Well, so far today has been simply awful. Eleanor drank from a gss of champaghe server passed her, taking big gulps. She wasn’t much of a drinker, really, not like her brother Henry, and less so since she became the Green Knight, but today she felt the need, and cursed as her body rapidly purged her of the lingering effects. Finishing the rest of the gss with a gulp, she quickly procured herself another, biting ba a bitter sigh.

  Her gaze strayed to the ever-watchful Mary Stuart, the woman that had been pguing her stantly retly. Grandmother had set eyes on her and her allies, of course, but the worst thing was that they had no reason to bar her from any of these events, as other than some harsh words about her faith, the woman had dohing, and the Silver Hands Foundation she was in alig with, under Maxwell Power, had spent a notable fortune on both charitable endeavours, realising Sarah’s and Mary-Jane’s ideals on various schools and orphanages, as well as providing moary support for researd other expeters. As grandmother says, everything costs mohe is sinking a signifit amount of money into training and supp all the Gods’ Chosen that be gathered… Putting aside the beautiful yet stern woman, whose probing questions and accusations were guarao set her on edge, she sidered the sed reason she was in a foul mood. “Those Ameri bastards…” she swore quietly, quite unlike her usual polite demeanour. But if anyone deserves my iives, it’s surely them… surely her. The Ameris, iher a calcuted insult, or an act of tasteless hubris, had sent a researcher, most likely one who had performed tragid cruel experiments on i people, her people, good British citizens, abducted from these very shores or vanished while on holiday abroad. It makes me furious. As a Royal, they are our subjects, and owed our prote. To think we weren’t able to…

  She would have to meet her ter, along with the Prime Minister and the Fary, as well as several military figures. It was something she was not looking forward to in the slightest, but as the leader of the Gods’ Chosen and a Princess, it was a role only she could do. Then there’s the third reason I am so furious…

  She had accepted David’s tales of womanising and careless retionships, mostly because she wasn’t presented with evidence of them, they were more tall tales he liked t about during their downtime, and Eleanor was half-vinced he was doing it merely to get under Sarah’s skin. I’m fairly certain David is carrying a torch for her. Well, he does praise strong women… Donovan was a , it seemed every week he was romang someone new, but he was a young man, barely past being a boy, and he was so soft-spoken and timid that she was sure nothing untoward was happening. Well, I’ve warned him not to break too mas, but David says boys will be boys… Sir Arthur asked me not to judge him too harshly either…

  Ohird gss of champagne now, she frowned. Well, Raidre doesn’t trust them. That means I should be wary too. Besides… hearing about the awful polygamy an had put in pce was frustrating, though David seemed to find it funny. Worse was to e, when the Japanese Chosen that cimed he was here to speak to her about something important was brazenly showing off his retionships with a young girl. Damn him! It’s Uncle all ain! How I trust or work with such a man… not when he has more than one. He is even making moves on Fae! Such a dangerous individual…

  Her fist ched, and she gasped as the crystal stem of the champagne gss cracked. A thin bead of blood flowed before her flesh instantly sealed, healing. Gingerly she called over a servant, who took the gss and asked her with some if she was well. Waving her away, Eleanor nodded.

  Just why does he annoy me so? Well, it’s obvious, but… Eleanor was starting to feel a little guilty, she had been undiplomatid whether the man was a saint or a scumbag, it was true that the United Kingdom needed allies more thahe disrespect America having showed them today a clear sigionships would remain strained.

  “No. I refuse to apologise. With great power, one must wield it scrupulously. Using it to satisfy base desires is wrong. It seems to me he is only ied in colleg women like they are trophies. Disgusting.”

  “Oh, Princess, it’s you.” A man said, and she turo see that it was Samuel Davies, the middle-aged man who ahe Maer strike team. He was wearing a noticeably better tailored suit than st time he attended one of these events, and on seeing her looking, he grinned.

  “Well, I thought it would be better to dress the part. The pay we receive is quite det, and I’m tired of feeling out of pce at these rge events.”

  Feeling out of pce, I see. “I heard that Maer is ing along well.” Eleanor said, trying to take her mind off more annoying matters.

  “Yes, though Callie got injured and is rec. A bad business, we were lucky there. That’s another reason why I want to dress to impress. No point being frugal, our line of work is very dangerous. It makes ohink about their own mortality.”

  “Callie? That’s the you of your team, right? I haven’t heard…” Eleanor said, horrified. “… will she recover? Has Mary-Jane been called to help her? If not, I …”

  “Calm yourself, Princess. I’m sure Callie will be delighted to hear you’re so worried about her. She idolises you, our brave Knight who leads from the front, despite being a privileged Princess.”

