The Royal Scheme

[Norgsveldet]

OOC: Hey everyone this is an rp me and Luna have been writing for a long while now. Dealing with many dark and troublesome topics. From matters of sexual, domestic and verbal abuse happening within and done by the Blåskovian Royal Family. To issues about speciesm and other dark societal aspects of Blåskog reflecting the flaws of its general structures. I want to make clear that this is extremely dark for an rp because I cannot cover these issues without showing the clear actual consequences of them. It is a disservice to waterdown these topics. We tried our best to not be overly excessive in descriptions in an attempt to not overly break the rules. But I want to make clear we likely have stepped over some of them, as such that’s why I’m writing this beforehand. We have restrained our writing as much as possible, but in the end. It’s impossible to write about these topics without truly showing how terrible it actually is.

There are many minor other elements that are a natural result of this but I cannot reveal it without spoiling anything. If you have any questions about this rp then please reach out to either me or Luna. If you’re still interested in reading this rp after this warning then genuinely thank you, but do not read this rp if you feel like you can’t handle the content. Which no one will judge you for, I assure you. And I thank you for reading the warning.

[Norgsveldet]

15th August, 2023
Torhall Castle, Kungstad, Blåskog

(Warning; This post will reference physical and sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised, it is very dark)

Wilan looked out of his window seeing his father’s car drive away from the castle grounds and rather towards Kungstad’s airport in which the king was taking a private jet towards Jarisven. According to his father the Jarisvi High Minister had ‘begged’ them to help improve Jarisven’s international standing. To help avoid the sanctions directed towards it. Not that Blåskog was in much better position with his father’s foolish policy of invading Syrtænaszna, his father certainly lacked talent in policy making. Too much fueled with arrogance and emotion with his decisions. Further made worse by his father’s inability to stand up to the Royal Council. Way he saw it his father was too obsessed with ‘love’ making then he was in actual ruling. The Crown Prince took a sip from his wine glass as he walked away from the window. Holding the glass with his left hand while in his right was a letter, not one stamped with a special symbol from a royal or noble house. He saw it under his bedroom’s door early this morning, he had no idea who sent it. Being quite curious about the letter he had immediately opened it when he picked it up, with the envelope having a piece of paper that wrote the following:

‘Your father’s computer password is Car!88; I left his desk drawers unlocked and they will be relocked when he has returned.’

In normal circumstances it would been enough to make Wilan call his father about this, afterall it could be seen as a clear example of someone spying on them. At the very least a betrayal of trust that they gave their servants. In any normal royal family he would have tried finding out who sent this and get some answers. Lucky for whoever wrote the letter, Wilan despises his father. Which is why he is in the king’s office, to find what was so special in here that he was sent a letter about it. Sitting down behind the mahogany desk he was quick to write his father’s password. He had to put mental notes in his head about being careful not talking about easy passwords when near his father. First thing he did when getting in was to immediately click on the files, which as expected there be a lot off. Scrolling through and clicking on some of the different files it was mostly work files, transcripts and budget accounting. Though knowing his father it was less stuff he made himself and rather stuff downloaded from those who managed it for him. Though one file took the keen eye of the Prince for interest.

A file named, Special Collection.

Wilan’s lips formed as a smirk when he saw the name. This must have been the file that he got the letter for, something that must have been worse enough for a servant or anybody else to risk sending it to him. ‘Perhaps the old man has followed in the footsteps of certain politicians from Aurora.’ Wilan thought to himself jokingly as he opened the file, keeping a smirk on his face as he was close to being able to expose a dirty secret of his father. Though the smirk was not there for long, as his eyes widened for a moment. His enthusiasm was gone and instead replaced with horror at what he was looking at. Which was soon replaced with anger. As he scrolled through the hundreds of photos in the file, mostly showing one maid with bruises on her and in revealing outfits. It was a maid he knows quite well, Ny’Kuil. A nekomimi woman who was teaching his little sister Esta when she was young. He wasn’t exactly surprised about the pictures, it was far worse than he thought was happening, but nothing that he thought his father was above doing. But the extremity of it was, however. Some photos showed her tail being broken, others with more bruises than he thought she even could survive. Even worse, at least for Wilan, something which was far more a personal slight to him was the fact his father forced her to wear an white wig and clothing that was a direct replica of clothing he remembered Jørgen wearing when he and the Jarl was dating. Prior to the Jarl’s transitioning. The Crown Prince gritted his teeth seeing it, as he continued scrolling with back more crouched as he looked through all the pictures. Holding in his urge to trash the office out of anger. Though he did not have to hold in for long after his eyes landed on one photo, one of none other than his own little sister. Of Esta, in the nude.

His eyes saw red as he grabbed hold of the computer with both hands and threw it towards the other end of the room. Right at the door, crushing the expensive computer immediately. The noise immediately got attention as he heard voices from behind the door, hushed and worried ones. The Prince breathed in and out for a moment as he opened the drawers of his father’s desk, to investigate more of this sinful secret of his father’s.

The drawers initially appeared just to be papers, files and hidden bottle of wine. Though when he started to lift the files up, to look through them. He could easily tell there was a false bottom to the drawers, all of the drawers in fact. It appeared his little spy or his father didn’t set the fake panel properly, so he could open it up without much effort. First drawer smelled nearly putrid, a bloodied tie tied in a ‘leash’ like way, a series of cat collars most of which was snapped in half. The other drawer contained a first-aid kit but after opening it up it was filled with morphine, LSD and an assortment of other illegal substances. The final drawer was a plethora of ‘tools’ stained with blood and things that would fit a garage rather than an office space. Curiously, within the nightmare of a drawer that contains all the tools. A small photo of two kelf children laid, they looked young and curiously looking far too much like his father Carl for his liking.

The Crown Prince just stood there a moment, in silence. Though he may be quiet, the clear anger was in his eyes even when he tried to not show emotion. He only stared at the drawers, as he stayed quiet. His thoughts were only broken when he heard the door of the office open.

The door opens only enough to allow the familiar servant to walk in. The King’s personal maid, only one who is allowed to clean his office and other unfortunate activities. Ny’Kuil didn’t say anything, only closing the door behind her and starting to pull the computer parts into a small trash bag. It was clear she had a limp, her tail notably hanging lower to the ground with a small cast wrapping around the midpoint of the tail.

“Take the day off, Ny’Kuil.” Wilan spoke up in a cold tone as he lifted up the picture of the kelf children, carefully placing it into the pocket of his jacket. Then closing the drawers, nothing slamming it but a noticable and clear thud with each drawer that was closed. “I’ll clean up the mess.”

She gave a half-body bow towards him, briefly opening her mouth before closing again and started to open the door, only slightly so the majority of the room wouldn’t be able to be seen from the nearby servants.

The Crown Prince quietly went over to the door, putting the individual computer pieces into the trash bag. Doing so in clear silence as he thought about what he was going to do with this new information. Part of him wanted to say he was normal, in that his mind was filled with the genuine ideal of confronting his father for the sake of Ny’Kuil and Esta. But no. It was filled with rage and hatred, the disgust of what his father has been doing. It was all too damn personal, and though he was quiet and stoic from the outside. On the inside was pure rage as he could only think of one thing.

He was going to kill his own father. In the most painful way possible.

[Norgsveldet]

22nd August, 2023
Ny’Løststad, Blåskog

The prince’s car twisted and turned into a rural village outside of the capital. The village wasn’t poor but it was not wealthy by any means. It had paved roads but had old houses built in the late 50s, brick houses with old tiled roofs. The village was primarily filled with Akuanists, and their influence could be clearly seen across the village from the entrance gate to the curved roofs they love so much.

Though the crown prince was not here to inspect the village, rather here on a personal mission. He pulled aside into a small detached house with a makeshift fence that was blown away by the harsh Borean winds. The house itself was a single floor, looking rather small at least for Akuanist standards given their family structure. Red-brick chimney that was blowing black smoke, meaning someone was inside. The windows to the house had curtains nailed on the outside and were boarded up, giving very little sunlight to those indoors. The lawn was covered in a thick layer of snow, with notable small, children sized footsteps across it and one shoveled path leading out into the street.

Wilan took a careful note of everything he saw as he walked into the yard, the elven prince wearing black winter jacket and dark gray ushanka, with a white scarf hanging over his neck. Nearing the house he placed his hand on the boarded up windows, giving them a small pull to feel how tightly it was nailed down. Luckily he was wearing black leather gloves to his hands, somewhat warm. Taking a moment to just gather his thoughts he walked up towards the door, giving it two knocks. Being quiet as he waited.

He could hear panicked steps from inside over the howling wind. The door opened but only slightly, a familiar face peering through the cracks of the door. “O-oh y-your royal highness, I-I wasn’t expecting you.” Ny’Kuil voice being quiet, and slightly disturbed. Unlike her usual expressions of stoic calmness of it all. “C-can I help you?”

The Prince was careful to not reveal much of any intentions, less out of any sense of effort and more how he was raised. “Just had some questions, If you don’t mind.” He said in a calm manner as he looked down towards the face that was barely peeking out of the door. “Preferable inside so I don’t have to stay outside, freezing slowly to death.”

“O-oh yes.” She briefly closed the door, sounds of the lock twisting on the other side before she opened it. Just from the view from outside the door, he could see a few pairs of small shoes in the small pit that made up the entryway. “I-if you don’t mind taking off your shoes. I-it’s okay if you don’t want to.” The kemonomimi tried to keep a stoic face but her fear gave away.

The Prince nodded his head taking off his shoes, being careful to have kicked off most of the shoe’s snow outside the house as he entered. He took off his hat and gloves as he followed the kemonomimi inside. “I do not mean to disturb you during your day off, so I’ll try to make this quick.”

After the entryway, there was the living room they found themselves in. Children’s toys littering the carpet in front of the TV, and a rather familiar couch facing towards it. Couch the prince could easily remember being something his family had in one of their own living rooms until Esta decided to test her knives on it and he accidentally spilled his father’s new whiskey on to it forever staining the couch. Though the couch had patchwork fabric and sewing marks fixing it up. Quite a few things from his old home were lying in the living room. In fact, those toys were Esta when she was younger. Ny’Kuil closed the door behind the prince. “Can I make you coffee, your highness?”

“I won’t say no to a cup of coffee, after dealing with the cold outside. Coldest weather in over 30 years according to the weather reporter this morning.” He said in a small chuckle as he sat down on the sofa, remembering fondly back on when he and his little sister used to watch movies on the sofa. Which included looking fondly when Esta went a little bit to berserk on it. Though mostly for the nostalgia of looking back thinking about his father’s absolutely horrified and enraged face. “Hope the cold hasn’t bothered you too much here.”

Ny’Kuil disappeared for a few moments, coming back shortly with a coffee cup. Handing it to the prince. Her eyes glanced towards the toys before speaking, “Oh sorry about the mess my… nephews were here earlier and I haven’t had a chance to clean up.” It was clear that she was lying about it. “The cold doesn’t get too bad in here, I fixed up the pipes so the floor is heated. You said you had questions?” She sat down on a small chair nearby facing towards the prince but still had a good enough distance to run away just in case.

The Prince nodded his head but it was clear that he understood what was going on. He took a sip from his cup before he spoke up. “I will keep my words short.” He said in a more serious tone before continuing on. “Were you the one who wrote the letter?”

She looked down at her hands, rubbing them together. Opening her mouth to tell a lie but closed it instead. Few seconds passed, feeling like a century for her. “Yes… I was the one to write the letter.”

The elf once more kept his cool, once more not revealing his intentions to the poor kemonomimi maid. He took another sip from his coffee while studying her body language. “Have those incidents with my father happened a lot?”

She rubbed her hands together, her tail still not being fully healed laid in her lap as she stared brokenly at the midpoint of her tail. It is still being cast. “V-very often your highness.”

“I understand, you will be compensated for that.” He took another sip from the cup. “In fact, partialy why I’m here.” The Prince reached into his pocket revealing two envelopes.

She flinched seeing him going into his pockets. Only calming back down when he takes out the two envelopes. She breathed a sigh of relief, only followed by a sound of someone coughing. Someone not in the room. Flash of terror over her face, “S-sorry your highness, I-I must have a sore throat.” While she was speaking again, more coughing sounds, this time more pronounced and could be heard clearly. “S-sorry your highness.”

“You do not need to say sorry, I understand.” He said, speaking up with a rather serious expression on his face. After having drinked up left on his cup he stood up giving a nod towards her. “That was all, enjoy your days off. Tell me whenever you need more of that.”

She stood up giving a half body bow towards him. Accepting the two envelopes with her hand. Giving a worried look towards the rug. “Thank you, your highness.” She kept a cool tone to disguise her panic. Not just about him but about her children as well.

As the Prince took on his ushanka and gloves again he gave the maid a glance as he stood in front of the door. “I understand if… They don’t want to see me, or are afraid. But, If you want me to help keep those kids safe, then I will.” He said letting out a small sigh before exiting the house, closing it behind him as he walked into the cold weather outside.

Before he could close the door, “I-I will talk to them… They don’t know much about the royal family besides their father.” She kept her voice low, “I-if you want to see them c-can you come in the evenings? They- I feel more comfortable about it then.” As the door closed, she rolled the rug off of the floor, lift open the trap door. Reaching in for her children.

Few moments later, after giving her youngest child, Carl, a bit of homemade cough syrup. She relaxed once more into her chair, heart throbbing as she opened the envelopes. The first one being a receipt of several thousands of United Krone, enough to cover some medical expenses she incurred on the job. The other was the photo she gave to their father, the two kelf children smiling brightly. Closing her eyes for a moment she remembers the day she took the photo of them, feeling the warmth of it. Only to be followed by the coldness and violent reaction when she tried to give it to their father.

[Norgsveldet]

24th August, 2023
Neylapdor, Lapliszna

The capital was built in the traditional style, the Borean style and more specifically the Nystapi inspired style save the main district. Main district being where all the elves live, work and play in with the rest of the capital if not the whole country outright being completely the native population of Nystapi.

The main district looked almost the exact copy of the capital in Blåskog. Skyscrapers that looked full but were hollow inside. All for show, the illusion of progress in the country. However, one part that always looked lively was the restaurant district full of elves looking to spend money on luxurious food that the majority of the population could only dream of eating. As well the elven guards patrolling the streets.

A long, bright value svu drove through the streets. Flanked on all sides by military armored cars and patrol bikes. Elven citizens saw the car in concern and fear. The Jarlnyja is paying a visit. Handful of Kemonomimi and kelfs in the streets dropped onto their knees kowtowing towards the car praying towards it and giving it respect.

–

Inside the car Esta wearing a traditional Nystapi garb. She rested her head on her girlfriend’s shoulder. “Thank the spirits for an insulated car. You have no idea how cold it gets here unless you live here.” She thinks for a moment, “You are warm enough gothy? I can order a guard to give you their coat if that makes you feel better.”

The raven haired princess just let out a small chuckle at what she assumed was just a joke from her girlfriend. “I’m alright sweetie, thank you.” She gave the elf a kiss on the forehead, with her wearing similar Nystapi clothing like Esta. Wanting to pay respect to the culture which her girlfriend seems more closer to then the one she was born in.

Esta gives another kiss to her cheek. “As you say, it is nice being home among my people. Though it did take me a while to get used to being worshiped.” She smiles, rubbing her girlfriend’s back. “We will be at the restaurant soon enough.”

“I was wondering about that… Do you not think it is all a bit much?” She asked, raising an eyebrow at her. She loved the attention her girlfriend was giving her but she did also want to know more about her. “Didn’t you take the throne when you were like eighteen? It must be a heavy thing to deal with so early.”

“Well I really wanted out of the house.” She joked, best not tell her the full story. “Technically, the process should have started when I turned sixteen, when kemonomimi become of age but my mama Ny’Kuil suggest I take two more years and spend it studying with brewmasters here to better understand my role. It still was a lot though, but I had a lot of help.” She had a positive tone.

“That is nice to hear, even if it’s still quite early for an elf.” Estrid placed her head on top of Esta’s, enjoying her girlfriend’s presence. “Ny’Kuil seems to been honestly good aspect of your life at least. Hope I get to meet her one day.”

“Oh I wasn’t even considered to be an adult until 25, none of the officers listened to me until I… Well let’s just say I scared them a little.” She started to giggle, but couldn’t say more. “I hope you get to meet mama soon too, she is an amazing woman and taught me almost everything I know.” She curled up to her girlfriend, squeezing her hand.

Estrid smiled hearing that, almost letting out a small chuckle of the idea that some strong military officers were somehow being scared by Esta out of all people. “How was your actual mother? Queen Trudi? Like I know she didn’t take much care of you, with Ny’Kuil raising you more than your parents did.” She rubbed Esta’s hand with her thumb.

“Oh, she’s dead. I don’t remember how. I was occupied during her funeral.” Esta shrugged uncaringly. “She might have given birth to me, but Ny’Kuil is my real mother.”

“Busy with dealing with stuff here to attend?” Estrid asked, curious of what her girlfriend would be too much to deal with for her to not attend. “At some point you can introduce her to me.”

“It was during the seasonal reindeer migration, I needed to attend and host the rituals. Plus the holiday is a lot of fun.” She smiles at the memory of all the reindeer moving as a herd across the grazing ground and drinking from the watering hole. “It is coming up soon in a few days, we can attend it together. It’s quite beautiful. You meet Ny’Kuil one day, I’m sure of it.”

“I think that would be lovely.” Estrid gave her girlfriend a kiss on the cheek, not wanting to push too much on Esta’s relationship with the past queen. It was weird she didn’t care about her own mother’s funeral but knowing her, she rather not want to risk it. “I think it would be nice meeting people close to you, I have met Wilan once and you two do seem very close.”

“Oh Wilan! I love him, best big brother right up there with Jørgen.” She gives a proud and wide smile. Overfilling with joy, “Oh you can meet Ny’Jon he is this adorable butler I have at the palace. So friendly but is a bit confused.”

“It’s funny knowing both of your older brothers call you ‘little’ crazy.” She teased Esta giving a small nudge while having a smirk on her face. “While I think it would be nice meeting Ny’Jon as well, should we not at some point go and talk to your father? It will be good to know your family more as well.”

“Oh all my brothers and sister call me little crazy. Except those who call me big crazy.” She chuckles to herself, rubbing Estrid hair and ruining her 800 United Krone haircut. “Oh daddy is just busy with something in East Novaris. Besides, let’s just have fun without boring political people.”

“Well at some point you should likely introduce me to him.” Estrid said letting out a small sigh of Esta rubbing her hair, she was not as defensive about it like Jørgen is, but still she paid for a good haircut. “I’ve only seen Carl on news and well lets just say they don’t say much good about him.”

She gives a shrug, “We probably meet him sometime but the news is lying. Media never gives East Boreans a good light, I am only popular because of Jørgen making it happen for me.”

“How is he like then? I do want to be prepared when I do meet him, to make a good impression.” Estrid asked curiously, her girlfriend always being weirdly distant in any discussion about the Blåskovian king. This being the closest they had to and talk about her girlfriend’s father.

“Just don’t worry about it now, let’s focus on celebrating and having a great time in my country.” She rubs up against her girlfriend, kissing her cheek again.

“He is your father, why should I not worry?” Estrid asks, confused as she glanced down at Esta.

“Just let it go, Estrid.” Esta gave a cold voice, unlike the usual tone she had with her girlfriend. They came to a stop, and once again Esta mood shifted. “Ayay! We’re here!”

The Norgsveltian Princess was not sure how to react, staying quiet as Esta led them out of the car. She never experienced that cold voice from her, nor does she think she ever had experienced such coldness before. With the tone lacking all emotion, not said just out of a warning, but a genuine lack of emotion in it that hid more. She noticed Esta’s eyes going blank as well when she heard it. As such she just followed the Jarlynja as she held her hand and guided her towards the restaurant. Estrid kept a smile on her face, despite her thoughts being wrapped in a bit of worry.

Handful of guards escorted them into the building. The restaurant was one of luxury to the brim. It was still quite traditional looking on the inside, fine spruce wood planking, deerskin carpeting, lights looking like candles and birch wooden chairs with red fabric. Contrasting the dark wood with bright light color. There was a table in the middle of the restaurant with a single elf sitting there waving towards Esta and Estrid. By no means the restaurant was empty, it was full of people not just staff of the restaurant but kemonomimi who either was selected, sponsored by some elf or won lottery seats to eat at the restaurant today. By special request of the Jarlnyja Esta the Protector. Something she liked doing every now and then when she goes out to eat.

