“I haven’t been back here in ages,” said the Elvan ambassador as she was applying her lipstick. “It’s nice to see old friends again.”

  She appeared to be in her late twenties, but was much older; 124 years old to be exact. Beautiful, prim, and ostentatious. Pointed yet precise jawline along with a pointed nose along her smooth angular face. Her silky, silver hair was done up into a tight, textured bun with intricate braiding and weaving throughout. She wore a navy blue, toga-like dress with a black, mesh veiled hat with small, white and blue roses along the crown of the hat. The dress had a deep V-shaped cut in it to expose a lot of her chest. Just to the side of her left breast was a tiny, black tattoo of a heart with a knife in it. Both her pointed ears had 4-carat diamonds and a few gold earrings running up the side of her ears.

  The one thing that stood out the most on her was a bright, rainbow ring on her left middle finger. In stark contrast to the ring, a modest, silver bracelet with a lotus flower design was on her left arm. Her bright, turquoise eyes shined beautifully in the moonlight highlighted exquisitely by her mascara and precise contouring. She clutched her pearl necklace tensely as she adjusted her black, flower-embroidered, silk shawl just over her exposed shoulders. Her long, blue-rose painted fingernails tapped anxiously along the pearl necklace.

  Sitting across from her in the carriage was a beautiful, half-elf, blonde woman in minimal makeup and more modest in attire. She looked almost identical to the ambassador, but much younger in appearance and with shorter, pointed ears. She was twenty one years old. She had different colored eyes; the right one was a bright blue like the ocean and the left one was caramel brown like the color of wheat. She was wearing a black, form fitting pantsuit with a black dress shirt, in which the top two buttons were undone exposing some of her chest. A gold necklace holding a blue sapphire that was wrapped in leather string draped her slender neck and rested just at the top of her sternum. A tiny nose stud shined subtly on her sharp nose. Her flowy, golden hair was pulled into a low pony tail with a small cowlick of her hair dangling in front of her left, brown eye partially covering it. Just tucked inside her suit jacket was a sheathed bowie knife with an intricately designed, silver handle. Her dark, navy blue nails were short and precisely trimmed. She preferred to be plain and low key; though, this was impossible due to her natural, breathtaking beauty.

  The young half-elf looked over at the ambassador and asked tiredly in Elvish with a pathetic plea, “Please tell me you are not going to see him again? You know he’s a lot, right?”

  “Pish posh dear. He may be seasoned and rough, but he is a charmer and good lover to say the least.”

  “Why? No! Just no… Don’t say stuff like that, please? We are here to pay our respects and for other reasons,” she said with emphasis. “Please, mother… We already missed the funeral and I don’t want that to hang over us once we get there. Also, I just don’t want you to get too attached again. I can’t bear to see your heart suffer… Not again.”

  “Aurora, my love,” the ambassador said softly. “I love that you care so much. The prince was an amazing man and we should’ve been there like you said… But of course, one cannot simply travel a hundred miles in a second. Even with arcane teleporting. All will be dandy my dear.”

  “Okay, mother.”

  “Secondly about him,” the ambassador sighed with a coy smirk. “Even though he is human, he at least is a good partner despite his reputation. He has influence and high standing in this kingdom. He is also the new commander of King Albert’s Southern army. Best to be close and privy to him… Besides, can’t a diplomat have fun and gain influence at the same time?”

  “Please,” Aurora said while rolling her eyes. She then asked with a knowing sigh, “Are you still upset I decided to not wear the new dress for this?”

  “YES! I don’t understand why you refuse to wear it? You look stunningly magnificent in it.”

  “This is a formal event, mother! I look like an Elvan escort the sleazy noblemen pay for!”

  “Nothing wrong with showing off some of your godly given assets, love! Don’t raise your voice. It’s improper.”

  “…”

  “Besides… You can glean a lot of information from others that way if you play the field.”

  “I’m not stooping myself to that.”

  “Fine then… I paid good money for it and you refuse to wear it. Hmm… I just want you to find yourself a partner with influence as well, but you know better, I suppose. I’m just a hardworking, single mother looking out for her precious, dearest daughter is all. Hmm.”

  “Mother…”

  “Besides, it’s not that bad. Yes, it shows a good amount of leg, but so what? Don’t be afraid to use yourself to gain information, love. Majority of the nobles and leaders don’t know what the tongue is for anyway. They’re all stuffed hens with no brains. Especially the mortal men.”

