PaulMichaels
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IGIWS: Ch.236 Trying to Deescalate Things
🕑 Added 2024-06-03 14:49:53 +0000 UTCThe vibrant chaos unfolding in the garden drew a crowd, capturing the attention of nearly everyone present. One group emerged from the stately Parliamentary Chamber of the West Wing, bustling with essential figures such as Duval, Alaric, Johan, Nathaniel, Sebastian, William, Eamon, Thaddeus, and Lord Gawain, their expressions a mix of intrigue and concern. Alongside them were Zane and the imposing Terenthiel, flanked by General Douglas and his devoted Royal Knights, each clad in gleaming armor that reflected the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.
In contrast, another faction comprised of Rya's Friends came from the Royal Quarters of the Palace. Yuliana led the way, followed closely by Nieren, Tayna, Percy, Dalia, Gretchen, and several other dedicated servants. Their crisp and neat uniforms stood in stark contrast to the disarray surrounding them.
Positioned on the perimeter, a throng of palace guards kept a watchful eye, their disciplined demeanor maintaining a semblance of order amidst the unfolding scene. Among them was Duchess Leandra, who lurked in the shadows at the back of the crowd, her heart racing. She camouflaged herself among the guards and onlookers, desperately hoping to remain unseen after her meticulously devised plan to pilfer Rianna's exquisite jewelry crumbled in an unexpected turn of events. The atmosphere was thick with tension and anticipation as whispers and gasps weaved through the gathering, and everyone was looking at the Dark Elf, who was shielding the Crown Prince.
Rya cautiously peeked from behind Quinus, who stood protectively in front of her, sword drawn and poised with intent. His grip tightened around the hilt as he aimed the blade at Sir Darius. Despite the fatal blows he received just moments ago, Sir Darius’s wounds had miraculously healed, leaving no trace of the injuries he had suffered. However, his armor, battered and dented, was lagging behind in the recovery, the chipped metal glinting ominously in the light as it slowly began to mend itself, conveying a sense of urgency and uncertainty in the tense atmosphere.
Terenthiel's eyes went wide as he caught sight of the Dark Elf clinging tightly to Quinus' backside, a mix of disbelief and rage flashing across his face.
"An unholy being! We must purge her," Terenthiel yelled as he drew his sword.
General Douglas sprang into action, his instincts sharp as a blade. "Men! Protect the future Queen of Fiafyr!" he thundered, his voice piercing the tension in the air. With unwavering resolve, he stepped boldly between Prince Terenthiel and his men, ready to defend what was at stake. The weight of his command echoed in the hearts of his soldiers, igniting a fierce determination to uphold their duty.
"Move, General. You do not know what you are protecting. There is no need for your men to lose their lives needlessly," Terenthiel said with his sword raised.
"I would gladly lay down my life to protect the Kingdom, the Prince, and the future Queen," Douglas replied without hesitation.
Terenthiel heard enough, and he was prepared to attack and cut his way through Douglas and his men when Duval yelled out with the most demanding voice he could muster.
"ENOUGH!!"
A heavy silence fell over the garden as the Prime Minister fixed a steely gaze on each individual, his eyes piercing like daggers. The tension was palpable, and the air seemed to thicken as if everyone held their breath, awaiting his next words.
"Everyone! Lower your weapons this instance! This is the Royal Palace, not some battlefield," Duval shouted.
Duval knew there was no turning back, and he had no choice but to go forward with his plans despite the circumstances. His eyes darted about, assessing the situation and formulating his next move.
Douglas raised a hand, signaling his knights to lower their weapons, but the foreign prince and his cadre of white-cloaked knights stood resolutely in place, their eyes fixed defiantly ahead. Ignoring Douglas entirely, Terenthiel’s gaze was locked onto Quinus, who stood protectively in front of Rya, a fierce guardian against the gathering storm. Confusion and distaste twisted Terenthiel’s features; he couldn’t comprehend the Crown Prince’s choice to shield someone he deemed a monster.
"Is your Prince out of his mind?!" Terenthiel shouted, his voice dripping with contempt. "He’s choosing to protect that wretched creature!"