As the two royals entered. All the kelfs and kemonomimi got onto the floor kowtowing towards an enshrined spirit. Daring not to look at her until she gave permission. Esta raised her hand, “You all may be seated, spirits bless us all. Please enjoy your meal!” She gave a warm, friendly tone towards the people traditionally seen as second class citizens in their own county. A soft melody began to play by a live band of elves.

The silver haired elf that was sitting at their table had striking light blue eyes, wearing a dark royal blue suit with a black sash with Ulvrikian symbols in gold spelling out: ‘The Motherland protects us, the Motherland shall lead us’. It was the motto that the Blåskovian Royal Family pushed. He gave the two a bow before having a warm smile on his face, gesturing to Esta to introduce him to the Norgsveltian Princess.

“Oh, I forgot sorry. This is Prince Killjoy of House of Boring. Brother this is my girlfriend Princess Gothy!” She gives a tight hug around her girlfriend, lifting up her leg as she did so. It was something she saw in an anime no doubt.

The Prince rolled his eyes at his sister’s actions, stretching his hand to Estrid to shake her hand. “Prince Torster from House Torhall, third in line to the Blåskovian Crown. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Estrid for her part was able to shake the prince’s hand despite small difficulty with how tightly Esta hugged her. “Princess Estrid, of House Ymirdval. Very far back in the line of succession.” She said in a small chuckle before giving her girlfriend a kiss on the cheek.

Esta let go of her girlfriend. Giving a kiss in return and allowing her servant to pull the chair out for her and Estrid. “It’s good to see you again Killjoy! I felt like I haven’t seen you in years, are you staying for the festival?”

“It’s good to see you as well, little crazy.” The Prince said with a small chuckle. “Will be staying here for a day before being forced to go back home and meet with some of the parliamentarians.”

Estrid sat down next to her girlfriend to allow her and her brother to keep talking, smiling seeing the two interact like this.

“Oh nooo parliamentarians.” Esta gave an overly dramatic sigh, holding the top of her head. “Well, if you’re only staying a day then I will arrange a party then at my palace. You can bring your partner.” She gives a smile, “If you have one.” She gave a smirk.

"Esta, you literally have met Velina.” Torster said with a sigh shaking his head. “She is currently at our mansion but I’ll call her about the party.”

“Yes, your alleged wife Velina.” Esta said with a smirk, “Here I thought she just went to a different school.” A kelf staff member came by, serving wine to the table. Giving Esta two glasses instead of one, as is tradition.

“Esta be a little bit nicer to your brother.” Estrid spoke up, giving the white haired elf poked her side before taking a sip from her wine glass.

“Trust me she has said worse things when it comes to my relationship with my wife.” Torster said in a weak chuckle as he took a sip from his wine glass as well.

Esta rolled her eyes, “Okay, Okay, I will be nicer then I guess. Besides I only called her a lady of the night like once… Maybe twice.” She takes a sip from her red wine, and then quickly follows it with her white wine.

“Just treat her with some respect when at the party.” Torster said with a small sigh, he loved his little sister but there was a good reason why Wilan was the one to handle her and not him.

“Well I look forward to meeting her.” Estrid gave the prince a warm smile, at least trying to be a bit more friendly towards the brother.

“Ayay! Are you going to bring the baby?” Esta gave a joyful cheer. When she spoke the words Ayay, the room erupted in all the kelfs and kemonomimi, staff and guests in joining the Ayay. Giving a clap of her own.

“No, Velina thought it would be wisest to have a babysitter take care of them.” Torster said as a small chuckle left him as he heard the entire team react to his sister’s ayay. “Though she did say she at some point wanted to ask you to babysit our Annette.”

Esta was completely overjoyed, giving another clap and a ‘Ayay’ which was followed again by the room joining in on the ayay and clapping. “That’s wonderful! I always wanted to meet one of my niece or nephew.” She smiles brightly, taking another sip of her wine, then again from the other glass.

“Perhaps both of you could?” Torster asked, looking at Estrid keeping his warm demeanor as he took a sip from his wine.

“I’d love to, but I’m curious if its because you want me to keep an eye on the baby or if you want me to keep an eye on Esta.” Estrid said in a joking tone earning herself a laugh from the older brother.

“Hey, I know how to take care of babies.” She gives a pout, crossing her arms. “I saw Jørgen do it all the time.” She gives a whiny tone, but a joking one.

“Well hopefully you have more experience in taking care of kids, Estrid.” Torster said in a teasing tone.

“I took care of my older brother’s kids, helped Auntie Wilhelmina with Ny’Kandenor and learned from Jørgen of course.” The Princess said with a chuckle before taking a sip from her glass. “Made me want to get some children of my own at some point.”

“I do love children, but that’s probably a given you know.” She gestures around her. “If you want kids, we can always try ourselves~” The elven woman teases her girlfriend, giving a kiss to her cheek.

Estrid blushed as she kissed her cheek while Torster just let out a sigh waving for a servant to get them their menu. “That is not even biologically possible…” He mumbled under his breath.

Esta, without looking towards Torster, gave a simple reply. “They are just not trying hard enough.”

[Norgsveldet]

Later that evening

Estrid looked in the mirror as she looked herself up and down, looking at her black dress. One she had gotten from Jørgen as a birthday gift. The dress was well designed, being still modest though one that still revealed a little bit of her legs that were covered in black leggings. Having a bit of a goth like design, though hardly surprising for her. She couldn’t help but smile as she turned around to look at her girlfriend. “What do you think?” She asked, gesturing to her dress feeling genuinely confident.

“I love it!” Esta gave a joyful clap. Her own outfit is different from her usual outfit. It was White base, with green trimmings and gold symbols all around it showing off the Ny’Stapi heritage on it. Dozens of reindeer, with gold and jewels making up the symbols. Her hair was styled in such a way that it was upright, but yet flowed like watery snow down a hill. No rings, or other forms of jewelry, only her Borean silk outfit with its stylized designs across it. Truly designed and god-like looking.

Estrid walked up to the elf giving her a peck on the lips. “You look amazing, almost makes me feel underdressed.” She teased her girlfriend as she looked her up and down. “With this dress I almost feel compelled to treat you like a goddess~”

The elf gave a giggle, giving a kiss to her girlfriend back. “Well we can save that for later~” She gave a tease, taking her by the hand. “It’s quite alright, gotta dress for my part as an Enshrined Spirit. Did everyone treat you with utmost respect while I was gone?”

Estrid followed after her girlfriend still with a warm smile on her lips. With the elf leading them out of the bedroom. “Most did, there was one elven guard who tried to flirt with me but he stopped quite quickly after I told him I was with you.” She said with a small chuckle as she remembered the guard’s poor attempt at flirting with her. It was rare to interact with people who didn’t know who she was as well.

She raised an eyebrow at that, everyone should be informed about Estrid. “I have a talk with my head of security later about that guard. That’s most unprofessional and unacceptable for anyone on my staff.” She looked genuinely upset at that.

“Oh it’s quite alright, though it would be wise to have them just be more aware in the future.” Estrid said, giving Esta a kiss on the cheek as she followed the Jarlynja’s lead.

“They should have been, failure is not acceptable for any person on the Enshrined Spirit’s staff.” Her look turned a bit more angry, walking towards the party. “They were informed, this is unacceptable.” She shakes her head again, growing more in anger.

“Sweetie it’s alright, it happens.” Estrid gave a concerned look up at Esta. Being almost a bit worried about the elf’s anger. “They know now and It won’t happen again.”

“It shouldn’t have happened in the first place.” Esta took a moment to breathe, looking at Estrid’s face, and she calmed down some. “Sorry you had to see me like this. It’s not polite of me.”

“It’s alright, I understand your anger.” She took her hand towards Esta’s cheek, rubbing it before giving her another peck on the lips. “Just take a moment to breathe, you will find time later to put that energy and rage out.” She said in a kind tone, though a small flush formed on her cheeks as she realized the implication from that comment.

Strangely Esta didn’t take it the way Estrid thought she normally would have. She didn’t make a flirtatious comment back or kiss her. Instead the elven woman appeared to be in a deep thought, and then having a polite smile on her lips. “Ah, perhaps you are right. Come on, let’s not keep Killjoy and his wife waiting.”

Estrid almost wanted to comment about her girlfriend’s strange behavior but kept it to herself. Realizing this must have meant quite a big deal for her, afterall she herself likely wouldn’t have been as forgiving if she had guards under her attempt to flirt with Esta. “Lead on sweetie, it is your party after all.” She said, giving a sweet smile.

She opened up the door towards the party room, it being full of elves, kelfs and kemonomimi wearing their finest silk or fabrics. As she entered, the music stopped suddenly. One could hear a pin drop, as everyone got on their knees, elves included. Kowtowing before the young elven woman and her girlfriend. Their foreheads planted on the ground, hands stretched out forward.

Estrid couldn’t help but feel almost overwhelmed at seeing them all kowtow towards them. Her hands played with the hims of her dress nervously. Never in all her life has she experienced seeing people kowtow towards her, even if it wasn’t exactly for her. Sure she was a royal who was treated with deep respect in both Norgsveldet and Peragen, but with exception of deep bows during special ceremonies it was almost never this deep.

Not everyone kowtowed, Esta eyes tracking along the room to see her brother and wife still standing up. Taking a small moment to calm herself down, she spoke in Nys’tat’en informing everyone to stand up and continue with their day. Then gave a kiss to Estrid, walking towards her brother. The crowds parted as the pair made their way towards their table. The upbeat, yet old and traditional music is starting to play again. “Heya Killjoy, Hi Killjoy’s wife.” She gave a polite smile towards the two of them.

Estrid was still a little bit stunned by the whole ordeal but let herself be pulled along by Esta. As the two of them walked towards Torster and his wife’s table. Torster was dressed in a fancy tailored dark blue suit, with a UPD symbol on his tie. It was the main democratic party in the Blåskovian parliament. Fine silk was used for the suit though it was arguably less fancy then his royal suit from earlier. Though he had a golden necklace with a silver star behind it, symbolizing the Carlist branch of Gustafistic Ulvriktru. Next to him being an darked skin elven lady with white hair and red eyes, with a red dress to match. One that while not too revealing did allow for quite a bit of cleavage to be shown. With her having a silver necklace with the symbol of a tree at the end of it, symbolizing her Tangrianist faith. With her having a warm smile as she bowed her head.

“This is my wife Velina, previous member of the Tangrian clergy before she moved to Blåskog.” Torster said in a prideful voice as he introduced Estrid to his wife knowing full well his sister wouldn’t bother. Having an arm around her waist. “This is Princess Estrid, daughter of Princess Melissa of Norgsveldet and Prince Elazaro of Peragen.”

“It’s a pleasure meeting you.” Velina said bowing her head respectfully towards the Princess.

Estrid gave a bow and curtsy back. “Pleasure to meet you as well.”

Esta kept a polite smile on her lips, but gave an authoritative tone. “If you were planning on not kowtowing to me when I entered, then you should have waited until after I arrived.” She tilts her head sideways making her smile a bit wider. She can’t tolerate people challenging her authority in her country, even more so when it is so dependent on religious rule for the kelfs and kemonomimi. As well was pure and utter fear for the elves. She allows a kelf to pull out a chair for her and Estrid at the table. The kelf is not even a member of her staff, just another faceless person who somehow won the lottery to attend her party.

Torster let out a sigh as he and Velina sat down in their chairs. “It won’t happen again, Esta.” His tone is that of tiredness. One which showed an almost mixture in disappointment in it. Part of him wanted oh so desperately to comment upon his sister’s consistent attitude of using religion and fear to control her country. But decided not to. Now was not the time, nor place.

Estrid kept to herself, not speaking up despite feeling that her girlfriend was being too harsh. Velina on the other hand spoke up being a bit shy almost yet spoke up nonetheless. “Hope the two of you are doing well.” She kept a warm smile, almost a motherly one.

Before Esta sat down, she did give both Torster and Velina a tight hug and a kiss. A sudden shift in her mood. “It is so good to see you two though!” She resisted the urge to say Ayay in fear that the Ayay might not ever end given how many Akuanists are in the room. She sat down in the comfortable chair. “Dare I say we have been good gothy?” She gave a bright and joyful smile towards her girlfriend.

“We’ve been doing quite well, and I’ve had an amazing time so far.” Estrid gave Esta a kiss on the cheek, leaving a black lipstick mark on it as she pulled away.

“Aw that is wonderful to hear!” Velina said joyfully, clapping her hands together. “Torster had told me you two seemed to be doing well.”

Esta gave a warm look towards Velina, barely able to stop her hands from clapping herself. “How about you two, well should I say three now?” The elven woman gave a soft giggle.

Velina let out a small chuckle at that. “We’ve been doing well, with Torster being so busy I’ve had to be the one to take care of Annette the most.” She said in a bit of a tired yet happy tone.

“Annette is being taken care of by Velina’s mother, she thought it would be best if we got some time for ourselves. To give Velina a little bit of a break being such an amazing mother.” Torster said giving his wife a series kisses on the cheek much to her torment, telling him to stop as she blushed. Earning them a giggle from Estrid.

“Aww~ How adorable!” Esta gave a warm look, “I’m glad to hear that, children are gifts of the spirits and future of all us.” She sounds almost religious in her tone, completely unlike what Estrid has ever heard from her girlfriend. “May we guide you and your family’s enjoyment. As well as the other spirits but don’t let them hear that we gave it first.” She gave a polite chuckle, covering her mouth. Her eyes might have been on Velina, her attention was more around the room, at people that might have been listening in on them.

“Thank you, it means a lot.” Velina said in a genuine warm tone, happy to have a more polite conversation with the Jarlynja for a change having remembered some of their previous ones.

Torster was naturally a bit suspicious of Esta’s attitude but was like his wife happy to have a good conversation with his sister. “I’m certain one day we can have you and Estrid babysit them.”

She couldn’t resist, she just had too. She clapped her hands together and gave a “Ayay!” Torster saw it coming, his hand covering his wife’s ears. She wasn’t used to the raw sound of hundreds of Akuanists clapping their hands, yelling out a ‘Ayay.’ It was like a thunderous crackle as every single person in the building stopped what they were doing to clap, and yell out “Ayay!” Along with Esta. Even the kitchen staff, secluded away in their room attached to the hall, gave a very muffled Ayay. A few elves quickly covered their ears or their partners’ ears.

“Ow… I have to get used to that, aren’t I?” Estrid said as she put her hands over her ears retroactively winching from how suddenly loud it all was.

“Yep, you sure are.” The prince said with a small sigh shaking his head. “I knew you were holding back something.” He stopped covering Velina’s ears.

“S-sorry! I was just so excited.” She rubbed Estrid’s ears, something she is used to doing with Kemonomimi. “Are you alright honey?” She gave a slightly panicked tone.

“I am, I am.” Estrid said with a small chuckle at her girlfriend’s worried tone, giving her a peck on the lips to ease her worry.

She gave a sigh, relaxing her hands down onto her lap. “Sorry, again you three. I hope you’re alright Torster.” She gave a look towards him, something he learned well enough in their childhood that it could be real just as much as it could be fake.

“I’m alright, I’ve met enough Akuanists to get used to it.” He let out a small chuckle finding the small little cultural quirks of Akuanists to be more amusing than annoying.

“If you feel too excited you could try to muffle your…. Well that.” Velina said, speaking up being a bit afraid to say ‘ayay’ just in case the room would start saying it back again.

“Yeah you could bite down on something and say it?” Estrid said, trying to think of a solution as well.

Esta shook her head at that, “You can’t muffle it, that defeats the purpose of A-” She stopped herself before saying it again. “Well, it’s not something you can just stop and think about. It is an instinctual thing.” She gave a pout, crossing her arms in a huff.

“Eitherway, I would like to compliment your two outfits. They look amazing.” Velina said, smiling brightly earning herself an almost bashful but thankful look from Estrid.

“Thank you! I got mine from the Jarl of Vakrestrender as a birthday gift.” Estrid placed a hand at Esta’s shoulder rubbing it.

“Mine as well, though he had a Nystapi designer and a brewmaster to assist him.” She rested her hand on Estrid’s hand on her shoulder. Giving a warm, loving look towards her.

“Well if he is that an amazing designer I think we should almost ask him to design one for Velina.” Torster spoke up, wanting to give her a nice gift in the future.

Esta gave a brief suspicious look, towards Torster. “That would be… Up to him to decide that.” Her face returning to the loving, kind one again. “Ah, so how have you two been handling Lapliszna? It’s not like Blaskog but we do well here.” She of course was lying through her teeth about anything doing well in Lapliszna but that is besides the point.

Torster was about to speak up but was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He stood up from his chair giving an apologetic smile before kissing Velina on the cheek before excusing himself.

“Tell Wilan we said hi!” Esta grabbed Estrid, giving her an adorable hug.

Torster raised an eyebrow at that, as he looked at who was calling, being even more surprised by the fact she got it correctly. Though he didn’t question it as he moved away from the table to a more private corner.

“Did you just guess?” Estrid was giving a curious look towards her girlfriend who was hugging her tightly.

“The spirits work in mysterious ways.” She said in a cheerful tone, letting go of Estrid with a warm look on her face. She absolutely guessed it was Wilan but wanted to creep her brother out a little bit.

“Eitherway, I forgot to compliment your dress Velina. You look amazing.” Estrid said in a warm tone as she looked towards the other elven woman at the table.

“Thank you! Torster suggested I put this on.” She said clapping her hands together, happy to know her dress made an impression.

“I can see why oyoyoy~” Esta gave a teasing tone towards her brother’s wife. Tilting her head to the side.

“Esta!” Estrid nudged her girlfriend’s side for the comment as she noticed the wife’s face blushing rather deep red.

“What? If you got it, show it~” Esta gave a giggle, before speaking up again. “I stop, I stop.” She gave another giggle at that.

Torster finally found a private corner to have his phone conversation. Taking out his Jo-Jotun, the newest version of the smartphone as he answers the call, placing his phone next to his ear. “Yes?”

“By gods it takes you a while to answer a phone.” Wilan spoke from the other end in a taunting tone.

“Well yeah hardly many places here have a private phone call. Unless you want to run the risk of becoming deaf through the phone by having someone say Ayay.” He spoke in a quiet annoyed tone.

“You win, you win. How’s Esta?” Wilan asked, having let out a small chuckle but decided not to bully his little brother any further.

“She’s well, seems like she and Estrid are getting along very well.” Torster leaned his back against a wall, having already known quite well that his brother would ask about Esta.

“Good, good. Did you see any signs about Estrid that we need to be worried about?” Wilan’s voice was far more serious this time around.

“No signs as far as I’ve seen. No needle wounds or knife scars. Nor does Estrid seem to be physically uncomfortable or afraid near Esta.” Torster had carefully examined the way the two interacted early this morning and didn’t see any signs of Esta being well like Esta in that. “They seem genuinely infatuated with Esta, and Esta seems genuinely loving and caring towards Estrid.”

“Thank gods. Very good, thank you for keeping an eye out for me… It’s genuinely important.” Wilan said his voice lit up a little bit as relief came over him.

“No problem, it is best to avoid scandal. Especially with how crucially we need to improve our image internationally.” Torster said as he stopped leaning on the wall. “Was there anything else?”

“Yes, I was hoping when you come back that we could have a meeting.” Wilan’s voice was back in its more serious tone, but Torster noticed it was clearly lower. More deeply and almost felt it was with anger.

“I do have a meeting with some parliamentarians tomorrow evening, could it wait until the day after that?” He suggested not being sure what his brother wants to talk about.

“No. This is an emergency.” His older brother’s voice was commanding. Cold, deep and clear hidden anger.

“…Understood, meet me at the castle at 19:35.” Torster said in a calm respectful manner, he didn’t like to cancel meetings with the parliamentarians but when his brother says its an emergency, well than by gods it is an serious emergency.

“Thank you, for now. Enjoy the party, try to ensure Esta doesn’t drink too much now.” Wilan said in a small teasing tone.

“That seems like two contradicting statements.” Torster said, shaking his head before ending the phone call. At least he had others to help him control Esta this time.

[Norgsveldet]

Day afterwards

Estrid felt herself get shaken up from her deep sleep having been awake far too long last night opening her eyes to see a kemonomimi butler with dark brown hair with a thin beard, the butler having a pair of dog ears and tail. He let out a small sigh as he saw her look up at him. “Good, you’re awake. Hope you had a good night’s sleep, your highness.” He said as he walked away towards a black cart with two plates and two small bowls on it, with the butler pouring coffee into a cup. “Please pull the blanket more up.”

The princess gave him a confused look before looking down in which a small blush formed on her cheeks as she pulled up covers having forgotten her nude form. “Sorry.”

