"Aira, are you sure King Bervon won't murder me?" I asked disconcertedly.

As the Elemental Weavers escorted us down to the Great Hall, I couldn't help the butterflies that kept fluttering in my stomach. Despite being taught all the basics of etiquette when it came to interacting with royalty, I still wasn't catching on to it. On the other hand, Sofia caught on rather quickly. Which gave me a pang of both irascibility and disquiet.

"Liselotte, he's not too bad. All you need to remember is the four basics that we taught." Aira reprimanded softly.

"The correct way to address the King and Queen is 'Your Majesty'. Later on in the conversation, you shall call them 'Sir' and 'Madam' as is appropriate. Also when curtsying, remember right leg behind the left, keep the knees together and bend the leg, always maintaining a straight back and waiting for them to extend their hand to you first."

"The final and most vital one would be to let them start and direct the conversation." Aira generously finished.

I twirled a piece of my hair, which was in a simple half-do with a white ribbon intertwined. I then looked down anxiously at my brocaded patterned dress and slippers. If it wasn't for the amethyst pendant adorning my neck, the look would've been considered extremely middle-class back in the village. Sofia wore a brocaded dress as well but the sleeves and skirt were frilly at the bottom, and chintz patterned. Her hair was wrapped around the bottom of a headband and finally, her neck was adorned with a rose quartz pendant.

"You have to be kidding, how do you remember all that?"

"Because we have lived long before you were a thought. But of course, I wouldn't blame you." Hestia scoffed, "There all pointless." She said, shaking her head.

Odessa signed, "Technically, curtsying isn't required, it's just seen as customary, a sign of respect rather than just shaking hands as if you were meeting non-royalty. Also, feel free to inquire about the wellbeing of other members."

I glanced at them, overwhelmed with all these guidelines that I needed to follow. I'm grateful for the fact I wasn't born into this.

"Oh, poor girl..." Aira sympathetically coddled my shoulder. "I think we confused her even more girls."

"No, it's fine Aira. Really." I removed her arms from my shoulder with full intent.

Odessa raised an eyebrow, "You just ascribed seconds ago how you were going to remember the basics. You can put up the brick wall as much as you wish, but you've just proved my point."

"Whatever."

Odessa shook her head, "You're quite hard-headed, are you?"

"No."

I kept my words scarce, proceeding to roll my eyes at her and observe the monarchal, empty halls until we arrived at the great doors of the Great Hall, hoping to wash it all away. But no matter how hard I tried, I still couldn't wash away the anxiety coursing through my veins. My heart started to race rapidly for a second. I breathed in and out, expecting the worst.

"Here you are, this is the entrance to the Great Hall that we were talking about. It's customarily used by the royal household for private meals and relaxing." Aira said.

Customarily? Would Rosalia's sleeping curse be something the King and Queen would've wanted to discuss elsewhere? Like the throne room?

"Pardon me Aira but why would the King and Queen want to present themselves here in the first place?" Sofia asked.

Aira gave her a look of stupefaction. "How would I know? It's quite unusual for them but I didn't dare question it."

"Just consider yourself lucky. People who aren't of the royal household rarely are allowed to be in there." Hestia asked.

"Anyway, we'll leave you in the hands of Didier and Edgard." They'll handle you both from here." Aira said.

"And also..."

"Try not to get intimidated by King Bervon," Odessa warned before they left us in the hands of the two guards at the door. Each held a halberd that crisscrossed one another, securing the door and hindering us from going any further.

Then, I heard the slashes of the halberds as the squires angled them straight up, standing orderly with them in hand.

In a graceful manner, Sofia entered the Great Halls whilst I just followed in a quiescent manner. With every step I took, I was getting closer and closer to the King and Queen. That's all I knew.

The Great Hall, as I saw it, was a rectangular room between one and a half and three times as long and wide, elaborately decorated yet bearing an empty feeling.

