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Alicia really expects them to take much longer.
She's really only begun— by her standards, that is— to clean up the mess that was the Bone Dragon's… interruption.
That was, of course, the official statements stop most blatant rumors and mutterings.
But Alicia knows better than to think that will fix everything.
Frontera's plan isn't terrible. But she needs them to be back before she can really start planning out all the details, needs confirmation.
So, it's actually quite convenient that it takes them only a matter of days to return.
One of her attendants tells her and she hardly believes it.
But here they are, in her office.
Both of them look slightly worse for ware, Sir Asrahan's signature tailcoat is slightly singed among other such signs state of disarray.
"Well. That was quick." She voices, once she's allowed them to stand properly.
"It was… significantly longer for us, your majesty." Frontera tells her, with a slight grimace. "Although I am very glad that we were able to return quickly— your majesty." He adds.
He must really be exhausted. If his rather open expression was any indication.
Alicia brings a hand up to her face and pinches the bridge of her nose.
"I had figured as much." She replies. "How long exactly was it?" She asks, because she was sometimes too curious for her own good.
"A few months, your majesty." Frontera answers. "And I assure you we got back here as soon as possible."
"Good." Alicia says. "But I will be sure to keep in mind that you have just come back from a long project." She adds, resisting the urge to scoff at Frontera's surprised expression. "As it is, your arrival means I can move up my plans. Unless you were joking about fixing this?"
"Of course not, your majesty." Frontera answers quickly. He looks like he wants to say something else, but holds whatever it is back.
"But?" Alicia surmises.
"It's nothing your majesty."
"Frontera." Alicia intones, pushing past said man's avoidant gaze. "If you know something relevant I expect you to inform me, regardless of if I will like it or not."
She hit the nail on the head, if she had to guess, by his slight jump.
"Well— it really is unimportant your majesty. It's just that we will most likely have to hold off on releasing the dragon's soul until later then. Given we will likely have to find the Dragon King directly after that." Frontera informs her. "Which is fine, most likely. He's been waiting for so long I doubt a small while will matter."
Alicia nods.
"Good." She repeats. "If that proves to not be true, please do inform me so I can cover for any… impromptu absence."
Once again, Frontera looks utterly surprised that she would show him any mercy.
"I am a woman of my word, Frontera. I told you you could pursue this, and I will not unreasonably prevent you from doing so." Alicia tells him, with a sigh.
Frontera still looks unsure, but refrains from further comments so Alicia lets the subject drop.
"Now that we've discussed that." Alicia says, finding the relevant papers on her desk. "We should go over what exactly fixing this means."
"Of course your majesty."
"I am inclined to agree with the idea you proposed at the battle scene. The best way to assure people we have recovered from the attack is to show the culprit at heel." Alicia explains. "it has to be soon, given most of the attendees will have to return to their homes given enough time." She continues. "The soonest I can pull everything together is three weeks. So if you must do something please try and be timely about it."
Frontera nods.
"Absolutely, your majesty."
Alicia knew he could speak much more eloquently than that. She mourned it slightly, because he would clearly be refraining from doing so here.
"Additionally," Alicia continues, dismissing whatever train of thought that may have been. "As I'm sure you've surmised, this presentation will not be the end of it. You will be keeping the Bone Dragon, and that is not something I can do lightly. Do you know where I am going with this?" She asks.
It's an obvious test, but a good one regardless.
"I would not want to presume, your majesty." Frontera replies.
"Would not want to presume or would be displeased?" Alicia prods.
Frontera glances to the side.
"Someone such as me could never stand to judge the decisions someone such as yourself may or may not make." Is his answer.
Alicia fails to hold back a scoff.
"You have not answered me properly, which you will do now." Alicia intones, because while this was amusing, they did have things they needed to do.
"Of course, your majesty." Frontera mumbles, with an almost grimace.
Truly must have been an experience in hell.
She should see they are not bothered for a day or two.
"Please forgive me if I am being presumptuous, but you plan to bestow me with a title, your majesty?" Frontera finally answers, even though it comes out more like another question.
Alicia nods.
"Astute as always." She agrees.
Frontera and his knight begin to look uneasy.
"Forgive me again your majesty, but just as before, I really do—"
Alicia holds up her hand.
"I am not giving you a noble title Frontera, I am not a fool. There are other titles one can be given." She interjects. "I am starting to get a little hurt." Alicia adds, soft enough that it could be considered an aside and therefore rude to comment on, but loud enough that she is rather sure he can hear.
