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Alicia considered the report in front of her. The night air was cool as it filtered into her office through the open window.
Lloyd Frontera had helped in Namaran.
He seemed to be everywhere nowadays. Alicia wondered how he managed it.
He's gaining too much influence
No, Lloyd was strange but he had the interests of the kingdom at heart.
He only has his interests at heart, you know this.
The Queen shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts from it.
She could feel a headache coming in. She'd been having quite a lot of those lately.
As Alicia strolled through the halls of her castle, she scowled at the cracks littering the walls.
She should make him fix them.
But he most likely wouldn't without a fight.
So what? make him.
That wouldn't be right.
Why? Why let him hold so much power, he could rise up he could—
He wouldn't.
But why wouldn't he?
A flash of pain in her head has Alicia leaning against the wall for support.
It felt like her mind was fighting itself.
Over one man.
What has he done to her?
Another flash of pain has her on her knees.
~
She'd sent him with the diplomats. It was a good decision, she told herself. He was a greedy bastard, but still one that would get them results.
It also meant he was far away from her.
She couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing.
Alicia hears her pen break in her hand, she hadn't known she was squeezing it. Ink drips slowly onto her desk.
What was wrong with her?
She had never been a trusting person, such was the nature of her position. The last person she'd trusted had poisoned her, quite literally.
Yet here she was, placing her trust in another. Someone she didn't even know all that much about.
He hadn't let her down yet….
But he hadn't exactly proved himself loyal either.
He would. That's why she'd sent him with the diplomats, yes, that was it. It was a test, nothing more.
She wouldn't have to think about him for a while at least. He would surely be busy with negotiations, besides he couldn't get over here if he wanted without warning.
~
He had yet another summon.
Alicia could already feel the headache coming.
At least he'd come with a gift.
"You want me to offer them asylum?" She asks, looking down at the man Lloyd had brought with him.
"Yes, your majesty. Not only would this allow me to secure proper peace talks, it also gives your kingdom valuable resources." Lloyd replies, grining.
It's not horrible reasoning. Lloyd had explained his rather convoluted plan, trading with a nation at peace was better than having to avoid one at war. Especially if that war spilled over.
But she was still conflicted. She wasn't exactly fond of the Sultan. Maybe she'd be better off letting the revolutionaries stay, do they're work.
But it's Lloyd asking.
Why did that matter?
Alicia pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache coming back in full force.
She tightened her grip on her sword, still in her hand after her training.
"Your majesty?" Frontera asks, slight concern lacing his tone.
"Allow me time to think this over, I shall give you my decision tomorrow morning." She grits out. Her body tells her to either mow this man down or run. But her mind demands that she allow him this.
Something was wrong.
She doesn't let either of the men respond, as she stalks off, desperate for some clarity.
~
Alicia ends up granting him the request, after what turned out to be a sleepless night of deliberations, yet one that seemed to have only one predetermined solution.
Why did he have such an affect on her?
He was only remarkable for his construction talents, and a bit of tenacity.
Yes he had helped her in her time of need, but he had done so with concerning methods, why could she not muster up concern?
The two men may have seen the disturbance in her eyes when she delivered her verdict, but neither cared to comment.
She took comfort in the results that had soon showed themselves, reports of proper treatment and peace talks.
Lloyd Frontera had not failed her.
Yet she had trusted him blindly almost. Why had that seemed like the right decision.
Alicia spent her days, racked with headaches, and her nights just like that first one, sleepless.
How could one man have such an effect on her? Why could she not find it in her to distrust the man?
The diplomats, thankfully, return soon after, with a very favorable treaty in hand.
Lloyd tries to down play his role again.
Alicia can't help but scowl at him. She does not typically trust a man who acts as if he doesn't want anything, doesn't want power.
Yet she trusts him. Can not help but do so.
And he knows it.
She considers the thought. Frontera was certainly a man of confidence, he came to her with seemingly unreasonable requests, but held little doubt they would be granted.
What had he done?
She asks no one.
"Thank you all for your service to the Kingdom." She says, back in her throne room, in the moment, "you have done well."
"Of course Your Majesty, we are more than happy to be of assistance." The count replies, bowing deeply.
Lloyd looks bored.
"You all may go, I will have someone collect your reports later." Alicia tells them, "Lloyd Frontera," she adds. The man jumps, "may I have a word with you, alone?"