After walking further down the halls, we found ourselves in front of King Bervon and Queen Theia, both seated in chairs. I'd say Queen Theia was the more youthful looking of the two, with twinkling powder blue eyes, a petite frame (approximately around 5'2 in height) and golden caramel locks. She wore a floaty navy blue dress with silver jewels encrusted in the bodice and a silver pearl tiara with a matching necklace. King Bervon was rather bearish looking with sharp piercing copper green eyes, around the staggering height of 6'5, shoulder length reddish brown hair, and a stubble which added to his rough appearance. I didn't even have to look up to see King Bervon's heedlessness. He appeared to be quibbling under his breath while Queen Theia was the opposite, she had a sense of warmth and interest surrounding her.

One foot slightly in front of the other, slightly lifted chin, feet flat on the floor, knees slightly... Clumsily, I went over those words over and over while trying to keep in sync with Sofia. "Your majesty." Sofia and I said in unison as we curtsied.

King Bervon nodded indifferently. "Merci, you may sit."

Trying to avoid King Bervon's cavillous gaze, I took whatever seat Sofia didn't bother to occupy. Unsurprisingly, Queen Theia was the one to commence the conversation. "Greetings Sofia and Liselotte. How are you enjoying Fealettia so far?"

"Initially overwhelming at first but quite enchanting Madam," Sofia replied.

"I'm glad to hear it dear."

Queen Theia then turned to me. "Liselotte, what about you?"

I nodded at Queen Theia. "Intriguing madam, it's quite an honor to be here."

I noted King Bervon's scrutinizing glare that he kept giving me. Yet, I felt no cold wash go down my back. Rather, it made my chest boil. How pleasing would it be to him if I did the same thing?

Queen Theia gave a kind smile. "Really? I'm happy you feel that way. When I first arrived, I wasn't nearly as... I guess you can say blissful."

What? Why? Was it an arranged marriage possibly? I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case, not only because of their royal upbringings but also looking at Bervon. He did not seem to be the best person to be around, let alone to be married to. But Queen Theia didn't disclose anymore. She folded her hands in her lap and her expression turned solemn.

"Anyways before we start, would either of you care for refreshments? We have barley tea, dancha, sage water, lemon water, or rose soda as options."

Sofia was the first to respond. "Yes madam, I'd like the barley tea."

"Lemon water please," I replied.

Queen Theia turned to a thin, average heightened girl and addressed her chastely, "Brigette?"

"Yes, your Majesty?"

"Go ahead and fetch one barley tea and one lemon water."

Brigette fumbled and whispered something to Queen Theia. I leaned in as subtly as possible but I couldn't decipher anything so I just gave in and sat back before eventually, Brigette nodded and bowed to Queen Theia before departing.

"Ok, well we wait, I just want to express our gratitude for being willing to help." She seemed to italicize the word 'our' while sending a demanding glare at Bervon. "Personally, I didn't expect either of you to accept so easily." As she spoke, I noted how this time around she side-eyed her husband, nonverbally communicating 'we talked about this'. King Bervon gave a 'shut up' glare towards her, looking at her with vexation.

I just wanted them to get to the point already. What was the problem?! "Your Majesty, what's going on? I've heard all about what has happened to Princess Rosalia and the fairies." I told them, hoping for a clear answer. King Bervon gave a murderous glare once again towards me but Queen Theia proceeded to kick him in the shin.

"I reckon you're both aware of our relentless feud with Khthonia, yes?" She asked.

Both me and Sofia nodded.

"Well you see, all this mayhem was caused by a farcical misunderstanding. King Diabolos of Evonin came here, accusing us of dispatching citizens of ours out to steal resources from his citizens and to spill their blood."

"But that wasn't all." She added as Brigette came out with our refreshments. "He also accused us of having taken a daughter from him. A daughter he has supposedly never met."

"But of course, we truthfully told him that we didn't dispatch any of our citizens, as we'd never put their lives in jeopardy like that and we'd never even knew he had an alleged daughter."

As Queen Theia spoke, I knew she was being truthful, given the clear distress and genuine horror in her voice of being accused of such cruelty. In fact, I doubted either of them would have ordered such a thing. While King Bervon was harsh, he was anything but stupid. He would've known better.

"Unfortunately, he didn't believe that and said he'd get his revenge."

Sofia took a sip of her tea and asked, "He didn't declare war or anything?"

Queen Theia merely shook her head. "Not quite child."

I raised an eyebrow, "Not quite."

