Dungeon Robotics 10-4

Good Morning! I hope everyone is enjoying life or at least enjoying their morning.

Chapter 4

Louella
Staring at the spot Regan had just been standing in, I sighed and got up from my desk. I had a lot to do and now I’d just given myself a month to get as much as I could settled. For now, I would work toward a ceasefire with the Lelune Theocracy. It wouldn’t solved the problem for every long, but it should hopefully last long enough for demons to start raining down on them.
I shook my head at the ridiculous thought. That’s all we needed. A war to stop the war. I guess that was just how us mortals were at times. I pushed open the door and found Wrakras waiting outside.
“Oh. Hi,” I said awkwardly. I still wasn’t used to the idea that we were courting each other. Should I just act like nothing happened or was there a degree of affection that I should give him when I saw him? I had to shake my head for an all-new reason. Not everyone could be all over each other like Regan and Alara.
“Hello, your highness. I figured you were about to take off running to get everything settled, but I would like to remind you that it is the middle of the night. Addressing the people at that time will be fairly difficult.”
I blushed and rubbed the bridge of my nose. “I guess I was getting ahead of myself.”
“That is alright. I did annoy the cook for you and brought some tasty treats that I believe you should enjoy.”
“Me or you?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. This man was a glutton on the best of days. I’d seen him put away as much food as a squad of men and still go back for dessert.
“Both?” he shoot back and I laughed.
“Fine. Come in.” I moved out of the way and let him in. Walking over to the side table, I poured us both some brandy before heading over and sitting across from him. Some people might have sat next to him for a bit more intimacy, but I wasn’t quite there yet.
“How was… guard duty?” I asked unable to think of anything else to ask.
“Quite boring. No one is brave enough to try and attack you. Not to mention your other guards have been well trained. It would take a well-trained individual to sneak in here through normal means.” Ezal, Bruce and then most recently Valamar had pulled out all of the stops to train the people of the valley. When they said a soldier of Vaihdetta was worth ten from either Lecazar or Thonaca, I believed it.
I thought about Quin and even before that to Jezes, who had taken the form of Baden to infiltrate the town. “It is the abnormal means that I am worried about,” I said taking a bite from the cake. The sweetness burst in my mouth and I had to admit it was one of the best sweets I’d had in a while.
“True enough. That’s where I come in,” Wrakras said flashing me a grin.
“I trust you,” I said close to a whisper. Something about it just made me embarrassed to admit.
He nodded and we slipped into silence as we enjoyed our treats and the presence of each other. I might be new to this, but I already quite enjoyed this ambience. I didn’t know what was in store for us, or even the world for that matter, but right now it didn’t matter.
Yawning, I glanced at the clock. It was still early, but the announcement was planned to take place in only a few short hours. I had better get up and ready for the day. I pressed down and felt a softness that didn’t match the couch or my bed. Looking over, I found Wrakras with his eyes closed sitting next to me on the couch. I closed my eyes and remembered that we had been talking well into the night when I had moved over next to him.
Nothing I could do about it now. Standing up, I quickly made my way over to the bathroom and cleaned myself up. At least we hadn’t taken that step yet. I would have to rub that in Ezal’s face next time I saw her. Who moved that fast on the first date?
Everything in order, I left the bathroom and found Wrakras stretching with a loud yawn. “Sleep well?” I asked.
“Very much so. I actually can’t remember the last time I slept.”
“Getting involved with Regan usually results in one giving up a bit of one’s self,” I said sitting down at the vanity and brushing my hair. I might be more powerful than most of the people on the continent now, but that didn’t keep my hair in place.
“A welcome trade,” Wrakras said staring off into the distance. He hid it, but I saw that he was haunted by something. Someday I would like to know, but not now. It was a bit to early into this to ask that sort of questions. Besides, I could guess since he had been a necromancer.
A knock sounded and a guard informed me that the Keeper of the Royal line and the chancellors were ready to start. The Keeper was the individual that would make the prince or princess the official leader of Thonaca. The chancellors were in control of various government capacities for the city. With me taking over, I would have to keep a stern eye on them to make sure they don’t cheat the royal family, me, or the people.
“Time to make you an Empress,” Wrakras commented moving to hold the door for me.
“Let’s hope no one is stupid to try anything during the proceedings.”
My full guard fell into step around me with Wrakras taking the rear. My back was what I worried about. I could handle my front. Since the palace had been removed and replaced by a cathedral dedicated to the Machine Father, that was where we held the conference. Regan must have been keeping tabs on everything as a large table that sat at the foot of a large throne waited for us when we entered the building.