The slight widening of his eyes confirm so.
"Thank you for your continued generosity, your majesty." Frontera replies, a little stunned.
"You are well worth it, Frontera." Alicia comments. "The title will be enough of an excuse to lend you an asset such as the bone dragon, and to cement your place here. In case of any more… incidents."
"I assure you we will try to keep those to a minimum." Frontera tells her. "Your majesty." He tacks on.
Alicia feels the corner of her lips quirk up.
He was a fun one, when her mind wasn't trying to play tricks on her.
She looks slightly to the side, at his knight standing right behind him as always.
He seems to notice her gaze, which is impressive given his own has been locked on Frontera since his greeting to her.
Javier Asrahan was an… interesting character, Alicia was beginning to find out from their few real interactions.
It was clear Frontera held him in high esteem. She would likely be seeing more of him if she was seeing more of Frontera, which was of course the plan.
Alicia gives him a polite nod that the knight returns.
"Well, unless you have some other sort of devastating news, I do believe we are done here for now." Alicia remarks, a little reluctantly. She really did have lots of work to do, and now a proper deadline to do it.
"Of course your majesty." Frontera repeats, bowing again. He falters for a moment. "If there is anything we can assist you on…" He trails off.
Something stirs in Alicia's chest, as she regards the man in front of her.
He's not meeting her eyes, even if she's sure he knows that's impolite, but she can see why in their honest gaze. He's afraid of looking at her like that. Honesty, was clearly slightly foreign to the man.
It was a good look on him.
While Alicia would admit, in the privacy of her own mind, that she found some of the faces he made amusing, but this one was dare she say— appealing.
She really never did run out of things to find out about this man.
"I shall keep that in mind." Alicia tells him, hoping her smile isn't too pointed.
Frontera avoids her gaze anyway, as he and Sir Asrahan exit.
Alicia allows herself a moment to sit back in her chair once they do.
"I'm actually quite looking forward to this party." She mutters to herself before she gets back to work.
~
Alicia would not say event planning and the like are or ever will be her favorite part of her role as a monarch. But they certainly had their moments.
Walking through the crowd, all muttering about one thing or another, usually pertaining to her and what kind of show she plans on putting on is strangely satisfying.
Because she was putting on a show, a damn good one too.
There would have likely been some other grand way to recover the lost reputation without… Yong Yong as Frontera calls it. Alicia had begun to form the plans before Frontera and Sir Asrahan had returned, just in case. But none of that would be necessary.
She would be able to recover her reputation and gain much, much more after tonight.
And she would have Frontera even more firmly in her grasp.
A few months was enough down time for him right? Then she could drag him back here to fix up her palace.
One thing at a time, she supposed.
Alicia persisted through the pleasantries laced with condensation with the comfort that all these people would be running over themselves to get back on her good side before the night was over.
She could probably squeeze out a few more than favorable deals out of it, not probably actually, it would likely be very easy. A Bone Dragon was a big deal, she reminded herself.
And she was dismissing it almost. That showed a confidence in her power that would no doubt have them shaking in their boots.
Alicia hides her smile behind her glass as another noble tries to insist their upmost loyalty despite the hardships as of late.
She responds politely, noting their robust trade line in her head just in case, and looks around again.
It's not hard to spot who she's looking for.
Or well, it's not hard to spot his knight, whose silver hair shines in the moonlight and draws the gaze of anyone with eyes.
Frontera is, always just in front of him, and is by extension not hard to spot either.
He's doing his own networking, it appears.
Even without widespread announcements, it's clear that the man played a role in the incident, and people are clearly probing him for what exactly that means.
Alicia doubts they are doing so with any real success, as slippery as the man was.
For all that his knight seemed to be occasionally mistaken for the noble, Frontera seemed to be made for the role.
No wonder he was still flooded with proposals.
Alicia finds herself frowning at the thought.
She turns her attention back to her own conversation, reentering flawlessly with another smile.
Just a little bit longer until the main event.
~
There is very little doubt in Alicia's stride as she steps up to her platform.
She lays a hand on the sword on her hip and turns to address the crowd.
"I would once again, like to thank you all for attending. Especially after what occurred last time we gathered." She pauses, letting the few murmurs pass through. "It just shows your trust for this kingdom, and I cannot help but be thankful for that." She adds with a crooked smile. "I hope that after tonight's festivities, any and all unease may be waved away. As an apology."
