As these revelations presumably sink in, several people start voicing their questions as the gazes in the room shift back and forth between Ilina and me.
"Wait, Mizuki, you didn't tell me that you have a familiar relationship with the Greater Spirits!?" (Cara)
"Princess, what's an M-M-C? Surely I must have misheard you saying they can be used for instantaneous communication from anywhere?" (Helena)
"I see...so that's where all those splendid games came from. Where did you get the idea for chess, Mizuki?" (Darak)
I raise my eyebrows a bit at Darak's surprisingly frivolous question, but I otherwise ignore him. I just look to Ilina expectantly. I wasn't expecting her to reveal all that, especially since she told me to avoid mentioning the MMCs last night. Was it just so she could reveal it now? If so, why?
As those who are staring at me realize that my attention in fully fixed on Ilina, they also turn to face her as more, similar questions begin to echo in the room. Eventually, Ilina raises her hand and the room falls silent again.
"For those of you asking questions about the Greater Spirits and the so-called MMCs – yes, everything I just told you is true. There are MMCs currently installed in the royal palace, Alara's home, and Cara's home. If you want more details about either topic, you're out of luck. The Greater Spirits are distrustful of anyone other than the Elder Dragons and Mizuki, and I doubt that he's willing to ask them to meet you for the same reason he didn't tell most of you about the MMCs.
"You don't have his trust, and you have nobody to blame for that but yourselves. I only revealed this information so that you could have a glimpse of how much you miss out on by continuing to treat him like your enemy. He's been generous up to a point, but there's limits to how much he can greet hostility with trust." (Ilina)
After a moment of thoughtful quiet under Ilina's stern gaze, I see several faces in the room turn towards me expectantly, as though awaiting my confirmation. Several people also glance at an uncomfortable Cara, presumably annoyed that she already has one of the MMCs they just learned about.
In response to their stares, I just sigh and shrug.
"Yeah, nothing Ilina has said is wrong. I gave MMCs to the people I thought I could trust, and the rest of you don't qualify. I'm sure that, in my position, you'd feel the same way. As for the spirits, they're entitled to their privacy and making their own decisions, just like you. I'm not going to advocate for you or pressure them to change their ways when their not bothering anyone. Especially for people whose intentions I don't trust." (Mizuki)
I see a number of crestfallen faces at my words, and a few guilty ones as well, as a contemplative silence envelops us. Eventually, it's broken by a fit of hysterical laughter, which I'm not too surprised to notice is coming from Helena.
She's leaning back in her chair, holding her sides, as she continues to giggle without reservation for several moments. When all eyes are on her, most of them bewildered, she finally seems to notice the attention that she's drawing to herself and calms down. Then, she waves at everyone dismissively before turning to Ilina with an amused smile.
Her voice is tainted with sarcasm and self-reproach as she responds.
"So, that's how it is, Princess? I admit, I'm impressed. All this time, everyone's been telling you that you need to take after your mother a bit more – be more shrewd and commanding. Boy...I bet they're regretting that now.
"Just to make sure I've got everything right, you advise us to fall in line and help make your royal marriage to Mizuki a reality. Because our only other option is to cast you aside, thus alienating an Elder Dragon, whatever god-like existence Mizuki is, and our own people who will lose access to everything that the former two have provided.
"On the other hand, if we heed your sage advice, bend the proverbial knee, and help substantiate Mizuki's place by your side, then we'll hopefully earn his trust and untold prosperity for the elves. Am I understanding the terms of your extortion correctly?" (Helena)
Ilina purses her lips disapprovingly.
"I'd hardly call it extortion, since the consequences aren't being directly brought about by me, but you're correct in your understanding of what I think the consequences of your decisions would be. I want what's best for our people, and I hardly think that I can be blamed if I can't marry the man I love without the kingdom tearing itself apart due to racism." (Ilina)
Helena shrugs nonchalantly.
"Describe it with whatever flowery language you want...it doesn't change the consequences or how you're exploiting them to your advantage. Truly, you've got our ears in a vice grip. Also, don't misunderstand me. I'm not admonishing or condemning you, it's exactly the kind of ruthless, calculating behavior you've been sorely lacking.
"So long as you remember the difference between a queen and a dictator going forward, I'm not going to fight you further on this issue. You've made a compelling argument. As for the rest of these fools..." (Helena)
While I'm wondering if her comment about their ears is some kind of elven thing, Helena pauses and glances around the table, noting the still fainted Jorah, then settles her gaze on Cara and Alara across the table from her. She smirks at them.
