged, looking back down at his notebook. Opening it to the page he was on, signalling he was done with the conversation. The Princess and mage nodded and got up, moving to a more comfortable seat by the fire place.
"Odd" Toney mumbled. Shir understood the suspension, he wouldn't have given such a vague answer after expressing his love of the studies. He would not have, not if he was hiding something.
"I know" the Princess agreed but not before smirking and in a quieter voice she teased. "But a little birdie cracked" she began, watching as the mage gave her a confused expression. "So you and Eva? Quite the interesting pare- I mean, I get it. Cute young girl and you're one of the only member of royal court that is not expected to marry a nobles daughter". Shir chuckled softly as she watched the mages gears turn, as he relaises what the Princess knew.
"Look, it's not what you think" Toney began to plead, a worry to his tone that confused Shir for a moment. "That is not all we do- I mean, I do treat her more like a Princess then I do you- that didn't come out right" the mage covered his face. His cheeks flushed as he failed to explain it.
"Toney, I know you, I know you'll treat my maid right" Shir responded with a gentler tone, "I'd just like to tease you about it is all". The mage looked up with a very unamused look, his eyes rolled as he leaned back in his chair.
"Yeah, I know" Toney muttered with a pout, amusing the Princess. "Suit fits you well" he added, Shir knew he just wanted to change the subject but she also loved how her outfit turned out.
"Thanks, so far no-one had said anything so I'm quite happy with it" Shir grinned, her satisfaction over the outfit showed in her tone. With a chuckle of his own, Toney spoke.
"It looks nice" he grinned but then leaned in to whisper, "looks like it had caught someone's eyes. Prince Rknom keeps glancing at you" the mage winked.
Shir turned in a slight confusion. Rknom was sat by his mother, the two seemed to be discussing something. But when he glanced over he his eyes widened slightly and he quickly turned away. Shir mused as she turned back to the mage, "well, this can be interesting" she shrugged.
"Oh I fear what you'll do to him" the mage joked, "have mercy, Princess" he laughed. Keeping his tone down as to sound like any other chuckle from around the room.
Amongst the chatter, the two King's rose, both of then holding their own copy of the alliance. King Arvin cleared his throat and gathered the attention of everyone in the room. Shir could feel and even match the pride her father seemed to have, seeing his bright grin as he spoke. "Thank you all for joining us today, please accompany me and King Shev to the podium" King Arvin requested, respectful bows followed after him.
"It is time to publicly and officially announce that the Montes kingdom and the Vallendrconis kingdom are now allies. That the time of war can now be far behind us!" King Shev spoke with his own pride, a hope to the older King's tone.
Both royal courts followed behind their respective King. The scene that signalled a new peaceful era, a time with little to no war. "But for how long?" A whisper sounded inside the Princess head, a voice so gentle and fair but stern. She barly heard it but when she did she shrugged it off as just her anxiety, her fear of her men being hurt. That was until it echoed. It didn't boom like it had in her dream but it was the same voice. As it spoke, Shir could see the two mages infront of her jolt. The Princess knew that the court mages could feel a magical presence, a concerning one.
"Peace cannot be small! Peace cannot be signed! Peace can only be brought when the secrets of the past are told!" The deep voice chanted, schooling her. "Beware your allies, Princess, no matter how small or big, watch who you trust" it warned. Toney turning in a jolt when it fell silent, the mage holding up the line.
"Toney?" King Arvin turned in a concern, the King's voice worried, "what is it?".
"I don't- Eddie, you felt that?" Toney asked with a shake in his voice. Queen Yobel was the one who looked most concerned at his tone, Shir watched as her mother scanned the room. Her eyes holding a fear.
"I have, odd, new" Eddie to sounded uncertain, "but whatever it is has to be a distance away. I do not feel it is a concern of ours, not yet at least, your magisty" the older mage bowed, giving his wisdom and guidance. Toney turned to Shir, his eyes narrowed for a moment before softening as they continued after the King. King Shev was the one to shrug and speak up before they left the castle gates.
"Eddie, I trust you can look into that, what was it? "Magical disturbance"?" He asked, the mage nodding.
"Always, your magisty" Eddie responded, giving the older King the reassurance to open the gates with his new allie.
Shir tried to stay focused, that voice had seemed to have only talked to her. A warning. But she also knew that the last person who went to Toney about voices in their mind was diagnosed with an illness. That same person now had made his own ear drums burst, screaming he didn't want to hear it anymore. At the time, the young Princess was the only one avaliable to try and console him and she remembered the fear and distrust in the poor man's eyes.
At the time she could only order the court mage to put him to sleep and when he came to, the King had him locked in his own room to be treated. Last she heard he was still down in his own room in the dungeons but he still fears everyone. At least she knew her father had the room redecorated to be richer. More like an actual home so he wouldn't feel like a criminal because everyone knew he wasn't. Even when the Princess was only 14 she knew that the man was just suffering but she didn't know what she could do.
"No" she thought to herself, keeping a soft smile on her face. "I don't- like King Shev said, it's a magical disturbance, Toney can help!" She tried convincing herself. But a part of her still fears that she would be suffering the same fate of that unfortunate disease. Shaking her head, she forced her mind to stray away from the thought, making a mental note to vist the guy to see if he was doing any better.
As the cool breeze hit her, the Princess looked over to the wall, ontop of the main gate was a stand. There she had seen her father and sometimes her mother give speeches to the people. It is how the court gave out announcements to the city. Shir could already see multiple people ready to write down every word that was said for the rest of the kingdom's to know. Guards bowed as their King's walked up, the courts climbing up to their spots. Looking down, Shir could see hundreds of citizens waiting patiently for the announcement. Curious eyes waiting to see what was new.
King Arvin stood forward, resting the papers on the podium as he spoke. "Ladies! Gentlemen! Me and my dear friend here! King Shev! Would like to announce to you all!" King Arvin began, his voice echoed over the people below. Their curious and now excited gazes looking up at the two King's, "a new alliance!". The crowd cheered, calls of agreements could be heard and both King's waited patiently for their people to calm down before speaking.
"When an alliance is made!" King Shev began to explain, "there would be a few prices! The first being! For better communications! A new road would be built over the valley!".
"We have also agreed on a few smaller details!" King Shev continued, opening his files and clearing his throat to list them. "Stronger trade once the road had built! As an apology for starting the last war! I have agreed to pay the kingdom of Vallendrconis with a handsome amount of gold! The Vallendrconis kingdom had agreed to build a new Dock closer to the captial!".
"I have also agreed!" King Arvin spoke up, almost cutting King Shev off from his listing. "For the sake of balancing the payment! And for the fact that in total! Vallendrconis had declared war far more then Montes! That our southen farmland is surrendered to King Shev!".
Shir felt an anger boil within herself. Surrending farmland! Right after the discovery of her own citizens being half starved! "Father! What in the world are you thinking!" She thought, trying to hide her anger. But around her, the Princess could feel how tense the rest of the royal council had gotten. Even though she didn't pay much attention in court, she was aware enough to know that the payments were not mentioned. Let alone could be looked through in court, the two King's just took that that decision on their own. Without consulting their court.
"Whatever game you are playing father" Shir thought to herself again, "I have a bad feeling about this". Her thoughts raced, all whilst the echoes of that voice flooded her mind. "Beware your allies, Princess, no matter how small or big, watch who you trust".