The Meeting Of The Council

♛ ♕ ♛ ♕ ♛ ♕ ♛ ♕ ♛ ♕

“Yamada Sakuta…”

A seasoned voice, the words of a woman rained down on the podium where I stood, awaiting word from the parliamentary council. A group of dozens, faceless executioners, glared down at me from the bench where they were perched in a semi-circle.

“Today you stand trial before the Grand Parliament of Aurelia as we make a decision regarding your involvement with not only Princess Amber, but with the future of this nation as a potential ruler henceforth.” The elderly woman–who wore a lengthy black gown–tented her hands. “Do you solemnly swear that all decisions made and the information provided by this council will be accepted without any undue complaint on your part, Mister Yamada?”

“I swear.” I agreed, trying to appear as composed as possible. I only hoped they couldn’t see the sweat forming on my brow.

“I am Councilwoman Hakama, and I will be the moderator for these proceedings.” The woman clapped her hands together. “Let’s begin!”

How did I get in this situation, you might ask? It all started after Poppy broke the news...

THE NIGHT BEFORE…

“I do apologize for the summons, Sakuta Dear.” Queen Veranda sat on her throne, giving me a sympathetic look. “We were just wrapping up Amber’s birthday festivities when we caught wind of the situation ourselves.”

“It’s not your fault, your majesty.” Poppy, who stood next to her, assured her queen.

Those of us in the throne room totaled four in all, not including the two guards at the entrance. Queen Veranda, Princess Amber, Poppy, and I engaged in the discussion. Jewel had been dismissed on account of being a low-ranking servant, but she was smart enough to understand what was going on from what little she heard already.

“I’m just a bit confused.” I rubbed my chin. “Why would the Duke summon me of all people to meet in front of the council? Am I in some sort of trouble?”

The way Poppy phrased it made it seem like I was. That surely couldn’t be it, right?

“I can’t see that being the case,” Amber said. “My gut says that it’s just one of his petty schemes at work. If you actually did something wrong, we’d be the first to tell you.”

“Good point,” I said. “But he’s tried something like this before?”

“You could say that…” Amber muttered. “He once brought my father in front of the council, directly following my mother’s Engagement Ball under similar pretenses.”

Amber’s father? I wonder why he would do a thing like that.

“I appraised Marlon’s intentions, but he didn’t appear to be openly hostile towards you.” Queen Veranda explained. “If anything, The Duke was impressed by your heroism during our rescue. However…”

“However?”

“Cedrick’s loose lips had some pretty annoying consequences.” Amber said.

“Duke Cleishay and the rest of his faction took great exception to the fact that you’re from Earth, which they learned from Cedrick.” Queen Veranda sighed. “I mentioned that most everyone had bought the Phantom ordeal as a performance act, but those of us who were kidnapped know the truth.”

“So, in connecting the dots, they went as far as claiming that the Phantom appearing was your fault! Can you believe that!?” Poppy added.

“Actually,” I looked down. “I have something to admit on that note...”

“Eh?” Everyone looked surprised at that sudden revelation, Amber most of all. “What do you mean, Sakuta?”

“The truth is…” I clenched my fist. “It’s…”

Queen Veranda put her hand up before I could say anything further.

“If you’re about to utter something preposterous like ‘It’s all my fault for the Phantom’s appearance.’, then you should reconsider that silly notion at once.” The Queen wore a stern look on her face. “I heard a bit when you confronted him with Jewel, even in the state I was in.”

“You did!?” I exclaimed. “Then, in that case… you probably know the only reason he showed up here was because of–”

“Whether or not the man, or whatever he might be, were drawn to the ball because of your abilities is not what’s important.” Queen Veranda smiled warmly. “Does one blame flame for attracting a Flutter Fly?”

Huh?

“What Mother is trying to say is that a power like yours will attract some attention, it’s just inevitable.” Amber echoed her sentiments. “But what’s important is that those very same abilities rescued everyone in the castle, me included. You’re… our hero, Sakuta.”

