Freya's eyes were downcast, looking deep in thought, as she walked down the opulently decorated hallway. Her mind was racing as she recollected her talk with Lucian, when she informed them about Elianna's and Nicholas' spar. She remembered how Lucian stared at her intently through the telemirror as she recited the morning's events; in fact, she didn't think he seemed that surprised at all. It made her wonder if he knew what caused this spike of power.

  Images of Elianna's and Nicholas' spar surfaced in her memories, remembering the pale white flame that enveloped Elianna's body vividly, as it wasn't the first time she had seen it. She remembered it as if it were just yesterday, when Nicholas first tried to channel, and it was with Elianna no less. The white flame had appeared that day, too, enveloping both of them. The power they displayed that day was impressive, but it also should've been impossible for their current mana core statuses.

  Freya had wondered countless times what had caused such a power spike that day, and how. And now, she had somewhat of an answer: Elianna. After seeing the training session today, she knew Elianna was the primary source of this power, but she still didn't know why, or even how she released it. Her mind lingered on Elianna, picturing her enveloped in that pale white flame. Thinking about it didn't make her afraid of Elianna or anything; instead, it made her curious. She wanted to keep a closer eye on Elianna while they were here in Gavaria, but not just because of her curiosity, but to protect her as well. Because Freya knew that if she was curious about Elianna, then others could be as well.

  Nearing the top of the staircase, Freya looked up and smiled when her eyes fell on her daughter. Celine was standing there casually, leaning against the wall, while picking at her nails. Standing beside her were her two guards, who nodded at Freya when they noticed her.

  Hearing footsteps, Celine looked up and returned her mother's smile when their gazes met, "Hey, Mom."

  "Are you still waiting on Elianna?" Freya asked, walking up to Celine and standing across from her.

  Celine nodded, "Yeah. I'm sure she will be ready soon." She looked at her mother curiously, "Why do you think Uncle William wants Nick at this meeting?"

  Freya sighed and leaned back against the wall as she ran her fingers through her hair, "I have no idea."

  "He shouldn't even make Nick go," Celine said defensively, as she crossed her arms. "Nick obviously doesn't want to deal with any of Gavaria's politics, and he is only going to be here for about three more days and a morning. Can't Uncle William leave Nicholas alone? I mean, it's just so stupid to make Nick go. He hasn't even been here for five, almost six years."

  Freya smiled at Celine's protectiveness and always loved the fact that Celine always thought of Nicholas as her little brother.

  "I agree. This is why I will be attending the meeting with Nicholas," Freya began. "Because Nicholas doesn't want to be there, and I want to look out for his interests."

  Celine nodded, looked to the side, and her brows furrowed.

  Freya tilted her head to the side, seeing her daughter's troubled expression. "What's wrong?"

  "What if..." Celine's eyes flicked up, meeting her mother's gaze. "What if this is part of a plan. What if Uncle William won't let Nicholas come back to Tri-Union City with us?"

  Freya's jaw clenched as the thought had passed through her mind as well. With conviction, Freya stated, "I won't let that happen."

  "Won't let what happen?"

  Freya and Celine looked toward the voice and saw Elianna approaching them, with her guards close behind her. She was wearing a pink floral sundress and had her hair tied back into a ponytail.

  Freya smiled, "Aw, don't you look cute!"

  Elianna returned her smile, "Thanks." She curiously tilted her head to the side, "So, what won't you let happen?"

  Freya's smile faded slightly, as she didn't want to concern Elianna with what she and Celine were talking about.

  Celine shrugged, "She won't let Nick act like an idiot during the meeting."

  Elianna chuckled, "Good luck with that, he can be a doofus sometimes."

  Celine laughed and nodded, "Agreed." She pushed herself off the wall and smiled, "Are you ready?"

  Elianna nodded, "Yeah."

  "Cool," Celine said, and began to make her way to the stairs. "Let's go." Celine looked at her mom and waved, "Bye, Mom, see you later."

  Elianna smiled and waved at Freya while following Celine, "Bye, Mrs. Argyle."

  Freya smiled and waved at them, watching as they descended the stairs, with their guards following them. "Have fun, you two."

