In the West Wing, a lot of commotion was going on with one after another Major Nobles rushing into the House of Lords. It was the first time in a long time that all the members of the House were gathered.

  Everyone rose when Cyndre and Rianna entered the chambers with Zellin and Ysandra following behind.

  Cyndre waved his hand for everyone to sit as he scanned the room to see who was all here.

  Viscount William Lysander and Baron Alistair Dravenhart were sitting together in the far right corner. William looked unamused while Alistair looked grumpy as the Baron would have rather been outside hunting monsters.

  On the closer side to Cyndre's chair was his group of friends. Earl Nathaniel Valerian and Baron Johnathan Dule were chatting it up, trying to make sense of this emergency meeting. Baron Zellin Coldforge surprised the two when the dwarf sat down next to Earl Nathaniel.

  "Zellin?... You made it? I didn't know you were in the Capital. It's good to see you, old friend," the Earl said with a smile.

  "Earl Valerian... Johnathan, it's been a while. I would have preferred to see each other in better circumstances," Zellin said.

  "Agreed... Do you think that the Dark Elf—"

  "Saintess Rya, Johnathan," Zellin interrupted the Baron.

  "What?"

  "The Dark Elf Saintess, Rya," Zellin repeated.

  Johnathan just stared at the dwarf, dumbfoundedly.

  "I told you, Johnathan. Princess Rya is on our side. She has done nothing more than impress me every step of the way. This business about assaulting that Prince of the Divine Three is just another dirty trick that Duval is pying. And she's been the victim of too many dirty tricks. I won't let her be bmed for this," Nathaniel said.

  Johnathan still had some reservations about Rya's race, but it seems his closest friends are backing the Dark Elf.

  "Okay... Alright. I won't be so quick to judge the girl. But you know it's hard for me to put my faith in her... All the stories about Dark Elves can't be all false. And I can't just ignore what my gut is telling me."

  "I know, Johnathan. Just don't judge her too harshly, okay, for all our sake. I think if we give her a chance, she will prove us all wrong," Nathaniel reassured him.

  "Plus isn't the Church of Bance's motto. Judge not the ones that you have not seen. You must walk the path of truth, and only then will you know the light. That is the teachings, Johnathan," Zellin expined to the Baron.

  Johnathan grimaced, not because of the motto or the quote. But because of Mother Astra's unwavering support of Rya after what she did during the ritual. It seemed like the Dark Elf was winning over people faster than he thought.

  "Yes... I'm sorry. You are right. I just can't help it. And the fact that Rya is a Dark Elf still makes me uneasy."

  "I know it does, Johnathan. I was the same way. But if you were here during the first Emergency Session, where she put not only Duval in his pce, but Aric, too. Then you would feel different about Princess Rya," Nathaniel told him.

  "Pff! You are only saying that because she helped you with getting that trade agreement with Eamon Stirling and Thaddeus Windermere."

  "Hahaha! Maybe. But you are benefitting as well, Johnathan," Nathaniel ughed.

  "You used my son to get me to agree to a trade deal."

  "He was the one who asked. And he is your heir. It's time he started taking some responsibilities as a lord. You can't keep hiding the boy, Johnathan, even if he doesn't have a Mana Vein. He is the next Lord of the Eder Hills Barony. And you can't keep sheltering him."

  "I know. I know. I just want him to be safe from everyone eyeing the barony. I fear the day that I pass, and every Minor Noble House looking to challenge Johan and take over my family's Barony. That's why I've been training him for years in the arts of combat. He needs to be able to protect himself."

  "I understand, my friend. But he can't rely on his bodyguards forever. Plus, he was wise to befriend the Prince and his fiancée... And that Tayna girl seems to be warming up to him, too," Nathaniel stated.

  "Oh? So, he's finally chimed that sour puss ss?" Zellin chimed in with a smirk.

  "It's a miracle... I feared that my son wouldn't be able to talk to women," Johnathan sighed in relief.

  "You know... Lady Tayna seems to be friendlier around Johan after she met Rya," Nathaniel smiled.

  "What do you mean?" Zellin asked.