"Behave yourself!" Duval interjected, his patience fraying with each passing moment. The growing chaos threatened to spiral beyond control, and he needed to maintain order. "Your Highness, stand down! I won't have any blood spilled under my command—not after this embarrassing display. We will investigate everything before issuing punishment. Is that understood?" His tone brooked no argument, a firm reminder that order must be restored amidst the brewing tension.
Terenthiel glared at Duval, "I'm missing two of my knights."
Duval fought to keep his composure, but the beads of sweat pooling on his forehead and the anxious twitch of his fingers betrayed his growing dread as he didn't know where Terenthiel's knights were. His mind was running at top speed, but he was coming up empty with ways to diffuse the situation. Just then, Rya’s voice pierced the air, her annoyance evident as she reacted to the unmistakable presence of that insufferable jackass from the Alliance.
"They're missing because I killed them," Rya said, her words like icy daggers, chilling the air with a tangible tension.
"What!" Terenthiel said as his eyes widened and his nostrils flared.
"They came after me, and I defended myself," Rya said while peeking her head around Quinus' shoulder.
"YOU LIE! My white knights are some of the most skilled warriors on the continent! There is no way they would fall to the likes of you. Especially with our Paladin by their side," Terenthiel bellowed back, his face reddening with fury. He held his sword high as if he was going to attack Quinus and her, but Duval didn't give him a chance as he jumped in front of the Foreign Prince to protect him.
"No, Your Highness! I understand your anger, but please consider what happened to your paladin at the hands of Prince Quinus... It would be unwise to follow in his footsteps. I urge you to stand down," Duval pleaded, his voice laced with genuine concern. His heart raced in fear not only for their chance at achieving the Peace Treaty but for the consequences that could arise if Terenthiel were to act against the Crown Prince. If that were to happen, Quinus would have every justification to retaliate, and it could spiral out of control, turning the entire kingdom against the Prime Minister and the other nobles who supported the Foreign Prince. As Duval grappled with the weight of the situation, a dull headache began to form, fueled by the pressing need to restore calm and prevent further escalation. He wanted to protect everyone involved, and above all, he hoped for a peaceful resolution.
Terenthiel stared at Duval and then back at the Dark Elf. He could see the determination and seriousness in the Prime Minister's eyes, and the Dark Elf looked as if she wasn't afraid of him or his Paladin. A part of him wanted to fight and kill the Dark Elf, but he would have to go through too many humans to do so. Then he noticed Sir Darius, who was on the ground recovering from his fatal wounds. The Paladin was not a man to back down from a challenge, but he's never been defeated so easily or humiliated. The fact that this Dark Elf had done both in such a short time had made Sir Darius' prideful heart shatter like glass, and that was not an easy thing to do.
As the Paladin regained his composure, he reached for his sword, determination blazing in his eyes. But before he could draw it, Quinus was faster, his blade glinting ominously as it pressed against Darius' neck.
"Make another move, and we'll see how many times you can put yourself back together," Quinus said with a cold, ruthless expression on his face.
Terenthiel gritted his teeth as he lowered his sword, and then Zane did the same. Darius looked up at Quinus with the blade against his neck, and he slowly sheathed his sword, careful not to provoke the Crown Prince.
"You'll pay for killing my knights," Terenthiel said angrily at the Dark Elf.
"Oh?... I like to see you try," Rya said with a smirk.
Terenthiel clenched his jaw, a low growl rumbling from deep within his chest. Dark anger flickered in his eyes like a storm brewing on the horizon.
"Enough!... Another word from anyone else, and I will throw you all in jail. Is that clear," Duval said in a commanding voice once again.
Everyone was quiet. Alaric watched the whole thing and wasn't happy to see how much more powerful his nephew had become. Worst of all, the toothless lion had become an apex predator in Agon.
In Alaric's eyes, Quinus is a shadow of the weak-hearted boy he once was, the boy who, just five years ago, devoted himself to helping the commoners of Fiafyr. Back then, he was known for his quirky engineering projects that often puzzled the townsfolk but were marvels that rivaled the dwarf's technology, and his gentle nature meant he would shy away from any confrontation, preferring diplomacy over conflict. Now, however, the Crown Prince has transformed into a formidable Maja Warrior—an unprecedented force within the kingdoms of man. Quinus has displayed remarkable strength and resilience, no longer the timid child, proving himself capable of standing his ground against even the mightiest opponents, including a holy paladin, as if he had always been destined for greatness. Alaric finds himself torn between the memory of his timid nephew and the formidable warrior he has grown into. Quinus' surprising transformation complicates Alaric's plans, making it increasingly difficult to imagine a way to rid himself of the young man who has become a force to be reckoned with.