  “Mother, please! I’m not yelling. It’s just… Just… Love you. Stop it,” Aurora said with a frustrated tone as she pinched her forehead. The ambassador huffed and then smirked feeling proud of herself.

  Aurora grabbed the black, obsidian earring on her right ear and asked, “How much farther until the castle… Thank you… Three minutes.”

  Aurora adjusted the knife in her jacket to be more concealed and did her best to brush back any hair dangling in front of her face. She tried to sit tall and proud like her mother, but she constantly found herself slouching and leaning to one side. It was as if her body was refusing to be proper out of protest.

  The ambassador leaned forward and undid Aurora’s pony tail much to Aurora’s protest. Her golden hair flowed down uniformly with a slight wave behind her shoulders. The ambassador smiled as she fixed Aurora’s silky hair to fall behind the collar and her pointed ears perfectly. The ambassador brushed Aurora’s hair a bit. She said lovingly, “You look prettier this way. Trust me, love.”

  “Okay, mother,” Aurora smiled softly back.

  The carriage pulled up to the castle as it got in line behind the other carriages making their way towards the castle fountain. The ambassador sat up straight and closed her eyes as she prepared herself mentally for the ceremony and after party talk. Aurora was talking into the black earring making sure the Elvan guards were at the ready. The ambassador then opened her eyes and put on a subtle smile as she adjusted the mesh veil to fall perfectly over her face. Aurora asked quietly, “You still have your knife?”

  “Of course,” The ambassador said tapping her left thigh. “Of course, dear.”

  “Okay,” Aurora said. She pinched the earring one more time. “Guards ready? Open the doors.”

  The doors flung open and the human royal guards lined to red carpeted pathway into the castle with four Elvan guards with their short swords facing towards the castle. Both women stepped out as Aurora wrapped her arm around her mother’s arm as they walked in. A booming voice then announced to the room of nobles, generals, mistresses, and other dignitaries from the around kingdom, “The Elvan Ambassador, Alvara Arasandoral and her daughter, Lady Aurora Arasandoral!”

  “Still refuse to let them say my rank,” Aurora subtly whispered. “Why?”

  “You’ll understand later why I don’t want others to know of your military background, love,” Alvara whispered back. “Now smile and be nice this time. Don’t give me the eye rolls.! Follow my lead.. Annnnddddd – Oh, hello darlings!”

  “Freaking kill me.”

  Alvara greeted and said hello to multiple nobles and generals whilst making mandatory small talk. Aurora sighed and did her best to seem interested and relaxed mirroring Alvara. Some of the noble women and mistresses sneered at Alvara’s dress due to how much skin was revealed.

  Aurora whispered in Elvish to her, “They’re looking at you.”

  “Shh.! Let them look. They are all too stuffy anyway. None of them will ever look this good.”

  “Mother… I just don’t want another incident like the last one you had in the Talmon region.”

  “Not my fault that the baroness was a fat dwarf, pig who needed to lose weight,” Alvara whispered quietly through a forced smile. “It was my seat and I’m not moving for anyone besides Elves, skinny folk, pretty folk, or family.”

  “Her husband is the biggest supplier of black powder and steel. We nearly lost that ordinance contract – Damn! He’s right over there… Walk this way so we don’t talk to him again.”

  “Hmm? Thought you didn’t care for diplomacy? At least you do listen to me sometimes. He should be the one walking away from us not us avoiding him… Fat pig… Whatever… What do you suggest now, love?”

  “Best to sit down for now. We are to be in the left front directly behind the generals in the throne room. Second row left side aisle seats. Knighting and medal ceremony will start in the next ten minutes. I’ll get the wine.”

  “Chardonnay! Please!”

  An hour after the official ceremony, everyone was drinking wine and champagne and eating in the extravagantly massive dining hall. Aurora grabbed two drinks for herself as Alvara sipped white wine and chatted with two dwarf nobles and a few human and griff nobles. Aurora rolled her eyes at her mother being annoyed with the fakeness of all of the “diplomatic” talk. Aurora knew that most of the talk was about who had the biggest impact in terms of influence with the prince when he was alive. Never ending flaunting contest. There were also subtle jabs at each other that Alvara excelled in. She found a way to insult two human nobles masked perfectly behind her warm speaking tone and superfluous compliments on dress. Aurora hated all of it, but she had to stand by her mother in order to “learn the ways of high court.”