  Freya's smile faded once they were gone, and she leaned her head back against the wall, as she was once again alone with her thoughts. But a few minutes later, Freya looked to the side at the sound of footsteps and smiled.

  Nicholas was dressed nicely in royal apparel: a white button-up shirt, a blue suit jacket with gold trim, and black pants. His hair was neatly combed to the side, and he held a simple silver coronet in his right hand.

  Freya smiled, "You've dressed nicely. And, I'm glad you remembered your headpiece."

  Nicholas sighed and raised his hand, looking at the coronet he was holding. "Yeah, well, I'm sure my father would've told me to go and get it anyway if I had decided not to bring it." He looked at his aunt and raised a brow, "Are you not going to wear a headpiece?"

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  Freya smiled, raised her hand, and took a silver tiara out of her spatial ring. "I have it here."

  Nicholas nodded, then looked to the side, "I don't want to go to this."

  Freya smiled softly and stepped up to her nephew. She gently cupped his cheek in a motherly caress, "It's only one meeting, Sweetie. And don't worry, I'll be there with you the entire time."

  Nicholas looked at her, smiled, and nodded.

  "Ready?" Freya asked.

  "As ready as I can be, I guess."

  Freya chuckled, "Good. Then let's go."

  Nicholas gave his aunt another nod and followed her down the stairs to the second floor. Once on the second floor, Nicholas and Freya walked down the hallways until they approached a set of double brown wooden doors, where several guards stood outside.

  Freya neatly put on her tiara, then looked at Nicholas, "Put on your coronet, Nicholas."

  Nicholas sighed and nodded before he placed his coronet upon his head. However, it was heavier than he remembered.

  The guards outside the door nodded and greeted Nicholas as he approached and opened the double doors for him.

  Freya and Nicholas stepped into the room, with their guards remaining outside, as they were not privy to this meeting. The doors closed behind them, and Nicholas quickly took in his surroundings.

  They had entered a medium-sized, lavishly ornate room. Dark red wooden cabinets lined the walls, filled with books and other decorative items. A smaller table was situated against the right wall between cabinets, which had empty glasses and pitchers of water on top. Standing next to the table was a young boy in casual apparel, who Nicholas assumed was the cupbearer. In the center of the room was a large, beautiful, dark red wood table with several chairs, filled with individuals.

  Nicholas looked around the table, quickly assessing who was sitting down. To Nicholas' left were three individuals. The first was a beautiful female in her early twenties with orange hair and brown eyes, adorned in an elegant dress. She seemed to have a nice smile, but there was something off about it, almost like she had a cunning side.

  The second was an older male, dressed in formal knight apparel. On his collar were four golden stars, indicating his rank as commander. He had sharp facial features, short gray hair, and light green eyes that seemed to pierce your soul when you looked into them. Nicholas recognized him as Commander Gaelin.

  The third individual was another middle-aged man, dressed in a blue and gold suit. He had almond-brown hair and onyx eyes with a tinge of red. He sat straight, with his chin high, and seemed to hold himself in high regard. Nicholas recognized him instantly as Viceroy Eadon.

  Looking to his right, Nicholas quickly looked at the other two individuals sitting across from the other three.

  The first was a middle-aged man with charcoal-colored hair and strands of gray peeking out. He was wearing a neat, dark gray suit that matched his gray eyes. Nicholas recognized him as Francis, his father's financial advisor.

  Sitting beside the man was an older female with black and tan hair and shimmering teal eyes. She had a kind smile that seemed to bring comfort, and she was dressed in Gavarian mage apparel. On her collar were two golden olive branches and a golden leaf in the center, indicating she was the Arch-Mage. Nicholas recognized her as Arch-Mage Helena.

  Finally, Nicholas' eyes settled at the end of the table, where his father was sitting. With a golden crown atop his head and dressed in lavish royal apparel, his piercing dark blue eyes settled on Nicholas.

  William stood up, and everyone at the table followed suit, looking at Nicholas and Freya.

  "Nicholas, Freya," William said, his tone neither welcoming nor unbidden. "I'm glad you made it." His eyes shifted to the clock, then back to them, "with five minutes to spare."

