Anastasia and her escorts made their way to the castle. The pair clad in hooded cloaks completely obscuring their faces and clothes. Slightly in front of the two cloaked figures Finn and Liza confidently cut a path through the crowded streets. No one even attempted to get in this group’s way.
The streets were extra busy today as the capital was abuzz about the ceremony that was to take place very soon. Most nobles had already left for the castle and those left on the streets are the various servants from their houses. Each going about their daily tasks and gossiping about the events at the castle.
Finally making it to the outer castle wall. The first cloaked figure approaches the guard.
She pulls back her hood to reveal her face. The guards look at her freshly washed and combed brown hair pulled back into her signature ponytail. It was tied high on the back of her head as usual. Every guard knew the woman that stood before them. Her ponytail was somewhat of a running joke around the castle. No true noble lady would wear her hair like a commoner. None in the castle dared to say a word to this woman, she was the head of Princess Anastasia’s Knight protectors.
“Lady Charlotte, we thought you were on a trip with the princess and did not expect you.”
Charlotte did not correct the guards about her new status as this was hardly the time for that.
“As you can see, I am here now. I need to get into the castle please step aside.”
The head guard looked rather flustered. “Lady Charlotte this is rather unusual normally it is announced when the Princess retinue returns… I have not heard any announcement.” He looks around eyeing the other cloaked figure and the two others with Charlotte who looked little more than high priced thugs.
“I am sorry I did not think it was my job to keep you informed of everything the princess and I are doing. Should I let the Princess know you wish to know her every move?”
Charlotte had a bit of a reputation around the castle of being very blunt and business-like while on duty. This contrasted with her more relaxed tone she took when interacting with the knights and guards when not directly doing something for the princess. The guards all looked at each other and quickly concluded it was best to not get on Charlotte’s bad side and stood aside.
“Thank you.”
Charlotte now took point and led her group into the castle grounds. They made their way to the largest building that housed the throne room. As one of the largest countries on the continent, Galand's main castle was comparably large as well. The main building housing the throne room is 300 feet long by 150 feet wide of its three spires; the tallest is just under 200 feet. It has more than enough room to hold every noble in Garland let alone just those in the capital.
Charlotte looked around the main building and she could still see many nobles still milling around as the ceremony was not set to start for another 15 minutes. The group moved to the side and waited. Charlotte returns her hood to not draw unwanted attention from the nobles that are standing around the castle gardens waiting.
*****
Queen Melina was in one of the side rooms off the main throne room. She was seated in a chair, her head in her hand as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. In the room with Melina was her daughter Princess Tashanna and her head attendant and Mistress of Shadows Nydia.
“Mother I am surprised I have to tell you this, but you may ruin your makeup if you keep doing that.” Tashanna said comfortably relaxing on the sofa her legs pulled up beside her.
“I am surprised I have to tell you to sit like a lady. You will ruin your dress.”
Tashanna rolls her eyes and straights out in her chair. She then leans over and takes one of the cookies Nydia had brought her to snack on while they waited.
“GODS! How can you be so calm right now? We are about to give that worm my husband’s title.” Melina could not hide the pain she felt right now at her continued failure to deal with Victor. The man had toyed with her for the last two months, but never had made a move like this. She thought she would have more time to work out a solution to deal with him.
“Mother, I can understand what you are feeling. You are wracked with guilt over your inability to deal with Victor correctly when he first revealed himself to be the scum that he is. That inaction has led to countless other victims, and I know that weighs on you.”
Tashanna took a bite of the cookie in her hand. She seemed to enjoy the taste very much as she savored it slowly.
“When I first found out about the collars, I thought of trying to dispel the one on Nydia. Letting the silly noble girls who were tricked by that man die.” Tashanna's tone was indifferent.
Melina slammed her fist down on the arm of the chair. “I would have never allowed that.”
Tashanna laughed “I did not plan on asking for permission. Once the deed was done, there would have been nothing you could have done.”