  For a moment, Eleanor paused, not sure if she had heard his tone correctly, but then she dismissed it. I’m a little tipsy. Though damn it all, I already feel it fading. “So she’ll recover?” she asked, and he nodded.

  “Yes, it was some sort of poison, apparently, ohat has left her weak and feeble. So I don’t believe your healer will be able to help her, si was far too te to cut out the poisoned areas, like I believe she has done before. Nothing we do is a sce, is it, but we think she’ll be back to fighting trim in a week or two. For now, the Maer team is just keeping sharp, training. And enjoying ourselves. As you should. If there were aers from the tabloids here, they’d love a picture of the depressed Princess.” He ughed heartily, and Eleanhed.

  “True. Well, I do hope you’ll tinue serving Britain and the popuce, Samuel. And when Miss Callie has some spare time after her recovery, do tell me and I will visit.”

  Samuel’s smile broadened. “I’ll tell her. I’m sure she’ll be overjoyed. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” with that he headed off, and since he was heading in the general dire of people Eleanor had no wish to eh, she looked away, only to spot a familiar, friendly face, her brilliant traditional red and gold Sari standing out amongst the suits and dresses of the uests. At st, someone who I rex with. Eleanor had grown very close with Aditi over the months they had spent together, her calm, soothing manner always lifting her spirits.

  “Oh, Eleanor, it is good to see you.” Aditi said with her melodious at. It had taken a while for Aditi to stop calling her Princess and use her name, but now hearing that made Eleanor happy, as it was ara closehat she had earned.

  “Not half as good as it is to see you.” Eleanor said fervently, and the look on her face must have been unusual, as Aditi leaned in, surprised.

  “Oh Eleanor, just what is wrong? If it is something you talk about, I would be most happy to listen. I do not know if I help with ay matters, but a trouble shared is a trouble halved, is it not?”

  “I don’t know about that.” Eleanor said, a smile on her face for the first time in a while. “But you do have an aura about you, Aditi. You always seem so cheerful, despite everything.”

  “You are most kind, as always.” Aditi ughed with gentle humour. “I simply have no reasons not to be cheerful. Yes, what we do is dangerous and terrible, but we do it together, w as one. As long as we have harmony, we shall succeed. Besides, seeing the smiling faces of the children and all those we have helped… is that not a more precious reward than any amount of money or fame?”

  I’m very fortunate grandmother mao find these members. Aditi, Sarah and Mary-Jane are all so kind, while Sir Arthur is someone I trust. Even David and Donovae their… problems… are good people at heart. Good at heart, hmm…

  “What troubles you then, dear Eleanor?” Aditi pressed, jolting her out of her gloomy thoughts. “I know you do not enjoy these events, to raise funds and awareness, but they are necessary. Even those who hold some reservations about us know we have to work together.”

  Ugh, that hits a sore spot. True, if even Mary Stuart offers us support, despite clearly disliking me, I reject fn aid merely due to personal feelings? But… it’s nht. It isn’t! Eleanor had very traditional views on love, and having watched her brh very different paths of romance, she had firmed up an idea in her head of what love should be. Not… not treating women as trophies to be won, young impressionable minds to . “Yes, well, I just find some of uests today rather intolerable.”

  “That is not like you, Princess.” Aditi observed. “You normally do not let your displeasure show. But then, I have noticed you have been on edge retly. David has noticed it as well.”

  David? Really? But then, he has been there whenever I enter Avaloly… Looking around, she realised she couldn’t see David anywhere in the hall, nor the Japanese visitor and his too-young fiancées. Just where did they all vanish to? She spotted Raidre, leaning on a table, expression lifeless, and she had never seen the powerful, brave Fae look so shellshocked.

  She caught the eye of Henry, ith Melissa, his current girlfriend, one he seemed very serious about, and he waved at her to e over. The only downside was he seemed to be with a group of Asians, likely more of the Japanese delegation. Well, I’ve seen him now, so…

  “Are we going to talk to your brother? That will cheer you up.” Aditi smiled softly, and Eleanor once more was gd of her soothing calm.

  “I suppose so. Well, I’ll just shake off this gloom, then I will mingle, I promise.”

  “That’s the spirit.” As they approached, Henry called to her jovially.

  “Ellie, Miss Aditi, e over here a an old friend.” He gestured to the oldest Japanese man.

  “This is Katsuro-san…” Henry surprised her by using a polite honorific. “He’s the head of the JSDF, and we’ve met several times at my Games, and also to discuss Veteran matters. He’s a man who believes in looking after those who’ve served.”