My face blushed red upon hearing those words of praise when I was prepared to be blamed for the whole ordeal. I guessed they really did trust me, despite my many flaws.

If Jewel were here she’d say she told me so…

“I bet Cedrick’s just happy to hear that the eyes aren’t on his back at the moment.” Poppy scoffed. “Damn elf better keep his nose clean, or I’ll kick his frilly ass back to the forest he crawled out of.”

“Poppy…” Queen Veranda flashed an exasperated smile towards her head maid.

“Right… My apologies, your majesty.” Poppy nodded, understanding the meaning of the look she was given. “He just gets on my nerves…”

“Speaking of Cedrick, why isn’t he here now?” I asked. “I thought he’d be at least a little concerned as my direct supervisor.”

“Cedrick is currently organizing efforts to increase castle security, and has contracted some mage adepts to maintain a defensive barrier around the complex.” Queen Veranda said. “He seemed oddly motivated following his return, and expressed a desire to improve upon himself following the fiasco at the ball.”

“Makes sense…” I muttered, remembering how it all went down. “I guess that’s a good thing.”

Some extra security sure couldn’t hurt, but I feel like it’s been one incident after another since I’ve been here. First the pirate attack, and then the Phantom invasion on top of it.

Had it always been this chaotic before I arrived, or were the circumstances actively getting worse? That was a question I found myself pondering lately.

“Cedrick’s efforts are much appreciated, but I do wonder sometimes if he’s working himself too hard…”

“You should really be asking yourself that question, mother. Not that pompous ass, Cedrick.” Amber insisted. “But we’ve gotten way off track. Back to the real reason why we’re here…”

“Me…” I sighed, exasperated.

“What Duke Marlon Cleishay has proposed is for you to stand in front of the Parliamentary Council, an important group of wise men and women, and have them decide on the validity of your engagement through varying means.” Queen Veranda said. “Namely, the Challenge of Proving.”

Challenge…? As in some sort of quest?

“That can entail anything from a friendly competition to a full-scale duel, it depends entirely on their ruling.”

“Anyone in Aurelia can issue a challenge and bring someone in front of the council for any reason whatsoever,” Amber interjected. “Disputes over inheritance, petty disagreements, or a right to the throne in your case. The council allows for it all to be decided by a challenge of their own choosing.”

This all felt more like kabuki theater to me than some sort of punishment, as I had originally thought it would be. I had my remaining apprehensions, stemming mostly from the mystery of it all. This monarchy continued to show how unique it was at the most inconvenient times.

“And this is all because I’m from a different world? What does challenging me to a game of… wiffle ball or something prove?” I crossed my arms. “Excuse me if this is being rude, but can’t you just… overrule the council, your majesty? The Queen’s word is final, right?”

“Yes… but also no.” Queen Veranda replied, contemplating how best to phrase it. “At least not where Marlon is concerned.”

“The Duke’s faction has gained quite a bit of power in recent years, and the council acts as an independent body between our two sides. Her Majesty’s, and the Duke’s.” Poppy said. “The idea of competing may seem ridiculous to an outsider, but these friendly challenges are often issued across the aisle and preserve peace in their own way.”

“They’re even issued between regular citizens provided they have the coin to pay the council for their time.” Amber added.

“So in other words, I don’t have much of a choice.” I accepted my fate. “But how worried should I be? They won’t make me wrestle a bear or something, will they?”

“You can leave the worrying to us, Sakuta.” Amber flicked my cowlick. “The council understands what you’ve done for the royal family. I expect they’ll be pretty lenient, no matter what the Duke suggests.”

“If you say so, then… maybe I’ve got nothing to worry about.” I nodded.

“We’ll be in attendance to witness the council’s decision, and support you in any way we can.” Poppy flashed a toothy grin.

“Let us practice some responses to questions you may be asked.” Queen Veranda said. “If you’re going to be a dutiful king, political theater is unfortunately going to be a large part of your day-to-day responsibilities.”