  Aurora motioned to the Elvan guards to move off to the side and they briskly did so. The Elvan guards moved to the walls of the dining hall standing next to the dwarven guards, Griff guards, gnomish guards, halfling guards, human royal guards, and Skarin guards. Each of the guards exchanged glances of silent understanding of how bored they were during all of this. The dwarf guards, in particular, were the most openly bored and less proper. They sat on the floor as they rested their axes in their laps. Some of them fell asleep and did not care about how they looked. Just down the hall in another large room was where some of the guards and royal security detail (humans, elves, dwarves, Griffs, gnomes, halflings, and Skarins) were playing cards and drinking together having their own mini party whilst a handful stayed vigilant on duty.

  Aurora turned her gaze towards the portrait of Prince Albert II. Standing in front of the portrait was Desmond next to Tom talking with a handful of nobles and officers. Aurora was intrigued by Desmond. He had the Medal of Honor around his neck shining like a beacon calling her towards him. Something about him seemed different for her. She remembered seeing him looking uncomfortable and slightly torn up when he was knighted and presented the award along with the unveiling of the new portrait of the Prince. He seemed conflicted by the whole thing. However, there was an enduring charm to him that was hard to explain. The way he carried himself reminded her of herself; uncomfortable, but willing to stick it out to the end. Currently, he was exuding the same awkward energy she was dealing with at the after party.

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  She was enamored instantly.

  She sensed that he was a very reserved and sensitive man based off some of the conversations she overheard about him. Some of the nobles and officers talked about how Sir Desmond only spoke highly of others and never bragged about himself. Despite not being a “true noble,” he was well mannered and kind, which surprised most of the dignitaries. They all assumed a man from the working class was a rough and unmannerly sort, but Sir Desmond proved them otherwise. She was most fascinated by his ability to size up any situation based off the stories of him or the many scenarios the nobles threw at him in terms of battle or fighting. He never backed away, but analyzed the questions deeply.

  His legend and newfound fame were hard to ignore. Rumors spread of how Sir Desmond stood up to Vul’Goth face to face and convinced the Black Horde to retreat or how Sir Desmond fought valiantly to save the prince before he fell. Some even spun fantastical tales of his “heroic deeds” whilst being a footmen in the other three battles he fought in at such a young age. Aurora knew that these were only rumors, but was ultimately curious to know the truth.

  She quickly grabbed two more glasses of champagne in order to drown her anxiety. She stood aside by a standing drink table looking at Desmond more intently as silently as she could. She was trying to understand him from afar based off looks and body language.

  “He’s rather handsome and cute… Even with the scar on his eye,” she thought.

  She began looking at him almost infatuated as if she was a schoolgirl with a crush. She promptly forced herself out of that mindset to no avail.

  Alvara sneakily stood next to Aurora resting her chin on Aurora’s left shoulder. She wrapped her arm around Aurora and said slyly, “He is cute, you know?”

  “What – What? Mother!”

  “That young man next to Eluthar… The only thing anyone knows of him is that he is very young to be knighted and given an officer’s commission, he was there in the prince’s final moments, and he survived both ancient weapons somehow. There are claims that he’s the new Wielder of The Light.”

  “Really?”

  “Unofficially, but likely true… That scar over his eye. Ruins his handsomeness, though only slightly. Thank the gods! Still deliciously cute.”

  “Yes he is but… You know he’s not the only one with scars?”

  “Pish posh, yours are hidden under your clothes and are on your back. Makes finding the right dress harder to find, but I have faced worse challenges.”

  “Whatever… You were making a point?”

  “Anyway… He is a little awkward at first, but overall a gentle soul from what I gather. Very humble and kind. He’s rather charming in how he is trying his best to be to fit in with us, don’t you think? Reminds me of your late father… Damn. He fills out that uniform quite well.”

  “Mother! I mean yes, I agree, but let’s not say it out loud.”

  “My dear! There’s no shame in saying it out loud! Am I wrong? Besides you’re blushing like red cherries and you have been staring at him ever since the ceremony began. You look like an infatuated schoolgirl. Plus I can smell the champagne on your breath. Don’t tell me you’re already tipsy?”