  “Well of course, Prince Henry.” The man, Katsuro, returhe favour. “The JSDF is an army to protect the people, but the soldiers themselves are of the people. To let their service be a detriment to them is something nhteous try tenance.” As her brother let out a boisterous cry of “That’s damn right!” Katsuro turo her. “I am charmed to meet you, Princess Eleanor. The rumours hardly do you justice. I am Tsumura Katsuro, and this is my son, Minoru, and my daughter-in-w Hikari.”

  Tsumura? Eleanor froze for a moment, before venturing a question. “So, the girl I met earlier with that… Chosen…” she looked at Melissa cautiously. I hope Henry hasn’t been indiscreet. Yes, she’s here so she knows the basics, but there’s a lot we ’t disclose to outsiders, and until they marry, sadly Melissa still is. “… she was Motoko Tsumura…”

  “Yes, my granddaughter. Isn’t she lovely? She was delighted to be meeting a Princess such as yourself on her e debut, but…” he looked around. “I ’t see her, I wonder where she and Akio-san have gone.”

  So frustrating. She exged a gh Melissa, who looked equally tense. I see we agree on some things. Not even Henry had been foolish enough to mention their uo Melissa much, sidering she was an Ameri and often championed women’s rights. “If I may be a little fht then…” Eleanor managed, annoyed. “Just ossessed you to allow your young granddaughter to be eo su older man, especially one who has other women? Don’t you care about her wellbeing at all?”

  Katsuro reacted at that, smiling wryly, while Hikari looked embarrassed.

  “Whoa, it’s not like you to be rude to guests, Ellie. You should calm down…” Henry began, only to shut up as she faced him with a sapphire-eyed gre.

  “Be quiet, Henry. Don’t make a se in front of yirlfriend. Don’t call me Ellie during state events, and I hope you haven’t been… indiscreet, randmother will have your hide!” Beside her, Aditi was shocked by her vehemence, shrinking back a little.

  “Oh, no… well, I’ve talked to Melissa, of course but… only about how cool and brave you are, and how proud we all are of you, Ellie… uh, Eleanor. Nothing bad. Besides… she’ll be part of the family soon. I… uh…”

  So, my useless pyboy of a brother is settling down at st? I’d normally be happy, but I’m too furious.

  “I am sorry if we have offended you, Princess. That was not our i. Not when we had such importa you.” Katsuro said with the dignity of a true noble. “I uand our culture might be fn to you, but from what I know, you only have to go a few geions bad your partner would have been chosen for you.” he said and Henry agreed.

  “He’s got you there, Eleanrandmother’s marriage was hardly free of meddling.”

  “In Japan, arranged marriages are, if not on, still a notable pertage of the popution. Curiously, do you know which has the higher divorce rate? Arranged unions or marriages for love?” Katsuro said mildly, and Eleanor frowned.

  “Since you are asking, it must be love marriages. That’s not the point though…”

  “No, but it is an illustration. With marriages of love, love cool, and then they divorce. Arranged marriages o be worked at. Both parties make more of an effort, and therefore they st.”

  Aditi spoke up, surprising her. “That is true, in my culture, certainly. Arranged marriages are very on, our parents wish for us to marry well, so… I had my own marriage meetings and proposals. Now I am one of your team Princess, they have been celled. My status now is hard to calcute.”

  That’s a relief. “If you want my aid to refuse any offers or orders, I shall surely give it.” Eleanor decred stoutly, and Aditi smiled benevolently.

  “Oh, I thank you. Your kindness is ever radiant to me. If I truly hate it, then I will take you up on that. But as I said, it is not unusual, nor is there any stigma amongst those of my culture.”

  “I think it’s just terrible.” Melissa defended Eleanor, while Henry tried to keep out of the versation. “Young girls should be able to choose to love freely. It’s like svery, f a marriage just on status or family ties!”

  “To aent, I agree.” Katsuro said, surprising everyone. “In the nobility, we have treated our daughters perhaps too harshly. Motoko most of all.” Eleanor en-mouthed at the admittance, as she had heard Asians hated admitting any faults.

  “I agree, though I uand why.” Hikari said. “We lost the War and Japan was occupied. Much of our culture was lost. So the surviving nobility, with some iion of fresh blood, tried to preserve the best of Japan. Our daughters have made sacrifices. I followed that path myself.” She looked at Minoru fondly. “But I love my husband, and I adore my daughter, Motoko. But… she was never happy. She is what you would call a tomboy here, I suppose.” Her smile was rueful and pained. “She loved traditional martial arts and ons from the moment she could walk. Our family has a rich legacy, you see.”

