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Chapter XX: In The Crossfire

  Queen Eleanor sits in her resting chambers with two Vampire servants attending to her. She wears a comfortable dress, though not one unbefit for royalty such as her, crimson with black accents and puffy frills that only add to the extravagance, and her makeup and blush making her look less pale compared to her kin. In her hand as she stares out the palace window is a glass of a fresh batch of blood wine, which she drinks only a sip of every minute or so.

  The servants move away as a knock on her door is heard, and she hums before firmly speaking. "Come in."

  A tall, gaunt man as pale as the servants enters, wearing a suit in a similar style to his sister's. Eleanor takes another sip of wine, remaining in her chair and enjoying the view of the capital glowing with lamplight and moonlight. "To what do I owe the pleasure of of the Grand Prince's presence, brother Gerard?"

  Grand Prince Gerard bows slightly to his sister, then approaches to hold the top of the chair she sits on from behind and stares out into the capital as well. "It's been a season now, dear sister, since Angel Shela had announced that the Calamity is an Undead, and a month since the Hero himself confirmed it. Servache is no longer welcome as a member of the Star Council—if we ever were in the first place. It's no secret that the nations of Vezatta have silently attributed the Calamity as our ally by simple Undead relation, and now refuse any and all official trade. Some bold warriors even believe themselves righteous enough to come to our lands and face us as if we are nothing but common Undead."

  He accepts a drink from one of the servants, his well-manecured hands gracefully wrapping underneath the chalice. He does not drink, staring down at Eleanor. "And yet, you still have not announced our dissassociation with the Star Council. You people grow concerned, I grow concerned, at why we must remain shackled to a thing that would see us fall."

  Eleanor waves dismissively, taking a sip of her blood wine. "To question why we choose to remain within the tolerance of the Goddess of Light is to question why we have not seen to our own execution. The only reason Servache stands is due to two reasons I know you are just as aware of, brother." Gerard nods, taking a sip of his own wine with a slight grimace.

  "Yes," he exhales, swirling the cup and seeing the crimson fluid spin, "this Drake Blood Wine and the sort, keeping ourselves alive whilst refraining from the consumption of sapient life. How very... civil." He glance back down, leaning over the side. "And of course, our dearest queen being formidable enough that even the Goddess would prefer not to have her people conduct a war against us without proper reason."

  Eleanor sighs, finishing her drink, which a servant politely takes when she extends it out towards him. "Indeed. And yet, if Diamond decreed it, Servache would not be able to stand as a kingdom." She tilts her head up towards her brother, brow slightly furrowed in a serious expression. "I'm well aware of how little you care about politics, or even this kingdom, Gerard. But my duty is to my people, and as unfortunate as it is, our best course is to swallow our pride and avoid providing any reason for the Star Council to deem us an enemy."

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  Her fingers trail up the chair until they reach his neck, her nails sliding along it with the gentleness of a knife, never slashing but certainly able to. "Your 'concern' is heard, even if I know better than to assume you voice it for anything other than consideration of an opportunity for yourself." Gerard doesn't move, even as her nails press a bit too tight into his flesh. "But in case I need to remind you, I treasure what is mine, and breaking my things always got you into trouble when we were young, didn't it?"

  Gerard chuckles, brushing her hand away, which she sets back down and resumes her focus on the open window. "Consider me reminded, sister. I don't intend to purposefully bring you trouble, not with how thoroughly you... scold me whenever I do." He steps back from the chair, folding his hands behind his back and fully straightening. "But still, I sought to have this discussion prior to the notice I'm to give you, that I intend to visit the continent of Shetam until the discord dies down."

  Eleanor scoffs, more amused than offended. "You'll scitter away for me to handle it all, like usual then? To Shetam, even. The dark continent isn't quite the place for a vacation, though I am not one to halt you. Do enjoy your trip, and send letters." She chuckles, folding her legs. "If you can find a messenger willing to face the hells left behind by Sermallia."

  The Grand Prince hums, bowing. "I wish you the best, sister. Send me letters in kind." He straightens, then walks out. Outside the door, another well-dressed Vampire bows. He follows as Gerard begins stepping down the hall, with Gerard looking behind himself at him. "Popelstad, have you prepared everything for our trip?"

  The advisor, Popelstad, inclines his head. "Of course, Grand Prince. Everything is prepared for departure at next dusk, including the 'materials.'" Gerard nods in acknowledgement, and they both turn the corner of the hall.

  Queen Eleanor remains in her chair, and exhales through her noise when the door is knocked on again. "Come in, come in, my leisurely time was meant to be bothered anyways."

  This time, a servant enters, looking a bit sweaty. "U-uh, Your Majesty, I'm terribly sorry for bothering you during your relaxation. But Lord Devon states it's an emergency."

  Eleanor sighs, standing up and stretching as she raises an eyebrow. "Lord Devon calling anything an emergency? You might as well have told me the Goddess of Life has descended. What could he possibly dub an emergency?"

  The servant bows when she stands, then straightens. "W-well, he states he found two Undead, a Living Armor and Living Skeleton, currently roaming in his territory, the latter apparently exuding more mana than even you, Your Majesty."

  The Queen's eyebrow remains raised, before she sets it back down while her servants prepare a more regal dress for her than the comfortable one she's currently in. "Of course, who knew I'd be so lucky as to potentially be stuck meeting the Calamity juat as scrutiny on Servache comes our way. Did they learn anything important aside from that, yet?"

  The servant fidgets with his pale hands behind his back. "Uh, only the fact they are pretending to be alive with the Living Armor acting as a normal suit, and the name of the Living Skeleton."

  "I-I believe it was Keldin, Your Majesty."

  NAME: ELEANOR SERVACHE

  SPECIES: VAMPIRE QUEEN

  SEX: FEMALE

  XP: 827274555/1726985000

  AP: 0

  HP: 2500/2500

  MP: 4000/4000

  SP: 2500/2500

  CON: 250

  AGI: 350

  DEX: 356

  PER: 350

  INT: 400

  MASTER ARCANIST (S)

  MASTER BARRIER MAGE (S)

  MASTER HYPNOMANCER (S)

  SOVEREIGN (A)

  SOCIALITE (A)

  PEDAGOGUE (A)

  THESPIAN (A)

  ///BIOLOGICAL IMMORTALITY///

  ///BLOOD CONSUMPTION///

  ///NATURAL HYPNOMANCER (S)///

  ///NATURAL BARRIER MAGE (A)///

  ///MENTAL RESISTANCE (S)///

  ///PHYSICAL RESISTANCE (A)///

  ///MAGICAL RESISTANCE (A)///

  ///ELEMENTAL RESISTANCE (A)///

  ///NECROTIC RESISTANCE (S)///

  ///PHYSICAL REGENERATION (B)///

  (+1 MORE)

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