Mission Debrief Attempt

As Lamelie stood in the bunker, she realized she hadn't seen the fifth team member, Iris, yet. She was probably nearby as the bunker wasn't very big.

As Pixie and Axel came through the side doors, Lamelie asked," Where's Iris?"

"In the briefing room as usual," Pixie said.

Axel sauntered over to Brian and Rianna. He slapped them on their backs and grinned.

"Have you set the date for the wedding yet?"

Lamelie raised her eyebrows. "You're engaged."

Brian and Rianna blushed. Rianna meekly shook her head.

The briefing room's door slammed open and a young woman with black hair put back in a ponytail stood in the doorway.

"Iris," said Lamelie, "Haven't seen you in a while, how are you doing?"

"Fine." Iris glanced at Brian and Rianna. She turned to Lamelie and said,'' Captain Lamelie, I'd like to request the removal of Corporal Brian or First Sergeant Rianna on the basis of illicit sexual relationships?"

Rianna and Brian's cheeks flushed and they looked away from each other.

"That's a bold claim to make, First Sergeant Iris. Has anyone witnessed them, um, do anything more than hold hands?"

Pixie and Axel nodded no.

Rianna stated," We've only held hands and hugged."

Lamelie rocked herself on the balls of her feet. "Hmmm."

"In that case," said Lamelie," both will be taken off this assignment after the completion of this mission. It's too urgent and we don't have time to spare for switching out knights. Let's first debrief the mission."

Iris grumbled. How unprofessional, she thought. She glared at Rianna and Brian. Everybody walked past Iris. She may be the commander but she didn't get along with or understand the others.

Rianna smiled at Lamelie and mouthed, "Thank you."

Lamelie removed the papers from her bag and set them on the front desk. She faced the knights, with the chalkboard to her back.

"For the last five years, both kingdoms have existed in a tense state. Any attempts at relations between the two have ended in further strained relationships. Couple that with both prince's inability to marry."

Lamelie drew a crude map on the chalkboard, showing the general location of the bunker in comparison to both capital cities and the Lofyete manor.

"Our best option for lasting peace is a royal marriage between a Varquez noble and one of the princes. Prince Adrien is the safer option as Prince Raphael's reputation precedes him in Varquez."

Iris nodded. She could see where this mission was headed but what noble would be daring enough and willing to marry a prince from a nation yours didn't get along with. Inter-kingdom couples never lasted.

Adrien stood before his father for the first time in several months. While his father sat at the head of the table, Raphael sat at the other end. He was clearly showing his father that he was challenging him for the throne. Adrien took a seat in the middle of the table and waited as the dishes were served.

Raphael broke the silence. "So how have you been doing, Adrien? Anything interesting happen?"

Adrien's eyes narrowed and he focused on Raphael.

"Yes," he said, "We passed the bill and granted funding to several orphanages today."

"Oh," said Raphael. His brother had not taken his bait even though it was dangled in front of him.

The emperor noticed the tension between his sons. "What have you been doing lately, Raphael?"

Raphael glanced at his father and said," I've been volunteering outside the manor to assist the homeless."

Emperor Ezra clapped his hands. "I'm so happy both my sons are so kind and helping others so much."

Raphael hid his frown. Why should I help those mongrels, he thought. Let them rot.

Emperor Ezra was not as naive as Raphael thought. He knew his sons well and it pained him to know what Raphael thought.

"It's because mother and you taught us well," said Adrien. He meant it. To him, his mother was an angel.

"It was mainly Emmeline's doing," replied Emperor Ezra. "She did so much for us all."

Raphael smiled on the outside. Our mother was a witch, he thought, a witch. I despise her even as she rots in her grave.

Emperor Ezra dabbed the corners of his mouth with his napkin.

"Well," he began," the main reasons I wanted to eat with you boys early is because I wished to discuss my succession."

Raphael pricked up. Finally something important.

Adrien wiped his hand. Please father.

"Adrien-"

"Yes, father." Adrien's breath was bated. The plan relied on this decision.

Raphael stayed where he was.

Emperor Ezra continued," Adrien, I have appointed you my successor. I wish you the best of luck when your reign begins. Do your best to hold the peace."

"Yes, father."

Raphael wanted to scream, to shout, to yell, to rage at his father. But he held his silence. I can turn this around.

"May I ask the reason for your decision," said Adrien.

Emperor Ezra cleared his throat and said," You both have done work that has benefited our citizens but Adrien has passed many bills and funding requests and through that, he has helped many more than he could have by serving on the streets."

Raphael thought, why would I wish to truly help those mongrels?

"While serving on the streets may look better or appeal to the common people," finished Emperor Ezra," Those bills and fundings requests have helped far more. I trust that Adrien truly did his work with the health of the people on his mind."

Lamelie took a deep breath. This was it: the big reveal about her plan. If they could accept this then maybe this plan could work.

"We're going to have an adopted noble marry Prince Adrien. She's going to be especially accepted by the Lofyete family for this reason."

Iris frowned. This plan had so many loose ends. What Varquezian would marry prince Adrien?

The other four team members were just as shell-shocked. Axel's mouth had dropped to the floor. And Pixie nudged him to close it.

Rianna asked Lamelie the question on everyone's minds. "Who is willing to become an adopted noble and marry Prince Adrien?"

"Me."

Iris smirked and said," You have to be Varquezian to become an adopted Varquezian noble. You're missing a very important characteristic."

Lamelie bowed her head for a moment.

"No," she said, "I'm very much Varquezian by birth."