He blinks up at her, surprise evident.
"Of course Your Majesty, who am I to refuse?" He replies, uneasily.
Everyone eventually filters out. Frontera's guard, Sir Asrahan, hesitates for a moment, before a quick nod from Lloyd send him off. He's a loyal one, that's for sure.
Alicia takes a moment to examine the man in front of her, as he glances anywhere but her, nervous.
He's certainly been useful lately, pulling stunts beyond even her comprehension.
But she still doesn't know why she trusts him.
"Did the Sultan try and keep you in his Kingdom?" She asks, finally.
"Technically, yes, Your Majesty." Lloyd replies, "But I of course refused."
"Of course you did."
"Is there anything else I can assist you with, Your Majesty?"
Alicia looks down at him. He has no clue what she's called him here for.
How could he be so clueless about the effect he has on her?
Maybe he really doesn't know, maybe it's all in her head, and he's just a trustworthy person. Maybe she was more affected by the betrayal than she thought.
"What do you intend to do now?"
"Go back to my County, Your Majesty." he replies, "If you do not require anything else from me."
"Hmm."
He was rather committed to his fief, he had worked rather hard on bringing it back from the brink.
Did he really not want anything else from her?
"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" He asks, looking nervous. "I hope I haven't done anything to offend you."
"You've done something." She hisses, without thinking.
"Pardon?"
"You've— Something insists that I trust you." She continues, "I do not know what you've done, but I demand you stop." A flash of pain, worse than ever before has her barely supporting herself on her throne. She quickly pulls out her sword. "See!!" Alicia hisses again, pointing the blade at the man. "I will not stand for it."
Lloyd holds up his hands, sweating nervously.
"I assure you, your majesty. I have done nothing to harm you." He quickly replies, "I am a humble servant of the Kingdom. Please, lower your sword, you seem hurt."
"Your fault." She mumbles, but finds herself lowering the blade anyway. "Leave." She demands, "I must clear my head."
Frontera rushes out without another word.
Alicia looks down at her hands, that would not let her harm that man, despite how much she thought she'd wanted to.
His expression had been one of confusion, but also one of guilt.
No, was it?
She scowls. She'd thought the time away from him would clear her mind, but every time she thought on the matter it was as if her body and mind were at war. She'd even had the doctors in the palace check for poison, but none could be found.
She was so close to cutting the last one's head off, despite his good intentions.
This could not continue.
~
Lloyd is confused.
More than confused, really. When he'd first gotten the [Magentano Carry] Title, he'd been thankful. Not because he'd been planning some elaborate traitorous scheme or whatever, but because he knew he could be slightly unreasonable with his requests, knew they didn't always make sense at first. Having the Queen trust him a little more would be invaluable.
But he'd never imagined this.
A quick interrogation of the maids revealed a not so pretty picture of Her Majesty's mental state. She'd been restless, lashing out.
She sounded less like the Queen and more like the tyrant Lloyd knew she could become.
That wasn't good.
"Is everything alright?" Javier asks, looking uncharacteristically concerned, "Did you somehow anger the Queen in the five minutes you were left alone with her?"
"um—" Lloyd begins, "I guess I did." He looks around his room, finding somewhere to sit and collect his thoughts.
"How—" Javier asks, sighing, "How did you even do that?…Sir."
"I don't know, give me a second." He says, waving his hand.
Lloyd pulls up the System, going to his titles.
[Magentano Carry] Still says the same thing. Lloyd can't figure out how to fix this.
Would it get worse without the title? He wonders.
As if answering his question, The System gives him a message.
[Would you like to turn off your title?]
He could turn it off? It was that easy?
Lloyd stares at the window.
"Master Lloyd?" Javier asks, looking at him strangely.
"Javier," Lloyd says after a moment, "Do you think you could win against the Queen?" he asks, tone serious.
"Pardon?" Javier replies, blinking.
"If you had to fight her, do you think you could win?"
"Um, I suppose it's possible." Javier remarks. "Please don't tell me you intend to pick a fight with the Queen, that is treason, My lord."
"I dont want to pick a fight with her, I'm just covering my bases." Lloyd tells him, shaking his head. "This will either go down really well, or really bad." He adds.
"Please don't do anything foolish." Javier begs.
"I'm trying." Lloyd grumbles. "You have such low expectations of me."
"I have appropriate expectations of you."
"Whatever."