Viscount William comes walking up to Alaric and whispers, "Seems your nephew has a similar type to your brother."
"Yes... Annoyingly, he does..." Alaric whispered back.
The Duke's thoughts simmered with rage as he clenched his fists, the muscles in his arms tightening. 'She should have chosen my son,' he seethed. 'Marcus would have been ten times the man that Quinus could ever aspire to be. She’ll soon learn the folly of crossing a Revelia!'
His glare bore into the Dark Elf standing next to Quinus. The way she leaned into him, radiating confidence and strength, transformed the weak-willed boy into someone almost formidable. Alaric couldn't help but resent the power she bestowed upon him—a power he had never possessed before.
"Do you think Duval's going to change the itinerary?" William asked.
"I'm sure of it," Alaric replied.
"You know we should have had Quinus killed after the first failed attempt when he was a child."
"Easy said than done... The fates have always sided with him, unfortunately. We can only hope his luck will run out, and then he will be easy pickings," Alaric replied as he watched Duval and the Princes still in a standoff.
The Prime Minister was trying to get everyone to stand down. He's been in a lot of verbal political scuffles, but he's never dealt with a situation like this. He needed time to figure out how to defuse the situation, and then he needed to get the vote on expelling the dark elf from the kingdom. He can't allow a dark elf to be free in the Fiafyr Kingdom. If word got out, it would destroy everything he has worked so hard for.
"We all need to have cooler heads... Punishments will be served accordingly, but we can't start a war over the death of two men," Duval said.
"Two holy knights of the Divine Three are no mere men!" Terenthiel exclaimed.
"Yes, I'm sorry, Your Highness... Now, please... Lower your weapons and come back to the palace. We will have a meeting with the rest of the council. The sooner we get a vote on the Measure, the better. But I do ask that you leave your guards behind... No weapons will be allowed," Duval said.
"Did you know this unholy creature was inside the palace!?... She shouldn't be allowed here... She should be killed," Terenthiel hissed.
Rya, Quinus, and their group of friends cast intense glares at Terenthiel, while Duval's expression was a mixture of regret and discomfort.
"I found out about a week ago, and I was too slow to deal with it," Duval confessed, his voice heavy with remorse.
"So you knew she was coming, and you hid it from me?... You're as guilty as that traitorous bastard, Alaric," Terenthiel spat, his anger crackling in the air like electricity.
"I'm trying to fix this, but you're making matters worse. Now, please, lower your weapon. We will handle this," Duval said calmly.
Terenthiel cast a sidelong glance at Alaric, noting the tension in his posture, then shifted his gaze to Quinus and the enigmatic Dark Elf standing nearby. The air around them crackled with unspoken words and anticipation. Taking a deep breath, he felt the weight of the moment settles heavily on his shoulders. With a deliberate motion, he slid his sword back into its sheath, the metallic whisper echoing softly in the stillness, a signal of his resolve to seek a different path forward, but he wasn't going to be silent about his displeasure.
"I grow tired of your failures, Duval... And you, Prince Quinus. Your treasonous actions will not go unpunished," Terenthiel threatened.
"Your ideas of loyalty are skewed. My actions were justified, and your knights tried to assault my fiancee. They died by their own hand and no one else's," Quinus said. His golden eyes glowed brightly with anger, and Dalia, Nieren, and Yuliana stood next to Rya.
Terenthiel's right eye began to twitch when he saw three more demi-humans come out of nowhere to protect the Dark Elf.
"It seems like you've chosen war with us," Terenthiel said through gritted teeth.
"Oh? So I shouldn't let you live, then?" Quinus said as he prepared to strike down Terenthiel, Zane, and Sir Darius at a moment's notice.
"Prince Quinus! Don't you dare!" Duval ordered.
Quinus was about to move when Rya stopped him and shook her head no.
"They're not worth the trouble," Rya whispered, "Let him try to pull his political crap... We can outwit them."
Quinus nodded and looked at Duval, "Whatever goodwill you've built up with me is fading... If this happens again, I will not be responsible for the outcome."