Melina tried to calm herself. She knew her daughter Tashanna was not trying to provoke her. She just has a special way of looking at the world and spoke her mind freely with her family.
“So, what stopped you?”
“We were fooled by that man as well. I could not blame the girls for something even I was not able to see through.” Tashanna’s face became downcast. “Besides, letting that little shit beat us to a draw would have pissed me off. I wanted to crush him for his betrayal. I did not want to accept anything but total victory.”
The thought of reprimanding her daughter for her language crossed Melina’s mind but she dismissed that. It was just the three of them in this room and Victor had that effect on all of them.
“This still does not explain to me why you are so calm.” Melina said relaxing into her chair trying desperately to follow her daughter's example.
“Your tale the other day moved me mother. I am filled with hope that your actions were not the actions of a fool. I think after today we will find that your actions were that of a hero.”
“I told you I do not want any action taken today. It is just a title I can keep him in check to some degree. He only seems to be interested in entertaining himself. I can distract him with shiny objects until we come up with a better plan. It is too reckless confronting him in front of every noble in the capital.”
“If you say so mother.” Tashanna looked over to Nydia and winked. Nydia’s eyes narrowed, unsure of what Tashanna was planning. Whatever it was, she did not think the Queen would like it. She kept her mouth shut for now, tired of not doing anything about Victor.
Just then a knock came at the door. Victor entered without waiting for an answer.
“My queen, princess we are ready for you know.” Victor’s face had his permanent smile plastered on it. All three women knew it to be the mask he wore to hide his grotesque inner self.
They rose and headed to the door and waited to be called.
A man’s voice was loud and commanding and could be heard even at the back of the throne room
“I present Her Majesty Queen Melina Volkov, escorted by Princess Tashanna Volkov and Sir Victor Armon.”
The throne room was deadly silent as was the custom when the queen entered her throne room. Queen Melina walked to her throne where an attendant waited with her scepter. The attendant bowed deeply, presenting it to the Queen. Once in hand the queen moved to stand in front of her throne. She waited for her daughter to make her way to her seat behind the throne on the queen's left. Next to Tashanna's seat stood Lilly. Nydia took her normal place beside the Queen and Victor stood on the opposite side. Once everyone was in their place the queen sat down and everyone that had a seat followed suit.
The highest-ranking Nobles, mostly Dukes and Duchesses with a few other lesser titles mixed in had seats on either side of the aisle. While all other nobles were standing behind them.
The queen began the speech Victor had prepared for her. Wanting to be done with this travesty as fast as possible.
“Thank you all for coming today on such short notice. As many of you are aware, Duke Armon’s son Sir Victor is engaged to my daughter. He will be a member of my family soon.” The queen felt as if she would choke on those words. “He has proven himself a wise, honorable and capable man.” The queen paused, not able to continue. She felt a hand fall to her shoulder, it was Victor’s. Gasps could be heard from those closest who could see the queen. It was unheard of for anyone to touch the queen.
SLAM!
The two large double doors flung open at the back of the room and crashed into the wall with more force than anyone thought could be done with such large doors.
Victor removed his hand from the queen as he jumped at the sudden intrusion. Even as startled as she was, the Queen felt relieved to not have that man’s hands on her. The Queen rose and slammed her scepter’s staff into the floor.
“Who would dare interrupt my proceedings. Identify yourselves at once.”
Four figures stood but silhouettes in the door frame due to the bright light of the morning sun behind them. They ignored the Queen's command and started to make their way down the center aisle toward the throne.
“The Queen has given you a command answer.” A Knight could be heard shouting
They again did not respond. Their pace was brisk and purposeful. They made it about halfway to the throne when the queen barked another command.
“Enough of your theatrics. Stop where you are. GUARDS!”
The guards had already been surrounding the intruders but since the intruders had no weapons drawn the guards had only taken action to surround not to detain. However, they had now been given a command, so the front rank rushed forward.