"None of us had any idea what he meant by his 'revenge', but we knew when it came to Diabolos, he was no foe you should underestimate. Sure, he might be impulsive, quick to anger, and a bit harebrained, but he's quite diabolical with his plans. When he wants revenge he's serious."

"But we never expected this. It was our daughter's 16th birthday, which meant she was to have her official debutante ball, which was where she was officially presented to society and court life." She elucidated.

"Initially, everything was completely fine. But then, Lilith intruded, placed our daughter under internal rest and told us she'd never see the light one more."

"We waited day after day after day, praying that she'd wake up. But after a month passed by, my husband confronted Diabolos, demanding he'd stop this farce and lift the curse. But the whole negotiation escalated into an intense duel between them. When Bervon won the duel, Diabolos declared war between our kingdoms." She resentfully finished.

The realization started to pool in. Lilith or 'The Dark Enchantress' had to be an accomplice of King Diabolos. She had to be. But that didn't really explain why the fairies were dying off.

"Then how is this connected with the fairies dying off?"

To my surprise, King Bervon was the one to answer my question. "According to some cleric's insinuation, they believed it had to do with our daughter's ability to manipulate fairies and magic dust. If you didn't know, fairy dust is sacred to a fairy's life force as there's only so much time a fairy can go on without it until they die out. But I immediately rebuked that claim. While she can control fairies, she's not able to manipulate whether they live or not."

I couldn't help but agree. If she merely had the ability to understand and control fairies, then it wouldn't make any sense that they would all die off.

"Then what's your insinuation, your majesty?" Sofia asked.

King Bervon signed and placed a hand on his forehead. I could tell he clearly hasn't had much sleep.

"I'd say it's the result of this damn war. Ever since the first invasion, casualties have gone up and Khthonion raiders have been going around the kingdom more consistently. No matter how many guards we send out to protect our subjects, someone will always lose their life by the end of this day." He bitterly and somberly said.

"You shouldn't feel responsible for all the inhumane bloodshed your Majesty. I'm aware you could care less about humans, but I'd be endowed to help if needed."

King Bervon gave a languid smile. "Your right about only the second part, I could care less for humans." He arrogantly bantered.

"I'm sovereign of this domain. I took the oath, swore on my life I'd serve them. Furthermore, I am responsible for my subjects wellbeing." He imperiously yet somberly said.

I glanced over at Sofia, expecting her to be weeping internally but instead, she only nodded with that same odd smile. The passive aggressive smile she only ever did when she was galled, bantering back, "Your Majesty, with all due respect, I'll have you know you sound like your son."

To my surprise, Queen Theia laughed amusedly and examined Sofia. "Your not the first one to say that, plenty of people have made remarks on that." She mused.

If Rosalia could control fairies and magic dust then what about Kapaneus? What type of powers would he have? I forebode it be apathy or something allied with little regard for others.

"Speaking of him, what are his abilities?" I asked.

"Nothingness, the ability to remove items from existence." Queen Theia responded.

Nothingness? The ability to remove anything from existence? That sounded like a precarious privilege to have.

Queen Theia spoke one more and I didn't expect those very following words. "His younger brother, Prince Chariton has the ability to manipulate psychic energy."

"Another one?" I grumbled in both surprise and exasperation. The Elemental Weavers have never spoken of a second son, not even once. Regardless, I prayed this 'Chariton' was nothing like his father and brother. Two brutes were enough.

"Don't be solicitous. Chariton is nothing like either my husband or son if that's what you were thinking."

I inspected her with a suspicious glare. Now I was actually starting to feel a little disturbed and bothered by how unnaturally perceptive she was. Does she read minds?

"We came across Prince Kapaneus so how come we didn't come across Prince Chariton?" Sofia asked.

True. We went around literally most of the palace, I'd would have expected to encounter him at least once.

"Because he's not with us, he's away training at a camp." King Bervon responded.

"For what?" I asked.

"Archery, combat in general really. He'll be here later tonight." Queen Theia said.

"For what?"

Queen Theia smiled once more at my questions. "Oh yes, I forgot. You two are invited to a cotillion ball tonight."

"A cotillion ball during these times?" Sofia asked questioningly. "But I thought those were strictly formal social gatherings for debutantes. At least that's how they're seen at home."

