I suck at royal duties. I never wanted to do things like this. I always thought Cadence would be the next Queen initially, and then it seemed like my little brother might even be a king eventually. I always thought I’d make myself a hanger on with uses in numbers and the treasury. But when I'm quite literally dropped into the fire, what choice do I have but to blunder through?

I sigh.

I've just paid the wages for the mercenaries aiding in disaster relief. I could have got an adjutant to deliver them, but with morale as it is, I thought it best to make a personal visit and give a few words of thanks to those assembled.

It did seem to have some effect. Kako's father nodded in assent at my attempt, and I got an applause.

The city is still reeling. Though I was unconscious for much of it, Kako said that the capital always had a worry at the back of its mind about the war, but was assured that it would never get this far.

Cultivator has certainly crushed our hubris there.

We've had numerous strategy meetings about what to do with the remaining council members, but none have been decisive. The only benefit I've managed to secure is that the remaining nobility have finally moved a majority of their troops off to the front lines or here to the capital, rather than zealously sitting around their estates wasting time. Even Cadence couldn't manage that before. Though it’s only a couple of thousand, mostly green troops, that's still a reinforcement we needed. I've received several missives of thanks from the Duke of Blood, who is now planning a counteroffensive.

Kako thinks we should also lead an assault through the gate, but few have her reckless courage and masterful skill, and I don't want to consign her to a useless death.

On the other hand, the ominous gate hanging around is a grim reminder of the invasion. We should eventually do something about it.

We leave the guild. Outside, I am somewhat absorbed in thought, but I'm not so out of it to not notice Kako pause for a moment.

"Is something the matter?" I ask.

"Ah... no..." She stops.

"Then, there is something." I look where she is. A pair of noble girls is... ah, I know that one, vaguely.

"Ah, I see, isn't that the Prime Ministers adopted daughter?"

"Mmm... yes, and the girl I fought in the final to become your knight, Alicia Baraz-Argent."

Oh right. I do have a vague recollection of her as well. Mostly the fact that she confounded others by using an entirely different weapon in each match she fought. No one knew her specialty.

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"Well, we should greet them." I stride over to them. Its good practice for 'the walk' anyway.

"Lady Ashensalve, yes? And... ah, you are Countess Cairne, right? Is Alicia Baraz-Argent your escort?"

I barely recognised the Countess at the last moment. The Curse Countess of Castemoure. Probably an undeserved title, but she is distinctly gloomy looking, I guess. Hard to notice. At first glance, I thought her a ranged supporter for Alicia. But then, the tip off was that her outfit is distinctly a mixture of practical and glamourous, rare if she was from the same background.

"Your highness." They all say and bow in unison.

"You may rise." I say, mildly inclining my head.

Honestly its tiresome anyway.

This is quite an eclectic group.

"I'm honoured you recognise me, Your Highness. I haven't been to the capital for a few years." Says the Countess.

"It’s nothing." I dismiss it. "What brings you to our wrecked abode?"

"Ah... its... well, I am void attuned. I got a feeling I had to come. I don't know why. It is... probably that portal. Must be. When I left, we still did not have news of the capital's attack in Hal-Castemour." She makes a strange expression.

A void mage? Suddenly her title becomes more relevant. And perhaps there is something useful in consulting void practitioners about the portal? Goodness, I had been distracted so much by my duties that I didn't even consider this simple idea.

"Me and the Countess had recently become mercenary partners, your highness. And when I heard the news, I also felt I must check up on both of my grandfathers."

Yuuzu Ashensalve had become a Mercenary? I was completely unaware of this. I suppose the travelling cleric gear should have been a giveaway, though.

"I am indeed the bodyguard. It is good to see you again, Ser Arnas."

"The feeling is mutual, Ser Baraz-Argent" Kako nods in return.

"Ah, well, I didn't win, did I? So, I am no Ser. I'm a commoner after all."

"I would happily knight you, given your skills." Kako lets out a rare smile.

I don't let it show but I'm actually shocked. Kako praising someone's ability to that level? I don't remember much of the fight, honestly. After all, I have practically no sense for it. But it was much longer than Kako's previous bouts. Hard fought? I guess that is indeed a skill worthy of praise.

"You will be pleased to know that Prime Minister Mullight is as spritely as ever, Lady Ashensalve. I hear he had to restrain your grandfather from donning his old armour during the attack." I titter appropriately.

"Hah... that old fool..." She puts her palm to her face, but is smiling slightly.

"Well, in any case, I appreciate anyone able to help with the recovery effort." I nod.

"Countess. I am also in the process of putting together a team of void attuned mages to help investigate the demon’s portal. Would you be interested in leading it?"

She looks momentarily stunned, but then bows.

"Ah... it would be my honour. It is why I came, after all."

"Then, will you be staying at Lady Ashensalve's estate? Will I be able to contact you there?"

This one's a huge assumption on my part, but these two seem close for some reason.

This time, the twin-tailed blonde girl is stunned and looks down, but then raises her head.

"Um... yes... I'm sure Grandf...Duke Mullight will be able to accommodate the Countess."

"Good. I will be in contact in due course."

They bow again, and I stride away after they leave, appropriately managing 'the walk' again to my waiting carriage. We are soon underway to the palace.

"It’s news to me you're organising a portal investigation." Kako looks at me with upturned eyes.

"Of course it is." I roll my eyes. "I decided it just now. Or rather, lamented the fact I had not already thought of it."

Kako laughs.

"You know, Melody, you might be better at this rulership thing than you first suspect."

"I..."

My mouth works without sound.

"Garmere's ass..." I curse and glare.

Kako just continues smiling in mirth and I want to hit her. My free time and laziness! All gone! Why!?!