  “You’re always tipsy.”

  “Doesn’t count. Am I wrong?”

  “No… No, you’re right,” Aurora said while feeling flushed. A wave of embarrassment washed over her like a painful waterfall shaking her core.

  Alvara noted inquisitively, “I feel pity for him.”

  “Come again?”

  “Don’t you? His entire battalion was killed along with the Prince and nearly three quarters of the army he was in. He fought bravely attempting to help support the Prince once he was surrounded. All he could do in the end was hold the Prince’s hand while the Prince died knighting him as a thanks. The fact that he is keeping it relatively together is admirable.”

  “Yeah,” Aurora responded softly. “Very admirable.”

  “Any info you gleamed, Aurora?”

  “Mostly rumors and the same as what you have. They say he’s a ‘hero’ because of it. A ‘true hero of the realm’ they say... A reluctant hero.”

  “Hmm? A ‘hero.’ I like that… I already made my mandatory hellos with the royal family by the way – Oh! They are just as lovely as ever, but Victoria and Elizabeth are keeping strong faces of course. However, they are still in mourning. The king is, as usual, precise with his words and always thinking ahead of things despite the pain in his eyes. Still impossible to read. I know he is planning something with the new hero.”

  “I did not know he had emotions like that?”

  “I didn’t either. Known him for fifty years and I still know very little of him… Anyway, Elizabeth says hello to you and hopes that all is going well for you and your ranger exploits… You need to keep in contact with her. She’s still your friend from school, right? You both graduated the same boarding school.”

  “I know. I know… I just need to get better at messaging people back is all. Been tied up in all of this,” Aurora said motioning around her and to her black earring. “I’ll write to her.”

  “Thank you… Now, Victoria is, of course, devastated by all this, but is overall proud of how Albert II was perceived by his army overall and how the new ‘hero’ was by her son’s side in his final moments. Still amazed a human woman can look so pretty without arcane magic to mask the wrinkles. Wish I looked that beautiful… Where was I going with this? Ah, yes! Let’s talk with him. Try to know him better. See what is in store for his future. Come!”

  “What? Mother, wait!”

  Alvara grabbed Aurora by the hand briskly towards Tom and Desmond excitedly. Aurora was not prepared as she felt her arm get yanked after her mother spilling some of the champagne. Tom noticed them coming over and exclaimed happily, “Ah! Alvara! Good to see you again, love. It’s been too long. Looking stunning as usual.”

  “Oh, Thomas, please! Good to see you as well. I just wished that this was under better circumstances is all… How are you? Looking regal as usual.”

  “I’m fine for now, thank you… Still hurts with him gone.”

  “I know that feeling all too well,” she said after hugging Tom for a good bit. “Aurora, come here.”

  Aurora stepped forward and shook Tom’s hand meekly. He said, “You have grown considerably the last time I saw you. Good to see you again.”

  “Yes sir. I have grown.”

  “How are you?”

  “Fine sir. Paying my respects and mingling about is all,” Aurora said awkwardly.

  Alvara pinched Aurora’s back sharply hiding her annoyance behind a smile.

  Aurora powered through the pain with a forced smile. “It’s good to see you again as well, Eluthar. Moving about court is a lot. Catching my bearings.”

  “Aren’t we all, dear,” Tom replied understanding Aurora’s uncomfortableness.

  Alvara then looked to Desmond and said, “Sorry where are my manners? Pleasure meeting you Sir Rollo, is it? I’m the Elvan ambassador. Alvara.”

  “Yes, madame Alvara. Name is Sir Desmond Rollo… Lieutenant. Pleasure meeting you.”

  “No need for formalities with me, love. You can call me just Alvara or Miss Alva for short… Pleasure is mine, lieutenant! This is Aurora, my daughter.”

  Desmond was a little taken aback by their natural beauty. He was already uncomfortable meeting the royal family and the rest of the nobles along with not being prepared for how beautiful the queen and princess were. Seeing these two made him blush. He also noticed Aurora’s slight discomfort as well. She was silently saying to him that she was sorry for her awkwardness and for her mother. Desmond silently related with Aurora signaling with his eyes. Aurora smiled for a bit recognizing his relatability and understanding.

  He responded as calmly and as gentlemanly as he could, “Pleasure meeting you two. I hope all is going well for y’all.”

