Heart's Will

> ”Blessings of Brymeia. While we know how half of them work, the other half remain to be but a theory, nagging at the curiosity of those who cannot accept how such a thing could exist if they refused to be observed or studied.” ~Monarch Denis Irista

Frein was slowly getting used to Garm’s scanning stare.

“So tell me, Son, I am genuinely curious of this; are such proud declarations of relationships a common tradition back on Earth?” the Admiral asked as he sat in one of the intricate chairs of the lounge.

The wide, cozy room was just behind the main foyer. From Frein’s observations, it was purposed to house quite a few people for social gatherings. Standing tables were scattered around along with a few comfortable seats. At the center—where they currently lounged—was an obsidian table laced with exquisite golden swirls. Around it were a number of equally prestigious chairs.

Frein sat on one opposite of the Admiral. Katherine simply sat on the chair’s armrest beside him.

“Not exactly, sir—”

“Pa, or Papa. Father if you’re of the more neutral persuasion.”

Frein cleared his throat and mustered his courage. He found it awkward trying to call someone else his father.

“Pa,” he said, finally. “We usually let both parties know that they’re meeting each other so that everyone could gather their thoughts. But it’s not exactly the rule. I would say, each couple had their own way of going about these sorts of things.”

“Well, it was certainly a surprise. Not something I would prefer on a regular basis.” The Admiral took a deep breath and slowly breathed it out. “Ah. To breathe in countryside air is a treasure for a man my age. You’d do well to appreciate it, Son.”

“How different is it compared to the main cities?” Frein asked. He had read many things about the Five Great Cities of Irista Nation, even saw some images from his M.O.B.I.L.E. He had imagined them to be of urbanized scale, but without the pollution compared to Earth, given that the resources this world—this Nation—utilized was far too different.

Still, the question seemed as organic as indulging his curiosity from an experienced man as it was to simply breaking the ice between them.

“Far from it, Son,” Garm replied. He took another long, deep breath, relaxing and looking around the obsidian walls of the lounge, as though to reminisce. “Central’s no place for a simplistic mind. Compared to the Capital, the most activity I will get here in the Province already happened a few hours ago.”

“Still, I was expecting a more explosive reaction,” Frein said before carefully and quickly adding, “No offense.”

Garm waved it off. “As I’ve said, Jo’war gave me ample warning. Though meiyal resuscitation is not indicative of true love, it is, arguably, the most distinct proof that you two are indeed lovers.”

“I read the research papers he talked about. It’s rather straightforward.”

“And it’s best to leave it at that,” the Admiral said, subtly gesturing towards the entrance where Princess Kristel just entered. “Not everyone would be mature enough for the subject.”

Katherine just shot both of them a questioning look.

Frein smirked mischievously. “I’ll explain when you’re older.”

“Sorry, I was giving Frill some instructions, what did I miss?” Kristel took the middle chair facing the two men. “You’re talking about meiyal resuscitation? What about it?”

Frein couldn’t help himself. “I’ll explain…when you’re older.”

Garm stifled a laugh and nodded towards Katherine. “Your man has some humor, I’d give you that.”

Princess Kristel eyed the three of them.

“I don’t know what they’re talking about, either,” Katherine said in defense. “I can try to know, but that would be cheating.”

“Whatever,” Kristel sighed. She summoned her M.O.B.I.L.E. and allowed it to hover beside her. A large ‘RECORDING’ appeared on a screen above it. No one seemed to mind, so Frein didn’t question it.

“You’ve read the reports, Admiral Garm?” the Princess asked, switching to business mode.

“I have. I apologize for your losses. The Atlas Sid couldn’t change course. It was as if they knew we weren’t coming.”

“That’s our guess as well. What about the Order of the Void?”

“I fear the worst. We didn’t receive any directives to venture out past our territory into the Great Sea Dividyr, but all known entrances to the Western Sanctum in our lands remain inaccessible even with our Grand Virtuosos with a Purifying Stone.”

“That reminds me,” Katherine interrupted. “Can we order spares? I need three Stones. For Frein, Kristel, and Frill.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Shouldn’t be a problem, but do you intend to bring them to the Nightmare Lands?” Garm asked, his voice almost in protest.

“It’s precaution more than anything, honestly.” Katherine stood from the armrest and produced Sam. The sentient M.O.B.I.L.E. kept silent which, for Frein—as well as for Kristel, who caught the device’s weird behavior—was a subtle enough prompt as a reminder that he was to be kept secret.

Sam produced a recording of Those That Fell Off a Cliff, or at least the charred remains of it.

“This Nightmare appeared at the market a week ago.”

Garm Militia stood from his seat like his life depended on it. “How?”

“No idea,” the daughter replied.

“Casualties?”

“Fortunately, we managed to corner it and prevent any casualties. A lot of property damage, though.”

“Its main focus seemed to be the assassination of our informant,” Frein followed-up. “It was weird for a Nightmare, it was like under control right until we cornered it.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Garm said. “That is too cunning for a Nightmare and only Deep Nightmares could have had such control. You would’ve seen it, or feel it right away. Besides, Fallen are not supposed to survive outside the Nightmare Lands.”

“They can, for a while,” Katherine retorted.

“A while is too short, Katherine. How distant is the nearest edge of our safe zone? Even on a yuma, it would take you at least five hours. At a Fallen’s speed, without rest and considering they travel on a straight line, they would still take a full day simply to enter our main territory, let alone the center of Minaveil Town. Those That Fell Off a Cliff can only last up to a maximum of one hour outside the Nightmare Lands.”