Amber shot me a look of exasperation as if to say: “You see what I deal with?”

For the next several minutes, we went over how things could unfold and the best way to handle certain provocations if they became a topic of debate.

In the end, despite the extra repetitions, I didn’t get more than two hours of sleep that whole night because of how anxious I was. Because I was about to enter an arena in which I couldn’t have been less experienced in.

12.2

The event was well underway as the introductions had been handled, and my opponent and I were informed on how the council meeting would work.

“As you are the challenger in this case, Duke Marlon Cleishay, please state the reason for this summons to start things off.” Councilwoman Hakama continued the proceedings.

“Yes, councilwoman.” It was the man of the hour who spoke from the opposite podium, rubbing his goatee as he studied my face. “Yamada Sakuta, your status as an outsider to this world has left certain… doubts as to whether you can succeed in the role of Princess Amber’s betrothed. Even ignoring that you’re a mere butler, and have no political or military accomplishments.”

His sharp blue eyes and blonde hair were awfully familiar-looking. There was no doubt that this man was Charles’ father—and the Duke of Aurelia—Marlon Cleishay.

“Quite frankly, it perturbs me that Her Majesty would even endorse an interloper such as yourself for the position.” The Duke turned his nose up at me. “Your presence is a danger to this country's interests, and you should leave of your own volition. That is my opinion.”

A little harsh if you ask me, but it sounds exactly like what Charles suggested. Without the bribe to sweeten the deal.

The councilwoman shook her head lightly.

“Duke Cleishay, please allow the council as a whole to pass proper judgment without any unnecessary comments.” Councilwoman Hakama said. “The conditions for failure can be determined after the challenge is chosen. Understood?”

“Apologies, councilwoman.” Duke Cleishay smiled.

“Yamada Sakuta, do you agree with the Duke’s insinuation that your potential rule would bring suffering to the people of Aurelia and that you do not have their best interests in mind?” Councilwoman Hakama asked. “If not, please explain why.”

Why… huh? Here I go, I guess.

“I do not agree, your honor.” I declared, glancing up at the royal family and Poppy who sat in the gallery above.

“Just like we practiced.” Amber mouthed. I nodded with an exhale.

“For starters, Duke.” I began. “While it’s true that my accomplishments in this world don’t number very many. In fact, it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that I’m pretty insufficient in a lot of areas around combat and politics.”

“You need not state the obvious, Yamada Sakuta.” Duke Cleishay smirked. “But you had a caveat to this self-deprecation, I presume?”

“Yes.” I cleared my throat. “I believe my actions aboard Aurelia’s Tear, and in the ballroom during the events of the Engagement Ball are proof that I have only the best interests of my fiancée, Amber, at heart. And everyone she holds dear.”

“I know many in attendance that lauded your bravery, Mister Yamada.” Councilwoman Hakama nodded in agreement. “Her Majesty, Queen Veranda, was among your most vocal supporters. She described the way you put your life at risk on multiple occasions to save her life. The second of which included facing down an insurmountably powerful mage.”

“It flatters me that her highness would praise me so openly, but the Phantom withdrew on his own,” I admitted. “I’m just happy everyone was alright in the end.”

There was an impressed murmur amongst the council members at my words of humility, though it was partly the act we had walked through the night before. Even so, it was easy to say out loud since they were my honest feelings on the subject.

Everything is going pretty smoothly thus far, almost too smoothly…

I knew not to get too comfortable, but my nerves from before had slowly started to dissipate. Although the Duke wasn’t simply going to lay down because I had one decent answer prepared.

No, this was a war to determine the extremity of the challenge I would be tasked with following the council’s ruling. It was also possible that one wrong move could turn me into some sort of pariah. I wanted to avoid that scenario, of course, however…

“Councilwoman, if I may…” Duke Cleishay cut in. “Yamada Sakuta here describes the mage, Phantom, leaving of his own accord. That much I can confirm as fact, but how do we know that this boy didn’t invite the villain to the ball himself?”

“Huh?” I flipped my gaze to the man, bemused by his statement.

