Tessa lets out a long, defeated sigh, reflecting on the idea of Mizuki as the Prince and later King, and on her fear of the uncertain future that will bring her to. The more she does, the more she's reminded of her father's favorite words.
Knowledge is power.
And in this case, she's realizing that she's scared of the future he represents because she lacks knowledge. Knowledge about him, as a man and a potential leader. Knowledge about him on a personal level, of the variety that allows someone to know the heart and the mind of someone else and trust their gut about that person's actions.
So, Tessa turns her attention to Mizuki, finding his calm, green eyes watching her patiently with a hint of concern and curiosity behind them. Then, she makes up her mind, organizes her thoughts, and steels herself to say what she needs to.
"Mizuki...one way or another, it's clear to me that the answer to your question is yes. I want you to know up front that you have my support for your marriage to Princess Ilina, for your ascension to King and all that entails, and if you'll accept it, for the counsel you've requested as you continue to make decisions that impact us all.
"However, I confess that I find myself...uncertain, about you. Especially in your role as our future King. In particular, some of what Jorah has said really rings true.
"You seem categorically opposed to leadership of any kind, yet you gift us these trains, insert yourself into international incidents, and insist on taking responsibility for the consequences. You hold almost absolute power and clearly very strong personal convictions, yet you're so hesitant to use that power to see anything meaningful through.
"I guess what I'm saying is...I have no idea what you want. What goals are you chasing? And more importantly, if we make you our King and ask you to lead with Ilina instead of being a bystander, what kind of Elven Kingdom do you want to create? I can't even begin to guess your answer to those questions, and it honestly terrifies me." (Tessa)
Mizuki's eyes widen, seemingly taken aback by her straightforward support for the marriage, and by her unexpectedly deep question. Around the room, everyone grows still and silent, fixing their gazes on Mizuki with expressions that all contain some mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Many of them share Tess's feelings, and her curiosity.
He furrows his brows, glancing off into space with a contemplative look on his face. Tessa feels time passing as though seconds are hours, her only measure of the true passing of time coming when she realizes that she's lightheaded from holding her breath. The seconds continue to pass in silence, but nobody dares to say a word.
Eventually, Mizuki lets out a deep sigh, nods as though to himself, then returns his gaze to Tessa. His eyes seem cold and full of a resolve, devoid of any of the mischief or curiosity she's come to expect, and his voice is firm and clear.
"To tell you the truth, you probably feel like my words and actions have lacked direction because it's true. You've been watching the actions of a man that things happen to, not that makes things happen. Like I said, I wasn't some world leader or other ambitious individual on my home world. I was resigned to being normal, and my personality didn't change the second I came here.
"I'm not dying to return to my birth world, I'm not on a quest for power, I don't seek enlightenment or immortality, I couldn't think of something more hollow than ruling for the sake of calling myself King, and I'm honestly not on some noble crusade to banish evil from this world. In fact, regardless of what others may insist based on my actions, I don't consider myself a good person.
"I'll kill when it aligns with my principles and convenience, and I don't lose a wink of sleep over it. Even though it'd be easy for me, I haven't spent my time running around adopting orphans, donating money to the poor, giving food to the hungry, standing up for the weak, or healing the sick and injured, except when I was involved in such a situation by chance.
"All of these potential shortcomings of mine aside, I also can't pretend that I'm apathetic about everything. I absolutely detest slavery, or anything that robs people of the autonomy I think they're entitled to. Similarly, while I'm not rabidly pursuing the secrets of the universe, I am very...curious. I always have been.
"It's why I love practicing magic, why I was so eager to meet new races when the opportunity arose, why I enjoy Alto's company so much, and even why I first built all the trains and MMCs. I didn't do it out of necessity, but for the unbridled satisfaction of overcoming an intellectual challenge, and seeing the sense of wonder and curiosity it in turn instilled in my friends, like Alto.
"So, my point is that I'm not a man without wants, or personality, or emotions. I'm just a relatively unimportant guy from another planet who found himself suddenly consequential. That kind of long-standing irrelevance left me unambitious, and after I came here, I've been overwhelmed with all the vast unknowns and endless possibilities my life now represents. My first instinct hasn't been to insert myself into every problem and remake the world to fit my ideals.
"In a word, since coming to your world I've been...aimless. I haven't had the foresight or inclination to think about a greater purpose, because I never thought I'd have one.
"But my time on this world has changed me...I think for the better. Meeting Nina, Alto, Ilina, and many others, getting to explore how I feel about the weight of my actions here, and being honestly deeply moved by – rampant racism aside – how wonderful the Elven Kingdom is. It's people, its leaders, and more than anything, the elves genuine tenderness towards one another. All these people and experiences have given me a sense of what I want my life here to be.
