Chapter 309: 309:Last preparations.
The palace grew noticeably busier as the days passed. With only a little under a week remaining until the High Elven princess’s engagement ceremony, the quiet rhythm of everyday life gradually gave way to careful preparation.
Servants hurried through the corridors carrying neatly folded garments, royal attendants reviewed travel schedules several times over, and scribes worked tirelessly to ensure every diplomatic document was complete before the royal party departed.
Unlike a military campaign, there was no urgency. Everything was measured and deliberate. A royal visit, especially one involving two allied kingdoms, reflected not only upon the individuals attending but upon the dignity of the nation itself.
Nothing could be left to chance.
Atheline stood inside his study with several sealed documents spread neatly across his desk; a royal itinerary, diplomatic protocols, lists of nobles expected to attend, and names of foreign delegations that had accepted invitations.
Even after being an attendant for most of his life and several months as king, he still found it slightly amusing how much paperwork accompanied what most people simply called "attending a ceremony."
He flipped another page.
"...Three formal receptions."
Another page.
"...Two banquets."
He sighed dramatically.
"...Five diplomatic meetings."
The study door opened. Lilith stepped inside carrying another stack of papers.
"I found something you missed."
He stared at the growing pile.
"There was more?"
"There is always more."
She placed them gently upon the desk.
"The seating arrangements."
He looked at her.
"These require official approval"
"Yes, that passed my mind. I apologise, I’ve been too busy that I forgot."
She chuckled.
"It happens to the best of us."
"Although I did try and organise the whole seating arrangement according to status, I don’t think we have much of a problem there," he searched through his files," you can triple check if you want."
She gave him a look that answered the question before she even spoke.
"Of course I trust, don’t make it sound like a don’t, I don’t like it."
Atheline shook his head," I’m not."
"I know, it’s just that I once watched two high-ranking nobles argue for three months because one believed his chair had been placed half a pace farther from the throne."
Atheline slowly lowered the document in his hands.
"...You’re joking."
"I wish I were."
He leaned back in his chair before laughing quietly.
"I suddenly understand why diplomacy exhausts you."
She smiled faintly.
"You’ll become accustomed to it."
"I think I already am."
She smiled and picked up the documents.
"Okay, I should stamp this and get it sent over to those High Elves before they throw a fit."
Atheline nodded along since he knew that would be possible.
Later that morning, the royal attendants arrived carrying several travel chests.
Unlike the hurried preparations before most diplomatic meetings, these were beautifully crafted cases reinforced with enchanted wood and lined with protective silk.
Every item had its place. There were ceremonial clothing, official seals, diplomatic gifts, medical supplies, and the new emergency communication crystals.
Even spare weapons were carefully hidden beneath false compartments. Atheline watched the attendants organize everything with remarkable efficiency.
"They’ve done this before."
"Many times," Lilith answered. "The palace staff often prepares for my diplomatic visits."
He nodded slowly.
"It shows."
One attendant carefully unfolded a magnificent black ceremonial cloak embroidered with silver thread depicting the ancient crest of the Dark Elven royal family.
Another presented a formal crown designed specifically for foreign ceremonies. It was considerably lighter than the one used during official state functions. Even so, the craftsmanship was extraordinary.
Atheline reached toward it before stopping.
"It still feels strange."
"Wearing it?"
He nodded.
"I don’t think I’ll ever completely get used to seeing something like that waiting for me."
Lilith stepped beside him.
"You aren’t meant to grow comfortable with it."
He looked at her.
"A crown should always remind its wearer of responsibility, never privilege."
He considered those words carefully.
"I’ll remember that."
"I know."
A familiar chirping sound echoed through the room, both monarchs turned. The white fox had somehow climbed into one of the open travel chests.
It had curled itself comfortably atop several neatly folded ceremonial garments as though the luggage had been prepared entirely for its benefit.
Atheline covered his face with one hand.
"... It seems you’ve chosen your seat."
The fox wagged its tail happily. Lilith folded her arms.
"It appears so."
He walked over before crouching beside the chest.
"You realize these clothes are important."
