Unexpected Imperial Guests

Emperor Kaiser read the latest report. The Imperial army, as well as the Kingdoms of Kur, Sabsta, Boctariyan, and Fermion armies, would set sail in two weeks.

But the news of late had not been good. The demon army was moving too quickly, they'd already moved into Qhosnir. Even though demons already invaded the Qhosnir Empire's southern border and were quite far from its capital.

Qhosnir's main army, as well as the Principality of Seyuet and the Theocracy of Ionic armies, had gathered on the Yangtze River's northern shore.

And that is where the Great Eastern and Qhosnir imperial armies would join together. The Yangtze River was where the people of Terra would make their stand.

Only the dragons had yet to respond. Emperor Kaiser was still waiting for his envoy to return.

"Father, did you hear the news? Duke von Muller was added as a third signatory to the contract with the Rhaziesian Emperor," Crown Prince Lukas said waking Emperor Kaiser from his thoughts.

"Yes," Emperor Kaiser replied.

"Don't you think it's too soon? We haven't even won yet," Crown Prince Lukas chuckled.

'That boy has muscles for brains,' Emperor Kaiser thought.

"Brother, if he waited, his territory might be carved up by the time he gets his money. By starting this early, if we win and the emperor rebuilds his empire, his investors' wealth shall surely skyrocket," Princess Melody explained melodically.

'Why couldn't she have been born a boy,' Emperor Kaiser thought to himself.

"Oh, I think I understand now," Crown Prince Lukas nodded.

"Father, why did you summon us here?" Melody asked.

"I'm sending you to Fermion for a cultural exchange visit. You'll stay there until I call you back" Emperor Kaiser decreed.

"Isn't the Rhaziesian Emperor there? Father, are you trying to get Melody engaged?" Crown Prince Lukas laughed for a second time.

"Brother, he's making us go for our safety. Have you not heard demons sabotage before they destroy? There have already been attempts on the father's life. By sending us away he guarantees our safety," Melody explained.

'I wonder if my daughter's spies are better than my own?' the old emperor thought pensively.

"Father is this true?" a shocked Crown Prince Lukas asked.

"Yes, your sister has once again uncovered the truth. Son, I wonder when you'll start thinking for yourself. Your sister shall not be around forever. Why not visit the Earl vont Ballard you so much admire? Maybe you shall learn something from him?" Emperor Kaiser urged.

'Maybe he can finally help you think clearly,' the old emperor thought rubbing his refined manicured beard.

"Yes, father!" Crown Prince Lukas bowed.

He didn't show it, but Lukas' feelings were hurt. He was tired of the disparaging comments about his intelligence and the comparisons to his more cunning sister.

People often joked that Lukas got his father's strength and Melody got their father's brains.

That was why he'd followed the exploits of Earl William vont Ballard. The man was famous for his wisdom and his strength.

To be a grandmaster by the age of 31 was already rare, even by imperial standards. But people said Earl vont Ballard's cunning was just as formidable as his magical power.

To learn from such a master, Lukas would give all his wealth.

…

For the second time in two weeks, more imperial royalty was visiting Fermion.

Similar to Emperor Jacques-Louis, the imperial prince and princess disembarked from an airship at the palace.

Soldiers lined the steps and people once again jockeyed around the barricade for better views.

According to the Fermion rumor mill, Princess Melody couldn't wait for Emperor Jacques-Louis to return to the Great Eastern Empire, so she chased after him to Fermion. Her brother had come along begrudgingly as her escort.

The crowd, especially the women, came to want the two lovebirds to reunite.

The rumor was believed so thoroughly, that vendors hawked paraphernalia with the two lovebirds' faces.

The only thing different was the women from the royal family were present. King Roland stood in between Queen Rosalind and the Queen Mother. Duchess Charlotte stood next to Duke Francis. Finally, Will stood in between Elizabeth and every excited and nervous Camille.

"Greeting your imperial highnesses," King Roland bowed. All excepted, Emperor Jacques, bowed as well.

"Greeting your imperial majesty," bowed the crown prince and princes.

"Greeting your majesty," the crown prince and princess said without bowing.

Sometimes sovereign etiquette was difficult to wrap your head around, but sometimes not. This was straightforward, an emperor outranks imperial princes and princesses. And emperors and imperial direct heirs outrank monarchs.

"We've prepared a sumptuous feast for your arrival," the king proclaimed guiding them to the largest ballroom.