"So, I'm not aimless anymore, I'm inspired. If you want to know what my goals are...my purpose, I want to protect what this kingdom of yours represents. And though I won't force it on you as King, if you want to know what my ideal for your people is, then it's to turn this kingdom into the shining example that I see it as.
"If I had my way, and life always went as I planned, I'd make this place so full of wonders that if a human were to catch a glimpse and tell others, they'd be discredited as having witnessed it in a fever dream.
"Then, after I did that, I'd help you be a catalyst for change for the rest of the world – to give them the chance for the same freedom and prosperity that your people have. Not by toppling corrupt regimes with force and projecting your policies and beliefs on others, but by acting as a beacon of hope. By inspiring people to change their own societies for themselves and follow in your footsteps.
"But, none of that would ever happen unless you start interacting with other races, at least to some degree. So, ideally I'd want to mend the bridges between the races on this planet. After all, you're all surely aware of how much you'd personally gain from alliances with the demi-humans and especially the dwarves. Yet, despite having no hostilities with those races, you don't exactly welcome them as equals in your country.
"Now, I'm no idiot. I know it's not that easy. I know you have good reasons for shutting yourselves off from the other races, humans especially. Similarly, I have my own reservations about turning you all loose with every wonder-inducing enchanted item that I can imagine and craft.
"But you asked me my ideals, and those are both things that I deeply wish could be happen one day. And remember that, as King, my power would change the way you need to evaluate things. For example, with my protection, you'd finally have the luxury of trusting other races more. No more need to cower behind your borders to feel safe.
"Still, my thoughts haven't changed on leading versus dictating...I wouldn't ever make drastic changes without unanimous support and a very well thought out plan. So, don't take these things as solid plans. I'm just answering your hypothetical.
"And there you have it. If you wanted an estimation of me as a person, Tessa, then I'd say that's it." (Mizuki)
Tessa, like all those present in the room, stares at Mizuki in open shock following his uncharacteristically long, candid personal confession. She imagines that they're silent for the same reason that she is – seriously considering his words. If it were anyone else, she'd scoff and call them an idealistic idiot for even mentioning goals like that, regardless of his preface about being a realist.
However, Mizuki did make a point as jarring as it is obvious – his power matches his ideals. Aiming for his goals would be the definition of a god complex, if said person didn't actually have the power of a god. So, she and everyone else really do need to fundamentally change the way they evaluate the risks and benefits of their decisions if he's involved.
Uncertain that she's capable of doing so at the moment, and now the definition of emotionally exhausted, Tessa just shrugs internally and turns her attention to Mizuki.
"Well, I'm not really sure how to feel about everything you said in that excessively long monologue of yours, but I certainly feel like I know you a bit better. And that's all I wanted.
"Hearing all that, I still support your marriage, and your role as Future King. Based on what I've seen and heard from you, I believe that you'll listen to what I and others have to say in good faith and not act against our wishes. Besides, we're still a matriarchy, and I'm certainly convinced that you don't have the gall to oppose your fiancé." (Tessa)
Tessa can't help but smirk at her last statement, eliciting a smile and a chuckle from Mizuki.
"Fufufu...no. I wouldn't dream of anything so reckless. Believe it or not, she's incredibly scary when she wants to be." (Mizuki)
Alto snorts.
"Mizuki, I assure you that, after today, every single person involved in our discussions is fully aware of just how terrifying Princess Ilina can be." (Alto)
There's a round of enthusiastic assent from everyone in the room, even those that have remained mostly silent, causing Mizuki to raise his eyebrows in amusement. Meanwhile, Ilina seems to finally be back to her more timid self, and her cheeks flush in embarrassment. She quickly interjects with an annoyed voice.
"Well since you're all obviously on the same page now, I suppose there's no reason to continue with this side meeting. We should all meet up with the others, sort out the pressing details of my engagement, then officially put this long meeting behind us." (Ilina)
Feeling more than a little fragile after her reality has shifted so drastically in front of her, and unwilling to risk further world-altering decisions right now, Tessa nods her agreement with everyone else. Then, she rises from the couch and moves to leave the room. As the last of those present are exiting, she overhears Queen Elira.
Her voice carries a sharp edge, telling of long suppressed frustration that's finally starting to leak out.
"Oh, Ilina dear...you stay here. Or did you think that we'd have nothing to talk about after all your little surprises today? Mizuki...I'd appreciate your presence as well." (Elira)
Tessa can almost hear Mizuki's and Ilina's bodies go rigid with fear as they mumble their acknowledgement, and she feels a shiver run down her own spine at Elira's tone.
'Ilina may have proven herself a force of nature today, but...she's still got a ways to go before she inspires the level of fear cousin El can.'
With that thought, Tessa washes her hands of those concerns, and closes the door behind her, sealing their fate.