  “Tsumura house has been involved in the military throughout the Shogunate and even before. Sword, spear, bow, hand-to-hand bat, we have a legacy. And reserved it to this day. But… in the modern world, when guns and missiles rule, it is nothing but an or. Sadly, Motoko loved it dearly, and wanted nothing more than to pass it on. But a noble daughter ot fight, risk injury, marring her beauty.” Katsuro said.

  “That’s sexist garbage!” Mellissa snorted, and Hikari sighed.

  “We are a culture where graceful, polite, calm and subservient womereasured. Yamato Nadeshiko. To be seen as such is to be respected. Motoko is graceful and kind, and has learned well, but… she was never happy. She made a friend in Natsumi-, anirl from a newer, semi-noble line, who also found a love for the Tsumura arts as her bodyguard. Perhaps they love each other as well.”

  “All the more reason not to…” Eleanor said, swiftly followed by Melissa, voig the same thoughts.

  “It’s immoral to force a marriage, especially so young!”

  “I did not like Akio at first. I thought him rather beh us.” Hikari said, to forestall their anger. “And he rejected my Motoko, the gall of the man!”

  “He is like you, Princess. If you are the leading Chosen of The United Kingdom, then he is the bahe Japanese Chosen rally behind.” Katsuro praised him. “He has done much for Japan, that we are as prepared as we are, that we protected Kyoto, despite the losses, it is thanks to him.”

  Really? The womaniser is so important? “But still, te a marriage for your precious granddaughter, despite her youth, to a man with no scruples, and insatiable lusts…”

  “My sister, talking about lusts. Not something you hear every day…” Henry joked to lighten the mood, only to fall silent, as red as his hair, as the women here gred at him.

  “Prince Henry, what age a soldier see bat?” Katsuro asked, and Henry answered immediately. “Eighteen for frontline bat, but… we allow joining at sixteen. So it’s not impossible if war was to break out, a soldier could be forced to fight.”

  “So, a itment one makes at sixteen see one having to fight and kill only a few years ter? I believe that a sixteen year old has to serve until they are in their early twenties as well?” Henry Katsuro’s question.

  “So, my Motoko is a warrior. She may not use a gun, or join the JSDF, but she and Natsumi- are not foolish flowers, despite being raised in the greenhouse. They would have been unhappy, married to a noble who treated them as a doll. Instead… we did what was best for them and the nobility, to gain a tie to Akio-san, we proposed an arranged marriage. But in the end, they ended up falling for each other. Now Motoko and Natsumi- will never separate, they love the same man. They may be young, but if a man sell his life ah at an even younger age, why Motoko not decre what she wants and aim for it?”

  Eleanor puffed out her cheeks, annoyed. “I feel you are foolih logic. Besides, I don’t think that the army should allow those under eighteen to enlist.”

  “Motoko is a very clever girl. But rebellious, in the most polite of ways. She opped training with Natsumi-, opped dreaming of a future where her skills mattered.” Hikari said. “And… she knows her own mind. She loves him, and he her. He loves Natsumi- too, and some others. But they are all entering into a retionship knowing this. If you speak to Motoko, she will tell you she is happy, or is she a fool, Princess?”

  “No, but… he’s so much older than her, it…”

  “Uh, I don’t think it’s quite like Uncle.” Henry said. “This guy, he’s what, six or so years older? Father is thirteen years older than our mother, so we ’t exactly throw stones, Ellie…”

  Stop calling me Ellie when you are trying to calm me down. I’m not hysterical. I’m just annoyed! “Yes, all right, and the girls Uncle were caught with…”

  Melissa looked disgusted. “Yes, they were na?ve, young victims, starstruck. But is this any different?”

  “Very different.” Katsuro said. ”I have met many of the girls Akio-san treasures. And make no mistake, he loves them deeply, ead every one of them. There are those he saved from great sadness, and those who he fills a hole in their hearts. Those who he wants to see fulfil their dreams, such as Motoko and Natsumi-, and those he simply likes. Do you think we exged the w for a whim? Akio-san pushed for that. He k would cost him political capital he could have used for his own ends, and it gained him nothing. Nothing but…”

  “Motoko said he did it so that they could all experiehe joy of marriage areated equally.” Hikari dabbed at her eyes, which were a little moist at the thought. “Motoko was more than prepared to be a e, but every woman dreams of a beautiful wedding, especially the nobility. We thought she would be looked down on, marrying a oner, instead… well, matters have worked out very differently. Thanks to the affair with Takatsukasa house, she will be Takatsukasa Motoko, even higher in status than when she was our daughter.”

  “es. How medieval. Wome chattel…” Melissa snapped.