  Freya smiled, "Well, we would hate to keep you waiting on our account."

  William stared at his sister for a moment before he gestured to the empty chairs to his left and right, "Please, take your seats."

  Freya gave Nicholas a quick, reassuring squeeze on his shoulder before they both began to walk around the table.

  Making his way to the left, Nicholas shared a nod with the individuals he passed and finally made it to his seat, which was to the right of his father. Looking across the table, he watched as his aunt reached her seat as well, and would be seated to his father's left. They both stood behind their chairs, their hands on the backrests, and looked at William.

  William looked around the table and nodded, "Good, we are all here. Let us take our seats."

  The sound of chairs shifting sounded throughout the room as everyone took their seats.

  "First and foremost," William began, gesturing to Nicholas and Fryea, "Let us welcome back my son Nicholas and sister Freya, who have just returned from Tri-Union City."

  Helena smiled kindly at Freya, "Hello, You're Highness, I'm glad you're well." She then looked at Nicholas, "It's good to see you, Your Highness." She tilted her head slightly. "You've grown a lot since we last saw you."

  "I'd say," Gaelin stated, crossing his arms and looking down the table at Nicholas. "With that physique, one would mistake him for a knight."

  Helena's eyes snapped to Gaelin, "Mages can be in good physical shape as well."

  The beautiful woman at the end of the table rolled her eyes and sat back into her chair, "Oh, here they go again."

  Gaelin scoffed, "Not as good as knights. We're the ones who are always moving and do most of the work."

  "Oh?" Helena responded, her eyes narrowing. "Yet the knights wouldn't be able to last without the support of the mages." She smiled competitively, "So, who is really the backbone of the military?" She looked at Freya, "Wouldn't you agree, Your Highness?"

  Freya raised her hands, "I've learned to stay out of these kinds of arguments. Besides," She smiled kindly, "knights and mages both have their roles to play. They're both important in their own way."

  Gaelin and Helena shared a look, then both huffed and looked away.

  The beautiful woman at the end chuckled as she swirled the water around in her goblet. "Nice job ending the argument without answering the question." Her eyes flicked to Freya, and she smiled. "Clever. By the way, I'm Tysandra, Your Highness."

  "Hello, Tysandra," Freya said, and nodded to her. She tilted her head slightly, "We've never met. But, seeing that Olenik isn't here, I assume you're the new political adviser and liaison?"

  Tysandra nodded and took a small sip of her water. She looked at Freya, and the right corner of her luscious lips curled, "I am, Your Highness." She then looked down the table and said to Nicholas, "And it's a pleasure to meet you finally, Prince Nicholas. I've heard good things about you."

  Nicholas raised a brow, "You have?"

  Tysandra nodded, "Oh, yes." Her eyes slowly looked him up and down, and she smirked. "Though I must say, you look better than I imagined."

  Nicholas' brows raised, and a shiver ran down his spine, noticing the way Tysandra's eyes skimmed over him.

  "Don't forget that he is only fifteen," Francis pointed out, staring at Tysandra.

  Tysandra chuckled and looked at the goblet in her hand. "Almost sixteen. And, I was just giving the prince a compliment."

  "Anyway," Eadon said, shooting a quick glare at Tysandra. He looked at Nicholas, keeping his back straight, and nodded. Keeping his voice professional, he said, "It is good to see you, Prince Nicholas. I'm glad you could join us today."

  Nicholas' eyes snapped to his father, who was looking at him expectantly. Nicholas mentally sighed before looking back at Eadon. He made sure to sit straight and answered respectfully, "Thank you, Eadon. It is nice to be back, and I'm looking forward to this meeting."

  Nicholas thought that if his father wanted him to be a prince for a meeting, then fine, he would act the part.

  Tysandra's eyes flicked to Nicholas and smirked.

  Helena and Gaelin shared a quick gaze.

  Francis tilted his head slightly, eyeing Nicholas inquisitively.

  Eadon looked Nicholas up and down before he smiled, "Good to hear, Your Highness."

  Freya's eyes narrowed as she looked around the table, before looking at her brother.

  William's lips curled ever so slightly as he looked at Nicholas. Then, he looked forward and said, "Let us begin."