"I'm guessing Princess Ilina already has your support, in addition to the royals' and now mine?" (Helena)
Cara and Alara glance at each other briefly before nodding at Helena with a smirk.
"Naturally." (Alara)
Of course." (Cara)
Helena snorts and turns her gaze towards Darak.
"And what about you, old man?" (Helena)
Darak sighs deeply and rubs his eyes as he seems to think over the question intensely. When he finally pulls his hands away from his face, his expression is somber, and he seems to have aged immensely. He looks...tired.
He directs a probing gaze at Ilina.
"Princess, are you certain that this is the path you want to take? Even if you have my support – all of our support – there's no guarantee that Mizuki will be accepted by our people. This would be an unprecedented change for them, amidst a time when humans aren't just banned from our country, but are actively trying to invade our lands. Are you prepared to face the associated challenges and consequences?" (Darak)
Ilina meets Darak's piercing gaze with a small smile and a nod.
"I am. I'm confident that, if we all work together, I can convince our people to accept Mizuki's place by my side. Indeed, I have not sat idly until today. Mizuki and I have been roaming Avalon together for quite some time now, and he has also had a public presence in Eden and Wellick. Despite our people's wariness of humans, most of the elves in those cities are now friendly towards him.
"I recognize that's not the same as accepting him as my husband, but it's not that much of a leap either. With time, our careful intervention, and friendly exposure to Mizuki, I think there's a path forward. Towards a future where our people show Mizuki the same appreciation they show me." (Ilina)
I can't help but widen my eyes in surprise at Ilina's heartfelt words. As she stares back at Darak, her eyes steeled in resolve and her lips curled into a warm smile, I can't see any trace of the uncertainty she displayed last night during our heart-to-heart. It's clear she means what she says, that she's confident in making our wish to be married and accepted in the Elven Kingdom a reality.
The sight floods me with relief, as though a physical weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and I unconsciously let out a deep breath that I wasn't aware I've been holding.
Meanwhile, Darak stares back at Ilina's confident visage for a few seconds before nodding, and a small, reserved smile finds its way onto his face.
"Very well, Princess. Then you have my support, too. I sincerely hope your confidence isn't misplaced...for all our sakes." (Darak)
Ilina just nods politely, while Helena chuckles at Darak and slowly looks over at Tessa, whose hostility has been largely replaced by apprehension.
"So, Tessa...out of those among us that are still conscious, that only leaves you. What's it going to be?" (Helena)
Tessa's face immediately tenses, her eyes telling of internal conflict as she glances between me, Ilina, and the others for several moments. Eventually, she looks back at Helena and frowns, then ignores her and turns towards me.
"My answer is no. I don't share their optimism, Mizuki. I recognize that we may not be in a position to prevent your marriage, or to entirely avoid consequences from our refused support, but I don't think that the benefits of supporting you as the husband of our future queen outweigh the risks.
"There will be public resentment and perhaps worse, and you've already made clear your stance on trusting people with your marvelous enchanted items like the trains and these MMCs. I'm not so naivé to think that you'll start trusting those like me, Jorah, or even Helena just because Princess Ilina forced us to support you.
"I'm sure that refusing you will have consequences as well, like the Princess said, but we can manage those. If we are to take you at your word, then I think it's best to quietly exile you and Princess Ilina as you mentioned. I imagine that even then, if the Empire tries to invade, you'll still protect us from them out of loyalty to Lady Alto and Princess Ilina.
"It's true that we may lose the trains and other treasures of Eden, but the city itself is now developed enough to function semi-independently. If we prioritize building a road between Avalon and Eden to replace the train, it shouldn't be long before its value and people are mostly restored.
"As for the issue of succession and Princess Ilina's absence, it's nothing that can't wait until you die of old age, at which point we'd happily welcome the Princess back and life will carry on as before. After all, what are a few decades to us elves? In the meantime, we could simply explain her absence as a diplomatic mission with the demons, dwarves, and/or denizens of the forest, or as part of her education to ascend to the throne." (Tessa)
I have to stop my jaw from hanging open as Tessa looks at me with a calm but resolute expression. I'm surprised by her painfully cold and accurate assessment, but what's really shocking is how much trust she seems to have in my goodwill.
Enough that she's willing to say something so outrageous and exploitative to my face, but simultaneously bank on the fact that I'll take it lying down, and that I'd still face an army for them after Ilina's and my exile. And...she's right.
But, when did she start trusting me that much? Why? And if she's really that confident in my character and my willingness to protect them, then why is she so stubbornly fighting against everyone else here to keep me at arm's length from the elves?