  “No, they are not. But also… women have hearts. They all love him. But he already had a first love. Would you deny Motoko and Natsumi- their oiness simply because they met him too te?” Katsuro said pinly.

  “There are plenty of other men out there… or women, si sounds like they might be of that ilk…” Eleanor said finally. “… who could make them happy. Perhaps even with each other, or would you stand in their way? Japanese culture is servative, I’ve heard.”

  “Yes, same-sex retionships are frowned upon there and discriminated against, I know.” Melissa piped up.

  “The nobility is indeed servative, but the girls are raised ignorant of men, so many love each other. As long as it is discreet, we say nothing, think it for the best, at least until their marriages.” Katsuro said. “As for Motoko and Natsumi-, their love is deep, but ptonic. As for someone else making them happy… what does it matter? You cede they are happy, so why not rejoice for them? Besides… age is meaningless now. Do you not have Chosen that are not yet legally adults, who have to fight and take risks heless?”

  Cassie. There are others too. “We do…” the words were dragged from Eleanor.

  “Akio-san is the one who give them the most happiness, and the most prote. After all, Motoko and Natsumi- are now forces to be reed with. Mori-san, well, she o be seen to be believed.” Katsuro ughed. “Now, Princess, Miss Masters, please speak to my granddaughter, Natsumi- and the maid, Hyath. Put aside your prejudices, about polygamy, their age, whatever misgivings you have. My granddaughter aruest friend are both strong-willed, clever and resolute. If it turns out they chose unwisely, well, they will cry over it and move on with their lives. But if they chose wisely, as they believe, and we do too, then simply be happy for them. This is Motoko’s official e debut. Spoiling what a young girl dreams of is hardly diplomatic, Princess. Your blessing would t for a lot.”

  Damn it. His points are good. But… am I too traditional? He’s right. A Gods’ Chosen is a rare, special existence. David did say that power attracts… “You said earlier that this man…” I don’t want to use his name. “… has something important to tell me. Do you know it?”

  “I do. But it really should be between you, him and the Queen. So I shall remain silent. All I will say is, if you don’t hear Akio-san out, you’ll regret it, as will the United Kingdom.”

  “Sounds important, Ellie.” Henry turo Melissa then. “Sorry. Not the happy party we were expeg.”

  “Actually, it gives me a lot of respect for your sister.” Melissa smiled. “I uand. I ’t like this man. But… I will talk to these girls. Perhaps I give them some advice. If they ge their minds, you won’t force them to marry this brute still?”

  “No. It isn’t necessary.” Hikari shook her head. “But I fear you will not succeed. Motoko is head-over-heels for him. Her beautiful yet hollow smile has ged, and now I am happy to see it every day. I am a woman, I know when love is genuine. As should you.”

  “So just where are they? Even that strange Fae maid is gone.” Eleanor pined, feeling a little sick. Aditi soled her, but she was barely listening. Now I have to go back, after st off. I feel a fool, huh…

  Her thoughts were interrupted as the closed doors to the main hall opened, drawing everyone’s attention, and what she saw then pletely drove the thoughts out of her head, leaviaring bnkly. Beside her, Katsuro ughed heartily, and Henry whistled in appreciation.

  “That takes some guts. I see why you like him Katsuro!”

  Henry was quickly chastised by Melissa, while Eleanor stood there frozen. Aditi shook her shoulder gently, and she blinked, her mind starting tain. That… damn show-off!

  “That isn’t the gown Motoko was wearing before.” Hikari said, and Eleanreed. It was again white, but this one was more daring, while still being cssy. The man had his arm around her waist possessively, and oher side was the bodyguard, but she too now was in a gown, showing off a bit of cleavage, but her white dress was not vulgar but cssy. Beside her was the sight that shocked her the most though.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]“That dress looks rather familiar.” Henry said. “I’ve not seen it in years, but…”

  The Fae maid was wearing a beautiful, flowing white dress, with a purple underskirt, hints of that fshing through as she moved, matg some of the streaks in her hair.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]“That’s mother’s… but how?” She saw that Sir Arthur had followed in behind them, and was even more fused. Wait, Sir Arthur? Why?

  “Quite the bold statement.” Katsuro observed, seeing as he had one arm around his granddaughter, while the other was around the man’s Fae maid and the girl Natsumi. Everyone present was looking at him, and Eleanor instinctively gnced over to the dais at the front, seeing her grandmother, the Queen, looking on with curious eyes. That’s bound to impress her. She always admires boldness and decisive bravery. Ugh… they look so happy.

