The next day, I found myself sitting in front of another group of people, but there was no atmosphere of understanding like with Miss Sicilia; instead, the atmosphere was as tense as it could get. I looked at the people in front of me, and I knew that this was going to be fun.
The Duke of Wellington sat in the middle, acting as if a certain lion Beast Lord wasn't steering a hole through his head. He kept his expression stoic, though he couldn't keep a drop of sweat from appearing on his forehead, most likely due to the two women on his sides.
In contrast to Duke's staring at nothing, two of them were solely looking at me, their gazes no less intense than the lion's. The blonde girl seemed interested in me, as if seeing someone like her for the first time. The woman with white hair, on the other hand, had a smile reminding me of times when Morgan plotted how to make someone's life unbearable.
On my side, I sat in the middle, Alexandrina sitting to my left, while Lemuen sat on my right. Shining and Margaret were behind, their focus on the two Draco women, while Cellinia stayed in the shadows, ready to deliver the first strike. I let the silence continue for a moment before speaking up.
-"I never expected to meet you in such circumstances, Duke of Wellington. I hearda bout you from not only Pope, but also Laqeramaline and even the Witch King."
-"To be mentioned by such grand figures its my honor, but this time, the meeting isn't about me but rather the two ladies by my side."
-"Indeed. Then may I ask about the purpose of Dublinn contacting us?"
-"You may."-The white-haired Draco answered.-"But before that, I hope you can tell us about why you possess that flame?"
-"Is that important? I can assure you that the Draco who bestowed it upon me is not of Taran lineage."
-"Then that's even more important."-Her smile widened.-"The bestowal of the flame isn't a simple matter, so I wonder if the Draco you encountered was a fool or someone with grand ambitions."
-"Most likely both."-I smiled slightly, thinking about Talulah and her letters.-"But that doesn't concern you, miss."
-"Oh! I almost forgot. I'm Eblana Dublinn. It's a pleasure, Holy Son."-She introduced herself with forced courtesy.-"This is my sister, Loughshinny Dublinn."
The blond Loughshinny nodded slightly in greeting.
-"Let's focus on the reason for this meeting."-Duke of Wellington spoke up.-"Princess Alexandrina, it's good to see you safe and sound."
-"Thanks to Son's care."-She responded shortly.
-"Good. Thank you, Son."-He thanked me.
-"Everything is just a matter of convenience and interests."
-"Can I interpret that as if Laterano was getting involved in Victoria?"-Eblana jumped at my words.
-"You can, but that will be false. Laterano will maintain its neutrality, not involving itself in conflict between factions or nations in any manner other than as an arbitrator or judge."
-"Heh, like you did here in Leithanien?"
-"Exactly like we did in Leithanien."-I ignored her sarcasm.-"But what does this have to do with Dublinn?"
-"We want to cooperate with that lone princess. In exchange for helping her regain the throne, she will give the lands of Tara back to us."-Eblana said their purpose directly.
-"Out of question."-Alexandrina rejected their demand.-"This isn't the time to fragment the country. First, the external enemies need to be dealt with."
-"And who will deal with them for you?"-Eblana looked at Alexandrina with amusement mixed with pity and disregard.-"Still counting on Laterano, trying to sell yourself to Son? Or maybe look for other outsiders like the way Sarkaz were brought into Victoria?"
-"I have my plans; it doesn't concern you."-Alexandrina responded calmly, ignoring her provocations.
-"The situation in Victoria isn't something that can be resolved quickly, nor arranged in one meeting."-I stepped in.-"Let's just decide whether we are enemies, allies, or just two groups without any relation to each other."
-"We are definitely allies."-Eblana smiled.-"I can agree to give you time to get ready. When the crown is recovered, either by your own efforts or with our support, we can decide what next."
-"Good. Let's focus on the main goal first and settle our differences later."-Alexandrina agreed with her.
They shook hands, signaling that the purpose of this meeting was achieved. But before we could either move forward or end it, Loughshinny looked at me and spoke.
-"Can you show your flame?"
I blinked surprised, but made my golden fire appear.
-"It's warm."-She caught it with her hands, bringing it close to her and closing her eyes in enjoyment."