Queen Theia nodded. "That part is true indeed for us too, there also classes to teach social etiquette, respect, and common morals to younger children."

"Plus, I believe it's a good opportunity for both of you to get better acquainted with the Elvenfolk." She added.

A small part of me wanted to attend out of curiosity but I don't do well with formal events. Not to mention, I still had my misgivings after what happened last night. What if Lilith came after me once more? I didn't want to risk attending for the sake of any more unnecessary bloodshed. But if Queen Theia insisted then I clearly had no choice whatsoever.

"Will King Bervon be there?" I inquired. I didn't want to deal with his murderous stares for the entire night, that would just dampen my mood even more.

"No, I won't. I have more pressing matters to attend to." King Bervon told me harshly.

I had to bite my tongue and use all my willpower so that I wouldn't lash out at him. I knew being king couldn't be any walk in the park but his hostility towards me was just inexcusable. I didn't see him being hostile to Sofia!

"Pardon me, but where are we to get formal attire for such a ball?" Sofia asked, looking down at her dress.

Queen Theia waved her hand. "Nonsense, you needn't worry about that. Dressmaker Noni couldn't wait to meet you two."

Brigette walked up to us and curtsied, giving Theia an agreeing nod.

"Just follow Brigette, she knows her way around here."

"And it was a pleasure to meet you, both of you." She added genuinely.

Sofia gave a curtsy. "You too, your majesty."

"Sofia?" Queen Theia called.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

Queen Theia grimaced a little. "There's no need to be formal around me for now on, alright?"

Sofia gave a relieved smile, "As you wish."

As soon as they left, Queen Theia proceeded to raise her hand towards Bervon, colliding it across his cheek. "Bervon! You'd think that as a king, you'd know staring is rude!"

Bervon didn't respond, being too occupied with his thoughts.

"Bervon." She firmly called, "Respond to me, you have high morals, that I know of. You couldn't at least be courteous to them?"

King Bervon turned to his wife sternally, "Are you naive? It's obvious Liselotte isn't no true pure-blood human."

"Just because you abhor them because of the fact that they happen to be humans, does not mean you have the right to make lunatic claims about them."

King Bervon shook his head. "No, you don't understand. I don't sense pureblood human blood from her, at least not entirely."

Queen Theia looked skeptically at her husband. "Then what did you sense in her blood?"

"A commixture of demon ancestry and human ancestry." King Bervon said bitterly.

Queen Theia gazed at him mindlessly, her mouth agape. "Are you insinuating she's Cambion?"

He nodded matter-of-factly. "Precisely."

"That's like postulating that one's immortal without any credible proof. Not only that, but that's also like remonstrating your sworn hatred towards her for something she wasn't guilty of doing, knowing your universal detestation for Khthonios." She said.

"You don't know her. I'd stay weary if I were you. What if she's the 'alleged' daughter that wrenched bastard was talking about?" King Bervon jeered.

"You're letting your animosity and intolerance cloud your judgment so immoderately that your forgetting that not all Cambions are wrathful. There are three levels of them blood wise, the near-mortals, balanced, and the near-demonic. All consciously decide their paths in life."

King Bervon closed his eyes, attempting to settle down. "See? This is one trait that I won't also appreciate. You're far too trusting and tenderhearted at times. It makes me act more overprotective of you than ever and believe it or not, I don't like nor enjoy it." He took her hand and grasped it, not letting go. "I may not show it often but I genuinely care about you. It's not that I don't hold high esteem to those traits. In fact, sometimes I wish I could be more trusting and kind at times, but I just want you to be cautious okay?"

Queen Theia's shocked expression quickly turned into that a tender smile, "When did you become so upfront?"

"When haven't I been upfront?"

"It's not every day you just openly say such thoughts. You always have a tendency to be snarky with your affection." Queen Theia retorted.

King Bervon got up from his chair, approached her, and softly grazed her cheek, saying in a quiescent whisper, "Because I do."

"I'm not that same naive, childlike princess you recall marrying 24 years back. I'm no longer Princess Stephania Theodora of Ornassy. You don't have to fret, Bervon." She promised.

King Bervon gave her a knowing smile, which was concealed with hints of concealed guilt, "I know Theia... I know."