  The girls were smiling, though their faces were pink. The Fae did look unfortable in her finery, but saying she wasn’t happy would have been a lie. As she watched, several uests and Gods’ Chose over to talk to them, and the man was animated, cheerful. After a brief versation, they passed through the hall, and ended up back with the Prime Minister.

  “Well, Princess, still in a sour mood?” David said suddenly, trailed by Mary-Jane and Sarah. On seeing him, she blinked, surprised.

  “David, why are you wearing that?” He was in casual jeans and a t-shirt, pletely out of pce.

  “Get a load of this, Eleanor.” Sarah ughed heartily. “This fool here, he challenged him to a battle, ye believe it? Octagon rules. And our King of the Octagon here…” her face was as red as her hair as she tried to keep in her ughter. “He got his ass haae him again and again. I dinnae know which is fuhe fact that he lost, or the fact that he got beat so bad his whole suit was ruined!”

  “Yeah, ugh it up, Sarah.” David sighed. “The truth hurts though. He’s got some guts, taking me on, . and the skills to back it up. Well, it wouldn’t be so easy ime, I know his weaknesses, but shit, that guy has a blessing like my Battle Hymn, and he heals better than the schoolteacher here. Life just ain’t fair, but then, with no giants to sy, what’s the point of being strong?” David’s eyes were sparkling, the good fight having reinvigorated him, and Eleanor bit down on a sigh.

  “You what? You fought an invited guest? David, are you an idiot?”

  “Aye, he is, e a wager too, ye know, but…” Sarah trailed off.

  “No way, we hashed out our differences with our fists, like real men. If anything, I’d say you dropped the ball, Princess. You really upset his little girlfriends, and I’ve learnt enough about him in this st hour to know that if you punched him in the face he’d ugh it off and still be willing to talk, but hurt his girls and he’s going to hold a mean grudge. Hehis.” He ughed. “Damn me if that old fart Sir Arthur doesn’t get it though.”

  “Sir Arthur?” Eleanor asked, feeling rising misgivings about the whole situation. The Prime Minister was saying something, drawing ughter, and the girls in their white ballgowns that invoked wedding dresses, all smiled charmingly, nodding.

  “Yeah, looks like they didn’t have any dresses fit for that fairy maid. Oh shit, look at Raidre, he’s lost it…” David chuckled, and indeed, Raidre, on looking at the maid in her white finery, was stunned, his legs shaking as he leaned on a table, shocked. “… so he asked Sir Arthur, and apparently he borrowed one of your dear mother’s dresses from when she was youhat’s a statement, right?”

  Wait.. Sir Arthur allowed that? “Well, it is odd, but she does look rather fetg.” Katsuro said, interrupting her scattered thoughts once more. “And we could argue it’s showing the resped affe your two nations have for each other, that you would give us such a thing? I think, Princess Eleanor, that we should start again. Talk to them properly. Put aside your misgivings. If you speak to my Motoko and think she is being exploited or abused after hearing her out, then I give you my word I’ll listen.”

  Biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, the wounds instantly healing, Eleanhed. I hate this. I made a rather rge se. David is right. But I will still demand he expins how he ended up fighting this Akio ter! And losing too, it’s shameful!

  “Here they e!” David grinned. “Now py nice.” He paused, befiving her his hohoughts. “Those girls aren’t anything like you worry about. They’re nothing like the girls your no-good uncle was caught with. No, they are fighters, and they have guts. It’s wrong to assume they aren’t capable of making their own decisions, or that the guy is fooling them. Trust me, when a man crosses fists…”

  “Aye, he tell the character of his damn oppo. Ye’ve dohing but yap on about it sihen, David.” Sarah snorted, still clearly amused at his defeat.

  “Very well. I… I o hear what he has to say, don’t I?” Eleanor managed. I ’t let my pride ruin things grandmother has set up. Especially not with those women here… she g the Ameri envoy and also Mary Stuart. I ’t show any more weakness or discord. As the group approached, she took a deep breath and forced a smile. “I see you are being rather more… brazen.”

  “Why yes, I am, Princess Eleanor. I am not ashamed of the three of them, how could I be? They are lovely, kind and loyal, and any man would be proud to have even one of them in his life. I have them all. I will say that keeping them safe, happy and fulfilled is going to be quite the task, but look at them and tell me it won’t be worth it?” Akio said calmly, a smile on his face that quite annoyed her.

  “I see that. But don’t you worry you might draw ire and s?” she shot back.

  “I do worry,. But not for me. Se if you wish, Princess. But ake it out on them, or you’ll find out just why I got s.”

  “No kidding. He hits like a fug dump-truck.” David sniggered.

  “Language!” Mary-Jane said, sdalised, and David waved her off.

  “I’m serious now. I’d kill to have him on our team. We might really have London back by Christmas.”

