As always Giliath demands your power stones!
*
I didn't think Bose's up and coming future Mayor would sit right across from us while we dug into our meal. Like I said, both Estelle and Joshua would get rather acquainted with her and her persona during the Sky games. Mostly during the first game while you literally walk around the entire country. ON FOOT.
That's right. On foot. One of the few drawbacks about Sky First Chapter. Well, you do take an airship from time to time, but most of the place is explored in such a fashion. It takes a while to get into, but the payout is big. And the future mayor Maybelle here just so happens to be one of the individuals who will openly voice her opinion about Duke Dunan's actions, and actively oppose him. And on top of everything, she'll learn her way around the marketplace. You never want to underestimate a businesswoman.
It was nice to meet these two so early on. They might just be side characters but I need to stop having such thoughts. They're real people before me, just as anyone else in this dining hall. They had their own thoughts and feelings.
After initiating some small talk, I saw Father and Mayor Windolman switch topics, and we began talking about the current affairs both Liberl and Erebonia shared. While it may have not been a lot to talk about, it was still interesting to see how Father projected his thoughts outward to someone that didn't belong to Erebonia. It didn't erupt into any fighting or anything. Just two men sharing ideals, while I managed to strike up a conversation with Maybelle. It was pretty fun passing time like this.
Father didn't mention Erebonia's current Emperor as he is due to pass away soon. That should happen in around two years or so, following the current events. Then you got that knight lady named Arianrhod, who officially stepped into the ranks of Ouroboros. I'm not sure if this is when she was directly promoted to an Anguis seat, but she will likely not appear again for several years down the line. Not until the Azure Tree forms. I could only look toward the more recent events to happen. I really hope I can meet with His Imperial Majesty soon, just so I can see the current state of Valflame Palace.
Keeping that in mind, we all ate our food, and the time spent during this banquet passed by before our very eyes. For whatever reason, I saw Princess Klaudia steal glances in my direction. Mostly curious ones, but I could sense them right away. I took a glance myself out of the corner of my eye, and we really did have the same shade of purple hair. It was so strange, yet so familiar at the same time. I wonder if anyone else took notice, but seeing how far our positions were apart, they probably didn't. Not a lot of people carried surprised looks while we were in the main lobby earlier. Cassius was with us at the time, so they didn't bother.
Meanwhile, as I continued to dine with Father while having some friendly chats with Maybelle, Queen Alicia glanced down, only to see Princess Klaudia taking a break from her eating. Princess Klaudia glanced her eyes upward at Queen Alicia.
"Haha, it looks like you've taken an interest in Naoto. Best not to attract gazes now, my dear. Do not let your eyes wander too much.", Queen Alicia uttered, warning Princess Klaudia not to look around too much where Giliath and I were currently seated.
"I understand, Grandmother.", Princess Klaudia said while nodding. "But you seem to know this boy. Naoto, is it? His hair looks very much like mine. It's like I'm looking in a mirror...", Princess Klaudia responded, uncertain. Queen Alicia only laughed a second time hearing that.
"Others don't dare to question this or why Naoto's here. After all, it is HIM who Naoto is currently acquainted with."
"You must mean that tall and serious man next to him...", Princess Klaudia uttered. "Who exactly are they?"
"Hmm. I can't say too much, I'm afraid. I will say this though. Do you recall how often I talked about my little sister?", Queen Alicia said, keeping her voice to a minimum.
"Auntie?", Princess Klaudia replied, obviously surprised to hear that.
"That's right. I can tell you the details later once the banquet is over. Then, you will come to know who exactly this boy is.", Queen Alicia said, causing Princess Klaudia to nod her head.
"I understand. I shall refrain from asking until then. This meal is delicious, by the way.", Princess Klaudia said, smiling.
"Hahaha! I'm glad you're enjoying it. You needn't drown yourself in sorrow. I know losing your parents must mean a lot to you, but just know there are still others, like myself, who care about your well-being.", Queen Alicia responded, letting out another laugh.
"Yes...!", Princess Klaudia happily responded. She indeed was sad, but she was happy at the same time, knowing that there were still people who cared about her. She had every right to enjoy this meal.
And just like with them, all of us had a blast during dinner. It didn't take long to see figures start departing the dining hall one after another. By nighttime, everyone had retired for the evening. Queen Alicia took this time to formally introduce Princess Klaudia to Father and I, which took me by surprise. I didn't think Grandmother would actually do this. I initially anticipated that we would just be like the passing wind, and leave once the events concluded tomorrow.
Princess Klaudia even managed to call me "Brother..."
I hope this doesn't turn into a habit. I mean, who knows when we'll see each other again? I saw she was reluctant for us to depart. Still, it was a surprise just how close she looked in appearance to me. And likewise Princess Klaudia was equally surprised to find out that she still had a relative to call her own, beside her father and mother.
That introduction only lasted for a few moments. Queen Alicia took Princess Klaudia back into their private quarters and retreated for the evening. We did an official farewell. Goodbye for now, Grandmother. Hopefully we can come across each other again soon. You know, apart from tomorrow.
As for the rest, turns out Estelle fell asleep shortly after the banquet ended. Colonel Bright was still awake, and he took Lena and his sleeping daughter to introduce his family to Her Majesty. Estelle was still a young child like me, so it was clear why she received a sleeping spell. I too was pretty drowsy. Elie and Henry thanked us for spending some time together and also departed Grancel Castle. They had a previous lodging already booked. As for Father and I, Queen Alicia permitted us to stay inside Grancel Castle. Because of this, this allowed me to spend some more time with Princess Klaudia before Queen Alicia took her back into their private quarters for the evening.
The night of the first day passed, and morning soon dawned. We shared a simple breakfast with Queen Alicia. The venue changed completely, causing us to move away from the castle itself, and head on down toward the nearest shore. Liberl has a tradition of sending off their departed ones on small wooden boats while lighting them on fire. Afterward, we all lit lanterns, letting them float on the lake. It made for a pretty sight, to say the least. As for this lake, it was called Lake Valleria, and it was known as the Pearl of Liberl.
Princess Klaudia did cry during this and stayed quiet. I too remained quiet, as did most of those who partook in the passing. The flaming boat that was lit sailed along the waters of the lake, before vanishing from sight. The atmosphere remained gloomy, but it passed nonetheless. I could use all the adjectives in the dictionary to describe this scene, but it isn't really fun when you attend someone's funeral.
The best you can do is to be there for the people related to the passing, and support them. Our presence alone did that.