"Right this way please.", Claire said, keeping her tone formal. She even gave His Imperial Majesty a salute. I didn't need
"Right this way please.", Claire said using a formal tone. She knew how to act in front of His Imperial Majesty, so I didn't have to question it.
Further beyond the large doors was a long and fancy hallway with marbled flooring, just like how you'd see it when you pay a visit to one of the Great Houses in the games. This place wasn't just for any VIPs. It was for VIPs amongst VIPs. A normal Noble or Commoner couldn't step foot into this place.
Before long, Rean will find himself coming here. He is still blissfully unaware of who his father really is, let alone having a half-brother. Me!
It's been a while since I visited Ymir to have that little spar with Rean. How has he been doing lately? By now, his Ogre Powers should have likely taken shape. During an outing, he would come across an unexpected monster trying to attack Elise, and then, they would awaken. These Ogre Powers would eventually lead Rean to create what is called Spirit Unification, a power unique to him that lets Rean strengthen all of his senses, power, and the ability to read the flow of combat.
Wondering how Rean was doing, Claire continued guiding us along the hallway. We passed by several meeting rooms meant to entertain high-end guests. We even saw several Secret Service members dressed in their black suits and glasses, standing still as always. We paid them no attention. They had jobs to do. All they had to do was protect the Imperial Family from danger.
Before long, we arrived at the end of the hallway. We turned left, then right. Claire then parted ways, and stood off to the side. It wasn't common to see a serious look in her eyes either.
It was then I felt a strange fluctuation in the air stir around us. An illusory light flickered quickly, but no one else seemed to have noticed it. The change happened so quickly, but it was enough for me to look toward one end of the hallway.
There was a fluctuation in Mana. The presence vanished as soon as I detected it. I was worried at first, but realizing it was Mana at play here, I couldn't help but smile.
"Is something wrong, Naoto?", Princess Alfin asked, only to see me look in a particular direction that was further away from the large doors we were now standing at.
"It's likely just my imagination. Nothing to worry about.", I said, and did another pat on the head to ease Alfin's worry. I swear, this is becoming contagious.
"It wasn't just your imagination, Your Royal Highness. You've got good eyes.", Claire said. Her eyes turned serious, and she suddenly reached for her holster that had her orbal pistol. Drawing it out, she flipped off the safety mechanism on it, and pointed it in the same direction I was just looking at a moment ago. "Freeze! We know you're there. Put your hands up! You're in the presence of His Imperial Majesty. I don't want to shoot, but I will if I have to!"
Hearing that, Emperor Eugent frowned.
"Did someone really try to sneak into here of all places?", Emperor Eugent asked, frowning. We just saw the empty space where the hallway ended.
A moment passed by in silence. Nothing seemed to happen. Claire's eyes were just as good as mine were, but I am not sure if she could see the flow of Mana. It wasn't hard to feel a presence standing pretty much right beside me. I felt no hostility from it. I can take a guess as to who it was who came here.
I'll just let Claire play things out. I didn't have to raise a single finger. She clicked her tongue.
"Not budging, huh? Fine. The hard way it is.", Claire said, and pointed her gun at the empty space beside us. For some reason, she felt the presence familiar, but she wasn't taking any chances. "Don't regret having an open bullet wound when I drag you to a jail cell later."
That was enough to cause Princess Alfin to turn wide in surprise. Her eyes were wide as saucers. But Princess Alfin couldn't react before Claire took fire.
BANG!
A loud noise of a bullet struck the hallway. Princes Alfin became momentarily dazed.
At the same time, the bullet struck empty air. Well, not exactly empty. It wasn't as if it didn't give any results. It was quick, but a reflection of light obscured our view. It revealed a rather slim figure, but just the outline of it. It didn't take long for the figure to hide again, hiding in plain sight.
"A cloaking device?", Emperor Eugent asked, frowning. I played the part, and shielded Princess Alfin from harm. She raised her eyes at me with an expectant look in her eyes.
It was then we heard a muffled, yet imposing voice from inside the closed door. A voice I knew well.
"Stand down, Claire. Who you shot at is no enemy. They are just an added layer of security. Do not waste your bullets.", The voice said. "Am I safe to assume so, Your Royal Highness?"