Lloyd ignores Javier for a moment, deciding to bite the bullet. He was trying to avoid Alicia going crazy so this couldn't be helped.
[Disable the title Magentano Carry]
[Yes] [No]
Lloyd presses [Yes] and prays that he doesn't get his head cut off for this.
__
Alicia blinks awake.
She'd gotten a full night sleep.
Her head didn't hurt.
She got up, grabbed her sword and headed toward the guest rooms. Nothing inside her tries to stops her.
She takes a deep breath, looking down at her hands, reveling in her returned control.
If she wanted to, she could kill him.
But she still didn't want to.
His affect was gone, she was rather sure, whatever it had been.
She knocks on the door, bangs on it really.
He opens the door slowly.
"Your Majesty?" He asks, "What do I owe the pleasure?" He looks terrified.
"You stopped it." She says.
"Stopped it? I'm afraid I'm not sure what you're referring to. Are you feeling better?" Lloyd replies, eyes laced with true concern.
"Yes. I'm going to assume you didn't know what you were doing." She continues, "But if you ever do that again, I will strike you down, understand?"
"Um— Yes, your majesty."
"Good." She looks him up and down, "Expect more work. As payment."
She stalks away, not letting him reply.
~
Alicia stays true to her word.
She has a wonderful time destroying the last of the warlocks that threaten the Kingdom, it was a great stress reliever.
Her thoughts still wandered to the strange man that had clouded her brain, but she was allowed to truly consider him.
He was dangerous. That much was clear. So was his knight, although she'd already known that one, any swordmaster was. Lloyd held an unprecedented type of power, unlike what she'd ever seen before, but he could be a invaluable assets if she played her cards right.
He owed her one, for whatever stunt he had accidentally played.
Speaking of that stunt, she made a solemn vow to herself to find out what he had done, one day. It would no doubt be a challenge to get out of him, but not one she thought she couldn't face.
So she calls him to the capital again. She has a garden to build. A statement to make.
"Viscount Nort." She greets, "Thank you for your prompt arrival."
"It is my pleasure, your majesty." He replies, bowing. "I am honored you considered me for such a project."
"You are a skilled architect. It was only natural." Alicia tells him with a smile. "But you won't be working alone this time." She adds.
"I won't?" The Viscount asks, "Well, I'm sure whoever her Majesty recommends will do wonderfully."
"His name is Lloyd Frontera, I'm sure you've heard of some of his recent exploits."
"Oh, yes, I have Your Majesty."
"Good. He may have done impressive work, but he's young, inexperienced. I trust that you will guide him."
"I would be honored, Your Majesty. Anything to make this Garden as amazing as you desire."
"Thank you for your consideration." She writes a time and place on a small slip of paper, "You'll formally meet him here. And then you may start your preparations." She pauses, "And, if you would be so kind, I would love to hear your report of his progress, I like to keep an eye out for talents, as you know."
"Of course, I will not disappoint you." He says, bowing once more.
"I would hope not. You're dismissed."
He scurries off, pleased smile on his face.
Alicia considers the matter settled. As long as Frontera didn't make any sudden moves here she could rest easy.
Besides, she had much more concerns. The garden construction was one thing, the symbolic nature of the construction was another, one she was more concerned with.
The Kingdom's peace treaty with the Sultan was only one of many that needed to be maintained. This would be an excellent show of power, something to remind them that while she was breaching peace now, she had more than enough power to pull for war as well.
She wouldn't be underestimated.
~
The breeze was nice in late fall. If all went to schedule, the celebration would happen just before the weather took a turn for worse.
Alicia took a moment to appreciate the temperature, resting after her daily training.
She was improving.
She wouldn't be caught unawares again.
The Queen walks her castle's halls quietly. She could spare some time before she needed to get back to work. She was finalizing the guest list, inside the kingdom that was, every forgien invitation had long been sent out.
After cleaning off, and working most of the way through the afternoon, Alicia decides she may as well visit her garden.
Viscount Nort had kept to his word, updates both on the construction and Frontera had come steadily.
By all accounts the man was humble. More than usual. She spared some thought to be concerned, he could no longer be considered harmless.
But the Viscount had nothing but good things to say, Frontera had allowed him full control, only suggesting things when necessary, and letting the Visscount take all the credit.
She would have thought him simply lazy if it weren't for the schematic that ended up on her desk a few days ago.