People that were interested from the commoners sat in the pews. There was a far greater turn out than I anticipated with nearly every seat taken. Knights lined the walkway, their helmets missing showing off their inhuman heads. Robotics eyes peered at me as I walked down the aisle.
Two statues, or rather Regan’s mechs, moved once I reached the table and gestured to the throne. I nodded solemnly and took a seat with a grand motion. A little theater never hurt these things. On the left of me was the prince, who looked quite irritated but was doing his best not to show it. On the right was the princess, the poor girl was obviously shocked by the events of the last couple days, but unlike the prince appeared to be doing her best to stay in control of herself.
After that was two lines of old men and women. These were the caretakers of the city and the greater Thonaca. I could already tell that most, if not all, of them would need to be replaced at a later date. However, that wasn’t the reason for this gathering today.
I gestured to Wrakras and he stepped forward with his hands behind his back and looking every official. “People of Thonaca Kingdom! Hear my words. The Queen of Vaihdetta, savior of Lecazar. Dragon Tamer, Selected of the Machine Father, Ruler of Lightning, Conqueror of the Sun! Her Highness Louella Vaihdetta! You will hear her words!”
I blinked a few times as I processed all the titles he just called out. I knew most of them, but I wasn’t expecting to hear them here. I doubted these people would know what half of them meant in the first place. I managed to keep a straight face even though part of me wanted to laugh while another part wanted to groan.
I looked at everyone gathered then turned to the prince and princess after tuning the rest of the gathered out. “Prince Ataulf the third. Princess Viola. I shall say this only once. I have conquered your kingdom. I did so with the aim of minimal bloodshed. A greater power than me has told me of a threat that will rain from the heavens. This threat is nothing like we have ever seen, thus I have tried to end this war before it grew out of hand.”
“Lying heretic! You just wanted our…” the prince lashed out but was restrained by the older gentlemen next to him. I glanced at the princess to see if she had anything to add, but she remained calm.
“Call me what you will. That changes little. I am sitting here today, because I wanted to keep the royalty of Thonaca in their homeland. However, I am just as willing to make a change. The head and heartache will fall on your people, not me. Sir Teadilin. Please allow the prince to speak. He does not have his father to protect him anymore, neither should you.”
The older gentleman released the prince’s mouth. “Bitch! I will never listen to you!” he started laughing, and I stared at the obviously broken young man. “People of Thonaca! Rise up for your prince, no, your king! We outnumber the bitch a hundred to one! We must get justice for my father!”
“Princess Viola. Do you share your brother’s views?” I asked causing the girl to jump. She might only be nine, but as royalty, she has received the best training and teaching any child could dream of. She was not a fool.
“I… I… I do not.”
“Viola!” Prince Ataulf shouted but I swung my hand and the force sent him across the room to slam into a pillar.
“Continue,” I said as if nothing had just happened.
“History… History has made it clear. The winners write the rules. We… we lost. We have… no right to write the rules.”
“Very clever and quite accurate. I think we’ll get along just fine.” I tapped my throat and channeled some mana. “People of Thonaca. As is my will, I name Viola stewardess of Thonaca. You shall treat her as a queen in my place and follow her will.” My voice echoed out reaching every part of the city.
Princess Viola’s eyes grew wide before she looked at her brother who was positively fuming. I swore I saw steam coming out of his ears, then realized that he was actually letting out smoke. Flames danced on his palms.
“Those that threaten the queen, die,” Wrakras said placing a hand on the young man’s shoulder. He had appeared out of nowhere. I watched as shadows leeching into the man’s body and cut off his mana veins. The flames slowly died from his hands. “But let this serve as a warning.” He released the young man and walked back over.
I nodded and turned to the rest of the table. “I have no desire to control the lives of every single person in Thonaca nor do I care to rule with an iron fist. Your king brought this upon you, but everyone is free to live their lives as they wish. You may continue to worship Lelune, or you may switch to Lord Regan. Vaihdetta allows for the freedom to choose.”
“That said. Do not test us. You will not like the result,” I finished and stood before I held out a hand to Viola. “Come with me.”
As we walked down the aisle, everyone bowed their heads to us. Most whispering Queen Louella, or princess Viola. For Viola’s part, she did well keeping her head raised high and her steps strong. She may only be nine years old, but she had matured much over the last few days. This was the right choice.

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