The two figures on either side still have not drawn their weapons. Both waved their hands and a pale green light flashed. Then the first rank of the knights were all lifted from their feet. The knights were blown back slamming against the walls on each side of the room easily sixty feet each direction. The rest of the guards paused. The power on display just then was not impossible but very few could cast magic with that much power.
The remaining knights are so surprised none made a move and let the group continue toward the Throne.
The group was now about sixty feet from the throne. The queen could clearly make out more about each person walking up. In the center stood two cloaked figures heads and faces complexly obscured by hoods. On one side a tall man very clearly outfitted for battle. His hair hung loosely around his head but did not block his face. He was armed with two swords, but he did not have them drawn. On the opposite side was a strikingly beautiful woman with deep red hair. Her hair was thick and wavy but kept under control by the band on top of her head sweeping it back behind her. She was wearing similar attire to the man on the other side, but she only had one sword that seemed longer and thinner than most swords of its kind.
The queen had enough. She slammed the shaft of her scepter into the floor again this time filling it with her own mana. The head of the scepter glowing red the color of fire magic, her most powerful element.
“I have given you enough chances. You will stop right there and tell me who you are.”
The two women in the middle cast off their cloaks. The queen could clearly see who they were and knew their identities. Fear, anger, joy, and relief were just some of the emotions filling her head.
“I am the First Princess of Galand Anastasia Volkov, daughter of Queen Milena Volkov. And I will not allow that scum to hurt anymore of my people!”
Anastasia stood before her mother, and all noble society, calling out Victor Armon a son of a Duke. With her arm stretched out and her finger clearing aimed at Victor. Anastasia’s stance is the picture of commanding authority. None would question she was the future queen. Her light blue hair had been recently cleaned and hung around her face and down past her shoulders. A few of the larger bodied curls cascading down her chest. Her gown was magnificent and truly fit for royalty. It was light purple with white lace trim. The top hugged her frame tightly, the large open neck came to sleeves that barely hung on to the edges of her shoulders. The fabric wrapped her slender arms tightly before it flared after the elbow. The loose fabric and lace hung from her forearms, slightly swaying from her outstretched arm.
The dress fit snuggly down to Anastasia’s slender waist. Opposite the normal style of Galand and the surrounding kingdoms the skirt did not flare out creating exaggerated hips. This gown only used a moderate number of layers, so the curves were mostly Anastasia’s own. Just below the waist on either side to create contrast several sparrows have been embroidered in expert levels of detail. It was a full-length gown so the hem just slightly rested against the floor.
Next to Anastasia, as always, stood Charlotte. She was taking a common stance the castle knights were fond of. She had removed her sword from her hip but not from the scabbard. She planted the tip at her feet. Charlotte had her hands on top of each other resting on the pommel of the sword. She stood there stoically in her blue with yellow trim battle gown. Her breast plate shone as if freshly polished. On both of her hands she wore long gloves with several overlapping plates attached all the way up to her elbow.
The skirt of the gown flowed outward slightly less than the normal style. The front had two slits up each side to allow the wearer's legs to move freely. The layers underneath the skirt and the undergarments worn, that basically were just normal pants, insured some level of modesty. Circled around the whole body are metal plates hanging down from the waist. Creating an additional metal skirt that lay over the gown. Anastasia had the gown specially made for Charlotte. This was to ensure that she would still be able to stand beside Anastasia at high status events but remain battle ready.
“Anastasia, what is the matter with you? Victor is here at my request.” The queen raised her head slightly looking down on her daughter.
“Mother I am here to set you all free from that treacherous man’s grasp.”
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“I am the queen and I have made my decision on this. You will stand down.” The queen struck her scepter on the ground once more. The red glow emanating from it intensifies.