“No apologies needed, here. For your hangover.” The butler walked up to her with coffee in hand, which she gave a respectful bow as she took a sip from the coffee wanting to get rid of her not too bad of a headache. She saw him look at his wrist watch. “Her majesty will be waking up in around 30 seconds.”

“Majesty?” Estrid asked out loud, confused. Most of Esta’s staff had called her girlfriend for the enshrined spirit of Lapiliszna. Rarely has she heard the term majesty used to be referred to her.

The butler just walked up to the other side of the bed pulling over Esta’s side of the blanket in an attempt to cover up the quite nude elf. “I’m from Eyjaria, born and raised. My mother was an Akuanist.” He said in a calm stoic tone, certainly lacking the general warmness that Akuanists were famous for. He started walking back towards the cart to pour the Jarlynja a cup of coffee.

Esta raised her head with a pained look on her face, “Ny’Jon, coffee please.” She said with a hurt tone, raising a hand to hold her head. “Is the Ashdew remedy ready?” She looked over at the butler, still holding up the blanket.

“Yes your majesty, it’s ready. Now please cover yourself.” Ny’Jon said with a sigh as he walked towards the cart pouring the elf a cup of coffee. Estrid couldn’t help but notice him being rather swift in all of it, as the butler was quick to get back to Esta with a cup of coffee and a small bowl which she couldn’t help but notice having a very strong and distinct smell.

“What’s an Ashdew remedy?” She asked, raising an eyebrow at the butler who already was at the cart again having picked up a small bowl that had the same type of smell coming from it as he walked up to her.

"It’s an Akuan remedy for hangovers, it tastes as bad as it smells.” He said as he put the bowl on the nightstand, Estrid looked at the bowl, seeing a disgusting combination of ash, bone marrow, and a combination of herbs and mushrooms. The color of the soup is a dark gray color, and the texture looked similar to that of wet concrete. The smell of it could only be explained as something took a wet dog and sprayed it with skunks. Only noticing how horrible it smells now that it was up close. “My mother taught me how to make it, and I regret that cooking lesson every day of my life.” The butler said in what Estrid could only assume was meant as a joke but his stoic personality makes her question it.

Esta took a sip of the coffee, not bothering following Ny’Jon request for her to keep herself covered. Then placed down her coffee cup. “You won’t ever get used to the taste, that’s what the coffee and water is for.” She picked up the bowl with both hands. “It’s easier if you drink it all in one go.” She gave a pain expression, one hand on the bowl and a second hand pinching her nose. Drinking the disgusting remedy without thinking twice. When she was finished, she placed the bowl back on the nightstand and gave a shiver. “Spirits it get worse every time I try it.”

Estrid breathed in and out to prepare herself as she followed her girlfriend in this, drinking it all in one go. The taste was utterly terrible as she swallowed it all. Her eyes were so completely wide open as she finally got through it all. Being quick to drink up her coffee and water to get that damn horrible taste out of her mouth. Having pushed the blanket away as she did so, having felt needed to almost rush to the glass and cup. Making the butler sigh as he averted his gaze from both the royals in the room.

Esta rolled her eyes at her butler, taking a long sip of her coffee. “Ah, I feel much better already. Shall we get dressed for breakfast? If we don’t Ny’Jon might end up crying.” She gave a small laugh, teasing her favorite confused Akuanist.

“The breakfast is ready here, your majesty. I can leave the room for you two to eat in private.” He said bowing his head low as he handed them two plates of smashed potatoes, gravy and fried chicken. “I have made your favorite, your majesty.” He gave the two another bow as he stood in front of the elf.

Esta gave a large clap, as the dish was placed on her bed tray. “Ayay! Thank you very much Ny’Jon! Come here so I can give you a hug for being an extra good Akuanist day.” She said with a genuine gleeful tone. Smiling up at him.

“I’m not an Akuanist…” He said with a sigh yet got close enough for her to give him a quick hug. Knowing full well that it is better to not annoy her.

Estrid just giggled from where she was sitting as she started eating from her own tray, watching the two’s interaction.

She gave him a side hug, planting a kiss on his cheek. Then released him, starting to dig into her favorite breakfast. Quietly muttering under her breath, in an almost childlike tone. “I like chicken.”

The butler’s cheek flushed up from the kiss and hug from his boss with him walking away towards the cart staying in silence not wanting to disturb the two royals. Not leaving since he needs the Jarlynja’s approval.

“You two are very close, huh?” Estrid said in a small teasing tone as she looked between her girlfriend and the butler.

“I only do what I get told, your highness.” Ny’Jon says trying to sound stoic, though he was clearly embarrassed

Esta gave a laugh at that. “Oh, is being told to make me my favorite breakfast and not gossip about how I’m eating a sinful meat also part of your job? I don’t remember telling you that.” She says with a smirk. Taking a moment to eat her fried chicken in a joyful manner.

“Well I am also here to please you, it’s part of my job.” He said in a simple manner, as he picked up their two bowls and put them on the cart.

“He is also not an Akuanist so he wouldn’t consider it sinful.” Estrid spoke up before taking a bite from her own chicken, smiling as she looked at their two’s interactions. Remembering how much Esta had talked about him and gushing about him when she was drunk yesterday.

“Thank you.” Ny’Jon said in a sigh happy someone recognised him for not being a darn Akuanist. “I’m an Ulvriktruar.”

“That willfully moves to Lapliszna, a famously Akuanist country built around a single ethnic group of Akuanists.” Esta takes a bite of her mashed potatoes. “Also has the prefix that Nys’tat’en speakers use. That’s just a little suspect, don’t you say?” She raised a sassy eyebrow at him. “Also if you are a Ulvriktruar then why are you so.” She does a hand gesture, “Not showing your warrior spirit as others might be in your shoes.”

“You pay your staff quite well here, and I always wanted to be a butler. So I went to the Royal Service Staff academy in Vakrestrender, when I graduated I was offered employment for your staff in Lapliszna. Working here pays more than it would for other places the academy offers.” He said with a degree of pride, trying to hide the fact he didn’t quite get high enough scores for the Jarl’s staff in Vakrestrender but he was still pretty close to it damn it. “The warrior spirit does not need to come from overpowering others, it is about continuing in spite of adversity and hardship. That is strength, that is the warrior spirit.”

Estrid raised an eyebrow towards Esta giving her a curious look. “What do you exactly mean anyway about him not ‘showing it off’?”

“Oh come on, if he isn’t clearly an Akuanist, then the only other option is a Hjørdist and we know his mother was an Akuanist.” She rolls her eyes, taking a sip of her coffee.

The butler scratched his thin brown beard nervously as he looked away, his cheeks being flushed. “I-I am indeed an Hjørdist, my father was a Hjørdist." He was a bit embarrassed about it, mainly from the jokes he knew his boss would make about it.

Estrid just let out a low chuckle as she finished the last bit of chicken and gravy she had left. “Well he has been quite respectful in where he has been looking.” She held the blanket up to ensure it was still covering her up.

Esta finished her food as well, “So he might be a Hjørdist if he is this uncomfortable.” She mutters, taking a final bite of her chicken. “So, a Eyjarian Hjørdist, decided to be a butler, went to the finest academy for it, and then willingly moved to Lapliszna to be on my staff?” She said not believing any of this at all. “You know we are in Borea right? The East bit of Borea. Not the West with all those andies and their nonsense.”

“Yes I have looked at a map, your majesty.” Ny’Jon in a bit sarcastic almost sassy tone as he picked up their plates putting it on the cart. Normally he wouldn’t add such a tone in his voice but by gods it was getting to him.

“Okay… New theory~” Estrid said in a slight teasing tone as she smiled at her girlfriend wanting to be part of this. “What if he willingly chose here so he could serve the oh so beautiful you~” She gave Esta a kiss on the cheek as she wrapped her arms around her. “Especially with this sight to see~”

“Well, East Borea is known for its mountain ranges~” Esta returned a kiss to Estrid on her cheek. “Maybe he just wanted to see the sights~”

Ny’Jon’s grew a degree more redder at the comments being afraid that the Jarlynja might have seen his eyes having betrayed him at unfortunate moments of weakness. “I-I should probably leave you two be.”

“Oh so it is the reason?” Estrid teased, raising an eyebrow at him.

“No it’s not.” He said turning around away from the two royals.

“Awww~ Maybe that’s why and I suppose I can excuse you after…” She gave a teasing look over towards Estrid. Whispering into her girlfriend’s ear, “Want me to have him kiss you on the cheek?”

“How about we both kiss him on the cheek at the same time?~” She whispered back letting out a giggle as the butler was about to walk out of the room despite no approval to do so.

“Ny’Jon, come here for a moment~ It’s nothing that bad I promise~” She teases him, doing a hand gesture to come over to them.

The butler let out a small but did as he was told and walked over to the bed, his hands behind his back. “Something I can do for you two?” He asked politely.

Esta gave a soft giggle, as the two royals leaned over to give a kiss to his cheek on the cheek. Watching him blush and squirm as they did so. “Now you can leave us~” She gave him a pat on the head, scratching his ears.

Estrid let out a soft giggle as well, seeing him stutter and be a deep red as the two leaned away from him, having allowed the blanket to fall off them.

“Prince Torster asked to meet with you later, y-your highness.” He stuttered out as he took the cart and quickly left the building almost stumbling over himself as he did.

“Aww he is very adorable, I understand why you like him.” Estrid said, looking at Esta as she laid on the bed.

“I still think he is just confused but spirits he is just so adorable to bully.” The elven woman gives a giggle, pulling Estrid in for a hug. Planting a kiss on her cheek. “Plus he is a really good cook.”

“It was some very good chicken.” Estrid cuddled up to her girlfriend before letting out a sigh. “I was so distracted by his cute little run earlier that I almost forgot about the fact that I should go talk with your brother.”

“After whatever Killjoy is doing, I think we can take a special trip to an animal sanctuary. It’s not a Akuan religious thing but I really want to show you it.” Esta gave a squeezing hug to Estrid. “I probably have something to do or sign while you two are talking.” She gave a tired sigh, just thinking about work.

“I’d love to, but for now let me just enjoy your warmth for a moment.” Estrid said, snuggling her head against Esta’s neck, her arms around her waist.

“Make sure to wear extra layers.” Esta snuggled back, wrapping her arms around Estrid.

_

Torster took a sip of his coffee cup as he waited for the Norgsveltian princess to arrive at the table he had reserved for the two of them. With him wearing a more casual outfit, with a black dress pants and a white dress shirt, with his expensive fake black fur coat hanging on his chair. He had decided to have the two meet at one of the few Hakonffee’s cafes in the country. Having been set up by some of the rare, more wealthier kemonomimi in the country. He had before tried to convince his father and sister to give more rights to the kemonomimi majority population in Lapiliszna but well, with his sister’s general less than stellar interest in politics and his father’s only focus on the country being how much it benefited the Blåskovian aristocracy and military, his attempts was more than just futile. His only hope was that his older brother would be far more… Sapient ruler then his father in the future. His thoughts about his family’s politics being broken by the sound of the cafe’s door opening in which he saw Princess Estrid enter. The princess was wearing a black winter coat, one which the prince couldn’t help but notice being almost the same type of jacket his sister had worn a lot. Making him smile warmly as he saw it gesturing to the two to come to his table.

“Morning Prince Torster.” Estrid gave a warm smile, “Let me get a coffee first, then I take a seat.” She spends a moment getting a cup of coffee, before taking a seat at the table. She pulled at her black coat closer to her. “Goodness it’s a blizzard out there, is the weather in Borea always like that?” She gives a look towards the prince.

The prince let out a small chuckle at that. “Not always, though being in an interior country it ends up being quite a bit worse compared to nations like Rikevaarland.” He took a sip from his coffee again giving the princess a small moment to finish ordering her coffee. “Even for Blåskovian elves it can be a bit too much at times, never understood how tieflings and kemonomimi are so adept at handling East Borea’s cruel coldness.”

“Honestly though, I can’t understand how the Akuanist evolved here” She shakes her head, “While Esta and I were traveling here, I saw one of those Borean bears and they are just monstrous looking. Seems like everything on this continent evolved to just harm people.” She takes a sip of her coffee, feeling the warmth of it.

“It is curious how Blåskovian culture took a completely different lesson from the Borean climate compared to our Akuan counterparts.” Torster let out a small sigh thinking about the different development the two cultures went through. “Though I doubt you’d be interested in an historical lesson, I hope the hangover between you and Esta wasn’t too bad? The two of you did get a little bit too drunk last night.”

Estrid gave a shiver remembering the taste of the Akuan soup. “Her favorite butler gave us a sort of horrid tasting soup, Ashdew I think it was? It cleared up the hangover but Gods, it tasted completely horrid.” She had to take a longer drink still trying to get the memory of the remedy out of her mind. “How was yours? I saw you take more than a few sips of wine last night.”

“I had a few glasses but with help from my wife I was able to at least walk and have my wits with me.” He said with a small chuckle leaving his lips as he took another sip from his coffee. “I was fine, just needed a bit of coffee and food then I was back to normal. Didn’t need any horrid remedy to get me back on my feet.” He had a small teasing tone saying that.

The princess gave a small chuckle, “I take it you had to have it before too?” She gave a warm smile towards him. “Though I take it you didn’t want to meet with me in private to ask about my hangover and I do I have a few questions of my own if I am not overstepping.”

“Never tried it personally, but I have seen my older brother try it during his college years.” Torster had to muffle his laughter thinking about Wilan almost puking on the floor when one of their maids gave him a bowl of whatever the hel that remedy was. Having to calm his brother down for thinking their maid was trying to poison him. “It is just to ask, I had some questions about you and Esta, if you don’t mind.”

“Well, I answer some of yours if you answer some of mine about her. She’s kind of closed off about some things.” She took a sip of her coffee. “You can go first, and just let me know if I’m overstepping on something.” Estrid gave a polite smile.

He nodded his head at that, his expression turning a bit more serious. “I’ll try to not occupy your time too much.” He took a sip from his coffee. “How are things going between you and Esta? Hopefully the two of you haven’t had any fights?”

“Not really, she can be a bit childish but other than that she is quite reasonable. Well besides the odd time she wants to cause a bit of chaos.” She gives a smirk at that, “She does love messing with uncle Olav and Jørgen.” She reflects on the memory of the two of them, taking Jorgen’s collection of pristine figurines and taking them out of the box. The jarl almost blew a fuse at that. “Would you mind if I asked about Esta relationship with your parents? She seemed quite… strange when I brought up meeting the king.”

The prince let out a sigh as he fell quiet trying to think of the right words for it all. “Its… complicated. Our family isn’t normal, our father neglected her and I think she is desperately trying to get his approval. I am certain that’s why nothing gets changed here when I know she has the power to do so.” He scratched the back of his head nervously. “In contrast, our mother, well. Our mother was cruel towards Esta, at her best she would neglect Esta. At her worst Esta would be beaten.”

Estrid took a few moments to take it all in, not sure how someone as kind and sweet as Esta could come from such a horrid family. Almost unthinkable honestly, for a parent to treat their child like that. “Thats… huh…” Taking another sip of her coffee, not even knowing what to say to that.

“It’s a lot, I understand. Take a moment to process it.” Torster said with a somber look on his face, giving the princess a moment to take it in.

The Norgsveltian princess scratched her hand nervously. Trying to think what to say, but words failed her. They sat there letting a few moments pass by before speaking again. “Could you explain why she considers the maid, Ny’Kuil her mother then? I can understand if they’re very close given the situation but calling her real mother seems a bit… Much. I hope I am not overstepping here.” She gave a worried look towards the prince.

The elven prince gave her a slow nod hearing that, falling quiet for a moment. Seeming deep in thought before finally speaking up. “Ny’Kuil practically raised Esta, more so than either of our parents did.” He took a small sip from his coffee cup, looking down at it. Once more seeming lost in thought. “Neither she nor my brother got much love from our mother, and father hardly cared about any of us.”

Estrid thought to her own parents raising her, sure they could be a bit strict at times but never unloving. “I see, is… Ny’Kuil still alive? I’m sorry if that sounds harsh but I hear and read things about Borea that honestly made me quite a bit scared of visiting here in the first place.”

“She is, she has recently taken some time off from work but other than that she is alive and well.” Torster did not blame her for her question, half the reason he was working with parliamentarians was for that reason after all. “She deserves a moment of rest for all she has done for my family after all. The gods blessed us with her.”

Estrid gave a warm nod, and a sigh of relief. "That’s good to hear then, I hope to meet her one day. Given how much Esta gushes over her.” She gave a soft smile. “I already met Ny’Jon, so meeting another person she loves to talk about would be nice.”

“I’m certain you will one day, mainly because Esta would want to ensure you meet her.” Torster let out a small chuckle. “Ny’Jon is her head butler isn’t it? You must tell him that me and my wife are rather impressed by the staff’s ability to ensure Esta’s parties go as smoothly as they do despite her…”

“Flirtatious personality and creative way of describing someone’s finer features?” Estrid jokes, giving a small laugh. “Believe me, I get it.”

“…Yes that.” He gave her a polite smile, having in reality been trying to find a kinder way of saying ‘sociopathic tendencies’. “Eitherway he does a good job dealing with her, I just hope the poor guy doesn’t regret working for her.”

“I hope not, I can see why Esta likes messing with him so much after this morning. Poor guy was practically flustered with embarrassment.” She gave another small laugh.

“I hope you haven’t been infected by my sister’s flirtatious nature now. She creates enough trouble alone.” Torster let out a small chuckle, one that was from amusement though he does genuinely hope his sister hasn’t influenced the Norgsveltian princess too much. “My brother has told me that she acted flirtatious towards even the Fylkir, I can’t imagine him taking that well.”

“Why? Is the married man hoping to get lucky~” Estrid teased him, with a grin. “Nope Esta has not infected me at all.” She took another sip of her coffee. “As for her flirting with uncle Olav, it’s all in good fun. Wilhelmina thinks it quite hilarious with all her jokes and effort she puts in. During his anniversary on the throne, she helped Esta sneak in and hide in the closet.”

“Please tell me she was wearing clothes.” Torster couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh fearing the absolute worst.

“That time she was.” Estrid slipped out another chuckle. “Goodness she ruined his birthday cake, oh gods or the time she used the box to-”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Torster interrupted her, letting out a weak chuckle. The ‘box’ present is one his brother has seen way too many times. Which brought at best a chuckle and… way to flirtatious comment from Wilan when he saw Esta doing that or an annoyed sigh from him. “I’m surprised you’re rather flippant about it? Not sure how I’d feel If my wife did that to men who could be her father.” He shook his head at the ridiculousness of it.

“It’s just in good fun, and making uncle Olav uncomfortable is very fun.” Estrid kept chuckling. “She does take it too far sometimes, but usually it’s just harassing him and making him embarrassed or upset before we take our leave.”

“Well as long as she doesn’t get too wild and doesn’t catch a crush on him I guess everything will be fine.” The elven prince took a sip from his coffee.

“We thought about switching it up, harassing Wilhelmina for a little while. Though I picture she won’t be as fun as Olav.” She finishes her cup of coffee.

“As fun as I can imagine you two had with bullying the poor Fylkir. I do have some questions to ask.” Torster let out a small sigh trying to find the correct way to go by this. “Has my sister… In any way or form acted… weird? As in, perhaps being very clingy?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“Ah, well… I really hope you don’t take offense but…” She thinks for a moment. “No more weirder than the other East Boreans I ever met. N-not that it’s a bad thing to be weird or anything.” She was quick to add that detail in. “It’s just well… I mean… On my way here, I saw a sign that said no Kemonomimi allowed and across the street from that store it said hang your local elf. It felt so extreme and insane to see such hateful stuff just out in public.”

“Ah. Well, that is East Borea for you.” Torster joked trying to lighten the mood with a chuckle though it came up as painfully weak. “Trust me I do get what you mean. My mother sent me to the Royal University in Osfjord for that reason, and wanted me to be more… ‘innocent’ as she put it.” He had spent years studying in Osfjord when he was in his 20s and well it almost became a culture shock when he returned back to Blåskog.

“I mean, Esta is a little bit.” Estrid moving her hand around in a circle. “Borean but I never heard her be really hateful towards groups of people at least. I guess your mother was right about the university, you haven’t called me anything hateful… Yet.” She cracks a smile.

“Nor am I planning to.” He let out a genuine chuckle this time shaking his head in amusement. “I will always be thankful that my mother sent me to that university. It’s where I met Velina.” His voice was warm, smiling at a memory before a small frown formed on his lips. Almost like a flinch. Though he was quick to take a sip from his coffee cup to try to cover it. Finishing his cup as he did so.