-"This?! How can this be? No... This... This isn't your flame!"-Eblana looked at my golden fire with doubt and disbelief.-"I can feel it, your flame should be like mine."
She caused the spot between us to ignite in cold purple flames. I looked at them, feeling the death in them, not life.
-"You mean this?"-I let a small black-and-red flame appear.
She looked at it with shock and a strange, almost sickly, attachment in her eyes.
-"Yes. It must be you."-She started to speak under her breath, too quiet for me to hear, but my body couldn't help but have its hair stand on its ends.
-"Can you explain what's going on?"-I asked aloud, looking at two sisters lost in the flames.
-"Ehem, do you know what Draco flame is?"
-"Kind of Originium Art tied to bloodline. Manifesting as a powerful flame with special properties."
-"You're right, but you don't understand how important the flames are to Draco. For Draco, their flames are a manifestation of blood and soul, representing who they are. The ceremony of bestowal grants a person a so-called spark, allowing them to manifest similar flame, but as they lack the Draco bloodline, those flames are weak, lacking any special properties."
-"But my flames are not like that."-I pointed that out.
-"Indeed, that is the problem. To be honest, I'm not sure what happened in your case. Most recorded cases of people with bestowed flames speak only of a slight increase in strength and endurance, with flame Arts as an addition."
-"I indeed felt the increase in vitality when I received that 'spark', aside from that, I only felt that my control over those fires increased, nothing more."
-"Those fires existed before the ceremony?"-Duke asked to confirm.
-"Yes."-I nodded.
-"Then I think that your flame isn't manifested yet, or your flame was never one thing, but rather an affinity to accept other fires."-He theorized.
-"Thank you for your information, Duke. It would seem that I need to look into it in the future."
Not long after, I left the room. This meeting hadn't resolved any worries I had, nor did it allow me to relax. Dublinn climbed up on my list of headaches, especially the twin leaders who declared that they will write and visit often. As we were walking back, I looked at Alexandrina by my side.
-"Enemy of my enemy is my friend, but never trust them."-I advised.
-"I know. They will either fall in line or meet the same fate as any other enemy."
I nodded at that. Alexandrina was a qualified leader, so I wasn't worried about her. I left the matter of the further dealings with Dublinn to her, as it was connected to her future more than mine.
Luckily for me, there was only one matter left for me in Leithanien, the knighting of Viviana. Because of everything, this matter was pushed back, but now we were able to focus on this properly. Mostima already send the ceremonial sword while the Empresses arranged the venue.
And so, a few days after the meeting with Dublinn, crowds gathered in front of the Empresses' Spires. The surroundings were filled with the festive atmosphere, the sound of the Lateran organs and Leithanian orchestra echoing around, creating a pleasant symphony. But those were all but background to the person standing in the center of the plaza.
Viviana stood there, back straight, eyes focused on the Spires before her. Her armor was modified to look closer to Lateran style, the colors following the white and blue that were associated with me. But she kept the overall style of her armor, especially the tattered cloak, only replacing the red underlining with blue. The light seemed to bend around her, further accenting her beauty, making her look even more like a noble knight.
When I finally stepped onto the plaza with Lemuen following me with the ceremonial sword in her hands, everyone quieted down. Soon, the only sounds remaining were the crisp sound of my boots on the ground. I stopped a step before Viviana, who knelt before me as I was approaching. Lemuen handed me the sword while I listened to Viviana's vow.
-"I vow to fear God and maintain His Church, to serve the Holy Son in valor and faith, to protect the weak and defenseless, to live by honor and for glory, never to refuse a challenge from an equal, never to turn the back upon a foe."-She recited the vows of a Knight.
-"I accept your vows."-I spoke, the light appearing around us.
Like previously, the halo soon formed above her head, but due to so few Sankta around, she didn't feel much discomfort. She slowly stood up, her eyes gazing into mine. Like other girls before, Viviana was unused to the Empathy, causing her to convey all her emotions and thoughts to me at the moment, even Lemuen at the side was trying hard not to laugh.
We soon left the plaza, returning to my mansion shortly after. There, Lemuen instructed Viviana about Empathy, causing the deer girl to almost run away in shame. In the end, I had to step in and promise to give her all the time she needs. Even then, for the next few days, she was unable to look at me without her face reddening.