“That is quite the claim.” Councilwoman Hakama raised an eyebrow. “And what reason would Mister Sakuta, a mere butler as you described him, have for putting Princess Amber and her family at risk during such an important event in her young life?”

“Guessing his motivations would be mere conjecture. I do not have the intention abilities of Queen Veranda. What I do have, however, is evidence indicating the Phantom was led here by Yamada Sakuta.” A wicked smile flashed across the man’s face. “Do I have permission from the council to share what I’ve collected?”

Evidence? What is that supposed to mean?

The councilwoman looked mildly intrigued as she thought it over, her eyes panning between the two of us at our podiums.

“Permission granted.”

Duke Cleishay snapped his fingers, taking us off-script for the first time that morning. A servant of the Duke’s was led in through the doors of the council room by a few of the Queen’s guards, and he got on one knee ceremoniously to present something to Duke Cleishay.

“The evidence lies in this.” The Duke lifted the item for all to see. It was a collapsible hand mirror. It began to emit smoke when opened, and I was suddenly reminded of a similar sight from before the ball.

Wait a minute, isn’t that the same kind of communication device Cedrick had?

I wondered how common they could be if both of them had one.

“A crystalite? This is getting ridiculous…”

“Shh, Sissy!”

I could hear Amber’s voice from the gallery as Mavis tried to get her to lower her tone. It drew the attention of Duke Cleishay, and only bolstered the smug look on his face. It was clear where his son got the trademark smirk from.

Meanwhile, the room stirred with the possibility that I could be in cahoots with such a figure as Phantom. I was right back to the nervous wreck I was before we began. No matter how much I wiped the sweat from my hands, it just wouldn’t stop.

“Behold, from the mouth of our very own Queen herself.”

A projection of Queen Veranda appeared in the smoke emanating from the mirror. She was speaking to someone, and I recognized it to be the very conversation we were having the night before.

“Whether or not the man, or whatever he might be, were drawn to the ball because of your abilities is not what’s important. Does one blame flame for attracting a Flutter Fly?”

“Huh!?” Amber exclaimed. “How the hell did you–!?”

“Your majesty, with respect, please reign in your daughter’s outbursts.” Councilwoman Hakama warned. “This is her first infraction, but further disruptions may result in removal from the council room.”

“Tch!” Amber clammed up at that quick word from the moderator, but I’m sure she wanted to have a word or two more with Duke Cleishay.

I couldn’t exactly blame her given what we just saw, however…

For them to have gotten recorded evidence of our meeting. Was someone secretly logging it? Either of the two guards maybe?

It didn't make total sense to me yet, but it was an unfortunate development all the same.

“There you have it.” The Duke shrugged. “You were working hand-in-hand with the Phantom to ingratiate yourself further with the royal family, or perhaps a dress rehearsal for future attacks.”

“Wha–!”

I felt the need to speak up as the defending party before the pendulum swung too far outside my favor.

“That ‘evidence’ of yours doesn’t prove anything!” I insisted. “I’ve said it before, I would never do anything to put the people here in danger.”

“Can you really stand there and claim that after what Queen Veranda all but admitted to herself?” The man had me backed into a corner.

“Phantom was drawn here because of my power, sure, but we weren’t working together. That’s ridiculous! I was just–he was…”

The councilwoman looked at me in surprise, and I suddenly realized that I had played right into the man’s hands.

Damn it…

By directing my attention to whether or not I had been conspiring with Phantom, he got me to admit that my power acted as a homing beacon, bringing danger to the castle by circumstance. Which–could be equally as damning when considering his overall case against me. In my desperation, I had only strengthened my opponent's position.

I didn’t dare look up at the gallery for fear that I had disappointed the very people who had tried to help me prepare the night before. The hits kept coming…

“I also have it on good authority that her majesty downplayed the significance of the Phantom invasion, and even stooped to bribing foreign emissaries into silence.” Duke Cleishay once again directed his gaze to the royal family. “Or is that false, Your Highness?”

