“So, how is the current situation?”
Alden Wednesday sat upon his swivelling chair, placing his hands upon the table, as he uttered that question towards Hilde. They're currently in his office, more formally known as the Headmaster’s Quarters, which was located upon the top of the towering spire of the Royal Academy's main building.
It had been some time since the last attack of the elven assassin that somehow snuck through the academy's defences, approximately two days after to be more precise. Ever since then, Selena had been locked up in the Academy’s vaults, because currently investigations were still ongoing about her history and connections to form an arrest by the Royal Guard of Albion.
Hilde, who was currently standing in front of him with her arms crossed, would answer, “The students that got involved in the recent incident have been living well. Managed to snatch the elf's sword in time too, can't believe they're trying to sell it.” She said, “Marilyn Althorn, was it? She was the one that suggested the idea, believing it to be ‘combat loot’, or something.”
Alden chuckled, “I see. Well I’d say we can direct them to the sanctioned Veil we have near the forest, if they do wish to gain some tangible rewards.” He responded, “How about Ms. Lenore?”
“The princess has notified the Queen about this situation, we may expect a visit from Her Majesty’s secret service about this for them to investigate further. A year from now we may also get invited to the kingdom's next royal council meeting.”
“As expected.” He said, leaning against his seat as he did, “Politics aren't exactly my forte, but if it's necessary in order to prevent further harm, so shall it be.”
The Royal Academy is part of the kingdom, and ever since its founding a thousand years ago it has been involved in the nation's politics as well. Although its status is that of an observer, as it's simply unjust to have schools to lean towards any one side, its presence in politics is one that could and have actually raised some unwanted threats such as this.
Still, it's pretty much an obligation now, so they could do nothing about it. The both of them however believe in the Queen’s cause, despite their neutrality-by-law. It's especially the case after the death of her husband at the hands of an assassin trying to sabotage the kingdom, which made her the ruling monarch instead of just a consort.
It's somewhat poetic due to recent events, despite the morbidity.
Hilde nodded to that statement, eyes closed with content during it. She would speak up again, “May I ask a question, sir?”
“Go ahead. We've known each other since you were little, no need to actually be so formal whenever no one is around.” He replied, smiling.
Hilde blinked, but proceeded to ask again, “Do you think this could be linked to the King’s death somehow?”
Alden's smile quickly fades, “...Elaborate.”
Hilde stood at attention, like a disciplined soldier, “It’s well known that amongst the powerful in this kingdom, Queen Marigold is not popular. She's beloved by the common people because of her policies and strict standards in regards to who works in her council, but her wish of continuing her late husband's work of enforcing royal law towards the elite and giving to the people is not without its negatives.” She explained, “I doubt it's a large conspiracy due to the amount of backlash it could lead to, but…”
“You’re saying that we might have something bigger than just the king and princess as targets on our hands?”
“I fear for the worst, Alden.”
He was in deep contemplation about this, sighing, “I see.”
Well, despite their observer status, on the level of the individual the academy too have their biases. Their policy against nepotism and the like did in actuality date back even before the late king and Queen Marigold’s reign, hence their unofficial support for the current ruling monarch. So her logic here was not without merit. Whoever's trying to target the royal family, they really do not like their power being taken from them.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Alden was not entirely sure who this figure would be, or why they would do such a thing, but it was quite the hectic circumstance they're in.
“The moment a nation truly tries to improve itself, the ones who reign within but don't support it try to bring it down.” He said, “Such is the cycle of politics.”
“What should we do, then?”
A smile of reassurance appeared before his face, “We shall wait and observe, that is all that we can do, Hilde.”
And Hilde could only breathe out a sigh in response.
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Alden Wednesday could only really wish things wouldn't go for the worse. He could only wish that this life of his could just be spent leading a school of prodigies. But in the end, he could only watch and act according to what destiny gives him.
Act, that'd be the thing he shall do now. A preemptive action to be more specific. To prepare for the worst in case that it does come. And if the worst becomes truly worse, he would at least have options that won't leave him completely empty, just at a disadvantage, that's all.
Visiting the vaults of the Royal Academy, in which his person of interest had been contained within, Alden Wednesday had a plan that would go against his recent response to his partner-in-crime.
“I could only wish that this wouldn't happen if The White Rabbit didn't visit me 18 years ago, but knowing her that would just make things worse.”
18 years ago, that individual brought a message to him that someone she wished to see a happy life would come and study here. That he should do his utmost to set the path forward to make that possible. So that this individual’s story could remain as a reflective one.
“A person whose wish is to live a fulfilling life, one that she can use to thank the world for. Honestly, quite the forever dream compared to most others I’ve encountered.”
He had an educated guess that this person was the one that had been a victim of that quarrel with the marksman from Arcadia. And if that were to be the case, did he fail in ensuring that the path would be smooth for her?
If that was indeed it, she would've scolded him. They've known each other enough for her to do that personally, after all.
He would soon arrive at the cell in which his person of interest was being held, after walking down quite the vast hall that was this school’s ancient vault. He faced her, and rested both of his hands upon his cane before her.
“Selena Blackthorn.” He said, “I have quite the theory that you're involved in a couple of high profile assassinations throughout your recent history.”
The elven girl did not turn around, as she's meditating in front of a wall, seemingly in trance, her body glowing with light from absorbing Essence. The glow disappeared the moment she was disturbed. “What of it?”
“We speculated that you were most likely involved in the murder of the late king of Albion. Wouldn't make sense that your next target was the third princess otherwise.”
Selena sat silently, she did not answer.
“Can you identify your employer?” He said again.
There's no use in not responding, she would think to herself, so she would answer, “No, my work comes through their middlemen.”
“...I see.” An expected development, to him at least. “I would say, I feel quite the sympathy for how isolated you must've been, to make you fall this far down.”
She's getting slightly annoyed by his words, she turned her head slightly, “What do you want?”
“I’m offering you a second chance, to redeem yourself that is. We would not use you for assassinations, but your skills offer much greater benefit if used for things other than that, would it not?”
Once again, she's silent, but at least she's pondering now. “Payment can be for later, but I doubt that you’re the type to do that.”
“I shall confirm that as truth, you would need to be formally employed for me to do such a thing without worry.” He said, “So consider the chance and me excusing you as payment for now.”
"You're lucky I don't really care for money." She stood up and turned around, crossing her arms, “But you're a coward when it comes to skirting the law, you know that?”
“I consider myself as an upholder of the law.” Alden replied.
“You’re sensible, at least.” She said, “I assume the plan is to catch the one that hired me for those two targets?”
He smiled, the same reassuring gesture he used for Hilde hours earlier, “That would only be the beginning of it, Ms. Blackthorn.”