Narrator: Leaving the library with unsettling and overly satisfied smiles, they ran into Stefan, who was bewildered by their strange expressions.
Stefan: (Watching them with a puzzled expression) Did you find what you were looking for?
Dav: (With a disgustingly happy expression) Yes, we found exactly what we needed.
Stefan: (Smiling) I'm happy for you! Would you like to have lunch with me, the King, the Queen, the heir, and my sister?
Dav: (Raising an eyebrow) With that rabid dog?
Can't we just skip it?
Stefan: (Smiling) It was the Queen’s request, not his.
Even for me, it would be difficult to refuse, let alone when Her Majesty asks.
Dav: (Calmly) If the Queen requested it, how could I refuse?
Lead the way, please.
Eleanor: (Happy) Thank you for coming.
Please, enjoy everything.
You are my precious guests as long as you remain here.
King Edmund: (Chewing, bored) Sure, whatever.
Eleanor: (Shooting him a sharp look) Not at the table.
Dav: (Looking at Arthur) Arthur, have you prepared everything?
We’ll have to leave soon, as soon as we settle a few things here.
Arthur: (Composed but satisfied) Yes, Sir!
[Dead silence as everyone eats.]
Valeria: (Thinking) This silence... I feel so uncomfortable.
Lucrezia: (Looking at Valeria, thoughtful) I feel very uncomfortable, Valeria...
Eleanor: (Folding her hands) Hero, may I ask you something?
Dav: (Offering a small smile) No need to ask, Your Majesty. Please, go ahead.
[Eleanor stands up and hugs Selene from behind while she is still eating, pulling her cheeks.]
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Eleanor: (Smiling) Little Selene wanted to ask you something, but since she’s so shy, she asked me instead.
She would like to spar with you to show you more of her abilities.
Selene: (Embarrassed) Y-Your Majesty!!
He’s not o-obligated to do that!
Eleanor: (Looking at Dav with motherly eyes) If you could take care of my Arthur and Selene during their time away, it would fill my heart with joy.
Dav: (Curious) What do you mean "during their time away"?
Selene: (Surprised) What do you mean, Your Majesty?!
Eleanor: (Hugging Selene) My dear, you have so much potential, and I want you to learn from the best.
The King agrees as well.
My little Arthur must do the same.
One day, you will be strong enough to wipe out anyone, with the help of the greatest hero of our world.
Selene: (Standing up and slamming a fist on the table) What are you saying, sister?!
I will never leave you, nor my brother, with all the dangers out there!
King Edmund: (Watching her calmly) We won’t be alone.
We also have Stefan.
He is a royal guard as well as a counselor.
I want you to follow your ideal of becoming a strong warrior.
Selene: (Clenching her fists and looking at Eleanor) That only makes me more worried, leaving you with Stefan...
That guy is so passive.
Stefan: (Raising his hand while still eating) I remind you that I’m sitting right here, you know.
Eleanor: (Holding her gently) Sele, I love it when you call me sister, and you are very important to me.
But I don’t want to clip your wings.
Follow your dream.
You deserve more... One day, when you return, no one will ever be able to bring you down with a single blow or look down on you.
[Dav, completely ignoring the "with a single blow" part, continues eating.]
Dav: (Observing the scene while chewing) This is getting interesting.
Eleanor: (Whispering to Selene) Who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy being with him.
After all, you’re about the same age.
Selene: (Blushing like a tomato) Sister, don’t say things like that!
Narrator: Selene calls Eleanor "sister" because, even though they are only sisters-in-law, she considers her as such.
Selene: (Looking at Dav) You!
Dav: (Thinking) Damn it, now she’s taking it out on me for other people’s decisions...
Selene: (Embarrassed, looking away) Do you mind if we train a little later?
Dav: (Eating calmly) No problem.
Lucrezia: (Thinking, shocked) What the hell is going on in this family?!
Stefan: (Thinking) Things are getting interesting very quickly...
[After lunch.]
Selene: (Looking at Dav) Could you follow me?
I’ll take you to my personal training hall.
Come alone.
Dav: (Nodding) Okay. (Looking at Stefan) Protect those two.
They are under your responsibility, Stefan.
I’m entrusting them to you.
Stefan: (Bowing with a smile) No problem.
Dav: (Telepathically) The same goes for you, Mattee.
Matteo: (Telepathically, irritated) Matteo, asshole!
Age: 46
Role: Queen of Britannia
Personality: Kind, gentle, selfless, wise
Eleanor Lancaster is the wife of King Edmund Lancaster III and the beloved Queen of Britannia.
Despite being surrounded by the austerity and politics of the court, she is known for her generous heart and compassionate spirit.
Kind and gentle, she treats everyone with respect, from nobles to servants, earning the affection of the people.
She dedicates her time to charity and caring for war orphans, firmly believing in justice and the nobility’s responsibility toward the less fortunate.
Eleanor is a woman of extraordinary beauty, with long light brown hair and bright blue eyes.
She wears elegant but never excessive attire, often adorned with golden details symbolizing her status.
Her demeanor is regal but never cold; she always conveys warmth and hospitality.
Adored by the people, she is seen as the "Mother of the Nation."
Deeply in love with Edmund, she is his confidante and balance in difficult decisions.
She has a special bond with Selene, her young sister-in-law, whom she considers a true sister.
Though very different, Eleanor is one of the few people Selene truly listens to.
Wise and diplomatic, she often acts as a mediator in court tensions.
She is not a warrior like her husband or sister-in-law, but she has a sharp mind and an extraordinary ability to read people.
Her presence is reassuring and charismatic, capable of calming even the most restless hearts.
She loves classical music and gardening, often spending time in the royal greenhouses.
Though she does not fight, she has studied military strategy to better understand her husband and Selene’s choices.
The people call her the "Queen of Light" for her kind soul and her ability to bring hope even in the darkest times.
END OF CHAPTER - 96