Interlude 8

“King Alexander, more reports just came in about the Demon Emperor’s forces in the north-east.”

“Thank you, Prince Augustus. Put them over there please.”

“Of course. Though, your highness, you need not address me by such a title anymore,” the former second prince of the Holy Empire of Themis said. “I am nothing more than just a humble secretary now.”

“A self-proclaimed secretary, Prince Augustus,” King Alexander said back. “Your help consolidating and organising all of the information is much appreciated, though you don’t have to-”

“With all due respect, your highness, I cannot simply sit back any longer and do nothing while my sisters and brother remain under the Demon Emperor’s thumb. I might not be a warrior like Julius or a hero from another world, but there are still things that I can do to help the alliance.”

King Alexander smiled. “Indeed.”

Hector, I don’t know if you’re able to see this, but your sons are both fine young men that you’d be proud off.

***

It was not easy for Prince Julius to take back up his sword.

Months of inaction due to his captivity and his misery over Aeila’s abduction had kept him near immobile. When Yvonne, one of Aeila’s maids, brought him his trusty long sword, he’d barely had the strength to hold it up right.

A long, gruelling rehabilitation process was needed to get his physical strength and stamina back up, a process Julius was more than willing to undergo.

Chancellor Bernaught had issued the prince with a new suit of armour to replace his old, bloodied one the Demon Emperor’s messengers had dragged him into the west in, while Queen Dorothy and Princess Hiiragi lay on trainers and instructors to help the prince get his strength back.

The new suit of armour was a radiant teal colour, adorned with black and silver highlights, and a helmet modelled after the one his father used to wear. A barbute helmet with a dark blue trim, and a crown engraved into it.

Of course, Julius didn’t wear the entire suit when he trained.

For today, he wore only the pauldrons and boots; his upper body was naked as he practiced his swings and thrusts against his instructor, a tall female elf with a large shield in one hand and a short sword in the other.

Per her orders, he performed attack after attack, flourish after flourish, and she blocked each perfectly.

“That’s enough,” the elf said, lowering her arms. “Excellent work again today, your highness.”

“Thank you, Gertrude.”

Wearily, Julius stepped down from the wooden platform and collapsed into a metal chair which, much to his relief, was very cold to the touch.

Those observing, including the few remaining survivors from the Sack of Themis, were happy to see him this way, to see that the empty shell of a man they’d wept for was long gone.

Over time, Prince Julius’s physique began to return, as did the energy in his eyes.

He still did not smile at anyone besides his brother, but he had definitely started to more closely resemble the charming heir of the Holy Empire of Themis with each passing day.

“Here, Lord Julius.”

“Thank you, Yvonne.” He took the ice-cold water from the tray. “What news?”

“Nothing much, my lord. Just the same whispers and heresy about the east,” Yvonne said, wiping Julius’s back with the towel. “Everyone says the princess is still alive, but no one’s seen her since she was taken to the Dread Keep.”

“…At least we won’t have to search too hard for her.”

“…She’s strong, my lord.”

“I know. She’s my little sister, after all.”

Just wait for us, Aeila - we’ll come and get you, and Theodora and Hector if they’re both still alive.

***

“Congratulations on your pregnancy, your majesty,” Prince Hector said to Empress Lilith with a joyful smile, his eyes displaying the unnatural purple colour that Theodora had grown to despise.

“Thank you, Hector.”

“I pray that the heir grows to have your beauty whilst possessing the Demon Emperor’s immense strength.”

“Oh? Do you mean to imply that my husband is unattractive?”

Prince Hector chuckled. “Of course not, your majesty. However, I am sure his majesty would agree that you are the more beautiful between you.”

“With such natural charm, it’s amazing that you have yet to find a bride yourself.”

Of course he hasn’t, because you brainwashed him! Theodora screamed internally, all while keeping an expressionless outwards appearance.

“One day, I hope to find the right woman, but that can be done during a time of peace and to benefit the Demon Emperor. Until this war is over, it would not feel right to devote myself to anything but the success of the Demon Empire.”

“Your dedication is appreciated.”

Hector then stepped back a little, bowing to his sister slightly.

My turn, I guess.

With a well-polished smile, Theodora said, “Congratulations on your pregnancy, Empress Lilith.”

“Thank you, Theodora. Here.” The empress extended a hand to the former princess. “Would you like to feel it?”

Theodora dug her toes into her shoes.

In the empress’s bedroom, all eyes watched every movement and listened to every word, etching every single second that passed into their memory. Not just for the empress’s benefit, but for the Demon Emperor’s too.

The personal maids, the Dread Knights, the Ravens that were no doubt in hiding nearby, the spiders in the corner and no doubt more that Theodora couldn’t even begin to comprehend were watching her, judging whether or not she had acted properly before the empress.

If I do not take her hand, it will be my end.

Happily, Theodora reached out and intertwined their hands. She didn’t resist as the empress pressed her palm against her stomach, so that Theodora could feel the kick of the baby inside. She didn’t do anything more other than feel its kicks against Empress Lilith’s stomach and smile.

The empress was saying things to Theodora, but she simply absorbed it all, giving short, basic replies to everything, just enough to satisfy the empress but not enough to show how upset Theodora truly felt.

…I miss home.

Mum, dad…

Brother Julius, Brother Augustus.

Hector, poor Hector - what they did to you…

Sister Aeila - I wonder if I’ll get to see you this time.

***

Alone in her tall tower, Princess Aeila thought she would get used to her new life.

However.

…I shouldn’t have done anything.

With no one to talk to or anything to do, Aeila had been left with just her thoughts and regrets, and she had come to condemn her own actions.

What if I’d never joined hands with the Banners of Themis?

What if I’d just been submissive to the Demon Emperor?

Would Dame Chelsea still be here with me?

What will happen to me from now on?

What about Theodora?

Brother Julius, Brother Augustus - I know I said I’d wait for you, but it seems I was too impatient to see mother and father again.

Lying on her bed, her eyes dry of tears, Aeila stared up blankly at the ceiling.

“…Why did this…have to happened…to us?”

Why couldn’t it have been somewhere else?

Why did it have to be Themis that suffered so much?

I hate this place - I hate this world.

I hate you, Demon Emperor.

…Right, that’s what I can do…can I?

No, I can’t even kill him. I can’t even kill myself. Those gargoyles on the balcony would catch me long before I hit the ground.

“Why am I…even still alive?”

“I don’t remember Emperor Hector raising you to say such things, Princess Aeila.”

…I know that voice - no way!

A mixture of emotions flew through Aeila as she shot up on the bed, turning to the doors where a familiar face was standing, dressed as a knight of the Holy Empire. Her cheeks were a little sunken and she was thinner, but it was her, in the flesh, smiling at the princess.

“Chelsea!”