  “I don’t uand.” Melissa said, and Henry looked apologetic.

  “I know. There’s a lot we ’t tell you yet. I want to, my darling, but… grandmother wants it under s. You know Ellie has these powers, and the others too. And that we have to protect Britain. Well… how they do it is plicated. I wish it was me or the boys in the military, but…”

  “I too am prepared to fight.” Motoko said cooly. “It is an honour to meet you, Prince Henry. Grandfather is in awe of your support for Veterans and your itment to raising their profile and treatment worldwide.”

  “You’re a polite one.” He said, and Eleanor had to admit she was.

  “Five my rudeness, but… you’re not ed by sharing a man who ever give you his whole heart? You’re young, it might not matter now, but…” Eleanan again.

  “From one warrior to another…” Motoko said, sighing. “… do not insult me, or my intelligence. Worse, do not insult my love. I too know what it is to fight in the Boundary. How I know this… is not for me to say. Therefore, my respect for you is immense. I ask that you ae the same iurn. A person who has fought to defend others is no child. I may not have his whole heart, but if I did, then I would weep for Natsumi.”

  “She’s right.” The bodyguard girl, who had airely different allure out of her suit, nodded. “I love Motoko. Not in a way that I would wish to marry her. No, we are friends, bonded in battle and in love. I thought I could never be more than her bodyguard, and we would be parted soon. But Akio ged that for us. He loved us both, and showed us we could both be happy. I too have fought monsters, again I’ll not say how. I knew Akio loved others before us. I am not a fool. But…”

  “It doooes not matter.” The maid, Hyath, spoke up. Seeing her in that familiar dress, it’s strange. But she is beautiful, definitely. Though it is a cold, unapproachable beauty, yet… as the maid looked at Akio, her face ged, her harsh edges softening, her vivid violet eyes with a tinge of silver goile. “Akiooo loves freely, but loves deeply. To rest in his arms is to know peace. But he doooes not stifle us. If he kept us as trooophies or toys, we wooould never have grown. Mistress Shaeu wooould never have recimed the Spring, earhe respect stupid little selkie must give her, ooor else.” She threatened Raidre so casually that Eleanor was momentarily amazed. Raidre is a powerful warrior, is she so bold?

  “I know I’m a bastard.” Akio ughed sourly. “But I made a promise to let that go. I accepted responsibility for them, so I ’t berate myself. No, instead of that, I simply have to love them, Princess. And to me… love is…” he looked at the three girls fondly. “… protect them, yes, but also allow them to spread their wings, grow, achieve their dreams, and then find new dreams even mlorious. It’s hard, but I holy wouldn’t do things differently now. Eae of them I love, and eae of them I’ll see happy. It’s why I fight.” He looked at Eleanor then, his steel-grey eyes ear. “Strength for oneself is meaningless. Only when you have things to proted cherish will you ever be truly strong. The only worry I’ll allow myself is that I might not have enough time to spend with them all, but…”

  “That is ork together.” Motoko said calmly. “We learn to love each other as well. For me it was easy.”

  “Me too! I love Motoko, I always have, and the fact that end as much time together doing what we want is a dream for me. But the time I have with Akio is just as precious.”

  “Indeed. I feel the same.” Motoko agreed. “The others all have their quirks, but they are all good girls, strong girls. Not foolish, easily tricked girls who do not know their own minds. You are rather fortu is us who are here tonight, Princess.”

  “Oh my, yes…” Natsumi looked at Eleanor, and also at Melissa, who had a sour expression, unvinced. “… we are defihe mildest of Akio’s fiancées.”

  “If you two are, I’d love to meet the others.” David ughed, only to curse as Sarah spped his head, and Mary-Jaold him to be quiet.

  “If mistress Shaeu was here, she wooould decre her hostility to yooour try for this. Mistress Eri wooould grab her axe and rage…” Hyath giggled, amused. “I did want toole you, or tear out yooour poisoongue. But Hyath is a goooood girl, Akio says so, sooo I refrained.”

  “Yes, you ’t do that.” he said, patting her head. “I uand people aren’t going to uand us easily. But all that matters is that we are happy.”

  He’s very frustrating! That Fae just threatened me to my face! “Even so, shouldn’t you respect the s of the tries you are visiting?” she protested.

  “Yes, but that goes both ways. Princess Eleanor…” his gaze was intense, and I stepped back a pace, swallowing nervously. “I must speak with you in private, but if you refuse, then I’ll o speak with the Queen, or failing that, Sir Arthur here has agreed to listen, though that would be a st resort.”

  “I uand. But what be sent that you o speak with me and would e here, showing off like this?”

