"Now, Great Dragon, I noticed that my daughter said the 'possibility' of your aid. Would you please enlighten me what she meant?" (Queen Elira)
"Ilina meant it as it sounds, Queen Elira – I haven't decided for certain if I should interfere. From here forward I'd ask that my most trusted advisor, Mizuki, be consulted for all related matters. Be assured, anything that comes out of his mouth is a direct expression of my wishes, without exception." (Nina)
Elira raises her eyebrows in a rare moment of shock, then fixes her gaze on me in bewilderment.
"Very well, Mizuki. I confess more than a little curiosity about the human who serves the same Elder Dragon that wiped out a human army, but I suppose that can wait. Could you explain to me what your Lady's help is conditional upon." (Queen Elira)
"Of course, Your Highness. Elder Dragons have a policy of non-interference with the major races that populate Azura. However, Veyron's presence is anomalous, so she'd like me to investigate before she interferes. Why do the demons wish to invade? What do the elves intend to do in response? If there was a diplomatic solution, how would both sides respond to it? Finally, why is Veyron involved? Princess Ilina offered her cooperation in answering these questions to expedite my Lady's decision." (Mizuki)
The Queen looks thoughtful.
"Hmm…I suppose those are reasonable questions, and I'd quite like them answered myself. Very well, we can offer our assistance in that regard if it means that an Elder Dragon might lend us her aid. Since Ilina so freely offered her cooperation, and brought you here without notice, we can make catering to all your requests her headache. How's that, daughter?" (Queen Elira)
"I'd be honored, Mother, thank you." (Ilina)
Elira smirks at her daughter's response.
"Oh yes, I'm sure. Now, my young elves that were freed from slavery, please exit the way you came and tell the guards that they are to arrange safe transport and food for you to return home! I'm sure you are eager to see your loved ones, and I won't keep you any longer. Your Queen is glad that you're safe!" (Elira)
The elves all curtsy and give their verbal thanks before filing out of the throne room. Only Alto remains, and Elira seems to notice.
"I see one of you remained, is there a problem young one?" (Elira)
"No, My Queen, I've just joined the party of Lady Nedonera and wish to accompany them during their time here. We have already discussed it, and they've approved." (Alto)
Elira's eyes go wide in surprise, again.
"Really? Even though there's a human in their party, like the ones who tried to enslave you?" (Elira)
Alto nods agreeably, and her voice remains firm.
"Especially so, my Queen. Mizuki is the one who I wished to work beside. I have a deep amount of respect for him." (Alto)
Elira's eyes narrow at me.
"Is that so? Very well, if that's your decision, then I see no issue. Now, Dargo dear, could you show our guests to their rooms? Ilina, later this evening we should catch up about your journey outside the country." (Elira)
Ilina and King Dargo both nod towards the Queen. Ilina looks like she's going to be sick.
"Of course, Mother." (Ilina)
"Great. Oh, and if Lady Nedonera doesn't mind…please bring Mizuki with you when you come to see me, daughter." (Elira)
Elira gives me a gaze so full of curiosity that it makes my skin crawl. Glancing at Ilina, she looks quite surprised as well. I'm sure this won't be good for me. Surely Nina will object, though?
"Fufufu…as long as he's back before midnight, that's fine." (Nina)
Guess not. Elira flashes me a cunning smile.
"Wonderful, I look forward to chatting with you, Mizuki." (Elira)
With that, the Queen waves her hand and goes to exit the throne room through a side door. Her two guards follow her, but Dargo stays behind.
"Well then, please follow me." (Dargo)
We follow Dargo through the side door and down a series of hallways. After a few minutes, Dargo stops in front of a dead-end hallway with six doors along it.
"These are all rooms for royal guests, so please use them as you like. There are no other royal guests in the palace right now." (Dargo)
I bow slightly to him on behalf of everyone else.
"Thank you for escorting us King Dargo, we greatly appreciate yours and Her Highness's hospitality." (Mizuki)
Dargo gives me a warm smile and a light head nod, and he chuckles slightly.
"Fufufu…it's no problem. Are you nervous about later? I confess that I didn't expect Queen Elira to take such an interest in you. However, it's also true that I've never seen a human garner such respect from an elf, wolf-kin, and Elder Dragon." (Dargo)
Dargo's words don't seem like he's suspicious of me, but his eyes are watching me carefully after his statement. I'd describe it more as intense curiosity.
"No, Her Highness seems quite reasonable, and I'm equally curious about her. As for myself, your misunderstandings flatter me. Alto, the elf, may respect me, but as you can imagine, I did not save her without Lady Nedonera. Zara, the wolf-kin, is a subordinate of my Lady, like myself. However, it's true that Lady Nedonera values me beyond my worth, that statement I won't contend." (Mizuki)
At my retort, Dargo's eyes only narrow with more excitement.
"Well, there is no doubting that young Zara has the utmost respect for you. In fact, I couldn't help but notice that her focus remained almost entirely on you throughout your audience with the Queen. Almost like she viewed everyone else's actions as inconsequential compared to yours. Moreover, she didn't even bat an eye when the guards were about to descend on you. What do you make of all that, Mizuki?" (Dargo)
Well, I guess I should have expected this much from the Queen's advisor. He's too clever to take lightly, no doubt about it. I'll need to be careful around him.
"I find it hard to believe that I'm worthy of such admiration. If Zara's behavior is as you say, I'm sure she just sees it as the command structure within Lady Nedonera's ranks. Perhaps she trusts me to fulfill my Lady's wishes, and she offers her resolve to me by proxy. As for why she'd not fear the royal guards, I don't believe it is in the wolf-kin's nature to flinch from danger, and especially so when an Elder Dragon is on her side." (Mizuki)
Dargo nods agreeably.
"Hmm…perhaps so. In any event, I'll depart for now and allow you to get settled. Thank you for indulging my curiosity. I'm sure I'll be present this evening when Queen Elira speaks with you and Ilina, so I look forward to chatting again. Great Dragon, please feel free to solicit me if you require anything. Farewell for now everyone." (Dargo)
Dargo gives a polite head nod to everyone in our party, then promptly turns and walks away down the hallway.