  "She used to gre at him. She seemed to dislike him. But once she met Rya, something changed. You said that Tayna was scarred by a monster at a young age, right?... Perhaps Rya healed her wounds," Nathaniel thought aloud.

  "Hmm. I'm not sure what could have happened between them. But you could be right. I will ask him ter tonight when I see him," Johnathan said as the three looked across the room to see the rest of the Great Noble Lords taking their seats. Which consisted of Duval's allies. They were Baron Thaddeus Windermere, Baron Eamon Stirling, Baron Caldorian Montcir, Viscount Octavius Bckwood, and Count Sebastian Ingram. Baroness Ysandra Fairchild found a spot next to Thaddeus and Eamon.

  "Lady Ysandra?... I didn't know you were with the Royal Family... Was it something important?" Thaddeus asked.

  "It's not important, Thad. It was about the upcoming marriage," Ysandra lied.

  "Ah. The Royal Marriage. I don't know how I feel about it. I like Lady Rya, but her being a Dark Elf gives me pause, and Princess Hilda seems like a good dy, but I don't know what the Holy Alliance's true pns are," Thaddeus voiced his concerns.

  "Yes. I, too, wonder what their real motives are. And if war were to break out, then our territories would be on the front lines along with the Count's," Eamon nodded.

  "Well, I guess having a deterrent would be the best option to stop a war," Ysandra spoke up. "And what better deterrent is there when our Crown Prince has a healer backing him up?"

  "You think her healing abilities could stop a war, Lady Ysandra?" Thaddeus questioned.

  "I heard that Rya's healing power can heal almost any ailment. Eamon is the only one here who has received her healing magic, yes?" Ysandra said.

  Eamon gnced down at his right knee, which he had injured a long time ago, and it was getting worse by the year. But once Rya used her magic, his knee was fully healed and didn't hurt at all. He even forgot about it until a couple of days ter, when he accidentally bumped his knee against a table. It didn't hurt him at all, and Eamon felt grateful for meeting Rya and her healing magic.

  "Yes... I think her by the Prince's side is a good idea," Eamon said.

  "Then we should be fine," Ysandra smiled.

  "Yes. But what if she doesn't get pregnant? How will the kingdom survive without her producing an heir?" Thaddeus questioned.

  "That isn't a problem, Thaddeus... She can get my approval to marry Quinus if she is willing to allow him to have a mistress. Then we don't have to worry about her getting pregnant, and the Prince would still have an heir," Eamon suggested.

  Ysandra was surprised by how willing he was to accept Rya as the next Queen. She wasn't as worried about the Dark Elf getting pregnant, but she understood where he was coming from.

  "I'm more willing to allow Princess Rya to be Prince Quinus's only wife because I think she will get pregnant. But I understand where you are coming from," Ysandra agreed.

  "You two are fine with her becoming the next Queen?... But what if she doesn't allow the Crown Prince to have a mistress?" Thaddeus asked.

  "She won't," Ysandra said confidently.

  "How do you know that?" Thaddeus asked.

  "Trust me... She is willing to do anything to become his wife... That's all I need to know to trust her. And you will know soon enough why I have faith in her," Ysandra replied.

  "Hmm... Well, if she is willing to agree to your conditions, then I will approve of her, too," Thaddeus stated.

  Ysandra was surprised by how quickly the two were ready to allow her to become Queen. She needed to make sure that some others were on board before she brought it up on the Floor of Lords. She needed to have enough members agree before she could start the vote.

  "Thank you both. I will go speak with the rest of the Council once this business is done," Ysandra said.

  The two men nodded their heads before looking across the room to see Nathaniel looking at them. He gave them a slight nod before turning his attention back to the meeting.

  Cyndre finished scanning the room and leaned over to Rianna, "Well, everyone is here, except for my brother."

  Rianna nodded slightly, "Do you think he's going to try something, Cyndre?"

  Cyndre didn't respond for a moment as he pondered the question.

  "Honestly, I don't know. He's not stupid. If he's going to do something, it will be after this meeting is over and done with. We'll see what his friend William says about his absence," Cyndre replied.