“Mother, I will take responsibility for what happens next. You may unburden yourself.” The queen inhaled sharply. This was code used amongst the royals and those closest to them. When in mixed company and you are unable to give the meaning behind your actions this line was meant to let the other know you had a plan. It basically meant trust me.
The queen could not give the normal response ‘I will trust you with this matter.’ Saying so in front of Victor could give too much away. However, the queen was unsure if she wanted to follow her daughter’s plan. This was almost assuredly the plan Tashanna had suggested, and the one the queen turned down. With Anastasia before her causing this scene. It meant both of her daughters were of the same mind, that this plan was the best course of action.
The queen could not respond so she looked Anastasia’s in the eyes seeing the determination burning there. The queen nodded as lightly as she could in agreement. The reckless plan her youngest daughter had come up with involved the queen standing in opposition to this attack. This was one of her concerns. Once Anastasia began the spell Tashanna had prepared, Victor would most likely insist that the queen unleash Nydia onto her daughter. No one has been able to stand even for a minute against Nydia.
Anastasia saw her mother’s nob and knew the plan was on. She clasped her hands together and called to her companions.
“I am starting the spell. You must keep them off me. I am unsure how long it will take to gather the mana. I will call when I am ready.”
The three around Anastasia all drew their swords and stood at the ready to prevent anyone from reaching her. Anastasia started to glow with a pure white light as she gathered mana into her hands.
“WHAT IS SHE DOING! Don’t just stand their woman. Do something.”
Victor’s voice was at a higher pitch than normal as he was not expecting such a brazen display. Anastasia’s presence made no sense. The nobles would never forget this farce and the queen would be a laughingstock. To the nobles it would be seen as the queen could not even control her own daughter. Victor concluded that Anastasia was even dumber than her sister. There was no spell that could break his collar's binds without killing the other wearers.
The queen still did not issue any new orders, so the knights were unsure of what to do. Before them stood the crown princess. Without direct orders from the queen none would risk doing anything. The queen looked at her daughter channeling before her. Her dress flowed slightly from the mana as if there was a breeze.
Victor came over and grabbed the queen. “Do something about this or I will start killing one, every ten seconds.” Victor held up the etched rune stone that he used to control all the collars.
“What would you have me do?” The Queen turned to Victor coldly just trying to buy time.
“I don’t care how you stop her. But do something now. You have five seconds” Victor ran his finger over the stone in his hand
“Fine, just don’t hurt anyone.”
The queen started to project her voice so all could hear. “Knights protect the civilians. Attendants stop them and take Anastasia into custody.”
Lilly and five other attendants present revealed their weapons. Nydia still stood by the queen, not moving. Hoping that Victor would not insist she get involved.
The six women rushed forward blades drawn attacking in unison like a well-practiced dance. The attendants each paired off and took on one of Anastasia’s guards. Their sword work was precise and deadly. They had been trained for years by Nydia after all. Each time one would attack the other would also swing forcing their target to fend off attacks coming from multiple directions and angles.
Victor watched stunned as Anastasia’s guards did not seem at all worried by the relentless assault they were under. Victor knew one of the guards personally, Charlotte. She was well skilled with a blade, but to be able to hold off two shadows without even changing her expression did not seem possible.
Victor stormed over to Nydia “Bitch what are you standing around for. Your queen gave you an order to get in there.”
Nydia's eyes narrowed but she remained calm and then looked to her queen.
The queen closed her eyes. “She knew it may come to this. Do it.”
“And don’t think about holding anything back. If I even think you are not giving it your all. The first one to die is the princess.” Victor smiled, throwing on one more threat.
Nydia calmly walked behind the throne and removed a large sword she kept there. It was too big to be concealed when wearing her attendant uniform, but she still liked to have it close by if needed. She drew the blade, throwing the scabbard away. Nydia then strode toward the melee before her. She eyed the targets she was being forced to engage. Victor’s threat hung heavy in her heart. If Nydia went all out on normal combatants, she would likely kill them with her first strike.