"A way to shift water levels?" She wondered aloud, looking up at a beaming Viscount and uncomfortable Lloyd.
"Yes! It's brilliant Your Majesty, I would have never thought of it myself, it solves our problems with displaying the statue." The Visscount told her cheerfully.
"Really?" She'd drawled, looking over at Lloyd, who looked mortified.
"Viscount Nort is exaggerating." He'd said, still not meeting her eyes. "It was just an idea."
"A brilliant one!"
"I must concur, if it works that is." Alicia had replied. "Lloyd Frontera, I am hereby assigning you this project. It's your responsibilty now."
Lloyd jumps.
"Your Majesty, I simply couldn't!"
"This is on par with your suspension bridge, Frontera." She'd interrupted. "I look forward to seeing what you produce."
He'd simply blinked at her.
"If Your Majesty is sure…" He trailed off, "Then I shall do my best." Frontera bowed deeply.
Alicia had been slightly surprised by his attitude change, when she'd called him back to the capital. She didn't know what she'd expected, for him to act completely docile? He had become more respectful, but his tendency to be borderline disrespectful had remained. She found herself somewhat grateful. Her perception of him had not been completely fabricated.
That did not mean she trusted him.
He had still affected her deeply, in some fashion. She needed to remember that, forever.
"I am." She assured, "I'll be visiting the construction sites soon, to make sure proper progress is being made, we are running low on time gentlemen."
"Of course, your majesty. We will work diligently." Viscount Nort had assured her in turn.
So here she was, fulfilling that promise, looking over the busy, soon-to-be garden.
Viscount Nort had not been lying, people working all around her. She was rather impressed by the efficency.
The major structures were all mostly finished, and smaller ones were being started. Everything looked to be on time.
She idly made her way to the canal, and the promised new device.
She hadn't fully expected what she saw there.
Alicia recalled the construction of the suspension bridge, how both Lloyd and Sir Asrahan had worked personally on the project.
It seemed that was a habit of the two of them.
Lloyd was barking orders, delegating those around him. But he was not idly doing so, the man was in fact, barking orders as he himself laid the basis for the construction.
His summons were involved as well, although she was less surprised by that. That was what they were most often used for.
She idly wondered if Sir Asrahan regretted rejecting her offer as she saw him working diligently, magnificent mana blasts paving the way.
Frontera was certainly committed to putting him to use.
"Your Majesty!" Frontera calls, finally noticing her presence. "How can this humble servant help you." He adds, heading quickly toward her. "Hey, I see you without your helmet over there, do you want me to have your pay docked!" Frontera interrupts himself, glaring at a worker off to his left.
"You don't have to do anything but continue working." Alicia tells him. "I'm here to observe your work."
"Oh, yes." Frontera replies. "Right, my apologies."
Alicia raises an eyebrow at him, and he diverts his gaze.
"Things seem to be going well." She comments.
"Yes, they are Your Majesty. If nothing goes wrong we should be ready with plenty of time to spare for testing." He tells her.
"Testing?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have a total of three tests planned. Just to be safe."
"I'm impressed." Alicia remarks, "It's not often we have someone planning with tests in mind. They usually leave that for later."
"Safety is important, Your Majesty." Frontera says, solemnly. It's maybe the most serious she's ever seen him. She narrows her eyes.
"Is that why you insist to participate yourself?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hmm." She considers him for another moment. "I'll leave you to your work then." She starts to depart, before pausing. "Frontera."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"No funny business. I hope you haven't forgotten my mercy from last time." She says, not looking back.
"Of course Your Majesty." Frontera replies.
She walks away.
~
Everything comes together wonderfully. Just as she arranged.
The garden is a glorious sight, fitting it's main piece wonderfully.
Alicia can hear the murmurs of foreign diplomats, gazing with awe and a little fear at the resplendent Bone Dragon.
She's dressed in finery befitting her position for once. Not one for flamboyance unless strictly necessary.
"And with the new treaty, we needn't send so much protection with caravans," Viscountess Decker says next to her, "It's saving us fortunes." She turns to the queen, smiling wide. "I'm awed at your skill, Your Majesty."
"My diplomats did most of the work." Alicia replies, "I simply sent them with the proper knowledge and goals."
"Still, we all know that the treaty is due to your skill as a ruler, if our beautiful kingdom didn't have you leading it, we would be lost." The Viscountess flatters.
Alicia smiles politely.