Duval looked like he was about to have a heart attack, but he calmed himself and nodded, "Very well... We will have a meeting after everyone has settled down... Please follow the guards back to the West Wing... You may have your weapons."
Quinus sighed and sheathed his sword, "Fine."
Zane and Darius trudged behind Terenthiel, their faces twisted into deep scowls that betrayed their displeasure. The imposing figures of the royal knights flanked them, a precautionary measure to ensure that the trio wouldn’t stir up any further trouble.
The tension in the air was palpable as Johan, Percy, Sir George, Lord Gawain, and Sir Douglas approached Quinus and Rya. Tayna, Nieren, Dalia, and Yuliana lingered nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Well... That was tense," Percy said.
"Yeah... I'm sorry for making things difficult... When I saw the paladin, it brought back those bad memories," Rya said.
"It's okay, Alpha! I'm just sad I missed you kicking his ass... But why did you look so scared when that human was coming after you? He's not as strong as that Black Rose human," Dalia asked with a tilted head.
"I heard everyone running towards the garden... I didn't want the other nobles to get a worse impression of me, so I acted like I was scared," Rya admitted.
"Hmph!... Sadly, that didn't work out too well for the Prime Minister," Sir George said.
"I think it worked on the Barons... But Duval has it out for you, babe... You're threatening his peace plan, and I'm worried that he will get enough of the Major Nobles to agree with him to expel you... I don't know how we are going to stop him," Quinus said with a worried look.
'Aww!? Babe is worried about me... Hehe... He's such a sweetheart... Wait?... I never told Quin what my job was back on Earth. He's in for a treat because I'm a goddamn Senior Consultant! Well, I was one... Whatever! I was so damn good that I was going to be promoted to Principal after the next cycle... I fucking eat State Bureaucrats for breakfast and shit them out without a second thought. Duval has no idea what's coming to him. I'll make sure my love gets the throne, and I'll protect him and his kingdom,' Rya thought as she smiled and hugged her worried fiancee, "Don't worry, babe... Just bring me into this meeting and help me fill in the blanks on who's who... You let me worry about everything else."
Quinus was about to say something when Lord Gawain approached the group and said, "Prince Quinus, we should speak on strategy in private. Your Uncle is still lingering around us, and we can't risk him overhearing our plans."
"Alright, does everyone want to join us?" Quinus asked the group.
"I'm not leaving my daughter alone with those devious humans... So yes, I'll join you," Yuliana said with a stern voice.
"I'm sticking with my Alpha... Even though I don't like human politics," Dalia growled.
"I got your back in there, my Lord," Johan said.
"I'll join the party. I don't know much about politics, but I'll watch the exits and help with distractions," Percy said.
"Count me in. I'm getting tired of the Prime Minister's antics. And if there's someone to put him in his place... It's Lady Rya and you, my Lord," Sir George said.
Tayna, Nieren, and Douglas just nodded and waited for the others.
Quinus nodded, "Alright... Let's go to my father's study... It's the best place to prepare... Lord Gawain, lead the way."
"As you wish, your Highness... Follow me," Gawain said as he led everyone back to the palace.
The only ones left in the garden were Duke Alaric, Viscount William, Duchess Leandra, Princess Hilda, and a few servants who were whispering to themselves.
"Hmm... Who should we side with during the meeting... Duval or your nephew?" William asked Alaric.
"It pains me to say it... But we need to side with Duval... Having the crown prince's ire focused on Duval could help hide our plans... But don't speak as freely as we used to... The Elves' ears can hear from a far distance," Alaric whispered.
"Hmm... Yes, that would be wise," William said.
"What about the Princess? Everyone seems to have abandoned her..." Leandra asked.
Alaric and William looked over and saw Hilda lost in thought as she stood by the fountain.
"It seems that Duval has forgotten the most important part of his plans... All the better for us... Work your magic, my love... She will be a good backup plan if things go awry," Alaric said with a wicked smile.
"Well... I should get to work," Leandra said as she made her way to the young princess.
"Good luck," William whispered as Leandra walked past him.
"Leandra, make sure she’s brought to the West Wing," Alaric murmured, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I want my nephew to feel her presence in that meeting. He needs to realize exactly what a treasure he’s letting slip through his fingers."