“How is she taking the culture shock? I’m still going through what happened at the airport when we landed. Not to mention how everyone treats Esta here.” She wasn’t going to be rude and ask why he stopped smiling for a second. It probably was just an East Borean tick or something. “On that note, how are you handling how Nystapi people treat her?”

“Velina was well surprised, but she got used to it after all these years. Blåskovians treat her well and she looks different from the Zrei and average Blåskovians to avoid the same treatment that elves usually get from kemonomimi here.” He chuckled as he thought back to a moment when he needed his wife to talk with one of Esta’s maids as they were rather afraid when he tried to talk to them. “I think it’s all a bit much, though I do not want to offend the Nystapi by criticizing the way they follow my sister’s rule.” He tried his best to hide his big dislike of the effective cultish worship his sister got from the Nystapi people.

She gave a shrug. “Kinda scary seeing her be a leader while also knowing she sleeps with the nightlight on and cuddles plushies. I don’t really know much about how she governs honestly, she always told me she was a ceremonial ruler and religious head of the Nystapi Akuanists here.”

“On paper she is practically an absolute monarch, in practice her laziness has let prime minister Liljeström do most of the administration letting her be more ceremonial.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Though he can only do as far as he can with her approval, there been times that because of my father’s involvement there been much needed reforms that been blocked after he called her to block them.”

“Ah, I understand.” Estrid didn’t really understand but pretended to be out of politeness. “So he’s very unusual for then? I’m not too sure about the history of Nystapi and when I ask Esta. She usually says it’s boring and changes the subject.”

“Depends on what you consider unusual. He is quite democratic and normal. For East Borean standards.” He made clear to add the last part, knowing fully well that Norgsveltians and well most democracies has different opinions on it.

“I mean…” Estrid tried to think of the least offensive way she could explain what she meant. “East Borea has an ethnostate, a theocratic socialist authoritarian state, and a bunch of other autocratic stuff around. So like… Well I hope you get what I mean.”

“Well. Liljeström is what I can best describe as an authoritarian democrat.” The elven prince took a moment to think more on how to word it. “Him and his Nystapi People’s Party has a dominant position in the legislature and administration. With some… harsh censorships at certain times. But overall there is an element of letting democratic participation and not abusing the law. It’s not fair… but well it is far better than rest of East Borea.”

“Oh well at least umm…” She scratched the back of her head. “Can we stop talking about politics?” Estrid gave a weak smile towards him. Truly understanding why Wilhelmina and Jørgen was always so avoidance towards it.

Torster couldn’t help but let out a warm laughter, not too loud but one that was louder than his usual chuckles. “You do seem to fit well with Esta.” He gave her a bright smile.

[Norgsveldet]

25th August, 2023
Torhall Castle, Kungstad, Blåskog

Wilan has been watching the time on his golden Witcain wrist watch for a few hours now, counting the hours and minutes for his brother’s arrival as he stood outside the Castle’s doors. His frown and demeanor were a rather worrying sight for two Royal guards nearby. The Crown Prince wore a very dark blue winter coat, a golden star symbol with a black gem in the shape of the hammer mjølnir being on his right chest. He let out an irritated groan as he placed his hands into his pockets. Giving a glance to one of the guards who was quick to look away while attempting to look at ease, despite the clear nervousness on the guard’s face. He’d make a comment about it if not for the fact that he could finally see his brother’s car arrives in the distance, with the palace gates opening up for his brother and his wife walking through it arms in lock. He cleared his throat as they walked up the stairs to the castle’s doors. “I will assume some complications came up, you bit later than expected?” He said giving the two a warm smile, though he was careful to give his brother a cold look.

His little brother couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle as he scratched the back of his head. “Well, what matters is that we are here now.” He said a bit nervously though his words did not dissuade his brother, Wilan’s cold gaze was quite clear. Even if it was only clear for him as his wife had a warm smile and walked up to give her brother in law a hug.

“Good to see you again!” She stepped away with a soft smile on her face, “I take it you’re curious about Esta and her girlfriend?” She tilted her head slightly at Wilan.

“It’s wonderful to see you again as well!” He said giving Velina a big hug before the two stepped back, patting her back as he gestured to the two of them towards the door which was opened by the guards. “Well I do need to ensure my little sister hasn’t sent another partner to run towards the hills!” He said in a joking tone.

“Well, Estrid is still with her at least.” Torster said in a joking tone as he walked up to them with Wilan being quick to wrap his arm around him, and letting out a fake but well acted laugh.

“Seems like they were doing quite well according to our conversation, what do you think Velina?” Wilan asked, raising an eyebrow at the dark skinned elf.

“Well, she didn’t make jokes about me being a ‘lady of the night’ or call Torster an incel. Whatever that means, so I think she is doing pretty well.” She gives a small laugh, “Ah, she was quite pleasant but still a little flirtatious at times with me, as well did make a small deal about us not kowtowing to her when she entered. I think Estrid is good for her, keeps her on track and she seems just…” She looks at Torster, making direct eye contact. “Well, kinda like us when we first started dating.” She beams with a loving look. She wore a simple green winter coat, imported from those damnable socialists down south before Blaskog was rightfully removed from the NCEF. The winter coat stretching down to her black boots. “It’s really nice seeing her with someone that makes her like that.”

Torster smiled warmly hearing his wife say that, would have gone and given her a kiss if it was not for fact his older brother kept his head in place by the way he was having his arm around his shoulders. “Glad that she stopped calling you that, she was really… Forward the first time she met you.” He said with a small sigh thinking back at the moment.

“That is genuinely wonderful to hear, maybe one day we will hear about our little sister settling down. Thinking about families instead of partying.” Wilan said in a joking tone, shaking his head as the three of them walked into the castle, with Ny’Kuil right behind. Stepping away from his brother so he could take off his winter coat, though not before whispering into Torster’s ear while he had him in place. “Meet me at our father’s office, soon. I’m done waiting.”

The younger prince just nodded his head at that, visibly nervous though was quick to replace it with a smile. “It sure would be a sight.” He said in a joking tone being quick to stand next to his wife, giving her a kiss on the cheek and ensuring that he doesn’t get pulled away to side again by his brother.

Velina removes her winter coat, but keeps her inner winter coat on. Who in their right mind would wear less than four layers in this kind of weather. ‘Well maybe the Ursines or Akuanists.’ She briefly thinks to herself, giving a smile at the kiss. “I think I need to lay down after our ride. I’m going to take a nap in your old bedroom after I snooped through all your things.” She boops her husband’s nose. “I wanna see if you have those kind of magazines or just a bunch of legal documents in there~” She teases him.

“Oh he definitely has a special manga at leas-” Wilan started teasing his little brother before getting interrupted by a swift kick to his ankle. “Motherfucker!” He mumbled out in pain as he gave Torster a glare.

“It’s just legal documents sweetie.” Torster reassured, giving his wife a peck on the lips as he took off his black winter coat, revealing him just wearing a normal but tailored white dress shirt with a black tie. “Now, go rest sweetie, I’ll be right with you in a moment. Then I’ll make it up for you for all those flirtatious comments my sister made~”

“Wow, you have to do this in front of me while I’m in pain.” Wilan taunted rubbing his ankle, rolling his eyes at the two’s interaction.

“Yes, we actually do. You wouldn’t believe how absolutely flirtatious Esta is.” Velina gave a giggle, kissing her husband goodbye. “Now excuse me as I try to find his special manga in his room~” She gave a teasing smile towards Torster before turning around and leaving.

Torster had a warm smile on his face as he watched his wife go down the hall towards his room before letting out a sigh as he heard his brother let out a fake cough. Turning around to see Wilan immediately having a serious look, holding his own dark blue coat in his arms. Wilan was wearing black dress pants, black dress shirt and a white tie. All tailored of course. “Lead the way o’dear brother.” He said in a sarcastic voice.

The crown prince rolled his eyes as he slapped the back of Torster’s head as he walked past him. As he walked towards the stairs to the upper floor. With the younger prince following him. The stairs are large and made of dark stone, with the stairs reflecting on the castle itself. Old and having had to go through several renovations over the several generations of Royal rule. Yet it all by appearance looked amazing, if not overly designed and expensive. “So? Care to explain why you were late?” Wilan asked, giving a glare over his shoulder towards his younger brother.

Torster let out a sigh as he walked in a few seconds of silence before speaking up. “Thought it was wise to speak with Estrid, in private. So I had a small meeting with her at a cafe, checking everything was alright.”

Wilan raised an eyebrow towards Torster before
“Well, good then.” Wilan said his shoulders relaxing as the two walked down one of Blåskog’s halls, walking past a painting of their late mother Trudi. “Did Estrid say anything? Something we haven’t noticed?” His voice was filled with concern.

The younger prince let out a sigh of relief. “Only thing of concern was something she told me was over Esta acting ‘Borean’.” Torster said, scratching the back of his head. “You know what I’m talking about.”

Wilan let out a sigh as the three of them stopped right in front of the office door, having a hand on the handle. Being quiet for a small moment before speaking up. “Hopefully you gave her the contact information?” He gave a glance towards his younger brother.

“Yes.” Torster said rather firmly, becoming more curious what the meeting was about.

"All right, good.” Wilan opened the door gesturing to Torster to enter the office, though earning him a surprised look from his younger brother when Torster’s eyes landed on the third occupant in the room. Being none other than Ny’Kuil. “She will be important for this meeting.” He gave a cold serious look towards Torster who just nodded his head and entered the office.

Ny’Kuil was a bit surprised herself, though she refused to look like it. Taking a deep breath in and out before she turned around to face the two of them. With her ever so stoic face.

“Wilan… What is this meeting about?” Torster looked towards his older brother who was placing his winter coat on one of the clothing hangers in the room.

“We need to have a conversation about Carl.” Wilan said in a simple tone, as he took off his black leathered gloves and shoving it into the coat’s pockets. “Things about our dear father, about the dear king that we can no longer ignore.” His voice was cold, ice cold as he walked towards the desk. With a clear lack of a computer on the mahogany desk, rather replaced with a typical Jac laptop instead.

Ny’Kuil eyed the laptop, rubbing her hands together. Preparing herself to relieve the nightmare stored on those hard-drives. Her breathing is a little more unsteady, but doing her best to keep a stoic look on her.

“What happened to dad’s computer?” Torster asked as he placed his own coat on his chair, sitting down as he studied his older brother’s body language.

“It fell over.” Wilan said in a simple tone as he turned on the laptop, his demeanor being still as cold and serious as possible. “Though I have secured stuff on his hard drives. In which I looked through.”

The younger prince’s posture became increasingly more fidgeting hearing that. “…Then I have to assume what you saw was rather concerning. For us to have this meeting I mean.”

“Concerning is certainly one way to describe it.” Wilan said as he tapped in the password to the laptop. “I can either show you what I found, or me and Ny’Kuil can tell you what is on it.”

Torster looked towards Ny’Kuil, sympathy in his eyes. “Is it about you?” He couldn’t help placing his hands together, as he changed his entire posture so he had his full attention on the maid. He wasn’t close to Ny’Kuil in anyways, but he knew that his father wasn’t treating her well. With the constant sensual comments he made about her, and hardly hiding his interest in her.

She gave a small flinched look, “I am just a small piece of it. It’s also about the children we had and…” She looks up at Wilan, still desperate to hold it together. “His impo-… His disgusting actions with his daughter Esta.” She could feel a renewed pain in her tail.

“So I ask again. Do you want me to show you, or rather be told?” Wilan asks his brother to place his hand on the laptop, threatening to turn it around.

Torster was genuinely concerned, with Ny’Kuil’s comments being a genuine shock as he wanted to ask about her apparent children yet at the same time he couldn’t just ignore his brother who was giving him a cold serious look. He let out a sigh as scratch his arm. “Well, If Ny’Kuil is here it would hardly be fair for me to ask you to show me without her permission, I cannot force her to relive those memories.”

“I-I am fine with it your highness.” She was caught off guard by Torster. Not thinking any Borean let alone a royal would be caring enough to ask her lowly Akuan opinion. She felt small, so short-lived and weak between these two.

Torster let out a sigh, his hands gripping his knees as he looked at his older brother. Nodding his head slowly. His brother just gave one nod in response, as he turned the laptop around. The first image shows Ny’Kuil with her tail bending in a way it’s not supposed to. With several bruises on her arms, stomach and legs. Tears were running down her eyes. The younger prince had to look away for a moment, being taken aback by the picture.

“This not the first time he done something like this, right Ny’Kuil?” Wilan asked cold and stoic in tone as he kept looking at his younger brother. He was going to ensure he understood the seriousness of the situation, to ensure his brother would grow a backbone when it came to their father.

“N-no your highness… That picture was a few weeks after our first born. He said at that time… I was pushing and annoying him too much about visiting our son.” She remembers every second of that violent attack, how much she cried out for him to stop until she couldn’t scream anymore. Ny’Kuil could still remember his cruel laugh. “His majesty doesn’t like breaking the same bone twice…” The words came out of her mouth without a thought.

“I-I’m so sorry…” Torster looked away from the image to look towards Ny’Kuil, desperately wanting to comfort her. “T-That’s horrible, you s-shouldn’t have had to deal with that. If there anything we could do to help your fam-”

“That can be done later.” Wilan’s voice rose up, interrupting Torster as he gave his younger brother a glare as he tapped towards the next image. This time one of Ny’Kuil wearing a white wig, looking away from the camera. “Can you explain what the wig is for, Ny’Kuil?”

Ny’Kuil eyes the photo, she can’t tear herself away from how she looked back then. How young and mostly unbroken she was. “H-his majesty, liked dressing me up then Prince Jørgen of Vakrestrender, during… The things. Usually when he was feeling very stressed or was angry at you Prince Wilan.” There was a few seconds of silence before she raises her pained voice up again, “I’m sorry…” She looks at Wilan, tears in her eyes. “I-I wish I was more direct in my warnings back then…”

“Wilan, perhaps we should sto-” Torster started speaking up seeing how this was affecting their maid but Wilan interrupted him.

“No.” Wilan switched to the next image, this time another one of Ny’Kuil. One of her sitting on their father’s lap, crying and with a shit eating grin on their father’s lips. Though he switched to another picture, then another. Pictures of the maid in worse and worse positions, with worse and worse bruises.

“…I’m so sorry.” Torster said to the maid, looking down at the floor ashamed. He lacked words other than saying how utterly sorry he was for Ny’Kuil’s experiences.

Her eyes were filled with tears streaming down her face, “H-he hurts me so much… I-I don’t have any family o-outside of my children left and H-he refuses to meet our kids.” Her tone was one of a broken heart, “I-I just want it to stop a-and be let go b-but he won’t let me… He doesn’t even remember to use their names when he threatens to kill them if I don’t obey…” Her breathing is unstable, heart rapidly beating. “I don’t think he even cares enough to learn them, b-but they are our children…”

“And it’s unfortunately not just her.” Wilan says standing up from his chair to get his younger brother’s attention. Earning a confused look from him as he looked down at him.

“Is it other maids as well?” The younger prince’s voice spoke up, shaken as he tried to find the right words.

“No, it is not.” The Crown Prince said, gritting his teeth as he switched to the next image, of Esta in a position neither brother would ever want to see her in. She was posing for their own father, even though there were no bruises on her, she was holding a wine bottle. With each next page being worse than the other, though perhaps the worst of it all, their sister was not crying in any of them. She was smiling, while their father had a cruel smirk. Whatever these acts meant for their sister, did not mean the same for their father. Each picture was enough to make Torster gag from seeing it, having to fight back so he didn’t puke on the floor. Wilan’s grip on the laptop was becoming harsher, causing a crack on the screen as he turned the pictures. Despite dozens of pictures of Esta, none of them was normal or friendly. All sensual, all with little or no clothing. Not pictures which a father should have.

“I-I can’t, p-please stop.” Torster had to look away; he couldn’t handle it anymore looking towards the ground holding himself steady by placing a hand on the desk. His eyes closed.

Ny’Kuil couldn’t hold back the flood, it was bad enough to relive her own trauma and memories. But her adoptive daughter Esta? Her knees drop to the floor, her hands gripping the back of her head as the water drains from her eyes and onto the floor. Panic of it all coming back to her. Her tone weeping with broken tone, begging for it all to stop. “I’m s-so sorry my little Amethyst, I-I’m so sorry. I-I should have tried h-harder to stop you two I-I so-sorry.” Every word was broken up with a sob and a gasp for breath. She did certainly try to stop that from happening. However instead of Carl listening to her words, he beat her senseless again and locked her in a closet. “I-I s-should have tried harder t-to escape I-I’m so-so sorry!”

The Crown Prince closed the laptop as he walked around the desk, looking sternly down at his younger brother who was desperately trying to shake off the memories about the pictures. The cold and stoic look from earlier was replaced with icy rage. “Do you remember our promise, brother?” His voice while calm was one who held back emotion.

Torster was quiet, needing a moment to process it all. Yet his brother would not let him as he placed his hands on his shoulders, gripping it harshly making the prince winch in pain.

Wilan just stared down at his younger brother, his look empty of emotion as he spoke once more. “I asked, do you remember?” His voice increased in volume making his little brother nod his head in response. “We made a blood promise, we will protect each other. To protect her.” Torster just continued to nod his head, not daring to speak up. “Blood…”

“For blood…” The younger brother said in response, realizing what his older brother was suggesting. Not sure if he fully agrees, but he knows him. Wilan will do what he sees fit to protect their younger sister.

Letting go of his brother’s shoulder the crown prince walked up next to Ny’Kuil placing a hand on her shoulder. “You have my approval to go home and focus on your children. We will handle Carl.” He said in a cold voice, trying to comfort her but he couldn’t hide his anger. He was not in the mentality to be able to be good at comforting her.

This is certainly not how one would comfort a normal person having a mental breakdown but thankfully Ny’Kuil is East Borean enough to know that is not a polite place to cry at. She got up still crying and rubbing her hands together. Stepping out of the office, as quickly as she could to hopefully make it on top for the bus ride back to her village. She can cry on the bus before she gets home. Spirits knows she cried enough on it that the driver doesn’t even seem phased by it anymore, if he was phased by it in the first place.

“I coul-” Torster wanted to suggest being the one to drive her home but was interrupted by Wilan.

“Let her be, she needs a moment.” The Crown Prince said letting out a sigh as he walked towards the coat hanger.

“Did you need to do all this? You coul-”

“I could have done many things, and we could have stopped it but we didn’t.” Wilan glared at his brother, making him take a few steps back. “You needed to see it in your own eyes, to see it and hear it from her. Because I know if you didn’t? Then you would make some kind of argument why we should let our father live. Wouldn’t you?”

“I won’t deny t-that I’m quick to give second chances…” Torster said with a sigh standing up from his chair trying to come up with a counter argument. But was interrupted by his older brother for perhaps the dozen time.

“You don’t give second chances, you’re just a coward.” Wilan walked up to his brother, even if their heights were not much different. Torster could not help but feel small next to his older brother.

The younger prince let out a sigh, falling quiet wanting to speak up but knew his brother had more to say. .

“Help me kill our father, just like we did with that one girl.” Wilan held his younger brother’s look, not looking away for even a second. “I will be the one to kill him, you just have to help me cover it up. Understood?”

Torster did not know how to handle this, it was such a large amount of pressure put on him. Staying quiet still, it was all so much to process. He wanted some fresh air, he needed some time to just breath.

“Since if you don’t…” Wilan leaned down to whisper into his younger brother’s ear, his voice cold and filled with venom. “I will have no other option but to kill you too.” The Crown Prince stepped away from the younger prince, walking back towards the cloth hanger in the corner of the room.

Torster was just quiet, standing in the middle of the room. His face was pale, extremely pale. His brother’s threat having taken all emotion from him. He wasn’t a murder, he didn’t want to be complicit in another murder. He still remembers the face of the poor girl they buried. Now he is asked to help in killing their own father? “I…”

“Spare me any other cowardly options you can think of.” Wilan said, rolling his eyes as he put on his coat once more, walking towards the door having a hand on the knob. Giving one more look towards his brother, a small sigh leaving his lips. “I do not want to kill you, but we cannot let our father live after what he has done… We just can’t.” He turned the knob and opened the door, closing it behind him. Leaving Torster in the office, alone. Which he couldn’t handle, the younger prince despite his best efforts could not hold it back anymore as he hunched over with a hand on a wall. As he puked onto the floor, tears ran down his face. Falling down on his knees.

“I-I…. Gods… what’s wrong with my family…”

[Norgsveldet]

Ny’Kuil arrived on the bus on time, taking the same seat she always did when coming back from work. Her bento box in her lap, tail in front of her. Blaskovian buses never really did care about those who had tails, so she always had to pull her tail into her lap so it didn’t smoosh against the seat. Her eyes looked downwards, trying her best to recover from the mental breakdown she had before she arrived back home. At least the bus ride was long enough for it, she hopes the kids are okay, and that she made them enough food before she left.