  "I'll keep an eye out for him. Let's get started with the meeting, Cyndre. Let's take the wind out of Duval's sails," Rianna said with a smirk.

  The two nodded at each other before rising from their seats.

  "Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. We were brought here on the Prime Minister's behalf. But I don't see him here... I hope this isn't a waste of our time," Cyndre began as he gnced at Duval's closest allies, Count Sebastian Ingram and Viscount Octavius Bckwood.

  The Count stood up from his seat to address the King.

  "Your Majesty... The Prime Minister is gathering the st of his evidence against the Dark—"

  "You will refer to her as Princess Rya until otherwise, Count... As far as I see it, the Prime Minister has had a problem with Princess Rya ever since my son fell in love with her. It's on the burden of the Prime Minister to prove she is not worthy to be a part of the Royal family. Until then, Princess Rya will be referred to by her title," Cyndre stated in a firm tone.

  Sebastian felt his forehead beginning to sweat as he stared at the King. This was one of the few times he had seen the King so stern, and he wasn't sure how to respond. He had no intention of starting a conflict with the King.

  "My apologies, Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has already submitted his evidence, and we are awaiting the final piece before we proceed with the trial," Sebastian said whenever he could.

  "Is that so? Then why hasn't anyone in my staff told me about the evidence? Or are you lying to give him more time? You are a very intelligent man, Sebastian, and I believe you're smart enough not to lie to the King," Cyndre responded as he sat down.

  Sebastian swallowed hard and sat down in his chair, feeling as though the air had been sucked out of the room. He looked over at one of Duval's aides, who hurried out of the chamber.

  ***

  He went through the hallway into the Prime Minister's office, where Duval, Clinton, and a few of his staff members were quickly questioning Prince Zane Stoneworthh, who was getting more annoyed than ever. He wanted Father Gil to pray to the Divine Three to heal him, but Duval demanded that he show himself all battered and bruised to sway the House of Lords.

  "You keep asking me pointless questions, when you know that foul demon bitch has been fooling all of you," Zane snarled as he tried to leave, but the Prime Minister's aide was holding his arm firmly.

  "Your Highness, please remain seated. The Prime Minister needs your testimony," the aide pleaded.

  "What more do you need to know!? She showed up with the Crown Prince to humiliate me in front of everyone! What more do you need to know!?" Zane shouted angrily.

  The aide was silent and didn't know what else to say.

  "Your Highness, we're just trying to gather all the facts so we can proceed with—"

  Duval was drawn to the door to his office were one of his aides had a worried look on his face.

  "Yes, what is it?" the Prime Minister asked.

  "The King is demanding answers, My Lord," the aide replied nervously.

  "Tell him we'll start once ten members are present. There's no reason for us to rush things," Duval instructed the aide.

  "But, sir, everyone is here except for Duke Revelia," the aide said.

  Duval panicked. He didn't know that nearly all the members were waiting. His pn was to stall until the st member arrived. But with over 90% of the members being present meant the King could dismiss this session if they didn't start soon.

  "Fine, my allies will have to side with me once they see how bad the Dark Elf has hurt Prince Zane," Duval said under his breath.

  Zane nearly spat, "Your allies are pathetic if they need to see me in this state to kill the demon bitch."

  The aide didn't say anything and went back to the chambers in the House of Lords to get the Emergency Session started.

  Duval walked over to Prince Zane and stared down at him, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Once we are done here then we can get your sister married to Quinus and all this nonsense will be a thing of the past. You will still be a Royal guest and the alliance will be safe."

  Prince Zane rolled his eyes, "You will become a thing of the past." He muttered under his breath.

  Duval had heard it, but he didn't care. He was a man on a mission, and he was going to make the Dark Elf pay for her transgressions and bring peace with the Marriage of Hilda and Quinus. It was his destiny and his duty to the people.

  "Just stay here, Your Highness. One of my aides will get you as the prime witness and then she'll pay for her crimes," Duval said with conviction.

  Zane looked at Duval as he left and wondered what he would do to make the Dark Elf pay for his humiliation. He felt his face redden in anger and shame at what happened to him. It wasn't fair. How was a Dark Elf so much more powerful than the blessings from the Divine Three.