The room erupted into spirited debate as I began to feel personally responsible for Queen Veranda being dragged under the bus. Was that the man’s plan all along? To paint his political rival in a negative light using me and this meeting as a proxy? There was no way to determine that yet, but…

This is getting bad.

“Order! Order in the council room!” Councilwoman Hakama tried to settle everyone down. “Duke Cleishay, I believe I warned you about derailing the discussion with unnecessary comments. This is your final warning before Mister Yamada is absolved by default.”

So this was the political arena.

“We will take a short recess, and return with the council’s final decision.” The councilwoman said. “You are all dismissed.”

12.3

“They’re eating you alive in there!” Poppy stated the obvious as I came walking out of the council room, shoulders slumped. “Haven’t you ever heard the phrase: ‘Whoever wishes to keep a secret must hide the fact that they possess one.’ before?”

“Was the person who said that bright?” I whined. "Because I’m not."

“I’m sorry, me neither...” Poppy rubbed the back of her neck. “But Her Majesty and Amber should be out shortly; they're discussing something with Councilwoman Hakama.”

“It’s okay, I know this is the kind of thing I signed up for.” I sighed. “ But to think I would bomb that badly in front of the council. At this rate they’ll have me walk to the demon capital naked, and challenge the Empress to a fist fight.”

“That would sure be something to witness…” Poppy nodded. “Hm, hm. Yeah, I’m hoping for that one.”

“Poppy, this is serious!” I waved my arms.

“Then you’d best prepare to get serious as well, Yamada Sakuta.”

I heard a familiar voice as the last person I expected to see round the corner, stopped in front of Poppy and me.

“Charles.” I took a small break from feeling sorry for myself to look up at the man.

I didn’t even have the confidence to produce a snarky reply, but I was curious what he wanted with the very person his father was just grilling over an open flame.

“Count Cleishay, what a welcome surprise.” Poppy’s greeting oozed sarcasm.

“Charmed.” The Count replied.

I thought back to the warning he extended, and how things were playing out now. Something told me that it would have been too late to take the money and run, even if I had wanted to heed his advice at that moment.

“That was a fairly pathetic display. If you weren’t already aware, Yamada Sakuta. I saw it all unfold from the opposite gallery.” Charles scoffed. “You’ll never hope to best my father with that look of dejection plastered all over your face, and this is only the opening act. Hardly as interesting as I was hoping for it to be.”

“Listen, man.” I let my frustration show. “I couldn’t care less if this is entertaining for you or not. All I know is that I’d better turn things around or it isn’t just going to be me who gets embarrassed here...”

That’s right. Whether or not the Duke was really after me or somebody else, Queen Veranda endorsed Yamada Sakuta personally as a suitor for Amber’s hand. Now her daughter was my fiancée-in-name-only. Losing face here would bring shame upon the royal family, and would probably hinder my efforts to get back home to my own.

“Then you understand the true stakes.” Count Cleishay agreed. “The council is preparing your fate as we speak, and I believe your entourage is asking them for leniency. My father and I will be returning to our mansion to attend to another matter.”

“Another… You mean, he’s not gonna stick around to see the results after all that!?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “That’s how little he thinks of me as an opponent, huh?”

“Don’t lose face now, Yamada Sakuta.” Charles brushed past us. “From this point forward we will be opponents in the truest sense. I do not want my image of the hero of the Engagement Ball ruined by political incompetence. Farewell.”

With that scathing assessment, the young man disappeared as quickly as he had descended upon the two of us.

“He sure knows how to walk around like he’s the most important person in the room.” Poppy crossed her arms. “But I can’t exactly disagree with what he was saying.”

“Same here,” I noted begrudgingly. “I’m not going to let something like this happen again from lack of preparedness. This is the last time I get dog-walked by that bastard, Duke Cleishay.”

Amber finally emerged from her meeting with the councilwoman. The discussion over leniency must not have yielded the kind of results they were after, judging by the look on her face. Though I was ready at this point to do whatever was asked of me, I still appreciated the gesture.