The remaining time in Leithanien was spent in Azure Dream. The construction proceeded and finished as planned, and the white fortress surrounding the tree looked majestic in the ethereal surroundings of Azure Dream. And this was also our cue to leave. We've spent almost four months in Leithanien, so it was time to return to Laterano.
On the day of our departure, the citizens of Zwillingstürme bid us farewell, sending us out with flowers and music. Even the Empresses appeared, 'walking' us to the gates. Even outside the walls of the city, we still could hear the farewell songs for miles. Only when the mobile platform fully disappeared behind the horizon did we teleport back to Laterano.
In Laterano, I tried to enter the city before they could gather by the gate, but I forgot how Sankta were, and so, we were greeted by cheers and unmistakable sounds of gunfire. But my mind was more occupied by all that input of emotions flowing toward me, causing Shining to step forward so that I didn't stumble. And so, she supported me until we finally returned to my residence.
-"Long time no see."-Mostima appeared from inside, kissing my cheek.-"How was Leithanien?"
-"Busy but productive. A country for researchers and artists. It was fine."-I gave such an evaluation.
-"Sounds fun. So what now? Any plans?"
-"Yes. For the next month, I'll be busy finishing the formation in Laterano and setting up the teleportation between here and Azure Dream. With those done, I'll need to depart once more."
-"It's the time. Sigh."-Mostima sighed.-"Will you take us with you?"
-"Lemuen will need to remain in Laterano to take care of our plans and cooperation in Siracusa and Leithanien. But I do indeed plan to take the rest of you."
-"So only I'm left out? Sigh, what a heartless Son."-Lemuen started to act pitiful.
-"You can visit Azure Dream any time."-I rolled my eyes at her.
-"Right, I received a letter addressed to you."-Mostima handed an envelope to me.-"Some admirer?"
-"No."-I shook my head, quickly reading through the page-long letter.-"Arturia. I was wondering where she had disappeared into, and now I know."
Mostima also read it quickly, her eyebrow rising.
-"To prepare the next stage? Should we look for her?"
-"Leave her be."-I shook my head.-"Since she wrote that we'll meet again, you can capture her then."
-"I'll arrange that."-Mostima noted that, then her eyes lit up as if remembering something.-"Old Man wanted to see you. Something about that thing and your departure."
-"I'll see him shortly."-I nodded.
And I did. Our meeting lasted for hours as we discussed the things I had uncovered about myself, my plans, and the future of Laterano. The Old Man tried his best to advise me, but he himself knew that my situation was far from things he knew or fully understood, so he only stressed one thing to me: Laterano will always back me. This was reassuring, but that's all.
So I got to work. I first focused on finishing the magic formation. With the foundation done previously, I only needed another week to complete the remaining parts. But I took a little more time to prepare it for the anchor linking Laterano and Azure Dream.
Looking at me working from morning to night, Qingyan tried many times to help, but found it difficult to learn any runic magic with her magic power being attuned to lightning to such an extreme that even her hair would stand up from time to time. Of all the girls around me, only Cellinia and Mostima had talent in magic, while the rest leaned more toward miracles.
But even with only me, the work was soon finished, everything wrapped up. That day, when I finished, I found myself sitting on the highest roof of the Lateran Cathedral, looking at the city around me. After minutes of silence, I heard someone sitting next to me.
-"What's on your mind?"-Asked Shining, who guarded me today.
-"I'm just thinking."-I looked at the white walls and streets below.-"I hated this place for so long that now, when I work to make it something I can truly love, I find myself wondering if those feelings were ever true."
-"Hmm... While I can't be sure, I think that you never hated Laterano. You just couldn't stand those things you now try hard to correct, mistakenly attributing this feeling to the whole city."
-"Maybe."-I closed my eyes.-"I was so stubborn about escaping this place... This role... But when I found myself in the Lands Between, I never could get rid of the feeling that I was far away from home. Now I finally understand why Princess sent me back home."
Shining didn't speak, just sat there with me.
I watched how the night covered the whole city, the lights first appeared, then disappeared, bringing the darkness to the city of light. Love it or hate it, this was my home, my roots. Since the day I was born, since the first words caused my halo and wings to appear, I wore the crown. So I need to finally learn how to bore it's weight.