She wonders idly when the woman will gain the courage to ask her for whatever it is she wants, perhaps the Decker Viscounty wants more favorable deals for Mages, something the capital had a rather strong monopoly on. They had decreased the requests for them recently, and rumors spoke of declining profits.
They must be desperate for something for the Viscountess to approach her directly.
At least Alicia had already done much of her rounds. She could humor the woman, for at least a little longer.
Or she would have, had Lloyd Frontera not caused a ruckus that had everyone fleeing moments later. At least he has the presence of mind to rush to her, hopefully for his own safety to explain.
"Your Majesty." He hisses, glancing worriedly at the Bone Dragon. "My deepest apologies I—"
"Lloyd Frontera." She replies voice cold. She notices Sir Asrahan also looks rather concerned, eyes zeroed on the same spot as his master. "You must explain what has happened right now, or I will fulfill my promise to have your head."
"Your Majesty, please excuse my impertinence." He begins, "But something may be wrong with our centerpiece."
"And what might that be?" She asks, rather unconvinced.
"There's mana, pooling in it's head." He replies, "Your Majesty." He adds.
"Dragon bones often have mana left in them, Frontera." She says, still motioning for a magician who had appeared beside her.
"Yes, but it shouldn't be moving, like it is now." He pleads.
He doesn't seem to be lying, at the very least. There is a panic in his eyes that Alicia fond no comfort in. A man of such confidence is rarely panicked.
"And what if that is true? Does that mean that you must take actions into your own hands?" She asks, glaring at the man. His hubris knew no bounds, yet she held back the worst of her wrath.
Lloyd bites his lip. His eyes a swirl of emotion.
Alicia has had lots of time to formulate new opinions of the man by now, yet he seems set on defying those. A selfish man would not insist on doing all the dangerous parts of construction himself. A power hungry man would not let someone else take credit for his work.
So what exactly was he?
"You are right, Your Majesty. My apologies." He says after a moment, " it seems the flow of mana is weakening anyway." He adds.
Her magicians confirm as such.
"Please forgive me for my brash action." Frontera says, bowing.
Alicia simply looks at him.
She does not trust him, she reminds herself.
Yet she feels uneasy at the thought of just dismissing his concerns.
He had yet to be wrong about anything.
She carries that feeling as he turns to his knight, eyes pleading with the man, a silent conversation.
And that feeling swelled within her as the Dragon begins to move.
~
Alicia was a warrior.
She always had been. It had been what allowed her to claim the throne, what allowed her to keep it rather than having to marry someone to secure power.
Being a warrior meant that she had faced many a foe. Some of which instilled fear with a single glance. Alicia had faced them anyway.
She felt similarity about the foe in below of her now.
A Bone Dragon.
When she had raided the base, she had been more than impressed by the bones. Dragons were legendary, and to slay one was an honor.
She had seen it and had a strange feel of unease. If such a monument was here, why had they all fallen so easily?
Alicia had pushed it aside, comforted in her victory and the fact that none had seemingly survived.
What a fool she'd been.
The beast in front her was something far worse than all of the warlocks combined.
She would not back down, however.
Even if her warriors told her to run, even as Frontera seemingly fled.
The latter had not surprised her much. Despite his latent power that she was sure he had, Frontera was not a brave man. She knew that. It still saddened her slightly, she'd hoped he would shape up.
She was the monarch of this Kingdom. And the monster in front of her was a risk to that Kingdom. She would not dare run, she would not let this monster reek havoc as long as she lived.
Even as she felt her power drain, and the Dragon not even budge at her best strikes. She would not stand down, even if she perishes.
At least Sir Asrahan seemed to be more noble than his Lord.
She had never been more thankful for assistance.
If anyone could aid her, it was this knight. She had no choice but to acknowledge his skill, and was not reluctant to do so.
She only wished the hope that filled her lasted longer as the dragon rose above them.
Alicia was surprised when Lloyd returned. Surprised, but thankful.
They were taking this fight to the air it appeared.
"And here I thought you'd gone." She comments, looking down at the dragon behind them.
"I almost was." Lloyd laments.
"I'm grateful you weren't" She admits. "But do you have a sort of plan?"
Lloyd doesn't look at her.
"Not really." He sighs. "I was hoping at first to out run it, maybe make it to the dragon king somehow. But that won't work."
"So we have to face it on again." Sir Asrahan remarks simply.