Alicia turns again, facing the now empty base of what was once a statue.
One quick glance to the side, and a nod from a perfectly placed, just off to the side, Frontera quells any other unease in her chest.
The faint beat of skeletal wings a moment later cements that feeling.
The crowd is stock still as the Bone Dragon lands, right in the place it once stood as a statue.
It somehow makes an almost chirp despite having, to her knowledge, no vocal cords. But it bows its head almost immediately, so Alicia has no complaints, as she unsheathes her sword and lays the tip on its head, a show of trust on its part and power on hers.
"I would like to apologize for any unjust worry the last gathering may have caused any of you." Alicia says, half-turning to face the crowd again. "And of course, I would like to announce, as another sign of goodwill, a new asset of the Magentano House. Two new assets, actually."
The crowd finally breaks out of it's stupor as they start muttering amongst themselves.
Alicia uses the agreed upon signal and gets the Bone Dragon to sit, almost the picture of politeness despite its appearance.
She turns to the crowd properly with another glance to a slightly more reluctant looking than last time Frontera.
"First of course, we have the asset of the Bone Dragon itself. Beholden to my will." Alicia pauses again to let that settle in. "And, alongside that, " She looks over at Frontera. "an asset we already possessed, but now come to recognize." Alicia sheathes her sword. "Lloyd Frontera and his knight who were instrumental in the defeat of and acquirement of this Bone Dragon. For this selfless effort, and his previous contributions to the health of this kingdom, I am happy to solidify his place as a meritorious retainer of the House of Magentano. So that his skills can be used and seen throughout this great kingdom."
Alicia takes a glass from a carefully placed attendant and raises it.
The crowd is quick to follow suit.
Alicia allows herself a sharp smile as she looks down at the crowd.
She doesn't dare steal a glance at Frontera in this moment, in fear of what it may do to her composure.
He would hopefully not be completely displeased. There were certainly worse titles she could have given him. She considered it, at length. She hadn't been specific when they'd discussed it, so she could have given him many a title.
But Frontera was… well skittish may be the best word. Alicia found herself cautious not to scare him away.
It was, an interesting change of pace. Not terribly long ago she'd wanted the man under her thumb, lest he pull another trick.
That feeling wasn't entirely gone, there was still a part of her that could not help but be wary of a man that affected her so but—
Alicia had seen his true character, since then.
The impression of him she had before everything was not completely unfounded.
She pushes such thoughts to the side, focusing on the gathered nobles and diplomats that rush to her as quickly as can be polite, as she descends from the platform.
Alicia welcomes them with a smile.
She wasn't the most fond of planning events like this, but she did thoroughly enjoy a plan coming together.
This was something for the history books, a marked victory for the Magentano Kingdom.
Pride swells in her chest as she navigates the crowd, making sure to personally address the most problem people she'd taken note of before hand.
~
The party goes late into the night, of course.
Alicia suspects the sun is just below the horizon, ready to reappear, when the last of the nobles and diplomats leave.
Or, most of them.
She had thought maybe the man would have slipped away soon after her declaration.
But Frontera, maybe in a strange sense of responsibility for the creature none but one could defeat that was now in his care, has stayed, and is standing by said creature. His knight is just a few feet away.
As always.
Alicia makes her way to them, past the decorations and tables now being disassembled.
Frontera turns to face her once she gets near enough.
"Greetings, your majesty." He says, with another polite bow.
"Frontera." She replies.
She had walked over here with a distinct purpose in mind, but finds that faced with the man, she has completely forgotten what she had meant to say.
The silence hangs there for a long moment.
"I would like to… express my gratitude to your majesty." Frontera says, eventually. "The title is more than I deserve."
Alicia lets out a scoff.
"It is less than you could have received." She points out. "It is very rare we see a man of your skills and you humility." Alicia comments, looking up at the looming beast above them.
It tilts its head at her.
She walks around, to its front and Frontera follows her.
"I must say this is impressive." Alicia adds, motioning with a nod to the Bone Dragon. "A beast such as itself, so… docile."
Impressive was an understatement.
The man clearly had some sort of proficiency with manners of the mind, maybe even to a degree he did so unintentionally.
Alicia spares a glance at Sir Asrahan, who has stayed where he was when she'd walked up, giving them space, evidently. Even though she doubts he cannot hear them.
"Thank you, your majesty. It wasn't exactly—" Frontera cuts himself off. "It is… no trouble."
