Family Reunion

The army's reaction to King Gramont's words is mixed. Some looked determined, while others looked as if they were going to break ranks and run at any moment. Still, after a moment of silence, the men just stand their ground, no one wishing to be the first to draw the King's ire.

Michael was tempted to just kill the king here and now, but that had the chance of going wrong in so, so many ways. The man hadn't actually done all that much to Michael, especially considering that Michael was technically in the wrong concerning the Gramont family. Plus, the king was probably fitted with many artifacts to stop any assassination attempts.

It should also be noted that all three of them would be run out of town since the three had been seen together by many, meaning they'd be implicated at well. Michael wasn't willing to lose the chance to retrieve Derflinger just to kill some old fart who meant literally nothing to him.

The only thing he was worried about was Charlotte, as she'd be in the Academy when the army arrives depending on how long it takes for her to look for the prayer book.

"I think we should wait for the King and his army to leave, it'll make searching the palace way easier." Michael says, with his companions nodding in affirmation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hours later :

Louise anxiously wrings her hands together from atop the horse she was riding. Before her, was a massive villa belonging to her family where her mother, father, and two sisters were currently residing. Unlike most times she'd come here, all along the outskirts of the territory was many soldier patrols, all of them loyal to the Valliere family.

There were even some Manticores, who'd likely come seeking leadership under her mother, Karin de la Valliere, the Heavy Wind and former captain of the Manticore Knights.

She was anxious to see her family again, but not because she'd failed or shamed them as she used to do with her inability to do magic. Instead, she was worried about what they were to think if she revealed her status as a Void Mage. Not to mention the fact she'd kind of disobeyed them by becoming Henrietta's attendant...

Louise glances over at the princess who was riding beside her and scrunches her brows as a determined expression makes its way onto her face. She fully intended to help Henrietta take back her country, even if that meant fighting. She'd been truly shocked and disturbed by her first kill in the capital, but she'd be willing to do it again if it was for Henri.

"Are you alright, Louise?" Henrietta asks, noticing her friends fervent glare.

Louise shakes her head, "N-no princess! I'm just worried about what my parents will say, if they will assist you.. N-not that I think they won't, but we are only a single-family... I don't think we can fight that traitor Gramont and his allies alone..."

"Do not worry, Miss Valliere, there will be many families seeking to take Gramont down. His attempts to create alliances before the coupe have turned many against him. And now that he has gone against Brimir's will, even those allied to him will be rethinking their actions."

Henrietta nods, "And don't forget, we have you as well Louise. I trust you completely." she says with a smile, though, feeling slightly duplicitous that she was manipulating her best friend, even if slightly.

The group are stopped outside the estate, but once Louise and Henrietta reveal their identities, they are let inside while a messenger goes to retrieve Louise family. Not long after that, the trio are met with four people, two with pink hair similar to Louise, and two with blond hair.

The first was a stern-faced woman with a concrete straight posture, she was beautiful, but looked as if she hadn't relaxed in many years. She had long pink hair that curled at its end, most likely via the use of magic, and was quite tall despite her gender. This was Karin de la Valliere, Louise' mother.

The next is Louise' father, Duke Centurion de la Valliere. He has blonde hair with a well-maintained beard and moustache, he was somewhat portly due to inactivity but didn't look unhealthy per se.

Next to her parents were Louise' sisters, the elders, Eleonore de la Valliere, who has long blonde hair matching her father, beautiful mature face with glasses over her pink coloured eyes. Sadly, her bust matched Louise's washboard figure, unlike her mother and younger sister, Cattleya de la Valliere.

Cattleya had pink hair matching her mother and youngest sister, with the same pink eyes. She was pretty, though, her face and body were marred with a slight gauntness due to a long-suffering illness. She had her hands delicately folded in front of her, and looked as if she wanted to break the tentative greeting party to go wrap Louise in a hug.

"Daughter. You have finally returned." Duke Valliere remarks, sending an accusatory glance at Henrietta. They had wanted Louise back after she'd been expelled from the academy to train her up so that she could be married off, but the princess had decided to ruin all their plans and take on Louise as her attendant, causing both Louise and the Valliere family a lot of grief.

Louise smiles and slowly dismounts from her horse, bowing deeply towards her family, "I'm home... Ah, this is Princess Henrietta de Tristain. And the Captain of the Muskateer Knights, Chevalier Agnes de Milan." she corrects herself, almost forgetting to introduce her guests, as proper etiquette dictates.

Henrietta gives a slight bow at her hip while Agnes bows far lower. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Duke Valliere, Duchess Valliere. I hope our arrival has not inconvenienced you at all."

Eleonore scoffs despite herself and decides to just state her thoughts, "You've done more than just inconvenience us, Princess. Starting a Civil War because you couldn't stand your Fiance? Stealing Louise from us because of your selfishness? And now arriving here to get help to take back the throne you lost?... Did you even fight for it? Or did you just scurry away like a roden-Ouch!" luckily, she'd stopped from making too many faux pas by Cattleya.

"Sister, they have only just arrived, let us hold the serious discussion for later."