A question directed at me. The smile remained on my lips, but I stood firm. At the same time, Claire raised her eyes, hearing Chancellor Osborne call out to her.
"Your Excellency...", Claire uttered, but acknowledged Father's request. She couldn't turn him down, so she lowered her pistol. She then looked my way. "This isn't your doing, is it, Your Royal Highness?"
Any earlier hostility Claire showed earlier was now gone. I could see doubt linger in her eyes, but I didn't deny her words. I nodded my head. I didn't answer right away, and instead, looked toward the same area where the figure was now cloaked again. I smiled. I knew exactly who it was.
"The show is over, Emma. You can reveal yourself now. His Excellency's insight is as sharp as ever. You need to work on hiding your presence more if you are to attempt this again.", I said, calling out to the empty space. Even Claire became surprised, not expecting to hear such a familiar name.
"Understood.", A familiar voice said, speaking out to us, seemingly out of nowhere. Shortly after, the cloaking illusion vanished. The light bent in a way I didn't know was possible.
It didn't take long for Claire to see a plum-haired girl come into view. She wasn't dressed in her typical Witch attire. No, she was decked out in armor from Zephyr. On top of that, she had a custom-built orbal rifle hoisted over her back, ready to use at a moment's notice. She was carrying it around with ease, which goes to show the amount of internal strength she possesses. A far cry from her usual appearance in the games. Emma Millstein!
Claire didn't expect to encounter Emma here, and in this fashion. Her eyes grew serious, as it has been a while since she last saw Emma in this getup. Not since North Ambria!
"Don't tell me, you being a bodyguard along with that white-haired girl is actually true?", Princess Alfin said, finding her voice again. She was equally surprised to see Emma standing before us.
"In a way, yes. You are not wrong, Your Imperial Highness. Naoto tasked me to stay on guard during our visit here at Valflame Palace for the time being. I do apologize if this has offended you in any way, Your Imperial Majesty.", Emma said, keeping her tone polite. She was still in the presence of Emperor Eugent. As for Princess Alfin, she couldn't help but observe Emma's current appearance.
"So young, and yet so capable.", Emperor Eugent said, giving Emma praise. "You carry yourself well, Miss. Just as well as our officers assigned at their posts. Added security never hurts. You seemed so carefree during the dancing earlier. I did not expect you to be so trained in combat."
"Nor did I think it would be you of all people, Emma. You did not display this level of skill before. Is espionage perhaps your forte?", Claire asked, wondering if that was the case. By now, she had placed her pistol back into her holster.
"Sure, let's go with that.", Emma said, declining to answer the truth. She simply bent light into a reflection using magic. She literally hid in plain sight. A rather simple incantation, but an effective one.
"Oh I am definitely going to have some stories to tell the others later tonight once we're done speaking with His Excellency.", Princess Alfin happily said. Her previous shock had subsided by now.
"You can have that chat with the others later, my daughter. For now, you will speak with the Chancellor. We cannot keep him waiting.", Emperor Eugent said.
Following that, the two of us nodded our heads. Claire returned to her post. From there, His Imperial Majesty approached the large doors, and opened it up. A rather big room with an equally large table could be seen in our immediate view. It was big enough to allow several people inside, and it was a low-elevated table. Not one meant for dining. Further inside were some windows that gave a view of the palace behind Heimdallr, as well as a desk. It also had some drawers, and scattered indoor plants. The room wasn't heavily decorated.
But strange enough, it felt cozy. Further inside, a tall man, bearing a large dark overcoat stood with a domineering stature. A man who carried himself well, and someone who I have not personally seen since I visited him last back in Crossbell City during the DG Cult Extermination. Yes, we have come across each other earlier at the banquet, and during the ball, but not on a personal level like this.
A smile appeared on the man's face as he watched us come into the room.
"Thank you for having some time to spare tonight, Your Imperial Majesty, Your Imperial Highness, Your Royal Highness. Please, come in.", The man said, greeting us with that iconic smile.
"Thank you for having us, Your Excellency.", I said, being formal.
"It is an honor, Your Excellency.", Princess Alfin said, also being formal.
Once we were all past the door, Claire shut it, leaving the four of us in the room.
Who else could the man before us be but the Blood and Iron Chancellor, Giliath Osborne?
And who so happens to be my Father.