She rested her head on the back of the seat in front of her. Trying out those breathing exercises she saw online to calm herself. The kemonomimi was always torn on taking the position at the palace, if she could or couldn’t. It cost her so many family members, but gave her three new ones in an unfair return. Not to mention everything with Carl, but she can’t bring herself to hate Esta or her own biological children. No matter how painful it all was to return home and see the look of her abuser on their faces. Rubbing her hands together, before reaching into her pocket, she set up an alarm thirty minutes before she arrived home. Give her enough time for a small nap on the bus, and have enough energy for her extremely energetic children. Her mind wanders as her eyes drift off to sleep.

–
Carl was glaring down at her, having her pinned against the wall. His eyes being cold, vicious, all the while ensuring she couldn’t move. “I asked you, will you be a good kitten?” His voice echoed into her ears, using his far taller and broad structure to keep her back against the wall. He was clothed, but not by much. With his white dress shirt being unbuttoned. “I’ve been very patient with you, but I’m getting tired. You can either put on the collar, or have your little sister stumble down a well. What will it be?”

Her eyes were tearful, scared at looking up at him and had to force herself to look up into his cold, dead eyes. “I-I just… Why the collar, I-I okay with sleeping with you b-but this just feels hateful.” She was so much smaller than him and felt even smaller when pinned. “C-can’t we j-just d-do it normally? I-I thought you liked that.” She couldn’t keep up her normal stoic tone, not when he ever so casually threatens her kid sister like that.

“Oh the little kitty cat has an opinion, how cute.” His voice was sarcastic, cruel and cold. His icy blue eyes looking deep into hers, empty of emotion, empty of empathy. He took hold of her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Don’t forget, I own you. You don’t have a say.” His grip on her chin tightened, his thumb rubbing her lips. “Understood?”

“I-I understand… J-just a-are you going to be nice w-with it?” Her words were broken up. She only came to tell him about Esta’s essay, and how concerning it was. How Esta wrote in detail about how she killed a woman and her brothers took care of the body. However he only tossed the papers into the bin and pushed her around until they reached the wall. “I-I… J-just please don’t hurt me.”

“You don’t get to tell me what I can or cannot do.” He said his hand moving away her chin towards her throat, gripping it harshly as he pressed her harsher against the wall. His grip while not completely choking her was there, holding it place and quickening her breathing. “My property, meaning I get to do whatever I want with yo-”

His voice was interrupted by someone walking into the office, for a small moment she hoped someone came to her rescue. With the two turning their head towards the door, in which a tall attractive blond elven woman was at. With stacks of papers wearing a royal purple dress that fit well with her large purple eyes. The elven woman turned towards them, but instead of hatred, anger, shock or even disgust. It was just disappointment in her eyes. “Really, dear? Again?” She said placing the papers on the desk.

“I was in the middle of something, Trudi.” Carl said gritting his teeth, his grip on the maid’s throat loosening as he saw his wife.

“Yes, I noticed. And I don’t care, just do your job first before you start thinking with the wrong damn head.” Trudi said with a frown as she stared down her husband, who mumbled under his breath as he fully let go of Ny’Kuil’s throat. Buttoning up his dress shirt as he walked away from the maid and sat down at the desk.

She let out a gasp of air. Looking with thankful eyes toward his wife. She didn’t speak a word, she can return to helping Esta with her Nys’tat’en lessons. After… This wonderful adventure in being a piece of flesh rather than an actual person. She gave a half-body bow towards the two of them, hopefully hoping they wouldn’t notice her as she made her exit. Only to be stopped by Carl’s voice, freezing her in place before she could reach the door.

*“Stop. You will stay until I’m done.” Carl said glaring at the maid, sending a shiver down Ny’Kuils back as she saw his cold eyes. *

“Please, you will bend her over that desk the moment I’m gone.” Trudi said, rolling her eyes gripping the maid’s shoulder as she stood in front of Ny’Kuil and Carl. “You will get her back when you’re done.”

Carl gritted his teeth at that and glared at Trudi, though after a few seconds he let out a groan. “Fine! Go and take her for a spin or whatever, but return her back in a few hours!” He yelled out before putting his attention on the large stack of papers, mumbling under his breath.

“What a childish, childish man you are.” Trudi said in a full bitter tone as she shook her head. “You should be more like Torster, It’s sad that you’re his father.” She pulled the maid away from the office and towards the hall, closing the door behind her. Not caring to hear the yell from Carl.

“T-thank you…” She gave a weak voice, “I-I can get back to the princess lesson then?” Ny’Kuil raised an eyebrow, drying the tears from her face with her sleeve.

“You will be brewing me coffee first and foremost.” Trudi said in a cold tone as the two walked down the hall. Though her cold attitude was soon replaced with a more warm one as she remembered something. “Oh you should brew another cup as well. Torster needs some energy to wake him up! He’s sleeping in.” Her attitude was far different from earlier, genuine smile on her lips and small flushed cheeks.

“It’s 1pm? Shouldn’t his highness be up?” Ny’Kuil was a bit concerned about the Queen’s rather uncaring attitude towards her daughter. Esta was a troublesome child yes, but her highness seemed like she just didn’t ever care. Carl barely did as well honestly, only checking reports every now and then. “I can wake him now if you would like.”

“Well… My dear son was a bit busy last night, so stayed up later than he normally did.” Trudi’s cheek was a bit more redder than normal, letting out a small giggle. “It is a mother’s job to wake their sons, so I’ll do it.”

“Oh, was he studying?” Ny’Kuil asked in a polite, yet stoic tone returning to her usual speaking pattern. This was perhaps the nicest discussion she had with any royal. Well outside of Esta, but she’s a bit odd.

“In a manner of speaking, yes.” Trudi said as they entered the kitchen, gesturing to the maid to start brewing a cup of coffee. “I’m so happy to have him here again, I’ve missed him so much.”

Ny’Kuil obeyed, despite this not being her job. She started to brew a pot of coffee, taking time to properly. “Your daughter has been doing well in her lessons, she’s quite good at writing Nys’tat’en now.”

“Oh great.” The queen said, though her words did bit match her tone. Being cold and emotionless. “Torster is doing very well in the University, I knew it was a good choice to get him to enroll at Royal University in Osfjord. He deserves it after all.” She smiles brightly, the way she spoke of the two couldn’t be any more opposite. “I should tell him how proud I am when I wake him up!”

Ny’Kuil was a bit weirded out in her statement, again not caring about her daughter. The one that is still living in the castle with them. “I wanted to ask his majesty to extend the princess tutoring, she is still quite young and I think she needs more time to learn about the special rites for enshrinement.” Ny’Kuil wanted to test the waters just a bit more to confirm. Given Esta is supposed to be taking over Lapliszna soon. She has been trying desperately to get Carl to extend her learning period. Though he just wanted to… Well not talk about his daughter.

Trudi let out a tired sigh before looking down at Ny’Kuil. “I’ll talk with him about it. Now can you stop mentioning her?” Her tone was cold, icy as her purple eyes looked deeply down into hers. “My son is finally back from University, I don’t want to talk about the brat I always see, every. single. day.”

Ny’Kuil was… More than just taken back by her words. She was stunned, holding the Queen’s coffee cup in her hand. “I’m sorry?” She was perplexed, confused even. Well not too confused, the Queen was always cold towards Esta but that’s just Borean royalty besides Wilan. He wasn’t cold to her, but he most certainly wasn’t making Ny’Kuil’s life easy.

“You’re forgiven.” Trudi said, taking a sip from her coffee cup, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Now be quick and make a second cup for Torster!” And the warm smile was back on her lips again.

The maid would see if she would react to her bringing up Wilan but decided she would rather not end up being thrown to Carl again so soon. She pours the second cup, handing it back to the disturbingly quick mood shifting woman. At least she knows where Esta got her… Interesting personality changes from.

“Thank you! Now you can go talk with that… girl while I wake my son.” Trudi said, taking hold of the second cup as she walked out of the kitchen, and for a small moment the maid swore she could swear the Queen was biting her lower lip. Though the door closed in her face before she could be certain.

‘What in the spirits is wrong with this family.’ Ny’Kuil thinks to herself. Disturbed about how… Nevermind it’s not her place to say. She turns and leaves the room, the memory of it all fading away so fast.

_ _

Ny’Kuil’s phone alarm went off, she raised her tired head and flicked her phone alarm off. Taking a moment to deeply breath, and rubbing her hands together. Getting ready to put on an act of a mother happy to see her children after a business trip. Hiding the sheer panic and fear she felt through the last two days.

[Sometime later]

Ny’Kuil knocked on the door three times, and then waited knocking twice more. She could hear her children skitter out of their hiding places, opening the door slightly to allow her to slip in. A real genuine smile appeared over the maid’s face as she saw her adorable children. Even more so when Carl Jr, handed her a drawing the two kids made together. The picture being of herself, her two kids and a… Ny’Kuil smile briefly turned into a frown until forcing a smile again. Her kids drew their father on their art project again. How delightful.

[Norgsveldet]

5th October 2023
Torhall Castle, Kungstad, Blåskog

Carl took a sip from his shot glass letting out a satisfied sigh as the limousine parked in front of the castle. The press were all gathered outside the castle gates still far away from the castle doors but close enough so they could take pictures of him entering the castle. He looked out the window towards the castle.

“Finally back home. Gods I hate diplomatic tours.” He said stretching his arms into the air before. “Especially to a place like Jarisven, have you ever been to Jarisven, Orebyte?” He raised an eyebrow at his driver.

The extremely tired looking kemonomimi forced a smile looking up at the cheap bastard. Eyes filled with a forced look of wonder. “No sir, I have never been to Novaris at all.” He never really been outside of Borea to begin with. He thought working for the Royal Family would mean he would be paid decently, but it turns out that the king is not only a braggart but cheap.

“Oh trust me you’re not missing much. Most nations have some charm with them or nice decorative buildings or just warm people to interact with. Jarisven? Gods is it dreary.” Carl rambled as his driver got out of the car to open the door for him, to the cold snowy weather that was well typical for Borea. With the king wearing his dark fur coat holding it close to his body. “For a theological country they really seemed to get all their architectural designs from communists.”

The driver lifted up three bags, two in one hand and another in free hand. Having to stretch out his arms to hold all of the luggage. “Oh really? That is very interesting!” Orebyte said in a false upbeat tone, not having really put much effort into it. The king is barely listening anyway. Having to both, close the car door and then carry all the luggage ahead of his majesty and his stupid long legs. So he can then open the stupid heavy door while holding onto the luggage but not enter in first because nooooo, the king has to enter in first not the person holding his holiday shopping trip in his hands.

The king very much did not notice his driver’s growing annoyance nor was he one to really care what an servant’s opinion actually was. “It truly is, It surprises me how little they actually care about true traditional Ulvriktru designs. Such a shame that…” His voice trailed off as he looked up at the small set stairs leading up to the palace, noticing the absence of his son. “Strange.” As the two walked up to the doors he gestured to his servant to stop right as he was about to actually open the doors. The king looked towards one of the guards that was standing on duty nearby. “You there. Do you know where my son is? Has my son gone back to Rikevaarland?”

The elven guard just shook his head while still standing with a straight back. “No, your majesty. His highness is in the castle.” The guard gave his king a salute though Carl had already turned around the moment he got confirmation his son was inside. With the king walking in after the driver opened the doors for him.

“Thank you, Orebitter.” Carl said as he took off his coat hanging it up on a coat rack.

‘Orebyte’ He thought to himself, how could you mess that up? Spirits be kind, he wished he went to university instead of moving here. First the country’s economy goes down the toilet, making all of his savings worthless and then he has to work for a dude who keeps trying to get into his pants rather than do anything of note. At least at the job he can safely steal some gas from the car for heating in his apartment. The driver ranted in his head. Looking around for the maid to direct where he is supposed to take the luggage too.

“Father, welcome back home.” The king heard his eldest son’s voice from the top of the staircase, though severely lacking any warmth. Not that the king expected any to begin with.

“Wilan, my dear son. Why in the nine realms weren’t you in front of the castle to greet me.” Carl spoke up in an irritated tone as he looked towards the staircase seeing his son looking down at him. “You know our procedures, the heir when available shall be the first to greet the monarch from a returning trip.”

“Oh father, I think you are a bit too focused on procedures, you can relax with them a little bit. Right?” Wilan walked down the stairs slowly with a small smirk on his face as he did so. The Prince was wearing a dark blue dress shirt and black dress pants. “Mr. Ny’Faniti, you can put the luggage down, my father and I can take care of it.”

“What?” The king looked towards his son like he had grown a second head.

Orebyte was not getting middle of whatever the fuck is going on here. Quickly placing down the luggage and leaving just as quick out the front door to go park the car and steal some gas.

“Ny’Kuil is supposed to be one handling my luggage.” Carl crossed his arms giving a cold glare towards his son.

“Ny’Kuil is on a special vacation.” The Crown Prince just shrugged his shoulders as he walked up to his father grabbing hold of one the bags.

“Wait what? She doesn’t have special vacation days.”

“She does now. Now grab your luggage unless you want them to stay there.” Wilan said a stoic tone as he walked away.

“No I will call her immediately this is ridi-” Carl spoke up before being interrupted by his son.

“Leave her be, father. She deserves time off, she has been feeling unwell for a while and needs to be able to enjoy life and relax.” His tone was no longer stoic, rather replaced with a cold anger as he stopped walking. “Afterall, you don’t expect servants to work with broken bones. Right, father?”

“…She told you, didn’t she?” The father’s tone matched his son but was not able to match the same level of coldness. Being more angry than cold.

“No, I just have ears and eyes, father.” Wilan put down the bag. “You’re the worst at hiding things, you know that? So many secrets I could share. I wonder what people would think when they know their king acts like sex fiend with his servants.” He turned around crossing his arms glaring at his father.

“You’re threatening me?” Carl looked shocked at his own son.

“Threatening, telling. Does it matter? Point is, let that poor woman alone for a while. She deserves it.” Wilan gave a cold glare at his father, almost trying to provoke him to argue with him. But the king in the end, didn’t.

“Fine. But I expect her back in December.” The king grabbed hold of the two bags that were left at the door walking towards his son who did the same with the bag next to him.

“Good, now Torster has prepared a meeting between you and him tomorrow. He wanted to talk about the parliament, him and his wife staying over for a while.” Wilan walked with his father up the stairs.

“What? Why?” Carl gave a confused look towards his son.

“Well he wanted to talk about reforms in greater detail with you.” Wilan shrugged his shoulders acting like he had no idea what his brother was doing. “They brought their daughter over, so I hope you don’t have too much issue with that.”

“And I thought I was done with babies crying after your sister was born.” Carl said in an irritated son as they turned towards the hall that had their bedrooms.

“Esta didn’t cry. She never cried.” Wilan said in a cold tone. He remembered his sister’s birth well, his father didn’t because he wasn’t there. But Wilan was, and he remembered it clearly. The moment Esta was born there was no cry, nor has he remembered her crying during her infancy. Quiet through most of it, even in spite of his mother’s refusal to treat her well.

“Right, I guess you and Torster were the only cry babies in the family.” Carl said with a laugh shaking his head as he entered his own room, with Wilan following in soon after.

_

“Was able to convince him to leave you alone until December, you think that will be enough or you want me to ensure he stays away from you longer?” Wilan asked as he held his phone next to his ear sitting in his own office reading through some reports that were happening in Teieleie.

“W-what?” The gentle motherly voice came over the phone, filled with concern. “Sorry your highness, I meant to say what will be my duties in the palace then?”

“You are meant to stay at home, take care of your kids.” Wilan took a sip of his coffee cup as he turned the page to the next report, going over the crime rate in Teieleie. “You are still getting paid, don’t worry. You will be getting paid by the end of this month.”

“I-I don’t know what to sa-” Ny’Kuil’s voice was rudely interrupted by a upbeat voice of a child. “Mama, Mama. I love you. Who are you talking to? Can I talk to them? Carl is being a jerk and hiding under our bed again.”

“Ah, is that your daughter?” Wilan asked in a partially amused tone letting out a small chuckle.

“Ny’Kino please.” The mother gave a tired sigh.

“Please what mama?” The child quickly responds.

“Here just. Cuddle with mama, and please use your indoor voice. Like we talked about.” Ny’Kuil tired sound, was renewed with a warmness.

Whispering, barely heard from the other end of the phone. “Okay Mama, I love you.”

“Say, would you be okay If I visit you sometime this month to meet them? I’ll come in the evening as you asked.” Wilan asked in a more warm yet almost solemn tone as he realized that he really should be more there for them. “I understand If you don’t want me there.”

“I-I Um… Ny’Kino can you go get mama a glass of water?” Ny’Kuil spoke in a hushed tone, waiting for a few moments. “You may, but the children only really met a handful of people and only really Esta they ever met from the family…” He could understand the concern in her voice.

“They have met Esta?” Wilan sounded audibly surprised at that. He would have to confront his little sister about that eventually but it would be a later thing to worry about. “I’ll try not to freak them out, but. I do want to try being a good older brother for them, I wasn’t there for them earlier.”

“W-well yeah… Sorry for not mentioning it sooner, I’m just used to not telling people about them.” Ny’Kuil sounded apologetic. “She helps out sometimes with food and toys. Umm, if you are sure you are okay with telling them your their brother.” She whispered the last word, concerned about it all.

“I was thinking it would be wisest you tell them so they prepared. But I can tell them myself.” Wilan took a sip from his coffee having completely forgotten about the reports on his desk. “In the end, I just want to meet them. So I can be an actual brother to those kids.”

“I think you should tell them, they will be overjoyed and I don’t think you would want to miss out on their hugs.” Ny’Kuil gave a warm giggle.

“Is that daddy on the phone? Is daddy coming to visit us!” Familiar voice of Ny’Kino could be joyfully heard.

“No, it isn’t him. This is a… Friend of mama.” Ny’Kuil hanged up the phone call, rather not wanting to further risk a joyous outburst when the kids are suppose to be quiet as a mouse.

[Norgsveldet]

Next Day

“You doing so well sweetie~”

Torster sat up in his bed pushing away the covers as he did so, his heart hammering in his chest as he grabbed at it. Trying to calm down, sweat dripped down from his forehead with his face being purely red. He frantically looked around the bedroom, almost fearful only to let out a sigh of relief to see everything was alright, with his wife hugging his arm in his sleep. He couldn’t help but push away some of the white hair that was covering her face, giving her a kiss on the forehead. “Gods I’m pathetic.” He mumbled quietly to himself, closing his eyes for a moment as he tried to forget about that memory.

His wife cuddled against his arm. “Go back to bed pathetic, I’m tired.” She said in a barely awake voice.

“Wow, I feel so loved right now.” Torster said in a sarcastic tone as he laid down again cuddling up against her. He held her tightly close to him, he needed to feel her comfort. “I love you. So much.”

“Darn right your feeling loved now.” She gives a squeeze back, tightening her arms around him. “Love you too honey… Is everything alright? Having bad dreams again?” Velina took a hand to stroke Torster’s forehead, brushing the hair that returned to cover his face.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. It… It just keeps returning.” Torster couldn’t help but feel guilty, for the longest time the two of them had a hard time sleeping because of him. Ever since his mother died the dreams had just… Increased in intensity. Worst thing about it was how his body reacted, even when he didn’t want it to. Today was no different. “I really should start using sleeping pills.” He let out a weak chuckle.

“It’s okay, the big bad monster can’t get you now.” She pulled his head to rest on her shoulder. Rubbing her hand up and down Torster’s back. Planting a kiss on his cheek, “Maybe you should take some before bed, you need some sleep.” Velina gave a soft mischievous smirk.

“Trust me, I know it can’t get me now.” Torster said in a guilty tone though he tried to hide it with a laugh. He looked at his wife, raising an eyebrow at her. “Not sure I like that smirk, what are you thinking about now?”

“I found your collection of books last night~” Velina plants a kiss on his lips before letting go of him. “Here I thought only Esta would be reading that stuff.” She flashes him a grin, raising her eyebrows. “What would the Gothir say about it~”

“I-I, hush.” He looked away embarrassed, the red from his cheeks returning. “Y-You didn’t look through them, right?”

“You had bookmarks dear~” Velina’s smile only grew and grew. “I wonder if you love me for my mind or just my personality~” She pushed her legs off the bed, getting ready to stand up. “Come on now, we have a busy day ahead of us and we can’t just spend all day talking about your sinful literature.”