Katherine began to speak, but realized her father made a good point. Kristel was also at a loss for words. So, Frein brought up one more piece of information that Admiral Garm was missing.

“He was human when he assassinated Xiv. He only became a Nightmare when we cornered him.”

“That’s…” The Admiral slumped back on his intricate chair. “Are you sure? That’s impossible.”

“Frein’s right, Admiral,” Kristel said, pressing a hand on her head. “I know it’s impossible, but I saw it myself. Now, we just have more questions and more problems.”

“The reinforcements I brought should provide ample security,” Garm muttered. There was a lack of confidence in his voice. “As much as I hate following that Royal Guard’s orders, it’s very much clear to me that your leaving will be a detriment to the safety of the people here.”

“If they know about Atlas Sid, then we shouldn’t be surprised if they know about my return to the High Palace.”

Admiral Garm processed the Princess’s words. “You don’t mean to imply…”

Kristel nodded. “Cross Irista and, quite possibly, the governance of the entire Nation has been compromised.”

“You think it’s Tryvinal Bree?”

Kristel shook her head. “I’m not sure. He’s too conceited and arrogant to come up with this sort of planning in the shadows approach.”

“While I’m at it, isn’t my presence here an overlook?” Garm asked. “Your trust in me isn’t misplaced, but it is rather haphazard in my honest opinion. Your uncle would have been a better option.”

“Uncle Kento is too close to my Father. And aside from Frein, Katherine, Frill, Lor, and Flimeth, I cannot trust anyone else who fought during the Battle of the Vanguard.”

Kristel crossed her arms and leaned back on her seat. It reminded Frein that this small Princess, trying as she might seem, didn’t have the right stature to be physically demanding. Her posture and firm attitude more than made up for what she lacked. This young woman, speaking with such authority towards a man quite literally twice—or even thrice—her age and how he took her words with such consideration simply boggled the Visitor’s mind.

“And,” Kristel continued, “believe it or not, Admiral, your daughter can, and will, use her Heart’s Will on you.”

“Ah, now that’s a wound you need not tear open, Princess.”

Frein blinked twice at the last of that exchange. “Wait,” he turned to Katherine who tried to shift away. “You have Heart’s Will?”

Kristel had an immediate look of regret. Garm’s was amused at most. Frein didn’t pay them anymore mind.

“I was trying to find a good chance to talk about it,” the Lady said sheepishly. “I used it on you since the first day we met. There. I used it to be close to you. I used it on everyone on Earth so I can get my way around places. It’s what earned my place in the Detective Agency. It’s my trump card against unsolvable cases.”

“How often?”

“I used it on you constantly because I didn’t want you to find out about my identity.” Katherine shrunk further away, but Frein and the others just allowed her to keep going. “And I really like you, okay? I didn’t want you to be angry with me,” she said, finally. “Are you mad?”

“You’re not going to try and find out?”

“It doesn’t work on you anymore! Not for a long time.”

Frein found that hard to believe. “The books didn’t say anything about a Blessing not working specifically on somebody. Why not?”

“Because…” Katherine couldn’t continue.

Kristel was just as clueless as Frein. But Garm simply shook his head while pressing a hand over his wrinkles.

“All Blessings of Brymeia have certain conditions that they must follow,” the Admiral began to explain. “Not all of them are written in records. There are various reasons as to why. For Heart’s Will, details were kept away from the books to protect both its wielder and those that she chose to sleep with.”

“Oh…” Frein and Kristel said at the same time. Katherine was a giant, red tomato, standing in front of her father.

“Can we please not talk about this anymore?”

“I concur,” Garm said, his face blushing slightly. “But before we leave this topic, I must clarify that it is absolute trust and commitment towards a person which removes the wielder’s ability to use Heart’s Will upon them. This is usually sealed by an act. Once that bond is formed, there’s no need for the Blessing to meddle with the relationship.”

“Oh, so that’s why they don’t want it on record,” Frein connected eyes with Katherine and held her hand. “You’re not excused. We’re going to have a thorough discussion about this.”

“I bet.”

Frill entered the room just in time. She brought a tea set and began to distribute them to everyone.

“Thank you for the tea, Frill,” Garm said and took a sip. Everyone enjoyed a short silence as they all partook their teas. It allowed for everyone to settle down for the rest of the meeting.

The Aria made a silent bow and stood beside Kristel, enjoying her own brew.

Frein realized that Kristel was recording all of this and wondered if he should point it out. He chose to set it aside for now.

“Now, what else should we discuss?” The Admiral broke the silence. “I am particularly curious about the target of the assassination. I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch the name.”

“Xiv,” Frein said. “Xiv Arcturus.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you, Son.” He raised his cup and Frein returned the gesture before taking another sip.

“Yes, we should talk about Xiv,” Kristel followed. “But first…”

Frill rested her teacup. “The Admiral’s subordinates are sleeping quite soundly, Princess. They won’t bother us for a while.” She turned to Garm and bowed slightly. “We had to be careful.”

“I can’t say I agree, but at least they’ll be dreaming of a charming, beautiful, albeit somewhat mischievous lady.” Admiral Garm observed his own drink for a bit before concluding that it was safe.

Frein subtly sniffed his cup and decided it was particularly harmless. It was already too late to check anyway.

Frill blushed and turned away at the comment.

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