She was starting to like the knight.
"Must you?" Lloyd snaps back. Sir Asrahan just looks at him blankly.
"I say we must." Alicia cuts in. "I won't back down. This is my kingdom."
"That is very admirable Your Majesty, but I don't think we can kill that thing." Frontera replies.
"You don't?" She asks, "Don't act like you don't have abilities up your sleeve. Like that spell you put on me—"
"Your Majesty." Frontera grits out. "I don't have anything like that. Please, is there anyway I can convince you to flee?"
Alicia looks at him, searching his expression. He seems honest, he doesn't think they can win. Or more accurately he doesn't think it's worth it to try.
He was scared.
Huh
Maybe all this man was, was someone trying to live.
"No. So please, enlighten us on you're plan." She tells him.
"My—"
"We both know you have one, Master Lloyd." Sir Asrahan retorts. "Even if you're not sure it will work."
Lloyd takes a deep breath.
"Fine. I hope you'll both forgive my attitude if we do somehow get out of this, because I can't help but want to hit you both." He admits. Alicia raises an eyebrow, exchanging an amused glance with Sir Asrahan.
~
Once the dragon is on the ground, Alicia collects herself.
Sir Asrahan is sent flying, and some of the hope kindling in her chest dies.
Frontera doesn't give up.
In fact, his knights seeming departure only fuels him.
Alicia has never seen him like this. He's more similar to the how he was when he insited on his workers safety. When he found something to care about more than himself.
She can't help but be a little awed.
He uses his terrifying absorption ability, but it barely does anything.
Alicia's small flame of hope shrinks.
Frontera falls from the dragon's skull, battered and bloody. Alicia doesn't hesitate to catch him.
She can't think of anything to do but run. She prays to whoever listens that there is some kind of back up waiting for them.
"Your Majesty?" Frontera mumbles as she runs. "What—"
"Not right now, Frontera." She grits out. "This doesn't mean I trust you. I just think you'll be of use. Or would you rather I drop you?"
"Please don't" He mutters, sounding more emotional than she'd ever heard from him.
She feels mana flow through her.
"Frontera?"
"Take it, I got a lot from the dragon." He says. "But I can't give you much."
She keeps running.
She doesn't think about what's behind her, only focusing on moving. Even as she sees the shadow engulf the two of them, just moments away—
Then it's gone.
Split into thousands of pieces that fall unceremoniously to the ground.
Alicia slowly sets Frontera down, as she stares at the man who had just doen the impossible. His silver hair shines like the moon, other-worldly almost.
"Grandmaster?" Frontera had mumbled just seconds ago.
It seemed like an appropriate title.
"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" Sir Asrahan asks, as if what had just happened was an everyday occurrence.
"Yes…" She replies, "I'm fine, as you can see." Alicia is still dazed. She was not even aware such power could be held by a single person.
Sir Asrahan walks slightly past her, toward Frontera.
"Master Lloyd…" He says, trailing off, concern finally filling his expression.
"Javier—" Frontera starts, smile making it's way onto his face, "A little help?"
Sir Asrahan places a hand on Frontera's shoulder, and Alicia watches in awe as his wounds are healed.
She lets them have their moment, taking a step back.
She holds back a chuckle as Frontera discusses Sir Asrahan's construction uses. He really had a one track mind at times.
However, Alicia regrets giving them that moment very soon.
The Dragon starts to re-constitute.
Frontera quickly assures them of their safety.
"Wait— wait. This is mine now!" He almost yells, holding Sir Asrahan back.
Alicia feels her eye twitch.
"Yours?" She asks, voice carefully level.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Frontera quickly replies. "I'm sure you've heard of my skeleton workforce. This is similar."
"You claim to be able to control a Bone Dragon?" She pushes.
"Um— yes Your Majesty. You see, I've had some run-ins with necromantic energy, and I've seemed to been able to acclimate to it. It gives me some control over zombie-like creatures." Lloyd explains. "The Bone Dragon is a zombie-like creature, and with the show of power Javier has just shown, I was able to subdue it."
Her eye twitches again. But she sighs, and lets him do whatever he needs to. She doesn't have the mana or energy to stop him.
She takes a moment to collect herself, when Sir Asrahan approaches her.
"Are you sure you're alright?" He asks. "I can lend you some mana if you wish."
