The Bottom Level of the Hall
Alara knows she shouldn’t be surprised by just how many people are gathered around their booth, but she is anyways. And that’s with several groups looking their way indicating their obvious intension of wishing to speak with her.
Her declaration of support… was worth even more than I thought.
She’s gotten far more information out of this than she would’ve expected, including a map of the islands that the new Dimensional Leader had made through his messengers along with the islands’ movement patterns. And on the map was basic information on the territories that have been set up for the various important groups being set up, along with some information on those groups in general.
He may not seem to fear Lexi, but he certainly is trying to get favor from her.
“If there’s anything you need, you can contact us through this,” the delegate from Varsac’s nation says while handing Alara an item she recognizes from before the Reset. A sort of communication device in the form of a card that is made by crafters.
Alara nods her head with a polite smile as the delegate leaves her booth, following which another one enters. But this next one is more tricky than the last.
Because this next delegate ignores her entirely and walks up to Elizabeth with a serious look on his face.
Elizabeth nods her head with a serious look on her face matching his as she says, “Greetings, father.”
The former king that Alara had no choice in serving before frowns for a second before answering, “Hello, Elizabeth.”
Then an awkward silence fills the area for several seconds. Meanwhile Astrid just sits there on the side while ignoring all of the looks being sent her way by the many people around the booth. More looks than Alara herself is getting.
Not too surprising. She’s The Reaper’s twin after all, and a Class A species.
Alara watches for several seconds as the former king and his daughter simply stare at each other before Harold eventually asks, “Are you willing to join my nation?”
And to Alara’s complete lack of surprise, Elizabeth immediately shakes her head and answers, “No.”
Harold doesn’t look surprised either. But then again, Elizabeth has always been the most stubborn of the royal princes and princesses.
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The only reason she was going along with the engagement before was because she had no choice. But after over a month past the Reset, she broke it off without hesitation. Almost like she was waiting for something, or the Reset hadn’t fully set in yet.
“Very well then,” Harold states with a nod before asking, “have you seen your older brother?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth answers without explaining further.
Probably for the best.
He stares for a few more seconds before nodding once more and turning to Astrid, who just ignores him to play with a knife, looking just as bored as her sister was. But he doesn’t let it stop him from asking, “May I ask, Lady Astrid, if you or your sister have any plans on visiting my little kingdom in the near future?”
Astrid finally looks at him, catching her knife after throwing it lightly into the air. And after a second she shrugs and says, “No idea.” Then focuses on her knife again.
Harold’s jaw tightens ever so slightly. So little that Alara wouldn’t have noticed if she wasn’t already watching for some sort of reaction.
“Very well then,” Harold says, repeating the same thing he said to his daughter before he finally turns to Alara and asks, “You’re the daughter of the Blazes, is that correct?”
Alara narrows her eyes slightly and answers, “Yes, and I am the leader of the Retreat. If you have anything to discuss with me about our two groups, then you may. If not then feel free to leave.”
The former king blinks in surprise and glances towards the top of the hall where Alara still sees The Reaper sitting alone with the hellfrost dragon while looking bored. And as if on instinct, the girl turns her gaze straight towards them, seemingly meeting the former king’s own gaze.
Alara almost loses her composure when she notices Harold shiver slightly as if in fear before he slowly turns back to Alara and says, “Of course. We have much to discuss, Miss Blaze.”
I’m really glad she’s here.
And just like that, Alara and her former king begin working on a trade agreement between the Retreat and his new Kingdom of Silvercrest. One named the exact same thing as his kingdom from before the Reset.
The negotiations take little more than half an hour to finish, same length of time as her negotiations with Varsac’s representative, before the king leaves the booth.
Part of Alara is convinced the king only came personally because of his daughter though. Either that or to get one up on Varsac when it comes to connections with Alexia. But Alara doubts that considering the way he acted.
After Harold leaves the booth, Alara immediately turns on the mute feature and lets out a sigh of relief while raising a hand towards those waiting outside, telling them to wait a moment. Then she turns to Elizabeth and asks, “Are you okay?”
Elizabeth nods her head with a shaky breath as she answers, “Yeah, I think so.”
A few seconds pass in silence before the two glance at Astrid when she stands up from her seat and stretches a little. Then she turns to the two of them and says, “I’ll be seeing Lexi now if you don’t mind.”
Both open their mouths to answer, but Astrid leaves without giving them a chance. Which has all of the people waiting outside immediately trying to talk to her only for her to teleport away with her shadow magic.
Alara and Elizabeth share a glance before sighing.
Just like her sister in that regard.
Alara focuses on the next delegate and unmutes the booth.
Not much I can do about it beyond meet more delegates.