“Oh shut up. I’ve been teased about it enough before.” Torster mumbled out as he got off the bed as well walking towards the bathroom to brush his teeth. “I think you should be happy that you fit the bill.” He let out a loud yawn and stretched his arms which revealed some smaller scars that were on his shoulders as he did so. Ones that seem very old.

Velina poked his side. “Oh shush you.” She kept up her smile letting him know she was just being playful. “Say, I was thinking about taking our little one out to see Lapliszna during the reindeer migration. I think she would enjoy watching the herds travel.” She picked up her toothbrush. “She been really liking watching those carto-, sorry Anime with the talking animals in them.” She was correct on more than one occasion by her husband on that subject.

“I think that would be lovely.” He gave her a kiss on the neck before he started to brush his own teeth. Having to fight to keep his eyes open desperately trying to engage with the topic with his wife but eventually he closed his eyes for a small moment. Listening but distantly as he tried to fully relax. Though soon he swore he could still hear her, hear her voice whispering in his ear. Telling him how much she loves him, how much she loves him and his… touches. Yet when he looked behind him there was no one there. His face was once more deeply red, as he stuttered out just letters, not even making a full word. Much less a sentence. He breathed in and out heavily.

“Honey?” His wife’s head leaned in front of him, toothbrush still in her mouth. A concerned look in her eyes, out stretching a hand to hold his shoulder. “You want me to reschedule the meeting?”

“I… Yes. I need to gather my thoughts about something. H-Have it, some time later today, I’ll be fine.” He gave a very weak reassuring smile towards his wife. “Just spaced out nothing more.”

“I have it done, but if it is too much let me know okay? I can put off my own meetings today, it can just be me, you and our daughter.” She gave a motherly smile, taking out her tooth brush out of her mouth and gave a kiss to her husband’s cheek.

“Thank you. Genuinely, thank you.” He gave her a weak smile as he finished brushing his teeth, getting a glass of water to clear his mouth. He looked down at his sink letting out a weak chuckle. “Gods, what would I be without you huh?”

“Probably lonely, and still cuddling your teddy bear.” His wife smirked at the joke, despite her being the one to make it. “Only one in your family that isn’t married too. I mean Wilan got married, Esta will undoubtedly get married to the Norgsveltian. Honestly if it wasn’t for me taking pity on the cute prince in my class.” She shook her head.

“Well I’m glad the beautiful girl with a wonderful personality walked up to me and asked me out. All with that confident smile of yours.” He smiled a bit more warmly as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “I do mean your actual personality when I say that, just letting you know. That is one I haven’t seen before.”

She flicks his nose. “I make the arrangements sweetie.”

“And I adore you for it.” He gave her a peck on the lips.

“I adore me too, but you’re fine as well~” She gave a wink, taking a longer kiss on his lips before turning around to go about her day’s activities.

The Prince smiled warmly as he looked at his loving wife exiting the bathroom letting out a small sigh. He might not ever forget what happened back then, what his mother did. But at least his wife helped him keep those memories away for small moments. He looked at the reflection of himself in the mirror and once more a negative memory came to the front of his mind. A memory about his late mother, one of many during his childhood.

His face once more red as sweat started to gather once more, his heart rate increasing in intensity before he shook his head. Letting out a deep sigh as he finally exited the bathroom, closing the door harshly behind him.

[Norgsveldet]

12th October, 2023
Ny’Løststad, Blåskog

The Crown prince was once again wearing his black winter jacket and dark gray ushanka as he stood outside the residence of his little sister’s favorite maid. He knocked on the door of the house wearing black leather gloves. As he waited patiently and a little bit nervously for the door to be answered. He wasn’t sure how his new little siblings would greet him. He knows for certainty If he would be enraged at himself if he was in their shoes. What big brother doesn’t go out of their way to protect their sibling?

The door was opened a tiny bit, a pair of two eyes greeting him. One stack on top of the other, followed by a quick. “Daddy!” Wilan heard the children cheer, the door was shut again and sounds of it being unbolted were heard. As the door opened, he saw Ny’Kino and Carl Jr, together. Ny’Kino resting on top of her big brother’s shoulders and clear signs the brother was greatly struggling with it. Before he could even correct them, the pair hugged him, almost causing Ny’Kino to fall off.

Wilan was, well, shocked. He wanted to immediately correct them but the moment he felt the two children hug him so tightly he couldn’t help but fall quiet. As he slowly reached down to scratch their ears as he looked down at them. “I, where is your mother?” He gave them a warm smile.

Ny’Kino climbed down from her brother’s shoulders. Carl Jr, still holding onto Wilan’s leg. Purring deeply against it. The girl took him by the hand, starting to lead him to mama before being stopped.

“How many times I have told you two not to answer the door.” Ny’Kuil had her usual frozen tone, appearing from the kitchen. Holding a frying pan in both her hands. Her professional tone and appearance torn to shreds as she saw Wilan, dropping the frying pan right away in a panic. “O-oh sorry your highness! I-I didn’t know it was you. S-sorry!”

“Mama it’s daddy!” Ny’Kino spoke up, placing Wilan’s hand on top of her head. Looking bright and smiling.

“I-I see that… C-can you close and lock the door?” She stared at Wilan, her fingers fidgeting.

“Of course.” He said giving Ny’Kino a few pats on the head before lifting up Carl Jr with one arm as he walked towards the entrance while holding up the kid. Closing the door and locking it. “Now aren’t you just adorable?” He looked down at his little brother poking his nose as he walked back towards the kitchen.

Ny’Kino gave a pout not being lifted up by her dad like Carl Jr is. Though she still followed closely to him, completely ignoring that nonsense stuff like personal space. Carl Jr, of course snuggled against Wilan. Giving a warm sense of purring. “Love you daddy, we always wanted to meet you daddy.”

Ny’Kuil shakingly picked up the frying pan, nervously stepping away from Wilan and into the kitchen. “Um, you can wait in the living room. I will bring out some juice boxes for you three.”

The girl took Wilan’s hand again and tried her best to drag him to the couch. “Okay mama!”

Wilan just let out a small chuckle as he just wrapped his arm around the girl lifting her up as he held both kids in each of his arms. “Just point me in the direction, kiddo.” He joked looking down at her.

Now both children are rubbing against and warmly purring. “Over to the left, it has a big couch and a really big spaceship in front of it.” Ny’Kino respond. The ‘spaceship’ in question was actually a large box decorated with cans, chalk and some Yule lights to look like a ‘spaceship.’ Placed in front of the couch, the counter next to the couch having some bits of knitting equipment.

“Ah, did both of you make it?” He asked the two as he put them down on the couch sitting down in the middle of the two of them. He had a warm smile genuinely acting more like a father than a brother even if he didn’t mean too.

“Yes! Mama helped a lot!” Ny’Carl smiled brightly, with Ny’Kino nodding her head excitingly. As much as the two wanted to show off their uniform and spaceship. Neither one of them wanted to let go of Wilan. Both of them hugged tightly, nuzzling their heads against his chest.”

“It’s wonderful, you two are amazing inventors.” He taunted them a little bit. His arms were completely occupied by the two kemonomimi children who were still holding it tightly. “Though, I must be honest with the two of you.” He let out a small sigh as he hesitantly said the truth. “I’m not your father. I’m your big brother, Wilan. And I want to help take care of you two.”

“Yes you are.” Ny’Kino simply rejected that. Carl Jr, quickly adding it. “You are everything mama described. Tall, handsome, warm and compassionate. White hair, gray eyes and an elf!”

“I, what?” The Crown Prince gave a confused look towards the two of them. One thing is to be mistaken as their father, another is to be completely denied the idea of not being their father. “Well that’s all rather superficial.” He let out a small chuckle hoping Ny’Kuil would come back soon so he could ask why she told them that Carl had gray eyes despite his father having blue ones.

“I don’t know what that means but you are daddy.” Ny’Kino insisted, squeezing Wilan tightly. Well as tightly as a child could squeeze. Carl Jr, not to be out done. “It means he has superpower! Like living forever!”

“What? No, no. It means something is surface level.” He tried to clarify before shaking his head in amusement. “You two don’t understand what that means either, do you?”

“Oh! Like when I hold my head under water in the bath.” Carl Jr, said in an understanding tone, not understanding a damn thing at all.

“No no, he means blood.” Ny’Kino rolls her eyes.

“No, No. None of those things!” Wilan couldn’t help but let out a warm laughter shaking his head in amusement. Not noticing the maid looking at the three of them as the Crown Prince laugher caused his entire body to shake, which easily shook the two kids as well.

The mother walked into, holding onto a plate with the juice boxes on it. Ny’Kuil have a warm smile, feeling more comfortable now. She could correct the children, but this is perhaps the only time herself and her children shared a smile at the same time. At least not forced ones. As much as she loved Esta like a daughter but spirits know she is terrified when she is around them.

“I’m sorry for not visiting you two, I should have been here for you.” Wilan’s voice was a bit more somber tone though he had a smile on his face. “Anything you two want? Just ask and it will be done.”

“Stay here with us please.” Ny’Kino looked up brightly at Wilan, her eyes warmly staring into his cold gray ones. “Can you add some mattresses and railing to the stairs at the castle? Mama is very clumsy and keeps getting hurt.”

Ny’Kuil stayed silent at that, taking a seat on a nearby recliner that most certainly was not stolen from the palace. Rubbing her hands together in her lap. “Mama is very clumsy.” She said in a barely audible tone.

“I cannot stay, but I will be visiting you three from now. Often as well.” Even his own cold gray eyes seemed a little bit more warmer now as he looked down at them before giving a small glance towards Ny’Kuil before looking back at the children. “Don’t worry, I’ll help ensure Mamma doesn’t get as hurt anymore. I promise.”

“Mama! Did you hear that! Daddy going to get you one of those life jackets!” Ny’Kino spoke up in a joyful tone.

“Those only work for water Ny’Kino, he going to get her a giant hamster ball!” Carl Jr countered her sister’s silly claim. “Mama, can we use your hamster ball when you get back from work!?”

“T-that’s not what he means children. He is just going to have some railing and padding stuff out on the palace for mama.” Ny’Kuil responded, in a somewhat tired tone. Having gone through such a discussion with her children before.

“Come on, you two drink from the juice boxes that mamma got you.” Wilan tried to change the topic after noticing the maid’s reaction.

Ny’Kuil eyes became heavy, she only means just to rest her eyes for a small moment. Yet, her tiredness overcame her. As her head rested on her shoulder, letting the spirits of dreams and rest over take her bring her to a world anew.

The kids tried to hold onto Wilan, while also leaning to grab their juice boxes. Of course, being both children and Kemonomimi there arms was not long enough to reach over and grab the boxes. Quick came of rock paper scissors was held, resulting in Carl Jr, having to let go of his dad. Grabbing all three juice boxes, handing on to his dad, another to his sister and the last one for himself.

The Crown Prince looked towards Ny’Kuil frowning for a small moment as he stood up causing the two children to give worried looks up at him. He scratched their heads for a small moment. “Don’t worry I’m just gonna put your mamma to her bed. It’s down the hall right?” He smiled warmly at them.

They got up from the couch, leading him to their shared bedroom. They were not going to let him out of their sight for a moment. The bedroom itself was like a children’s bedroom because for the most part of the day, it was. It was located in the middle of the house, without any windows. Small TV set, few children’s books and a whole mess of Esta’s old toys stringed about the floor.

Wilan let Ny’Kuil gently down on the bed as he lifted the blanket over the maid. He let our a quiet chuckle before turning his head towards the kids. “Let your mamma rest, okay?” He whispered to them signaling them to be quiet before lifting the two of them up. Walking out of the bedroom, gesturing with his head to one of them to close the door as his arms was too occupied holding them up.

The door closed softly, as Carl Jr reached out to press it closed. Now can finally return to purring against his dad despite him saying he isn’t their dad. He is clearly their dad, their source is their mama description of him and a child’s imagination. This to say, they mostly made it the fuck up. Their mother only ever said stuff about personality, white hair and being an elf. Nothing about the eyes or being handsome. They just filled in the blanks.

_ _

Ny’Kuil rubbed her eyes, giving a soft and quiet yawn. Still barely awake, her eyes half open, the mother reaches out for her children on the bed. Finding them missing from her side, her eyes widened. Looking around on the bed in a brief moment of panic, sitting up on the bed. Rubbing her hands across the bed to find them still gone.

“They’re sleeping on the sofa, we watched a couple movies and I got them some snacks.” She heard a voice next to her. Seeing the Crown Prince sitting in a chair next to the bed putting his phone on a charger. “They are adorable, even if Ny’Kino can be a bit of a troublemaker.” The elf let out a small chuckle as he turned his attention away from his phone and now towards her.

She gave a small jump, seeing an elf was in the room. Her hands gripping the blanket. “I’m sorry your majesty for falling asleep. It was mos-” Ny’Kuil stopped herself, breaking off from the pre-programmed statements she have to his father when she falls asleep. Though at least this she is in a bed, rather than on the floor or other unpleasant places to arise in. “S-sorry.” Her voice returns to her concern voice, rather than the professional one she required to have with Carl. “Force of habit.”

“It’s alright, though I was hoping to have a small talk about that.” Wilan said, having a more stoic attitude than his warm one from earlier. Though it was far from the cold that the maid was accustomed to. “What did you tell them? About my father.”

The stoic, and ‘harshness’ wasn’t lost on Ny’Kuil. Still wearing what little comfort clothes she could afford after Carl repeated slashes to her salary across the years. Her fingers gripping the blanket harsher. “I-I… The only truthful things I told about them was that he was an elf, and he was a royal… Carl Jr.” Her words trailed off, the venom of that name bring back unpleasant memories. “He once asked me why he was named junior after the king. I told them that their father wished it so. Which wasn’t a lie at least…”

“I see.” The Crown Prince just nodded at that before letting out a small sigh. “Seeing they assumed I was their father I can guess they never saw a portrait of him. Though perhaps not surprising with the lack of access they have to internett and news.”

“I don’t like the children being on the internet, too many creeps are on it.” She shakes her head. “Well, um… About a portrait.” Ny’Kuil moves her legs off the bed, standing up straight. Heading towards the closet, opening it and fiddling with the backboard of it. Taking out a painting of the royal family. One of the few ones with Esta actually in it. As well some… Creative drawing attached to it artfully done in crayon across the expensive paints made by the children. “Esta the Protector brought this over one day, I’m not quite sure why but the children saw it before I could hide it away as you can see.”

Wilan stood up from his chair crouching his head down a little bit to get a better look at the portrait before letting out a good warm chuckle with a small accompanying it when he saw the drawings done by the children. “They at least share that with Esta, though luckily they use crayons to draw with.” He shook his head in amusement before straightening his back, putting his attention on Ny’Kuil as he looked down at her. “Though If they have seen this, why did they assume I was their father?”

“They said your father looked ‘creepy’ and ‘scary’ looking.” Ny’Kuil responded, trying to be at least somewhat respectful, not to mention making sure her children don’t end up at the bottom of well. “T-they’re just children, they don’t mean any harm-” She was cut off by Wilan’s laughter.

“Well they’re not wrong.” The elven prince had to muffle his laughter as he heard that. “My father looks like a wannabe vampire at times, I do not blame them for finding him scary. Even if he is mostly just pathetic.” He was successful in muffling his laughter though he still had a wide smile. “Gods sorry. So they completely crossed off the idea he was their father because of that? Didn’t Esta tell them anything?”

“Pathetic…” Ny’Kuil said abstain mindly. Nothing he did to her felt quite pathetic, but as to not sore the Crown Prince’s mood she forced herself back into reality. “Ah sorry… She hasn’t said anything to them about their father though she had some concerning comments about you… Also ran an election where only herself and the children voted on who was the father. She and Carl Jr voted for you. Ny’Kino thought Prince Torster was the father because of um… I hope you won’t find this offensive but she claimed that he looked nerdy enough to be in love with me.”

“I will talk with Esta about it, seeing how she pushed the idea of me being their father into their heads.” Wilan sat down in his chair again shaking his head at this information. “And trust me Esta called Killjoy worse things than that, I doubt anything those kids call him could ever offend me or him.”

Ny’Kuil gave a kind smile, placing the painting back into it’s hiding place and closing the closet door. “I’m more than aware, and I’m concerned she well spread some rumors about him to the kids. Such as him eating books, and having to um.” She felt uncomfortable mentioning this but she hopes Wilan can correct Esta on this so she stops bringing it up. “She mentioned that Prince Torster has no… Butthole sir. Which is why his mouth always smells.”

“I’ll stop her before she goes too far. Last thing I want is for those kids to be too traumatized to see him.” He let out a small sigh, knowing full well that he was one of the very few who could reign in the elven girl. “If you do not mind me asking, what are the concerning things she told them about me?”

“They don’t believe her, despite her claims.” She gave a small sigh, sitting down at the edge of the bed. “With you… It is mostly how attractive you are.” Ny’Kuil rubs her hands together.

“Oh? Well, I hope she didn’t kiss the painting.” Wilan joked, shaking his head in amusement letting out a small laughter. “Don’t overthink it, she has a girlfriend now. She might be saying those things to make you uncomfortable.” It was clear he didn’t take the idea seriously. Though she couldn’t tell if it was because the prince expected her to say something worse or because he misunderstood her.

“i’m aware it is still concerning though, but at least she learned to censor her speech around children. I was always afraid of that when I tutored her.” Ny’Kuil felt more relaxed now, which is somewhat of a nice thing being her bedroom. One should feel comfortable there at least. “It took long enough to get the young miss to stop making such comments about me when reached her teenage years.”

“I’ll talk with her about that, at the very least I hope she keeps her more…” Wilan gave the hand motion of stabbing. “Side of her at bay when she visits. She still can easily be driven to such actions if one is not careful.”

“Yes… Thankfully she does. She took the title ‘your divine and goddess aunt’ towards them. Which has led to some awkward conversations with them.” She lets out an annoyed sigh. “I wished your father allowed me additional time for her tutelage in becoming an enshrined spirit. It is down right dangerous to the world how she treats the spirits of Borea.” She shakes her head in utter disappointment.

“Well you know my father, Akuanists main purpose is labor or sex in his eyes.” He rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “I’ve tried to get her to stop calling herself a goddess but she is rather protective of it.” He took a glance on his phone checking the time. “It is getting late though I must ask before I leave. What do you want me to do? Shall I tell them about who their father actually is or?”

“I-I… I don’t know.” Ny’Kuil looks down at her lap, rubbing her hands together. “I have already lied about them so much about their father and I feel worse for it. I don’t want them to lie again but I will leave it up to you. I don’t think I could stomach telling them another lie and I don’t have enough incense to burn as an apology again to the spirits.”

Wilan let out a heavy sigh at that as he grabbed his phone putting it into his pocket before standing up walking towards the edge of the bed before crouching down to look at her eye to eye. “I think you had too many people dictating your life, Ny’Kuil. I want to follow your lead on this, what you think is best for them.” His tone was firm yet warm in its own way. “I’ll play the role If I need to be. They deserve to have the best father ever.” He placed his hand on Ny’Kuil’s, she could feel him having placed a roll of paper bills in her hands. Though his hand covered the amount. “Or the best big brother, It’s up to you.”

“I-I… would like to continue you being their father.” Ny’Kuil looked up at Wilan, her tired blue eyes looking up at his cold gray ones. She gave a weak smile.

"Then I will, I’ll help in any way I can.” He placed a hand on her chin gently rubbing it in an attempt to comfort her. “Do you want a hug?”

The door to the bedroom opened completely, as Ny’Kino accidentally tripped forward into the room. Carl Jr moving over to help his little sister stand back up. “Sorry mama and papa! W-we just wanted to know what grown up time was.” He whispered into Ny’Kino’s ear. “Told you it was him and not that nerd.”

Wilan let out a sigh, shaking his head at that, giving a small glance towards Ny’Kuil. “Grown up time?” He whispered to her. “Esta?”

Ny’Kuil gave a affirmative nod. “Come children, we need to get you cleaned up, teeth brushed, ears and tail cleaned up before bedtime. Your father has work in the morning.” She gave a warm, motherly voice despite her tiredness.

The children, rather than obeying their mother. Made a joint effort to imprison their father by grabbing his legs. “Please don’t go, we finally get to meet you papa.” Ny’Kino started to cry, her tears wetting Wilan’s legs. Carl Jr, buried his head into Wilan’s lower thigh. “Please don’t leave us again.”

The Crown Prince gave them a solemn smile as he crouched down. “Hey now. I promise to visit you two far more. Your mamma has my phone number so If you want to talk it’s just to call your pappa, alright?” He placed a hand on both of their shoulders rubbing it. “I’m just a busy man, but never be afraid to call your ol’ man.”