When the emperor escorted the imperial princess to the ballroom, the crowd outside went wild and cheered loudly. Several maidens in the crowd blushed and quietly shrieked in joy. Everyone wanted to celebrate love.

"Emperor Jacques-Louis, I think the crowd is cheering for us?" Princess Melody chuckled.

"Yes, the newspaper has created several rumors about us. And please call me Jacques," the young emperor advised.

"Then please call me Melody!" she smiled back.

Although she smiled, Will could see was putting on a facade. He and Melody locked eyes briefly as if reading each other's thoughts.

'She's dangerous,' Will thought to himself.

"Are you Earl William vont Ballard?" Crown Prince Lukas asked excitedly disregarding protocol and etiquette.

"I am and it is a privilege to meet you, Crown Prince Lukas von Wilhelm," said Will bowing a second time.

"Earl vont Ballard, who is this beautiful young woman?" Melody asked sending Will a subtle threat.

"Good Afternoon, Princess Melody von Wilhelm. I am Camille vont Ballard," said Camille nervously curtsying.

"You're so cute. We must get to know each other," Melody said melodically.

"We are very proud of her. She was just recognized as a dual mage. If anything happened to me, I don't know what I do, possibly start a war. I'm sure you know how fathers feel about their daughters.

But I'm afraid she must leave. She has other needs to attend to!" Will snapped and Henrietta came to escort Camille away.

"But father—," Camille started to say, but after feeling her father's aura she quietly followed Henrietta.

"Your majesty, please excuse me, I forgot an important document on my desk. Elizabeth and I shall arrive a little late to the feast," Will politely excused himself.

King Roland and Duke Francis noticed how strange Will acted but said nothing.

"You are excused then," King Roland said unsure of what back-channel discussions had taken place.

Only the Queen Mother could guess what was going on, like Will, she too saw through Melody's disguise and thought her suspicious.

When they were finally away from the imperial princess, Will described to Elizabeth his thoughts on the princess' deception.

"She must be cunning to put you on the defensive so fast," Elizabeth guessed.

"Until we know her motives, we should be cautious. Can you pass this along to Camille? I need to find Samuel and Cherry," warned Will.

With Elizabeth set off to warn Camille, Will immediately left to find Samuel and Cherry.

Minutes later, Will, Samuel, and Cherry spoke in Cherry and Marcus' Gadreel manor.

"What do you all know about Princess Melody?" Will asked curiously.

"Nothing," said Samuel frankly.

"I hear she's beautiful and sweet. Like Elizabeth, she's very famous for her philanthropy," said Cherry with a shrug.

"Nothing else? No negative rumors?" Will asked, he knew the empire's rumor mill was as rampant as Fermion's.

"None, all the rumors were positive," Cherry said.

"Doesn't that sound odd?" Samuel agreed.

"I heard a rumor about her in the Annapolis Adventurers Guild," Marcus said after eavesdropping.

"Brother, what did you learn?" Will asked curiously.

"There's a rumor she's supposedly a spymaster," Marcus said seriously. "They say she is closely guarded about getting out about her, and she's destroyed the reputation of those that get in her way!"

"Samuel, can you confirm this? Use as much coin as you need," Will said before returning to the palace.

Will joined the feast just in time for the entree course and immediately took his seat in between Elizabeth and Prince Lukas.

"I'm so happy you could join us. I'm quite excited to speak with you," Prince Lukas said excitedly.

"You came right on time, I was just describing my time in Gadreel," Emperor Jacques-Louis explained.

"Yes, we were honored to host his imperial majesty at our estate," said Elizabeth graciously.

"Then it's settled. We look forward to visiting Gadreel as well. Isn't that right brother?" Princess Melody asked demurely.

"Absolutely! Earl vont Ballard, I was hoping to have a private discussion with you," Prince Lukas announced.

"Then you are welcome to visit at any time. And I would be honored to speak with you, Prince Lucas. Maybe tomorrow after you tour the royal capital?" Will suggested.

"Queen Rosalind, I too would like to have tea with you," Princess Melody said melodically.

Queen Rosalind looked surprised, but replied quickly, "I look forward to our chat."

"May I attend as well?" asked Queen Mother Ashley Maria.

"Of course, Queen Mother," said Queen Rosalind quickly. Hoping she didn't offend her mother-in-law.

"Then it's settled, Bryson modifies tomorrow's schedule," King Roland announced.