Quite skilled indeed.
Alicia reaches out a hand, and is pleasantly surprised when the creature bows it's head and allows her to lay her hand on the end of its nose.
Frontera lets out what Alicia can only assume is a light laugh.
"It seems he likes you." He comments. "Which, of course is to be expected your majesty." Frontera adds, once he realizes she's looking at him, with a frantic shake of his hands. "I did tell him to listen and be kind to you, but in addition to that it seems like he—"
Alicia finds herself giving her own version of a laugh.
He was a truly ridiculous man.
"Relax, Frontera. I know how to take a compliment." She assures him, glancing back at the Bone Dragon. "You told it— him to be kind to me?"
"Well of course your majesty. You are— you are the queen." Frontera replies, like it's obvious.
Maybe it is.
Alicia regards him again, standing next to him, in what can only be described as a merely passable piece of formal clothing she knows she's seen him in before, a stark contrast to the ever changing attire of most nobles.
He stands slightly nervously, as he regards Alicia right back. He's clearly trying to appear as non-threatening as possible, but Alicia can see a heat in his eyes that tells her he's assessing the situation.
She'd once wanted to keep him under her thumb, but she finds that would me much less entertaining that whatever this man has planned for himself.
"What did you say his name was again?" Alicia asks, even though she knows the answer.
Frontera jumps slightly.
"Yong Yong, your majesty it— it just seemed to fit." He replies.
"Well, it seems like you could learn something from Yong Yong here, Frontera." Alicia remarks, running a hand under the beast's chin before stepping away and towards Frontera. "I don't bite, you know." She tells him, leaning forward.
Frontera stands there, frozen.
"I know that, your majesty." He says, slowly. "I simply—"
Alicia holds up her hand, only a few inches from the man's face.
"While I appreciate the effort, you do not need to explain your every action. Not anymore." She interrupts.
"I would not want to offend her majesty." Frontera continues. "Harming you in any way is never my—"
Alicia cuts him off with a look, given that her hand hasn't actually let the vicinity of his face.
"I know, Frontera." She cuts him off. "Your caution is noted, and also I request that you stop. I am not a fool, I have been paying attention, Frontera. Surely you've noticed."
"Of course your majesty. As I'm sure you accounted for." Frontera replies, voice more even.
Alicia's lips quirk up.
"I did. I'll admit, I expected… something different from a man observed. That's a good thing in your case Frontera." She adds, at his slightly panicked gaze for a moment. "I consider myself a wisely merciful woman." Alicia continues, moving her hand, slowly, slightly closer to Frontera's face. "And I can say with confidence. I made the right decision with you. So—"
Alicia, struck by some fancy, places a finger under the man's chin, propping it up ever so slightly.
He has to look down at her, given their relatively equal heights in her heels, but the red that makes its wat onto his face more than makes up for it. He opens his mouth to say something, but Alicia continues.
"Stop acting like I'm going to bite your head off. I trust you, Frontera. This time I came by it honestly." She tells him.
He closes his mouth.
Alicia lets her hand fall, ignoring the warmth that lingers there.
"I wish you luck with your journey, whatever that entails." She adds, stepping away. "And I implore you to come back safe. It would be a waste of a meritorious retainer otherwise."
Frontera blinks at her for a moment.
"Thank you your majesty." He says eventually, sounding impressively composed. "I too hope that you— we can make use of the… gifts tonight. If all goes well."
He even seems to mean it.
Heat stirs in her stomach.
Good lord.
"Until next time Frontera." She gets out, with a nod before she turns on her heel and walks away.
It's terribly rude of her, and probably undermines her message a bit, but the growing heat of her face is simply too mortifying to not leave.
Alicia only slows her pace once she's far away and definitely alone.
Good lord.
Lloyd Frontera.
A man of skills Alicia had only begun to understand, with a knight more skilled than her to boot.
Truly an unfortunate man for her to develop feelings for.
However, she had not been lying when she'd said she trusted the man.
Whatever he had done to her— he truly had regretted it, and had made strides to fix it.
This… was entirely of her own free will.
That didn't make it any less unfortunate.
He was still a terribly hard man to pin down. Maybe the hardest to pin down out of all the men in her damned kingdom.
She really did like a challenge, though.
Alicia pauses in her walk back, letting herself look back for a moment, a smile making it's way onto her face.
"I suppose it would have been boring, otherwise." She says aloud, before beginning to walk again, still smiling.