Mid Evening - Late Spring : Kingdom of Kaelallan

"Mmmm.." Slowly opening her eyes, Viviana was looking up at a pure white ceiling.

"How are you feeling?" A mature female voice entered her ears.

Her mind took a minute to wake up, but once she did, she jolted up in the bed, "W..where am I?"

"The guest bedroom of the Royal Palace."

Viviana's face paled, as she slowly remembered everything before she passed out.

"S..so that wasn't a dream." Her voice was a little shaky.

"Would you like me to get you anything to help you relax? Any tea or snacks?"

"N..no I could never ask-"

"It's alright, you're Lucy's first friend she can talk eye to eye with, how could I not show some basic hospitality." Martha turned over to the desk and poured a glass of tea. "So what part of town are you from?"

"Um.. the inner edge of the lower district on the East gate side."

"Oh so you don't live in the slums, that's good." She walked over and handed her the tea.

"T..thank you.." Viviana slowly took a sip as her eyes were filled with light. "It's really good.."

"I'm glad you like it. I will prepare some for you to take home."

-So they're sending me home..- Viviana's face is saddened.

"What's wrong? Are there family problems?"

"Oh.. it's not that. I was just excited to make a friend is all.."

"Why do you look sad then?" Martha came over and sat next to her on the bed.

"Well, because I passed out and ruined the date.. now I have to go back home.."

"Oh? I thought you were staying the night?"

"Huh? Are you not sending me home?"

"No, of course not. What made you think that?"

"When you said.. nevermind.. I'm sorry.."

"It's alright." Martha rubbed Viviana's back to help comfort her.

"So.. where is Lu.. I mean, the Princess?"

"You can address her as Lucy around me. She should be having dinner right now."

"Oh.. I missed it.."

"I'm sure they won't mind if you show up a little late."

"A..are you sure?" She was incredibly nervous about meeting the Royal Family.

"Of course I am. As long as you are feeling well enough to go, I think you should join them."

After taking a moment to think and pep herself up, she pulled back the covers and swung her legs over the side.

-I can do this. I can do this. It's only the king and queen... I got this. Come on me! I got this!-

Martha felt happy that she successfully comforted Viviana, giving her a warm smile, "I will lead the way."

"W..w..wait!"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Shouldn't I change?"

She was still wearing her school uniform and her hair was still quite messy after laying in bed.

"You will be fine."

Looking uncomfortable, Viviana reluctantly followed Martha down the hall.

It didn't take long for them to reach the dining room.

-

Dinner hasn't started yet as Oliver was running late, but Helen just arrived.

"Good evening Vasilias."

"Good evening Helen, how was your day?"

"Not bad, could've been worse. Just had to deal with some 'extra paperwork' this morning. So how was school sweetie?" She looked over at Lucy who had a guilty look on her face.

"Oh, it was.. decent until I came home."

"Oh, what happened?"

"Well I made a friend, her name is Viviana. After spending the day talking I asked if she wanted to spend the night, and her parents agreed.. but.."

"But what?"

Seeing Lucy's guiltiness, I spoke up for her, "Viviana is a commoner girl and Lucy never mentioned that she was even a noble, let alone the Princess."

Helens face turned to one of disappointment as her face fell into her hands.

"Sorry mother.."

She wasn't disappointed in Lucy though, it was more in herself. "No no, dont say sorry, it's my fault. I should have taught you about that before you went to school... So where is she?"

*Knock* *Knock*

Before I could answer, the door opened revealing Viviana nervously standing there.

"I have brought Viviana Zidek to attend dinner." Martha gave a deep bow and left, closing the door behind her.

"S..sorry if I'm interrupting!" Viviana's nervousness was obvious as she threw herself into a grovel.

Helen got up from her seat and walked over to her, "you know not showing your face to the queen is bad etiquette."

Vivana hastily looked up to see Helen wearing a smile.

"You are my daughter's friend, please speak comfortably."

What Viviana wanted to say was, 'I could never speak informally in front of the queen' but, -It's an order from the queen.. wouldn't it be treason if I said no?- Her mind started to wander in a strange direction, making several misjudgments before finally deciding to just follow her words. "O..okay.."

"Much better."

Helens warm smile helped ease Viviana's mind even though it was still in chaos.

They quickly sat down before Helen decided to break the ice.

"So tell me about yourself."

"Well.. I'm a commoner. My family lives on the inner edge of the lower district by the east gate. We have been living in Kaelallan for a few years now."

"Oh? Where did your family come from?"

"Sinder. We were lucky enough to leave before the chaos.."

"Ah right, nearly forgot about Sinders situation. So why did you move?"

"My parents are merchants so we moved here for better business."

Their idle chatter continued for a bit before the subject steadily changed to school.

"So I heard there was an incident at the academy this morning."

Lucy tensed up.

"I heard a knight was killed and a student's leg was.. according to the medical report, 'unrecognizable'." She looked over at me like she wanted a response.

I looked her in the eyes and smiled, "I'm sure you would’ve done worse if you saw the way they looked at Lucy."

"Haha. True." Helen gave an evil smile, "thanks to you killing that knight, several young commoner girls finally came forward and exposed some of his.. vile crimes.." Her face shifted to one of disgust. "On top of that, we might have gotten a lead on a money laundering noble. That one might be a false lead though."

Viviana, who was silent for the whole conversation was in a nervous sweat, -I definitely heard things I shouldn't have..-

*Click*

Oliver quickly came through the door as if in a hurry.

"Sorry for being late. Vasilias, I need to make another request.."

-What is it now?- "I'll at least hear you out."

He looked over at Viviana, "Miss Viviana, sorry for the abruptness, but could you please step out for a moment." He heard about Viviana from Martha before he entered.

Not questioning anything, Viviana hopped out of her chair. -I'm surprised they didn't ask me to leave earlier..-

"Do I need to stay?" Lucy felt bad having her new friend being pushed out of the room immediately.

"No you can join her, I just need to talk with Vasilias."

Giving a nod, both the young girls disappeared out of the door.

"Okay now that we are alone.." He slid a silencing artifact onto the table after activating it. "I need to request your help.."

"Okay? What do you want me to do."

"I want you to save Kaelallan.."

-Talk about a grand request..- "Sounds heavy."

"If you wish to decline, I completely understand."

"Well, tell me the details first."

"Oh right. So as of an hour or so ago, I got news from a messenger in the western part of the main continent. A week ago, a new alliance was created. They're calling it the Great Alliance and its of nearly 60 nations, large and small. The only nations that were left untouched were those allied with the Holy Kingdom, and the Bay Alliance."

"So what makes you think they will declare war?"

"I got a list of nations from that nation rank assassin from the tower and nearly every nation he listed is in the alliance. The alliance is also centered around Deacia, a country far too small to lead such a huge alliance."

"So youre saying that its the towers doing?"

"Yes." His eyes were filled with determination.

"The Bay alliance is fairly strong, so how much will I actually have to do if they declare war?"

"I just want you to assist Lawton in protecting Kaelallan. I will only ask you to assist beyond that if the Bay Alliance is falling back."

"Hmm.." -No matter what he wishes to give me as payment, this request is a bit over the top..- "Father should be back tomorrow or the next day. Do you mind waiting to let me ask him?" -He might get help from Bahamut if he can convince the elders..-

"Of course."

"Well, what were you thinking of giving for payment?"

".. I'm willing to give up the heirloom."