“Can we call now? We don’t want you to go.” Ny’Kino in her tearful sobbing state looks up at him. Carl Jr, only sobbing into Wilan’s leg further. Holding him tightly, Ny’Kuil giving a small cough. “Come on children, let’s go get washed up.”

“W-why can’t you stay here and then leave in the morning?” Ny’Kino pushed forward in her desperate attempt. “W-we be extra good promise.”

“Tell you what. If you let me leave, next time I visit I promise to stay over. Alright?” He asked, giving them a warm smile as he now placed his hands on their heads patting them and rubbing their ears. “I’ll even bring you two more of that chocolate I bought.”

“B-but we don’t want you to go now.” Ny’Kino continued, children being well known for their negotiation skills and zero tolerance policy towards adults on bedtimes. Ny’Kuil reached down to grab and lift up her daughter. Having to take another hand just to unpry Ny’Kino’s hands off of Wilan’s leg. “N-no mama! I-I want to be with papa!”

“Come on Carl Jr, we have to get washed up now…” Ny’Kuil gave a pained voice, slowly rubbing her daughter’s back. Carl Jr, reluctantly let go of Wilan’s leg. Following after his mom, head held down and ears lowered to his head. Ny’Kino reaching out and resisting with all her might against her mother to reach her father. Tears pouring from her little eyes.

Wilan let out a deep sigh as he waved goodbye to them. “Listen to your mother, kids. I love you, I will visit you tomorrow morning. I promise.” He said in a weak tone waiting for the three to enter the bathroom before finally leaving the bedroom.

[Norgsveldet]

19th October, 2023
Neylapdor, Lapliszna

“I promise, I’ll visit the two of you soon. Okay?” Wilan said into his phone, holding it with his shoulder as exited the limousine. With him talking with ‘his’ new children. “I’m just visiting auntie, she and I are going to have an important discussion.” He looked towards his little sister’s castle, one of gothic design because of course it was. It was his little sister, everything was goth with her, even her girlfriend. “And before you say it, no Carl Jr. She and I are not having a meeting about aliens.”

“Why nooooooot.” He could hear his little sister whine from all the way up the steps. Somehow despite the wind screaming past them, being uphill and all that other nonsense. She must have heard him. “Come in side already, it’s cold as an icebox out here.”

Wilan rolled his eyes at that as he picked the phone up now holding it with his hand. “I’ll see you kids soon, love you two.” He let out a small warm chuckle as he heard the two kids let out a long. “Love you toooooo.” Before ending the call. He looked up towards his smiling little sister, with him wearing a warm and overly expensive black winter coat. With a white scarf around his neck and a gray ushanka on top of his head, with the ushanka having the Carlist symbol on it. A symbol of a golden star with a black hammer in the middle of it. “Hope you haven’t missed me too much, Esta.” Wilan said loudly so he could speak over the wind as he walked up the stairs towards the castle entrance where his sister was standing. “Though you do have a mannequin version of me to keep you company.”

“Yeah, all nine of them.” Esta rolls her eyes, “Make sure to ring the bell and clap your hands before you enter.” She wore a traditional looking Nystapi outfit, green kimono with brown stitching across it and a gold thread to make an icon of a reindeer on her back. She turned around to walk inside. “Come on hurry up! You’re letting the warmth out.”

“I would have thought being your amazing older brother would be enough to keep the spirits happy with me.” He shook his head in a small amusement as he did what he was told, ringing the bell and clapping his hands together. With him giving a bow before following his sister inside. “I like your outfit, it is nice seeing you in outfits that doesn’t show off cleavage.” He taunted her as he took off his coat and ushanka, giving them to one of his sister’s many maids. The elven prince now wore a dark blue royal uniform, looking similar to that of Blåskovian military officers. With Wilan’s black leather gloves adding even more to the soldier prince persona that people had off him.

“Oh shush.” Esta turns to face her big brother, poking him in the chest with a finger. “You said you would have been here several hours ago! You lied to me, you big tall jerk!” She crosses her arms in a huff. Staring coldly up at Wilan. “You shouldn’t lie to me.”

“Well, I apologize. The weather here isn’t exactly the best.” He rolled his eyes as he placed a hand on her head scratching it as he looked down at his much shorter sister. “Plus you never told me about our new siblings, Esta. I had to find out by myself, and that you lied to them about me.”

“Wait, you didn’t know about them? I mean, it’s your kids after all. I thought you would know about them.” Esta shrugs her shoulders, opening her arms up and forcing a hug onto Wilan. “Well happy day of discovering you have more kids!” She gave a delightful cheerful voice, squeezing arms around Wilan.

“Esta, you don’t have to keep up this charade. You know I’m not their actual father.” Wilan could hear his back making a small crack sound with how tightly she was hugging him. With the brother just lazily putting an arm around her waist giving a small squeeze as well. “Gods you hug tightly.”

“Yes you are, Torster is too much of a nerd to do that and daddy says you can’t get pregnant if you have socks on. Which leaves only you.” Esta looks up at him, trying to squeeze him tighter. “Daddy always has socks on anyway.”

“Esta. You’re 27, how are you still this dumb about sex?” Wilan raised an eyebrow at his little sister. “One can still get pregnant if one wears socks, idiot. They are our father’s children, they are our siblings.” He gave her a peck on the forehead as he gave her a few more pats before trying to step out of the hug. Which she would not let him do.

She kept a firm grip around him in that squeeze of a hug. “No you can’t. I’ve never been pregnant and that’s because I always wore socks.” Esta gave a small bite to Wilan’s arm before finally letting go of him. “You don’t need to lie to me, they’re clearly your kids.” She gives an eye roll.

“What do you mean ‘clearly’? I hardly interact enough with Ny’Kuil for me to have gotten such a relationship with her.” The Prince crossed his arms as he gave his sister a small glare before letting out a sigh. “Either way, because our father refuses to take responsibility for them. I will be acting as their father anyways, so in a way you ended up correctly.”

“Well yes you have, Daddy says you was always around Mama when I was younger and that they’re your kids.” Esta reassured Wilan, Carl wouldn’t ever lie to his darling little daughter. “It was pretty shitty of you not be to around them until now though. Don’t you know they’re growing up Akuanists? That does a real number on the-” Esta was cut off by her big brother.

The prince pushed his little sister against the wall though not harshly, having her pinned against the wall with his hand next to her head as he leaned on the wall. Having a cold look in his eyes as he looked down at her. “I’m honestly getting pretty annoyed at how gullible you are towards our father. More so when you trust his word, over mine.” His voice was as cold as his eyes as he interrupted her, his face not being too far from hers. “I’m gonna take care of them, and give them everything I can. But please, for both our sakes. Stop listening to Carl.”

She raised her hands and gave a strong shove back. Though she isn’t successful in pushing him away. “Excuse fucking you? You do not speak to me in such a manner, I have had heads roll for raising their tone at me. Just because you are my brother doesn’t mean you can treat me any less than a goddess.”

He narrowed his eyes for a moment before letting out a small sigh, relaxing his stance more. Still having her pinned to the wall with their position, but far from the rigid and harsh stance from earlier. “Then I apologize, my divine sister. How can I make it up to you?” He said in a taunting more warmer tone as he gave her a small smirk, his face still close to hers. He wanted to angrily shake his sister to reality, but he wanted to avoid fights when he could.

“Hphm.” Esta gave a small pout, taking a moment to act more like ‘Esta’ rather than ‘Esta the protector.’ She leaned up to give him a quick kiss on the lips, followed by taking him by his hand in an attempt to drag him to some other room. “I wanna show you my new arts and craft project! Come on! Stop dragging your feet!” She spoke in a cheerful tone, completely changing character in her voice. Not at all bother she just threaten to have her brother killed.

Wilan chuckled at her excitement not being that much bothered by her small kiss, assuming or perhaps hoping it was just her Akuanism. “Can you not let this tired brother a moment to rest, my dear sister?” He said in a dramatic and teasing tone as he followed after his sister as she dragged him into a room.

“No.” Esta simply respond, dragging him into a large mostly empty room outside of the unnerving amount of mannequins around. “Look! Look! I’m starting to get into collecting! I even start doing that one thingie Peacock always talks about!” She bounces up and down, showing off a very generic looking gothic dress over a mannequin of his now, ex-wife.

“Well you’ve always been into collecting, you have hoarded knives since you were like what, five?” Wilan kept teasing his sister before looking closely over at the mannequin of his dead wife, admiring the details and ignoring the very obvious concerning element of his little sister having it. Giving a few glances between the mannequin and Esta, wondering how the dress would look on his little sister.

“Well, this is a new hobby, it is different so shut up.” She said with a huff, pushing towards looking at another mannequin of his mother-in-law. “Look at her, look at her! I really did a good job capturing her last moments! Oh oh! I can even move their face around too!” She takes a hand to the ‘jaw’ of the mannequin, making it open and shut as if it was talking. “No, no, don’t hurt me, I will do anything.” She speaks in a poor attempt to capture the mother’s tone before bursting out laughing.

“Who do you even get to make these, I’m assuming they must be Rikevaari. Since they are surprisingly realistic.” Wilan said, walking towards the mannequin of Manita, using a finger to feel the texture as it went over the body. “Surprisingly soft as well.”

“Yeah, pretty expensive or something. They just wanted to build something or other here in exchange though. They’re very sapient like, lot of time was placed into them and stuff.” She went over to look at Melina or Manita or whatever the fuck her name was. “Now don’t take these into your room now with your dirty mind~” She elbows Wilan in the stomach.

“Please, you are the one who has mannequins of me. I feel like I should be afraid of what dirty things you do with them.” He rolled his eyes before letting out a small chuckle as he stood up from his crouching position.

“Oh you know I do~” She gives a flirtatious wink that is most certainly wrong in every way one can possibly imagine. “Oh, I know which one you wanna see though~” Esta grabs his hand and starts dragging him to Jarl Bjørn. “Now I told him I wasn’t going to make one of him buuuuuuuuuuuut I decided to do so anyway. I even stole some of his clothes to dress him up properly!”

“You know, I won’t complain about the stuff you do to the mannequins of me If you give me the name of the Rikevaari designer of these.” Wilan had looked at the Jørgen mannequine for a while longer than he needed to.

“His clothes I stole from his closet, the mannequins however~” Esta gives a bright smile. “Well, they live here in Lapliszna! I politely asked them too and they accepted!” She started to clap madly, jumping up and down. “I have another mannequin of him if you want and I know you do~”

“I think I’ll be alright, and I assure you I won’t be taking these with me to my bedroom. Though do please give me the name of the one who created those mannequins.” He walked up to his sister giving her a small head pat.

“Oh I already have it in your room.” Esta says with a big smirk at that. “I’ll tell you later, but they’re going to be busy I put in a large order for stuff and things. I think I’m gonna start using more of these to freak people out at parties.”

“Of course you did.” Wilan shook his head in amusement, before thinking for a moment. “…Did you put mannequins of yourself in my room as well?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“Why would I? You have the real thing right here~” She gives a flirtatious wink, leaning up to kiss him.

The Prince rolled his eyes as he turned his cheek causing her to kiss that instead of his lips.

“Bastard, I’m trying to kiss your lips.” Esta said with a huff, crossing her arms. “You should be blessed that your goddess is giving you a kiss, not acting like this.”

Wilan raised an eyebrow at that small smirk on his face as he placed a hand on her chin gently rubbing it just below her lips. Looking down at her as he leaned down to whisper into her ear. “Not gonna happen.” Before stepping away from her chuckling as he walked out of the room. “Come on, I’m hungry.”

“Yeah yeah fine whatever. I will just take this out on Ny’Jon later.” She walks with a huff away from Wilan. “Hope you like reindeer, reindeer and more reindeer meat.” Esta says in an extremely annoyed tone. Muttering under her breath. “Oh look at me, I’m Wilan. I won’t kiss my sister on the lips like a big dumb jerk.”

[Norgsveldet]

The Next Day

Wilan let out a small yawn as he got dressed, putting on a white dress shirt and black dress pants. Though the top buttons on his shirt were open. If he was a guest for a more noble and formal host he would have taken the time to dress the part. But with the host being his politically illiterate little sister? Well he could be less formal, which for him was a nice change of pace. Looking at his reflection on the silver mirror closely as he combed his short white hair. Taking great care in how he kept it. He took a moment to admire his own handsome strong face, he was not above petty vanity. Though he let out a small sigh when he noticed a strange little light that was barely visible on the top of the mirror. Grabbing the tape he kept at the shelf as he tapped over what he knew was a small camera that Esta had set up.

“And she has the audacity to call me a pervert.” He mumbled to himself shaking his head before exiting the bathroom, grabbing the phone he had on his night desk and then finally exiting the bedroom. With the elven prince calling up Ny’Kuil in a video call as he walked down the hallway and towards the dining hall, knowing full well the children wanted their morning greeting.

“Hi papa!” He saw the two children trying their best to stay still to hold the phone collectively. Though he could easily see their tails swishing back and forth. “We miss you!” They still spoke, at max volume, Ny’Kino in particular cupping her free hand together to make her voice sound louder. Much to the pain of their mother. “Children, children indoor voices remember?” He heard Ny’Kuil voice off screen.

“Sorry mama.” They collectively said in apologetic tones. “So you killed the dragon yet dad?” Carl Jr, was quick on the up tick.

“Not yet, apparently one needs the right license for that.” Wilan joked, smiling warmly as he sees the excited faces of ‘his’ children. “I’ve missed you two a lot as well, has papa’s books helped you two in the lessons mama is giving you?”

“Yes papa, I really like the one with the cool beard and walks around in a mist like a wizard.” Carl spoke up with utter delight.

“That’s Nori Saga for children Carl Jr.” Ny’Kuil gave another tired tone, Wilan could just barely make out her form relaxing on the couch in the background.

“I wanna fight wizard man too.” He spoke with utter confidence in his voice. Ny’Kino rolled her eyes, “You couldn’t even fight the spider in the bathroom.”

“Those can be poisonous so it’s not the same.” Carl Jr replied with an eye roll of his own.

The Prince had to keep himself from being his usual pedantic self by clarifying that spiders can be venomous, not poisonous. “The wizard man you are talking about is Odin, the Allguardian. You wouldn’t win, but maybe you can earn his respect If you’re bold enough.” He taunted a little bit, knowing how Ny’Kuil didn’t like him egging on her son’s more adventurous side.

“Carl Jr, please… No adventuring until you complete university.” Ny’Kuil sound down right desperate at this point. “Why don’t you become a baker, then you can eat all the sweets you want instead.”

“But I wanna fight the Odin wizard man. He does nothing but be mean and provoke people.” Carl Jr gave a pout.

“He probably just picked you up and put you in that big tree.” Ny’Kino teased her brother. “Then you will be stuck forever.”

“Nuh uh.”

“Yuh huh.”

“Nuh uh.”

“Yuh huh.”

“Children please.” Ny’Kuil spoke again in a soft tone.

“Now. Now. Make things easy for your mother now, okay?” Wilan let out a small laughter as he shook his head in amusement stopping up at the door to the dining hall. “Now, I’ll be having breakfast with Auntie Esta. Anything you want me to ask her before I go?”

“Why does she wear all black?”

“What is a gay and why does the man on the TV keep calling her that?”

“Children.” Ny’Kuil got up from her couch, her hair being completely out of sorts. “Let’s get ready for breakfast okay? Carl Jr, you help mama with cooking. Ny’Kino, you’re still grounded.”

“But mama, I didn’t know orange would do that.”

“The microwave still smells like oranges Ny’Kino.” Ny’Kuil responded, picking up her phone from the two children’s collective hands. “Now say bye bye to your papa.” Her tone shifted into something more polite, warm and loving.

“Bye bye papa.” The kids seem disappointed by how short the call was, but they have learned to be used to such things after enough video calls.

“Bye kids, love you all a lot. I’ll bring you two souvenirs from Lapiliszna when I come back to visit.” He gave them a wave and let out a small chuckle before ending the call. Placing his phone into his pocket as he opened the doors to the dining hall and entered it.

The familiar, mostly familiar dining hall held his darling, favorite and best sister (as legally required by law) ever at the other end of the round table. “About time! I’m was starving!” Esta clapped her hands together. She looked like she was forced out of bed, which she was by her butler. Still wearing her gothic style, sleep dress. One that stretched down to her ankles, and had plenty of room to boot. The purple and black pattern tapered around it. “Spirits you shouldn’t have to make a goddess wait now come on.”

“I am oh so sorry my divine sister, I was too occupied with admiring my own beauty and talking with my kids who wonder what a gay is and why you’re that.” He said in a dramatic tone as he sat down at the other end of the table, immediately taking a sip from his coffee cup. Much needed to help him wake up.

“Yeah I don’t know what gay is either but here we are.” Esta finally able to open the lid to her plate, taking a small bite from the waffles. “Ah Ny’Jon! This is why you are my favorite butler.” She wasn’t actually sure if Ny’Jon was in the room, or even if he actually made it or, well, asked someone to make it for them. “Deep fried reindeer nuggets, and waffles. He truly gets me, you know?” Esta pours an unhealthy amount of maple syrup onto her plate.

The butler in question was standing in the corner of the room, wiping away a purple lipstick mark that had been placed on his cheek using a paper tissue. With him quietly mumbling to himself but it was too low for the prince to make out what the butler actually said.

“You know, one would think a goddess was above simple mortal things like hunger.” Wilan teased his sister as he opened the lid for his own plate of curry, as he took a small spoonful. “Or you know, the need to spy on their own brother?” He had a more clearer accusatory tone, though it was still warm as he took bite from the curry.

“I spy on everyone, you know that.” She rolls her eyes, dipping her reindeer nuggets into her syrup smearing it across the waffles. “Also literally every deity that actually matters has been recorded eating, so shut up and eat your…” She peers her head over the table to look at what her brother is eating. “Curry.” Then she lowers herself back down into her chair to eat her food.

“I’ve found four cameras in my room, Esta. One right above my bed on the roof, one at the corner of the room directed towards the door. One right above the shower on the roof. Then this morning one in the mirror, which again directed towards the shower.” He let out a small sigh shaking his head as he took a sip from his coffee cup.

“Only four? You have been slacking, unless you want me to see more of you~” Esta gave a teasing tone, taking a sip of what could barely be called coffee. “Soooo what else are you up to? Any other children of yours I need to know about?”

“Esta If I wanted you to look at my body, I would have sent you pictures.” He rolled his eyes at her comment. “My concerns of late have been more about politics rather than sex.”

“Yeah you should send me pictures, I agree.” Esta sipped her coffee further. “I thought your wife dying would mean you would be more interesting but instead it is still politics.” She gave an eye roll. “What is it about?”

“What? Were you hoping I’d immediately jump on you the moment you killed my wife? Of me on my knees begging you for sex? Come on.” Wilan couldn’t help but continue rolling his eyes, even letting out a small humorous scoff.

“Yeah? Of course?” She responded as if it was a natural thing. “I even have your wife corpse downstairs so we can fuck on it.” Esta started to cut up her waffles. “Got it in the freezer so it would be a bit cold but I got some electric blankets to warm it right up.”

“I thought you burned the body? It was put with the train crash afterall.” He raised an eyebrow at her, being more confused she kept the body rather than being horrified by the comments she made.

The same could not be said for Ny’Jon who took that moment to quietly exit the room, having become used to finding ways to quietly get away from the Jarlynja.

“Wait no? I told you, I’m saving their bodies for the super secret crypt in those new buildings being built. The bodies on the train crash were just some busy bodies I had to get rid of. It’s all covered up and there is no risk of the truth being known.” Esta starts eating her food proper and quicker.

“You know, I look forward to the true crime documentary that will be made about you in the future.” Wilan teased as he took another bite from his curry. “Tell you what, If you help me with my political problem, I might take you up on the offer. Though not on my wife’s corpse.”

“No mights, only will.” Esta sipped her coffee. “If you will, then absolutely and I get to pick where and when.”

“You know I really hoped you would be less adamant about this after you ended up with Estrid.” The Prince let out a heavy sigh before taking a sip from his coffee cup. He was going to clarify that he was joking, but he really needed his sister’s help on this. “Fine, I will.”

“Nah, I love Estrid with all my heart but doing you is way more funny.” Esta starts giggling uncontrollably. “Sure what do you want?”

“Two things mainly.” Wilan said immediately, being more serious as he stood up from his chair and walked over towards Esta’s side. Taking out his phone to show her a picture of a rather angry looking dark haired kemonomimi. “I need you to replace the head of your general staff with Ny’Tråtir Dabrik, he is a personal friend of mine and is of Nystapi heritage.” He then turned to another picture showing an elven noblewoman dressed in all red. “And this is Arch-Princess Elveta IV of Stillfangst. I want her dead, I don’t care how.”