The fox blinked, acting completely innocent.
"...That wasn’t convincing."
He reached down to lift it out. The little creature immediately wrapped its paws around the edge of the chest in protest.
He laughed.
"I think she wants to come, though she was always coming."
He looked toward Lilith.
"She was, right?"
"I never intended to leave it behind."
"...Then why pretend otherwise?" A tiny smile appeared. "Because watching you negotiate with a fox was entertaining."
He stared at her for a second before shaking his head.
"I’ve become your entertainment."
She nonchalantly shrugged, "Occasionally."
The fox finally allowed itself to be lifted into his arms, where it immediately settled against his shoulder as though nothing unusual had happened.
That afternoon, the two of them visited the palace treasury since they needed to choose an appropriate engagement gift.
The Royal Treasurer bowed deeply before opening several enchanted display cases. Each contained artifacts collected over centuries. Some chests contained jewelry, ancient sculptures, masterwork weapons, rare crystals, and historical manuscripts.
Atheline quietly admired the craftsmanship before glancing toward a beautifully forged ceremonial sword.
"I still think this would make an excellent gift."
Lilith didn’t even look at it.
"No."
"What if I explained the symbolism?"
"No."
"It represents protection."
"No."
He sighed.
"I thought enough time had passed."
"It has not, now shut up and look for something else."
The Royal Treasurer wisely remained silent.
Eventually, they settled upon something entirely different. A pair of exquisitely carved moonwood sculptures depicting two ancient phoenixes facing one another. One represented renewal and the other unity.
The symbolism would be immediately understood by every noble likely to attend the ceremony.
Lilith nodded once.
"This will do."
The Treasurer carefully bowed.
"I shall have it prepared for transport."
As evening approached, the palace gradually became quieter once more. Most of the day’s preparations had been completed, reports had been signed and travel schedules finalized.
Servants began lighting crystal and the plant veins began glowing throughout the palace as the fading sunlight disappeared beyond the western horizon.
Atheline found Lilith standing alone upon one of the upper balconies overlooking the Court.
He quietly joined her.
Below them, thousands of lights slowly illuminated the city streets. The last traces of winter remained visible only where shadows still clung stubbornly to rooftops and narrow alleyways.
"It won’t be much longer," he said softly.
She nodded.
"Any day now, winter finally ends."
"And another after that, the engagement."
He rested both hands upon the stone railing.
"I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. I promise Helther that we will spar again," he glanced at her," I want to show off my improvements and the techniques you have been teaching me. I should make my teacher proud, right?"
She nodded then smiled.
"And if you fail?"
He smiled.
"My wife is more likely to punish me in any way possible. I wouldn’t mind if it happens in bed though. "
She looked toward him then rolled her eyes at his teasing.
"Tsk, pervert."
He chuckled.
"Only for you, only for you."
Silence lapsed between them before she spoke again.
"You’ve changed."
"So I’ve been told."
"I don’t mean your strength." She shook her head gently. "You carry yourself differently now. If I could word it right, I could but I can’t say how exactly."
He thought about that.
"That is true, if I compare myself with how I used to be and now, I cannot even fathom it."
"I’m sure many have already told you, but, it’s the good kind of change. "
He smiled.
"I’m relieved then."
A comfortable silence settled between them. Far below, the city continued its peaceful evening. Merchants closed their shops, families returned home and children laughed as they chased one another through streets no longer buried beneath deep snow.
It was the kind of ordinary evening every ruler hoped their people could enjoy. Lilith quietly reached for his hand and their fingers intertwined naturally.
No words were needed. After everything they had faced together, moments like these had become precious.
"I’ve been thinking," Atheline said after several minutes.
"About what?"
"When we return from the engagement..." His expression became more thoughtful. "...our preparations for the Demonic Continent truly begin."
She nodded slowly.
"The royal token should already be waiting for us."
He nodded then looked toward the horizon where the last light of day had vanished.
"...I don’t think it’ll be simple."
She followed his gaze.
"No, I don’t believe it will."
He glanced at her and opened his mouth to say something but slowly closed it. That could wait.