Nydia thought about the kind of man Victor was. He did everything for his own amusement so she hoped her next actions would entertain him enough to allow her to buy more time.
“I am Nydia, the queen’s sword. The best among you must face my full power. Who will take me up on that challenge?”
Victor smiles at Nydia “I never thought she would get into it so much. This should be exciting, watching her slice your daughter’s protectors in half.”
The thought of what would happen once Nydia entered the fry scared the Queen. With the added threat against Tashanna’s life Nydia would hold nothing back. The queen was gripped with panic. Unsure if her assumption was correct about the man who was currently protecting her daughter.
Finn locked swords with Lilly ``Looks like your boss is calling for me. Can you go play with the other two for me?” Finn gave Lilly a wink before pushing her back and planting a kick to her chest knocking her away.
Finn twirled his short sword in his off hand as he strode forward to meet Nydia.
“I have been waiting for this for a while.” Finn said unable to contain the glee he felt at finally getting to fight Nydia.
“If you would have come back like you were told we could have had this match almost ten years ago.”
“Why would I come back and serve under that bitch.” Finn pointed his sword at the queen trying to burn a hole through her with his eyes. The queen started back, accepting the rage pointed in her direction.
“Is that all you are a little man fueled by hate.” Nydia stopped and raised her sword to Finn.
“I tried love, happiness, and rainbows, but you all took that from me. Hate has been working pretty well since then.” Finn now turned his fury toward Nydia.
“I am sorry, I have failed you for so long, but I see now I will have to knock some sense into you after all.” Nydia launched herself off the steps from the throne toward Fin. She could not help but hold back with her first swing. Even still the power was several times more than a normal knight. She adjusted the blow so it would only blow him back about ten feet as long as he was able to block it.
As the pair collided Nydia was shocked by the outcome. Finn had only used the short sword in his off hand to block the swing.
“That cannot be all the sword demon has. That sick fuck said to come at me with all you got, or he would kill Tashanna, right?”
Nydia’s eyes went wide from the shock. Finn could not have heard Victor from that far away during the melee he was in. He must be just assuming, even if he is correct. Finn flicked his blade back and it forced Nydia back several feet.
“Well Sword Demon, do what that fucker tells you. Come at me with everything you have. Don’t hold anything back. I will take responsibility for what happens next, or whatever.”
Nydia could not help but smile. Even with everything happening and the stakes involved. The thought of getting to go all out excited her. It had been so long since she could do that. “Watch your language in front of the princess.”
Nydia launched herself at Finn, the air thundered as the tiles below her feed cracked. Their swords connected and the reverberation could be felt by the nobles in the crowd. Finn had caught most of her force and redirected it to the side. He also applies his own attack causing Nydia to fly back slamming into the wall hard enough to knock a few bricks loose. Shaking herself off Nydia launched herself at Finn again, her speed blinding. She stopped short of an attack this time and planted herself before him and began to launch a flurry of blows. Finn’s eye narrowed as he caught and deflected each blow.
Nydia was testing the boy at this point. She was trying to find a weakness in his style. She was happy to see he had few openings. Except for one. She took advantage and used her swords to pin both his blades down when he deflected her last blow, she released one hand from her sword and punched Finn squarely in the face, he was caught so unaware that he went flying back and fell to the ground.
“That’s for cursing in front of the princess”
Nydia charged at Finn, not giving him time to get up. Her sword smashed into the floor where Finn had been as he rolled away. Tiles all around shattering. Finn rose to his feet as Nydia pulled her sword from the floor. The pair clashed again with the clangs of their swords shaking the windows of the throne room.
Anastasia was attempting to block out everything around her. The sounds of battle felt close. Keeping her eyes closed was the safest bet. She would surely lose concentration if she saw what was going on around her. She had heard most of the conversation between Nydia and Finn, he truly hated the queen. Annstasisa squeezed her eyes close even tighter trying to push those thoughts aside for now. She knew her companions must be struggling to keep the queen’s shadows off her even with their powers. She needs to focus, to not waste this time they are buying her.
