Chapter 199 - Apologies

Making it through the most recent attack, surviving was likely to bring concern to whoever was ordering the attacks. Surviving one surprise attack could happen by underestimating the opponent, but a second one, which happened in a location that no one would find, also held the environmental advantage for ambushers. The results weren’t pretty. If they judged Syrus to be a threat before, then they realised they had completely misjudged the extent of the threat.

Did that mean they would stop attacking the poor girl?

Likely not.

Syrus was all too ready for the attacks to continue at even a greater ferocity. The other two were not as excited about that prospect.

If they were going to keep being attacked, then there was no reason not to pull out all their connections.

[Are we sure everyone is going to be safe if we do this?] (Eva)

[They are going to be in greater trouble if we don’t.] (Luna)

Now their connections were limited, but Anlesa believed it was enough to start a counter. Though there was still some fear among them about the consequences of these actions. Such feelings couldn’t be escaped; it was the unavoidable weight of conflict that had entered into.

First, they told Havier about the recent attacks, and Lord Hall did a follow-up. Both were deeply concerned about the second attack and were ready to pull the group out of the city, but Syrus shot down that idea.

“Mary and Max will be put in more danger if you just try to eject them from the city at this point.” From the quick conversation, Anlesa understood that the two men believed the reason for the attacks was due to Mary’s status as lost royalty.

“...We do believe there are members of the government who wish for the erasure of the remaining traces of the family.”

Luna asked. “Why would that be the case? The royal family didn’t have that much power over the government; from my understanding, they were given one seat, but that is it. Outside of that, their role was usually more of a public figure, to keep people's emotions up and interact with royalty of other nations.” 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The piece known as the 'royal family' had been a powerful one for the country. For other countries that were ruled by monarchies, the fact that Eletscoep had its own granted it, in those countries' eyes, more authenticity as a country.

The Jenate Republic had been looked down upon in meetings with Cancole and the Nevald Kingdom in the past due to not having such a family. Such an attitude was usually more detrimental to Cancole and the Nevald Kingdom rather than the Jenate Republic, as it continued to lose them many opportunities.

Due to the Eletscoep royal family also having very distinct physical traits, these other royal families didn’t want to have relatives marry each other. Either as a sign of having their identity being overcome by Eletscoep royalty or a fear of the church. In the end, Eletscoep used its royal family as an important tool but also as a cornerstone to the country's history.

“Yes… But there are people who think we should abandon such ways of the past.” Lord Hall replied.

Havier grimaced. “There are also talks among citizens that if the royal family is found again, they should be given more power after what has happened. Which has made some politicians worried, which we worry has made them lean towards the groups that wish harm to Mary.”

The discussion continued, which led to Luna asking the duo about the many different members of the parliament.

The current head of parliament, Prime Minister Abe Esther, who had been in and out of the position but had been in power for most of the past thirty years, had always tried to keep the peace. There had been a few other old folk like Jane Benard and Laurence Flower, both of whom had been active for well over thirty years as well, but neither had taken the prime minister's chair.

The second bracket was the group with ten years of experience.

Despite the gap in time in office, as these were seats that were easier to change, they had all been around since the disasters. The youngest was thirty-three, so only a child during those times, and the oldest was fifty-five.

The ones Anlesa found the most notable out of these members from the reports given were Alexandra Graves, Peter Marker, and Simon Bell. These people were quite loud and shared the option of changing the parliament’s structure. From asking, it didn’t appear they were clear on how they were going to do that, which Luna determined was on purpose.

The final group was the people who were in for two years or less. There really were such big gaps between the brackets, and it made Luna curious as to what within the country’s political model caused that, but that was a question to be answered another day. Within this group, there were a couple of young people in their twenties who seemed to share the sentiment that many young people within the city shared about recovering the past in various ways.

[I’m going to forget most of those names.] (Syrus)

[I’m having trouble already…] (Eva)

[I will handle it.] (Luna)

Would they even meet some of those people? Probably not, but for Luna, it was all about being prepared. She wanted a list of everyone who could possibly be involved at a high level.

After many talks with the two gentlemen and their assistants, which included discussion of the weapons and poisons used by the attackers to possibly track when they had come from–were over. Syrus returned to her room but was soon met with a knock on the door.

Mary was standing there, and Syrus let her silent self in.

Once the door was closed.

“I am so sorry…” Mary profusely apologised. Learning about everything that had been going on had been a lot. Originally, the moment she learned Syrus had been attacked the first time, she was ready to cancel everything about the request and move everyone anyway, but she held back out of fear that something could happen to Max.

Mary believed Syrus was attacked because of the blood in her and her child’s veins. The city didn’t have royalty for thirty-plus years, and she believed there would be individuals who could see the return of nonsense to be removed.

However… in the back of her mind, Mary was happy Syrus was the one attacked and not Max. It was a thought that Anlesa herself would never criticise, but Mary still felt the cruelty in the idea. She didn’t immediately stop and leave because, for the moment, as long as Syrus was the target, perhaps something good would come.

“I appreciate the worry,” Luna spoke with a smile on her face. “But you don’t need to worry; everything I have done is because it is what I chose to do.”

“But… It is because of I—”

“I was fully aware of the dangers before you even gave your first request. So, I know you will blame yourself, but I don’t blame you for any of this.”

Mary bit her tongue. “You… are a strong woman…”

“I return the compliment; you have done well as well.”

Mary sighed. “No. I am nothing like you.” Mary knew herself. Everything she had done up to now was merely an act. Any composure, an act. She wasn’t someone brave or even deserving of the title of royalty; her siblings were far more suited for that name, but for some reason, the world was cruel and left her as the last.

Syrus smirked. Seeing the facade that Mary had up slowly shatter made her only more confident in what they said. “You are a single mother who survived in a world that persecuted people like you for being a little different. You survived thirty years in a place you were never trained or taught to explore. You were only a child yourself, and you still managed to survive. So what if you aren’t like me? If you think acting like you are in control means you are not brave, then you have missed a key detail about bravery.”

Mary's golden eyes locked on Syrus.

The words came out of her mouth and straight into Mary’s heart. “It’s not about being unafraid, it’s about moving forward despite the fear.”

“...You know, I’ve likely heard those words from a story once.”

“Probably. It’s a common thing taught to a hero.”

Mary chuckled, “I am no Hero.” Her worry was washing away.

“Royalty can be a hero, though I guess it is usually a princess giving the hero their mission."

Mary smirked. The small tears still stained her face, but joy was pushing back all the pain. “So if that is the case, are you the hero?”

“Nah, but that would be funny.”