  “Showing off? This is Motoko’s time to shihough I decided actually, I wasn’t being fair. Natsumi was happy as a guard, Hyath as a maid, but I thought I’d kill multiple birds with oone. Srandfather-in-w, Hikari, Minoru. But Motoko liked the idea too.”

  “Yes. Making happy memories with others is better than just me alone. And I do wish to share.” She met Eleanaze. “Shaeu and Eri often say, if Akio has to split his love ten ways, if he is a huimes the man anyone else is, we still end up happier than we ever could with anyone else. And I believe it. I have never been so fulfilled and full of joy as these st few weeks. And I know that despite the hardships, the battles that we will willingly fight to protect our happiness and the happiness of those we love and cherish, our happiness will only grow.”

  “This young man is like you, Princess. He carries the weight of Tokyo and Kyoto.” Katsuro said. “But it is reassuring to know that should the worst happen and Japan was to fall…”

  “Yes, I’ll get them out safely, even if I have to die. Which I won’t, as dying will only make them sad. I have the will, the io die for them, but I know I ’t actually fail.” Akio said decisively.

  “Shit, that’s a real man’s… wait…” David was once again clouted by Sarah, and Mary-Jane dragged him off, saying they had heard enough of his crudity.

  Carrying the weight. It is heavy and hard, and lonely… Even Aditi, David, Mary-Jane and the others, they didn’t know the true weight that Eleanor carried. There was another secret beh the Tower, ohat nobody but the Queen and she knew of. Unless… has this man somehow found out? Worried, she nodded. “Fine. I don’t approve, I still believe what you are doing is immoral, but I will do my duty ahat aside for the good of the United Kingdom.”

  “That’s my Ellie. We all friends again?” Henry said, and Melissa scowled. You’re not making a good impression, my brother.

  “I holy believe you believe your words, but… I want your phone numbers. If you ever realise you have been wronged, mistreated or exploited, text me without dey, and I will see you rescued and this man punished, I’m not sure how, but I will use all the tools at my disposal!” I should let it go, but… I have to at least say this to these foolish girls.

  “Yes, that’s a good idea.” Melissa agreed. “I’ll support you!”

  Akio merely smiled. “Fihat’s fair. But first… this is the e debut, a Japanese noble . It’s hardly goo pn, has it, but… ’t we at least get your blessings for now? In fact…” he grinned. “Since you owe me an apology for attag me verbally, why not introduce me to the Queen? I see her watg. If we could get a picture of us with the Royal Family, I think that would go down very well bae, right?”

  “Yes.” Motoko agreed happily. “The irls at Hanafubuki would be most awed, even Mayumi-sama. It would also be a memory we treasure.”

  “Why not? Grandmother loves some excitement.” Henry ughed. “Besides, don’t you think they’re adorable young girls?”

  As Melissa scowled at him, Hyath ughed.

  “I am ooolder than anyone else here, likely ooolder even thaupid selkie. Hyath is nooo child.”

  “But you are adorable” Akio snorted, and the maid blushed, her smile blinding.

  I somehow feel like I’ve lost. No… it is still wrong. But… I uand Katsuro’s thoughts. If London was to fall, who would I give my all to save, above all else, even at risk of my life? As Eleanor pohat, Akio was smiling.

  “I’m gd we sorted all this out. ge won’t e ht. But in a world where people like Hyath and Raidre exist, where the Gods themselves hand out Favours… we must ge. All I ask is you judge us on our as, and hoy we are, not by what you’re used to. We’re not enemies, and holy, with problems like Christina Bakker around, we shouldn’t fight over such things. Princess Eleanor, what I have to tell you ter might be painful to hear, but rest assured it’s true. I’m an ally, and I want us to help each other. So please, keep an open mind.”

  “I think he speaks wisely, Eleanor.” Aditi said quietly, having observed politely as was her usual way. “Seg happiness in this dangerous world is surely a good thing, whatever shape it takes, no?”

  “Even you, I see?” Eleanor’s shoulders sagged, defeated. “Very well. But you chose this. If you ever hurt them, if they regret it, you’ll be my enemy!” she said boldly, only for Akio to ugh happily.

  “I wele that. If you see me straying from the path, not thinking of my girls, being selfish, I’d wele a kick up the arse.” He said the British idiom smoothly. “But for now, let’s meet the Queen. That’ll make a statement, won’t it?” He was looking at someone, and as Eleanor followed his eyes, he could see he was eyeing the Ameri, apanied by her huge bodyguard.

  “Yes, I suppose it will…” Eleanreed. “I suppose it will…”

  ShipTeaser