Charlotte was amazed at how easily she was able to fend off three shadows. Nydia had her train against some of these women before and she knew all of them personally. She was evenly matched with most save for Lilly and Laine. She had yet to win against either of them even once. Now she was holding Laine and two other shadows off at the same time. It was then she saw a large black flame being thrown her way. No, it was being thrown Anastasia’s way.
Charlotte made a big sweep with her sword at a speed she had not shown the shadows yet. She hoped they would be able to react in time, to prevent injury, but she needed distance. Charlotte moved to block the magic with her body hoping the strengthening magic she was using would be enough to let her survive. She held her sword up as a shield as well to blunt some of the damage. She then saw the black flames crash into something and wash over her but never touching her.
She looked over and saw that Liza had the same thought, but she was using a wind barrier to prevent the fire from even reaching the trio. Charlotte looked around and saw the shadows Liza had been fighting laid out on the floor. Only Lilly was getting back up. The thought that Liza may have killed one of the shadows pained Charlotte. She could have done the same thing when she made her attack to shove them back. If they were not able to defend correctly.
Liza looked at Charlotte seeing the pained look on her face. “I tried to hold back. I do not think anyone has permanent damage. I will keep this barrier up. Can you handle the four that are left standing?”
Charlotte rose to see four shadows readying for battle on the other side of Liza’s wind barrier. Lilly and Laine stood in front of the other two shadows behind preparing their chant. They are going to try to use magic to counter Liza’s barrier.
“I am going to drop the barrier, prevent any of them from casting if you can…Go”
The wind barrier dropped, and Charlotte blew past Lilly and Laine to get to the ones casting first. She punched one in the gut, and she crumpled to the floor. The other seeing the attack coming was able to dodge out of the way. Charlotte readied her stance to face the remaining shadows.
“Charlotte, you have learned some crazy tricks since the last time we fought.” Laine said panting hard. It was clear the shadows were going all out as expected. “You may even be able to go toe to toe with Nydia.”
Charlotte looked over her shoulder and saw Finn and Nydia still flinging themselves at each other. destroying parts of the throne room as they did.
“I don’t know about all that… but come at me, don’t let that pig see you are pulling your punches.”
“Holy shit Char you thought we were pulling our punches.”
“Just come at me.” Charlotte yelled as the battle around Anastasia resumed.
“They are cheating, I cannot even hit that slut with magic.” Victor was starting to become more agitated.
Victor came over to the queen. “I thought these women were the best. They are getting thrown around like trainees, even Nydia can’t do anything.”
“I am just as surprised as you are. I have not seen Nydia struggle in a fight in a very long time.” The queen is trying her best to stop from smiling.
“You think this is a game I am playing.” Victor raised his hand holding the stone in the air in front of the queen, his hand glowing black. The queen felt the blood drain from her face as she quickly turned around and saw Tashanna screaming in pain. Black lighting was circling the collar around her neck.
“STOP IT NOW!”
“Then bring down that barrier so I can stop her spell.”
“Stop hurting her first.
“No, after the barrier is down.”
The queen was unsure what to do. She could not attack her own daughter, so she stood there unable to take any action. Was this her limit? She swore never to trade one life for another. But now she is being forced to pick which daughter she would hurt.
“LIZA I AM READY!” Anastasia’s voice clear as a bell broke through the haze on the queen’s mind.
Just then Liza was standing between the queen and Victor. Her sword swung to one side.
Victor could be heard screaming. As Liza snatched something out of the air and threw it to Charlotte.
Charlotte shoved the shadows she was currently fighting with all her might, sending them crashing into the walls. She then caught the item Liza threw her way and then handed it to Anastasia.
“Princess, I think you need this.”