  “Pleasure meeting you as well, Sir Rollo,” Aurora replied with a slight smile thinly masking her awkwardness. She gave her second glass of champagne to Desmond and he thanked her.

  He went on and asked, “How well, Alvara, did you know the prince?”

  “Oh honey, he was a kind and wonderful man. I met him a few times in similar ceremonies and functions much like this and he was just about your age or slightly older when I first met him. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he was made the commander of the entire Southern army and I couldn’t help, but admire his ability to take on the pressure with grace… He was a good man.”

  “Yes he was… He was a very good and pragmatic leader and I will forever respect him and miss him dearly,” Desmond said quietly reflecting on the battle once again.

  Alvara jovially changed the topic, “But congrats on being knighted and commissioned as an officer! I haven’t seen an enlisted man rise through the ranks so fast before and earn this title. Much less one as young and cute as you are.”

  “Thank you, but it’s something that I’m… I’m trying to get used to.”

  “Be proud, love! I’m fairly sure old Tom has already told you this because he cares too much, but just to be certain for your sake… Everyone here is trying to gain something from someone no matter the occasion and circumstance. Influence, power, politics, money; all of it. Best to remain mildly esoteric and fully aware at all times. Everyone, all the dignitaries and diplomats including the generals in these functions, have hidden agendas. As for me, love? I’m more or less a friend for you to consider. I’m an open book and good for influence. Tom can support me on this.”

  Tom smirked and sipped his glass.

  She continued, “Annoyingly though, the ‘luxury’ of being in high court is this banal fact… But, you’ll manage with old Tom helping you I bet.”

  “Okay?”

  “As a newly appointed officer and knight, you will be expecting more soirées like this in the near future… Look dashing in the dress uniform I must say. Mm-hmm!”

  Aurora pinched Alvara’s back silently telling her to stop flirting. Alvara ignored it.

  “Be wary of those in high court. Even your allies. All is double meaning. However, you have the privilege of being titled ‘hero.’ That medal of yours speaks volumes. Don’t be shy. Let it speak for you. It will help in the future. It may even bring about solid connections with those you least expect… You’ll do well, lad. I know it!”

  “Thank you, madame.”

  “Nice meeting you, Sir Rollo! I must mingle about and talk politics with others of course,” Alvara said warmly whilst giving a hug and sneakily dropping a red pebble in his jacket pocket.

  Desmond was very appreciative of the advice, but felt that he needed to watch more of what he was saying and how he was presenting himself overall. He also was not sure of what Alvara’s motives were overall in this interaction, but he felt he could trust her slightly based off her relationship with Tom. He looked to Tom for silent confirmation and he nodded in return after he took a sip of vermouth.

  Alvara excused herself with Aurora in tow to the side for a moment. She whispered in Elvish to Aurora behind her glass as she was fake drinking, “Let me talk with Tom. Get Desmond alone somewhere. Talk with the ‘hero’ and get to know him. Find out what you can. You know the king has something in mind for him. I will do my best to get you involved. The Council is expecting something with him. Once you do find out what you can, I will explain the rest of the Council’s plan. I already planted the arcane tracker. Security and you will be able to keep tabs now.”

  Alvara tapped her rainbow ring as it subtly flashed a yellow glint. Aurora nodded.

  Alvara added, “One more thing, love.”

  “Yes,” Aurora asked as Alvara grabbed her hand tenderly. “What is it?”

  “If you happen to fall for him… I don’t blame you. Don’t break his heart like I used to do… Go,” Alvara said with warmth hidden behind a cold sternness.

  Aurora was perplexed by the overall tone, but ultimately understood her mother. She wanted to say something, but Alvara moved so swiftly away that Aurora was left dumbfounded for a second.

  Her only thought in that moment, “Did she just give me permission to sleep with him?”

  Alvara took Tom by the arm redirecting him away and asked, “Do you know where Jean Renault is? He still owes me a nice evening drink and some flowers.”

  “Ah yes, he is somewhere. Probably out-drinking anyone at the bar again,” said Tom as he lead Alvara away laughing.

  Aurora motioned with her head at Desmond towards the open and expansive balcony doors away from the packed and opulent room. She asked warmly in common, “Want a break from all this? I know I do.”

  Desmond followed happily with a relieved smile.