“They’re ready for you in the council room,” Amber said, walking up. “My mother is going to meet with the captain of the guard to discuss the information leakage and find the source. Sorry if we made things more difficult for you, and after I said to leave the worrying to us…”

The normally confident Amber looked strangely deflated, and it tugged on my heartstrings for some reason. I wasn’t used to having to be the galvanizing presence for others, but I knew that’s what I needed to do in this case.

“It’s alright.” I placed my hand on her shoulder, smiling as I did. “You all set me up for success, and I bumbled it away by revealing my hand. I’ll just have to make it up in this ‘Challenge of Proving' thing. Whatever it might be.”

“Does that mean you’re ready to go back in?” Amber’s melancholy faded, giving way to her normal sharp look. I had eased her guilt for at least the moment.

“I’m ready.”

...............................

“Yamada-Sakuta, the council has come to a decision regarding the challenge you will receive.” Councilwoman Hakama looked almost apologetic as she addressed me at the podium. “Are you prepared to accept our unbiased decision on the matter?”

“I am, Councilwoman.” I nodded. “I’ll do anything you ask if it would prove my devotion to Amber and this country’s interests.”

“Very good. Then without further delay,” she unrolled a scroll handed to her by the scribe beside her. “The challenge you will be undertaking is…”

I gulped. If there were some sort of drumroll, this is where it would happen.

“The Northwind Triathlon!”

“Eh?”

The gallery on both sides erupted into confusion. The old-timers on the bench looked especially proud of themselves for having come to this decision, but I might have been the only person in the entire room who had no clue what it meant in the slightest. Though I had an obvious observation.

Northwind triathlon… That very clearly describes three separate events, not just one.

“On the day of the upcoming Summer Solstice, the annual Northwind Triathlon will be held in the coastal city of the same name.” Councilwoman Hakama announced. “You, Mister Yamada, will be competing against dozens of others in three timeless events for the prestigious title of the Northwind Champion.”

“So what does that mean… exactly?” I was bewildered.

“The council has determined that your heart contains no malice in speaking to you. Queen Veranda’s magic confirms as much, however…” The Councilwoman pondered for a moment. “King Raymond was a warrior amongst warriors, but even with your power, you are far too weak to lead the Kingdom of Aurelia into the next era. And dangers may follow as the Engagement Ball proved...”

“I understand…” I nodded solemnly.

“And so,” Councilwoman Hakama continued. “We thought, how better to test your mettle than by issuing the exact same challenge that we did to the previous king.”

Does that mean Amber’s father participated in this triathlon too?

“I never did ask, but why was King Raymond called in front of the council like this? I know it’s because I’m from a different world.” I noted. “But that wasn't the case with him, I can imagine.”

“I am not at liberty to discuss King Raymond’s affairs with you without approval from Her Majesty first, please understand.” Councilwoman Hakama bowed in apology.

“Right…” Even though it was rather odd, I agreed. I resisted the urge to look over at Amber who probably knew the finer details, but it was a question for another time.

“As for the event, it will encompass three competitions that contribute to a total score for each contestant.” The councilwoman explained. “You will receive a scroll with greater detail of the individual events and their rules, but for now… the three events will be: Fiolnir’s Fencing Tournament, North Ocean Swimming Course, and The Great Dragon Race.”

Fencing, and the great dra–!

“Dragon race!?” I exclaimed. “As in, flying dragons??”

“That is correct.”

I had a little bit of practice with a sword during some of my non-work hours in the castle, but nothing gave me confidence that I could win a tournament against experienced fighters. The middle of the pack was my aim. Swimming was my bread and butter, no problems there.

But flying… My fear of heights would be put to a brand new test.

“You do not have to win the entire Northwind Triathlon to pass judgment, but be warned, Mister Yamada.” Councilwoman Hakama said. “The triathlon includes another important condition that you should be well aware of before this meeting is adjourned.”

“Another condition?” I wondered out loud.