"I'm alright." She says, waving him off. "Just rather rattled." Alicia pauses, looking him up and down. He looks just as he did before, besides the glow his new mana pattern presents as. He was an unfair beauty sometimes. "You have grown."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Sir Asrahan replies.
"You are no doubt stronger than me now." Alicia continues. "Do you know what that means?"
"I'm afraid I don't, Your Majesty."
Alicia sighs.
"You and your master are such an odd pair." She runs a hand through her hair. "You could kill me right here and no one would know." She mutters.
"We would never—" Javier starts, but Frontera interrupts him, grabbing his shoulder.
"Javier! great news, we're going to hell!" He says, cheerfully.
Both Alicia and Javier look at him blankly.
"Pardon?" Sir Asrahan asks.
"Hell! Turns out that Dragon's soul is trapped in hell, and if I go and get it I can get The Dragon King's favor!" Frontera Chirps. He makes an odd sight, covered in blood but smiling brightly.
"Why am I going?" Sir Asrahan objects. "Sounds like your business."
"Our business." Frontera says, "I need you to protect me Javier!"
Sir Asrahan stays silent for a moment before heaving a deep sigh.
"Fine. When are we going?"
"Now!" Lloyd replies.
Alicia finally decides she needs to butt in before things get much farther.
"Excuse me." She grits out. "Would you two mind explaining to the Queen, what you are discussing."
Frontera blinks at her, clearly having forgotten she was there. He has the state of mind to at least look nervous about it.
"It's just as I said, Your Majesty. I spoke to the Dragon's soul, through my connection to the Bone Dragon, and he asked that I retrieve him from Hell." He says, tone growing serious.
"And you intend to do so? Leaving me here, to deal with this mess?"
"I gave him my word, Your Majesty."
"I am your Queen." Alicia hisses. "You have no place to deny me. Especially to go gain favor of some other monarch." She draws her sword again, pointing it at Lloyd.
Frontera flinches. Sir Asrahan's hand goes to his own sword.
"You seem to have forgotten the good will I showed, not killing you that night. You enchanted me." Alicia feels all the anger, all the venom from that she pushed aside after that night, coming to the surface. "And you expect me to let you run to another monarch? A Dragon at that."
Frontera holds up his hand, halting Sir Asrahan in his tracts. He places his other hand on his heart.
"Your Majesty," He begins, "I swear to you, I am not doing this to swear loyalty to the Dragon King, I was promised boons, one's that I cannot turn down. Things I'll use for your—our Kingdom."
Alicia does not lower her weapon.
"I know— I didn't— I never intended to enchant you, Your Majesty. I didn't know it would have that effect. And I swear to you, I will repay you if you allow us to do this."
"Repay me?" Alicia asks.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand that this incident will not be without it's consequences." Frontera explains, his expression grows more stony. He, at least, understands the weight of what he is saying now. "It was a weakness shown however unintentional. But if I can correct it, I could make the message even stronger than before."
"How so?" Alicia questions, grip on her sword weakening.
"I could make it seem like the Bone Dragon bows to you." Frontera proposes. "I make it seem like you slayed and tamed the beast, like you have a Bone Dragon at your disposal. And you do, by all means, you just need ask me for it's assistance."
Alicia lowers her weapon, taking deep breaths.
"You seem rather informed about politics, Lloyd Frontera." She says, after a moment. "You may be more useful than I previously thought."
Frontera sighs.
"Is that a yes?" He asks, eyes somewhat pleading.
"Regrettably, it is." She replies. "But you must understand, I cannot cover for you for long. You will return as soon as possible, to fix up this mess."
"Of course Your Majesty." Frontera says with a bow. "I am eternally grateful."
"Frontera, do not think I will forget what power you hold." Alicia tells him, before the two depart. "You must also not forget that I know. As long as you are a subject of this Kingdom you can be of use. And I will see that you are properly compensated, as long as you do not dare expend that power against my Kingdom."
Lloyd looks back at her, his brown eyes seem almost to alight as he looks at her. It's an enchanting sight.
"I understand, Your Majesty." He replies, "I fully intend to see the Magentano Kingdom thrive."
Alicia knows he means it, and something new alights in her chest.
What can that man truly do?
She couldn't even guess, his true potential seemed far off.
But, she couldn't be bothered to care all that much, she would see it with time, as long as she kept him by her side.
Now that, was a reason to keep him around, keep him happy. She could work with that.