Anastasia took the small etched stone from Charlotte. She clasped her hands around it and chanted the spell.
Gods in heaven we need your blessings, remove the taint from this world.
Dispel Evil
Anastasia poured all the mana she had been collecting into the stone in her hands. All throughout the throne room a white light enveloped every woman that had on one of Victor’s collars. The nobles had been until now dumb founded by the spectacle going on before them. The sudden display of magical power left them with no idea what to think.
As quickly as the light appeared the light faded. The queen looked back to Tashanna and saw that she was no longer wracked with pain. The collar had fallen free from her neck. Tashanna was slowly trying to get up.
The queen slammed her scepter into the ground. “Everyone stops fighting. Arrest that man.”
The queen pointed to victor who was still screaming on the floor holding the stump that use to be his hand, blood spraying out. The queen prepared a fireball in her hand and walked over to Victor and knelt before him. She brought the fire ball into contact with the end of his arm. Victors’ screams became louder as his wound was sealed shut from the heat.
The queen then brought the fireball close to Victor’s face. His eyes followed it as he could feel the heat radiating off it on his cheek. His eyes moved to the queen's, the fireball paled in comparison to what he saw burning behind her eye’s. Victor was gripped in panic as he began to beg for his life.
“P…Please d…don’t hurt me!”
The queen had thought of all the ways she wanted to kill this man over the last two months. She had come up with the most painful methods she could. She would keep him alive with magic to make sure it lasted as long as possible. She pushed that feeling down.
“Ugk… I cannot stand the sight of this pig anymore. Take him to the Magic dampening cells.”
Lilly and Laine were already standing at the ready beside the queen waiting for her to finish with Victor. They grabbed Victor and took him to the magic dampening cells as ordered.
The queen moved over to her daughter Tashanna to confirm she was recovering and helped her into her seat. Looking over the throne room she saw the various women around the room who had been Victor’s victims. Most were crying with confused and scared looks on their faces. Their parents and siblings around them tried to understand what had happened.
The queen made her way to the throne and slammed her scepter to the ground to gather everyone’s attention.
“I am deeply sorry I failed to protect your children. To those directly affected by Victor’s actions I owe you the most. I was unable to prevent the manipulation of a villain, I have failed you utterly as your queen.”
The queen bowed before the assembled nobles. The room collectively gasped at her actions. For the queen to bow to anyone was crazy, but to lower her head to everyone here was unthinkable.
“My daughters could not abide by my failures and took direct action. Both put themselves at great personal risk to free your children from their nightmare. You, I, and this whole kingdom owes them our gratitude.”
The queen gestured to Anastasia and with her other hand did the same to Tashanna behind her. Anastasia was approaching the throne. Finn was supporting her with Nydia standing on the other side helping. She looked as if she would pass out any moment. Charlotte and Liza were moving around to the fallen shadows and applying healing magic to get them back on their feet.
The gathered nobles listened to the queen’s words and turned their attention to the two princesses. So much had happened. They collectively had seen too much in too short a time, so they remained silent, unable to process it all.
Then cheers could be heard starting to build. The queen looked around the room and could see those families directly affected were the ones cheering. They had context for what just happened and what it meant. The rest of the nobles still in shock started to cheer as if following the group would comfort them in their dazed state. The room was soon at a roar as everyone was cheering for the princesses.
Sometime later once the throne room cleared out Anastasia could finally sit down and fell onto the stairs her legs spread out some as she laid down. She exhaled deeply
“It’s good to be home. Sorry for the mess mother.”
The queen turned to her daughter who was no longer acting like a princess. She was lounging on the floor when the queen saw Anastasia’s feet.
“Why do you have boots on Anastasia!”
Finn could not prevent himself from laughing uncontrollably. Nydia joined in as well once she confirms the sight with her own eyes. Anastasia blushed deeply as she sat up and tried to pull her dress down to cover her choice of shoes once more.