Leandra turned toward her husband, "I plan on making her the most popular girl in the court... Don't you worry, my love."
"That's why I married you," Alaric said as he watched his wife head toward the young princess.
Alaric then looked at his best friend and smirked, "Let's go, William... We need to figure out what my nephew is going to do next."
"Lead the way, Alaric," William said as he followed the Duke.
The Duke and Viscount left the Garden and headed back to the Parliamentary Chamber before the meeting was going to resume.
Meanwhile, Leandra gracefully approached the young princess, her heart filled with concern. She lowered herself into a respectful curtsy, the fabric of her gown sweeping gently across the ground. “My, are you alright, young miss?” she inquired, her voice soft yet filled with genuine warmth. The princess, with her delicate features and an expression that seemed both troubled and regal, looked up at Leandra, seeking comfort in her kindness.
Hilda was brought out of her thoughts and looked surprised, "Huh? Oh!... I'm sorry... I was just thinking..."
"Don't worry about it. I was just worried for you. You've been here for quite some time, and your escorts seem to have forgotten about you... I'm Duchess Leandra Revelia... The wife of Duke Alaric Revelia, Your Highness," Leandra said with a sweet tone.
"Oh! I'm Princess Hilda Stoneworthh... I'm sorry for my absent-mindedness... Everything has happened so fast that I'm struggling to take it all in," Hilda said.
"I understand completely... No one knew a dark elf had gotten her dirty paws on our Crown Prince until now," Leandra said.
Hilda looked confused, "No one knew? But the Prime Minister seemed to know everything..."
"If he knew, then he kept it from the other noble families... My husband only received an emergency letter from the Prime Minister just this morning... He must have found out about the dark elf and was trying to rid her before you found out... This is most dreadful indeed... You are a much better woman for the Prince... The Dark Elf must have placed a spell on him or worse... Our kingdom might be in peril if something isn't done," Leandra said with concern in her tone.
Hilda was shocked, "A spell?!... You think this dark elf has put a spell on the Crown Prince?!"
"Oh yes... I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yourself... Did you see how she smiled after the prince came in to 'save' her... She acted like she was in trouble, but how could she go toe to toe with a valiant paladin without even getting hurt... Something is very wrong here, and it needs to be corrected. My husband and his friends are planning on how to save the Prince... But we are unsure of how the Dark Elf has taken control of the Prince and his friends," Leandra said with an overly worried look.
Hilda had a determined look in her eyes, "She is a monster... She killed two of the holy orders knights without breaking a sweat... And Sir Darius would have been killed as well if the Gods' divine intervention didn't happen... I saw that same look in her eyes as well... It was the same eyes that my half-sister had to get me in trouble when I was younger. That Dark Elf has placed a spell on the Crown Prince. She has to be stopped."
"Yes. It seems she has... And the Crown Prince needs a true hero to save him... I believe you are the one to save my nephew from his destructive path... He has to be unaware of his situation," Leandra said as she offered her arm, "Please. Come with me, Princess Hilda. You are our only hope."
"Yes! I'll save the Prince," Hilda said as she hooked arms with the Duchess.
"Good! We need to join the emergency meeting, huh? Why'd you stop, your Highness?" Leandra said with a curious tone.
"We aren't allowed into the chamber... Prince Terenthiel said women weren't allowed inside. Only the men could go inside," Hilda said.
Leandra shook her head, "Well, it seems that the Prince of the Holy Alliance has been misinformed. It's fine if women are inside the chamber as long as the royal family isn't discussing anything regarding the army or Kingdom secrets. And we know that dark elf will be in their... Sometimes, to confront a woman, you have to send a woman to do the job."
Hilda nodded, "Okay. As long as we won't be in trouble."
Hilda gracefully trailed behind the Duchess as they approached the grand entrance of the palace, its towering doors intricately carved with regal motifs. Once inside, they wandered through the lavish hallways adorned with gilded mirrors and opulent tapestries, each step echoing softly against the polished marble floors. After a short journey, they arrived at the imposing council room. With a flourish, Leandra pushed open the heavy door, revealing a spacious chamber filled with an air of solemnity. The guards stationed at attention nodded respectfully, their armor gleaming in the soft light, as the two dignified women stepped into the room.
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