“Okay, okay and with the current general whats-his-name, can I kill him too or not?” Esta questioned, memorizing the photos and burning them into mind. “Also now you know I don’t usually ask why to kill someone but in this case. You seem rather desperate and I would like to recreate your desperation later at some point.”

“You can do whatever with General Eskelsøn. He is father’s friend not mine, though might be wise to make it look like a suicide.” The Prince placed his phone back into his pocket. “Is it not enough that I agreed to have sex with you? You know how I’ve opposed the idea. Is it not enough reason to do this for you dear, handsome, strong, soldier brother?” He gives her a charming smile as he looked down at her trying to not give more information than needed.

“You haven’t been that opposed and you don’t need to always bring up your washing boots in the military.” She looks up at him with a twisted sort of smile. “Do they have dirt on you~ Oh please tell me what they got on you?~ Please please please~”

“I’ll have you know I did actually train and lead during my time in the military.” He crossed his arms somewhat annoyed at her not taking his time there seriously. He wasn’t sent to any frontline of course but damn it he still had to spend over five years in the army. “They do not have dirt on me, even though I can see on your smile you assumed the worst If they did.”

“Oh boo hoo. Now tell me, your darling, goddess divine holy little sister what they did to get the ax from you.” Esta took a sip from her coffee in a rather creepy fashion, still smiling in that twist way and didn’t break eye contact with him.

“It’s simple politics. She is someone who needs to be dealt with, or else it ruins my plans.” He shrugged his shoulders trying to act rather nonchalant about the topic as he gave her head a small scratch. “It was either letting you stab her or finding blackmail on her.”

“Eh, I can always do blackmail, if she is some fancy noble then it is almost certain she has dirt on her or someone close to her like a son or daughter.” She gave a shrug of her shoulders. “Why general what-ever-the-fuck? Is it you just need to reward your friend? I am pretty sure I have some blackmail on him already but I can always make it worse on him.”

Wilan gently held her chin pressing his thumb up against her lower lip. “You ask a lot of questions, you know that?” He said in a colder tone yet still held a smile.

“Yes I do~ Now hurry up and finish your food. I have to do meditation exercises and swimming later.” Just like that, she returned her focus towards her food.

“I’ll tell you more later.” He gave her a peck on the forehead as he walked towards his end of the table hoping that the deal he gave her would be forgotten. At the very least he was not going to honor it.

“I won’t forget about your deal by the way. Nor how you kept avoiding my questions. Just in case you are hoping for that Wilan~” She said with a tease, finishing her coffee.

_

Ny’Jon took a sip from his coffee cup letting out a small sigh as he sat in the staff room. Having decided it was better to find a moment of silence to give some much needed peace to his own mind after he heard his boss’s… Unique idea of sibling bonding. Trying to bury those thoughts by focusing rather on his wordle game on his phone. He could clean the table after the two were done. Hopefully the prince was not like his boss, or else he fears the mess at the dining hall wouldn’t just be left over food. He shuddered at the idea.

“I was starting to wonder where the butler went.” A colder voice said behind him, causing the butler to jump a little bit as he turned around only to relax when he saw the face of the Crown Prince.

“Oh it’s just you, your highness.” Ny’Jon bowed his head towards Wilan. “Anything I can do for you?”

“You can relax, you do not need to be so formal with me.” The elven prince let out a small chuckle seeing how rigid and formal the butler was, sitting down at the table as well. “Just wanted a small conversation.”

“I doubt I’m much of an interesting person to hold a conversation with.” Ny’Jon let out a small tired sigh as he relaxed more in his seat, no longer keeping the same formal protocol he usually did. Funnily enough he was certain that Esta would likely be annoyed that he acting more relaxed around her brother than around her.

“Please, you’re my sister’s favorite person to harass. There must be something interesting with you.” Wilan had a small teasing smile as he spoke. “Did you give her some charming smile or compliment and she never could hold her hands back from you ever again? Do you have a small cunning side only she has seen?”

The butler could not help but roll his eyes as he saw how the prince was just here to mess with him. Though he found it preferable over the way Esta would mess with him. “Nothing of the sort. In all honesty I do not know why she messes with me specifically. Perhaps she secretly hates me, perhaps she just got tired of the others. But for some reason she chose to torment me.”

“Oh don’t worry she definitely does not hate you.” The prince tone was completely dismissive of that idea, even letting out a small laugh at the idea.

“What makes you say that?” Ny’Jon raised an eyebrow at him.

“Well you’re alive for one. If my sister hated you then trust me you wouldn’t be alive for long enough to complain.” The prince started pouring himself a cup of coffee as he spoke. “Secondly, my sister hardly ever hates any kemonomimi to begin with. I showed her an article once about a Hjørdist kemonomimi in Nyveldet saying the most hateful things, and she spent a good five minutes ranting about how ‘adorable’ the girl was instead of the things said.”

“Well saying hateful things seems rather normal in this region…” Ny’Jon mumbled out.

“Fair enough. Still, I have never seen my sister ever truly hating a kemonomimi before. When she looks at people of your species, well. She treats them more… How an owner treats a pet.” Wilan took a sip from his cup.

“Ah, so I’m a pet to her then.” Ny’Jon gave the prince a very stoic look.

“Her favorite pet.” Wilan gave him a smirk.

Ny’Jon let out a very tired sigh. “Wonderful…”

“And thirdly for the reason I know she doesn’t hate you. She genuinely talks positively about you. Even beyond her usual condescending focus of how cute you are, she actually talks a lot about how important you are for well. Things are functioning here.” Wilan gave the butler a warmer smile giving him a pat on the shoulder. “I know that doesn’t make the harassment better, but hey I’m certain it’s not all bad.”

Ny’Jon let out a weak laugh as he shook his head in amusement. “Well I won’t lie that there are some benefits with it, the attention isn’t all bad and she is, well, very attractive. It’s just a lot.”

“I can understand that, but hey I’m very glad you’re helping her.” Wilan gave him another pat on the shoulder before taking another sip from his coffee cup finishing it. “I do have to get going, but keep looking after her for me. Okay?”

“Will do, your highness.” The butler looked up at the elf as he stood giving him a more genuine smile, instead of his typical formal professional smile. “But do me a favor… Do not tell her majesty about what I said. She’d tease me so much.”

The prince glanced towards the corner of the room, a small smirk on his lips forming. “Oh don’t worry, she already heard you.”

“What?” Before Ny’Jon could ask him to clarify the elf started to walk away from him and out the room.

Ny’Jon felt hands slipped under his arms, as he was lifted up into the air. “Awwwww, you are just so darn cute!~ I knew you just love my attention towards my favorite puppy!” Esta gave a teasing voice, almost giggling with glee. “Come on puppy, lets go do the morning meditations and then you can teach me to doggy paddle in the pool~”

“Yes… Your majesty. Please put me down.” Ny’Jon’s face was deeply red, but from embarrassment and humiliation of what she was doing. But also that he knew she would never let what he said go.

[Norgsveldet]

With a moderately annoyed sigh, the Nystapi prime minister unfolded this week’s agenda onto his desk. Jonas Liljeström, was tall, (by elven standards) young man of elf heritage. He had long brown hair, tied up in braids with colorful beads and highlights of a soft red. He wore a plain, regular black suit with a green tie. While he wasn’t a Nystapi by birth, he was most certainly considered to be one by adoption. His necklace with two Borean bears claws, most assuredly proved his commitment to it.

The office was rather regular looking, despite it being the highest mostly elected office in the whole country. Skull of bear mounted on a wall, behind his desk and flags of the Nystapi hanging towards the eastern wall. Reindeer fur rug on the floor, after the last accident with her holiness resulted in it being ruined and offending her.

Three hard knocks were heard from the office door with the prime minister quick to tell whoever was knocking to come in. In which the Blåskovian Crown Prince was the one to walk through, wearing a clear dark blue royal uniform. With him holding his winter coat in his right arm. “Mr. Liljeström, thank you for being willing to meet me on a rather short notice.” He gave the prime minister a charming smile.

The PM stood up, reaching over his desk to offer his hand to shake. “Anytime your majesty, though I must say. I was caught off guard by your request to meet with me, usually it’s your father requesting these meetings.” He gave a stoic, yet underlying warm tone. “It’s been a long time since I spoke with him though.”

Wilan firmly gripped his hand as he shook it. “Well you know how things can be with him, he has been rather busy lately. As such he needs his son to run other errands.” He kept his charming smile as he spoke.

Liljeström let go of the crown prince’s hand, sitting back down into his chair. “How may I be of service, or is this just a checkup?” He closed the open folder on his desk, taking a sip of his tea. “Oh where are my manners? I can have my assistant bring you a cup as well if you would like.”

“Oh I’m not planning on keeping your time too long, though I would love a cup of coffee.” The Crown Prince sat down at the chair on the other side of the desk. “Take this meeting as a… bit of check up and some new policy changes that be wise to prepare for.”

Liljeström sent a quick message to his assistant on his computer before returning his attention towards the Crown Prince. “Policy changes again? Is Blaskog getting kicked out of the IF or something drastic?” His tone shifted, Blaskog getting removed from the NCEF already proved to be a challenging enough issue. Though Lapliszna was spared the worst from it, mostly thanks to their unique position in East Borea and Norgsveltians tending to be soft handed towards Akuanists already. Adding in how they down right adore Nystapi culture and that her holiness Esta the Protector is a right-wing media darling.

“Nothing quite so drastic do not worry.” Wilan let out a small chuckle as he shook his head. “It is more a matter of internal reforms, though first mind informing me of how things are going in Lapiliszna?”

“After the initial economic shock, we have been doing alright. Aid packages from Akuan Development Bank and Norgsveldet has helped stim the blood lost. We’re getting back on track, and quite a few companies have shifted their regional offices here in Neylapdor. Borean Assembly, is still somehow still a standing functioning building by some stretch of the imagination. Agriculturally, we’re still producing enough for ourselves and exports for Blaskog. Mining industry did take a massive hit however, and it is slow to recover. It doesn’t help that Blaskog factories have been slow to recover themselves. Military is… Still quite awful. Equipment is fine, but our inability to hire non-elves and most of those elves being well.” He wanted to say posh spoiled brats who just wanted to be in a uniform for their parents approval but given the ‘soldier prince’ is sitting across from him. He wisely rephrased it in his mind. “Treat the military more as an adult summer camp with more strict rules.”

“Likely doesn’t help those elves choosing to join the Nystapi Army instead of the Blåskovian one with how much harsher the training is back home.” Wilan nodded his head at what the prime minister told him. “Luckily my meeting with the Concordian President went well, Mrs. Todd seems quite positive to the idea of increasing economic ties. It will still take time for the investments to start coming in, but our mining industry will recover quicker now with the help from the UCCS.”

“That is quite comforting to hear.” The elven PM took another sip of his tea, watching as his assistant quietly entered the office with a small bow towards the two. Placing the coffee in front of the Crown Prince and making their exit. “I do have a small suggestion, I was invited to a conference in Rikevaarland. While I was there, I was approached by more than a handful of investors. Most of their offers ask to build factories of some sort or another. Few even outright made an offer to build a hydroelectric dam.” It was by no means a secret, about the uneven customs union between Blaskog and Lapliszna. It might not have been written down somewhere or codified into law but everyone in East Borea knows. Lapliszna is a purely extraction resource nation for Blaskog, and some barely consider the two nations to be different in any regard. Lapliszna is a Blaskovian state, with some extra autonomy and a unique flavor.

“I’ve had my fair share of conversations with Rikevaari investors as well. Arguably a good part of the reason is how we were able to weather the storm after being ejected from the NCEF.” Wilan took a sip from his coffee cup letting out a small sigh. “Were you able to get any deals from it? It be quite beneficial for Lapiliszna’s development.”

Liljeström wasn’t one to ask twice, despite the rather about way. “I wanted to check with his majesty first before I signed off but if you’re approving then I can arrange a meeting with them again.” He gave a genuine warm smile, while of course there is the risk his majesty Carl would force his hand and have the construction stop. Carl has been rather distant lately, and one can say that for most of the Blaskovian government with Lapliszna. “In the light of this change of course, might also suggest a small reform in the military to include more Nystapi into the Nystapi armed forces.” He would chuckle at his own small joke, but he decided to keep a steel tone voice.

Though the prince did the chuckling for him. “You certainly will have my support in that at least, It is in fact a policy change I was about to advise you to make.” He took another sip of his cup before continuing on. “It would fit well together with the larger reforms that are going to take place in Blåskog, it would also increase the size of the Nystapi army which at least in my eyes can only be a net positive.”

He raised his eyebrow, but kept silent for a few moments. “Interesting, might as inquire what sort of reforms will be taking place in Blaskog?” There were more than a few other questions he wanted to ask, most of which could be best summarized as letting him have a real free hand in how to run Lapliszna. More than just increasing the size of the army but getting rid of most of the officer core all together.

“It’s reforms that me and my father are still discussing the details of, but let’s just say that we want to move away from the current policy on the nobility.” Wilan kept his charming smile, not giving the prime minister much to work with when figuring out the motive behind the prince’s words. “If you want a more concrete policy, I can reveal that we are changing our policy on the elven settler program. He and I have agreed to have elven nobility and settlers to be focused on developing Blåskog’s rural areas rather than going into Lapiliszna. It would leave Lapiliszna more room to focus on its own Nystapi population as well.”

Not to give too much away himself, he calmly finished drinking his tea. Placing his cup down, and speaking up. “That is most delightful to hear, and I look forward to seeing further reforms down the line.” Liljeström gave his own, charming smile. Though his mind was already racing, he sure as shit knows something violent was going to happen soon enough in Blåskog. Taking away anything of the nobility is a tooth and nail fight, changing settler policies was a small war in itself not to mention having the everso barely present King Carl to be agreeing with it? His mind is already drafting up new plans and throwing out the old ones. He stands up properly, “Well, you gave me a lot to think about and more work to-do.” He reaches over to shake Wilan’s hand. “I’m afraid that’s all the time I have left to spare, but do visit more us more often.” The undertone of his ‘support’ to the Crown Prince won’t be unnoticed.

Wilan took a final sip from his cup, finishing it before standing up, his charming smile seeming to widen as he grabbed the prime minister’s hand, shaking it firmly. “I certainly will, until next time Mr. Liljeström.”

[Norgsveldet]

“How was the talk with Mrs. Stenberg?” Wilan asked, holding his phone with his shoulder as he exited the limousine once more, giving a small nod towards his driver. “She might be out of office but her role in the parliament makes her still important for our plans.”

“She certainly has an axe to grind with our father, so her interest was clear.” He heard Torster say over the phone, though he heard a certain level of nervousness in it.

“I’m sensing there is a but coming soon.” Wilan said, letting out a small sigh as he walked up the stairs towards his sister’s palace, quietly cursing the cold.

“But she wants to have a talk with you first before agreeing with any plans.”

“Of course she does.” Wilan saw his sister standing in front of the doors again, having to refrain himself from groaning in annoyance. “I’ll call you back, Killjoy. Let her know I’d be happy to talk with her.”

“Wait there was more-”

“Bye bye now.” The Crown Prince put the phone into his pocket before giving his little sister a bright smile. “Now how have you spent the afternoon? Tortured any officers? Gotten any blackmail?” He taunted as he walked up to her.

“Spirits, it was soooo boring.” Esta gave a whining tone. “Come on inside, I did get some stuff but oh myself it is so fucking boring.” She opened the door and stepped inside. “Do not forget to do the rituals Wilan, it’s the least you can do for me.”

He nodded his head towards her before ringing the bell and clapping his hands together like he did the first time he came here. With him soon entering the palace being right behind her. “Well sometimes the boring blackmail is the best blackmail. Not every noble and politician can be a pedophile afterall.” Wilan took off his winter coat once more and held it in his right hand. “Sometimes one has to settle with minor less bad things like corruption, tax evasion and incompetence for blackmail.”

“The general isn’t a real general or whatever, cheated on his exams at the military academy and most of the officer core turns out as well. They either cheated, bribed the professors or whatever. Arch-Princess whatever her name is, well she is actually somewhat interesting and I bet you twenty thousand krone you can’t figure out what she did.” Esta gave a real, deep unnerving smile at that. “Seriously, it’s not what you think too, so get your mind out of the gutter~”

“If most of the Nystapi officer core is guilty of such then that is easily enough to replace the majority if not all of them. A quiet purge one could say.” Wilan said mainly to himself knowing his little sister’s general disinterest in politics. He placed the rest of his winter outfit on a coat hanger before following behind her again. “Since I think you mean nothing sexual I can only assume what you found on her must be something relating to murder of any sort. I’m gonna assume she murdered a servant if that is the case.”

“Nope! But there was a murder in the family~ Fun fact, all her siblings and parents are alive too~” Esta could barely hold in her laughter, wanting to blurt out the answer. “It’s something only fitting for a Valkyr drama, not a good one but those cheesy ones at midnight.” She starts to sway her hands, skipping as she walks ahead of Wilan. “Oh Liljeström also called about uhhh, you have to ask Ny’Jon I had him write it down. I was busy at the time with getting into this really funny drama~”

“You know you could just tell me. I’ve already promised you a lot for this info.” The Prince said, crossing his arms, raising an eyebrow at his little sister.

“Uggggggggh, you’re no fun.” Esta whines, completely destroying the vibe. “She’s not the actual arch-princess, but her twin sister. She killed her original sister, after sleeping with her husband and the family covered it up.” The elven woman turns around to show she is in fact, pouting at him.

“Now that is indeed very interesting.” Wilan smirked hearing that knowing immediately how he was going to confront the fake Arch-Princess. “Hopefully you have concrete evidence of this in some form? I will need it If I’m going after the not Elveta.”

“The family had Nystapi servants bury the body on palace grounds in their flower garden.” Esta flashed a wicked smile. “She has a birthmark on her cheek that is covered up with makeup. Just wipe her face with makeup remover and you can clearly see it.”

“And this is why you’re my favorite sibling.” He walked close to her as he gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Genuinely, you’re a lifesaver with this info.”

“I know a few other places you can kiss after~” Esta gives a teasing smirk, before clapping her hands together. “Oh wait! I remember what he wanted um that Liljeström fellow!” She starts walking again heading towards her office.

“I’m certain you do, and you will get it eventually.” The Prince rolled his eyes as he followed after his sister into her office leaning against the door as he closed it. “So what did he ask for?”

“Weirdly he asked for approval for some of that stuff you wanted the umm… Military stuff! That’s it, yeah! Some big show of change to have Nystapi military officers introduced into the military stuff. Wanting to change the head of the military just like you do! Plus some other people wanted to change out. Ny’Jon got more specific stuff though. I think he mentioned something about cabinets, but I didn’t take him for an interior designer kinda person honestly.” Esta stops to give one of her butlers walking by a pat on the head.

“I’ll have a talk with Ny’Jon then. But you can tell your prime minister that he has my full support and approval for those changes.” Wilan glanced around Esta’s office for a moment before looking directly at her. “If the officers and generals start complaining to much than just use the blackmail to shut them up.”

“Liljeström actually wanted to deal with them personally. No idea what.” She gave a shrug. “I think I said go for it. I wasn’t sure, I was busy.” Esta sits down behind her desk. “Which reminds me, have you ever considered why so many elves are in government here despite being almost completely a kemonomimi state? It’s really weird right?”

“I’ll ask him for the clarifications later.” Wilan wanted to partially chastise his little sister for her carefree attitude towards politics but another part just wanted to laugh. “Well knowing your love for the kemonomimi, you will be happy to know that things will be changing for the better. So you will be seeing many more of them. Take it as a thank you from me for helping me.”

“Nah I rather have you thank me on your knees~” His literal, fully blood little sister flirts. “Anything else? Because, for some bullshit reason I have to sign my name on a bunch of documents. I thought the whole point of being monarch was that the person elected does my job and I just have to cut ribbons.”

“I’m not gonna be on my knees.” Wilan said, letting out a small sigh, shaking his head at his little sister’s words. “Also you’re technically not a constitutional monarch. So unfortunately for you, looking pretty on the cameras is not enough.”

“Wait I am not? What the fuck am I then? Ceremonial?” Esta gave a genuine confused look towards her big brother. “I am a goddess, I went through the enshrinement ritual. I know that much but I thought I didn’t have any actual duties and everyone went to me just because it was the polite thing to do.”

“You’re an autocrat, Esta. The country is just lucky enough that most of the governance is done by literally everybody else.” Wilan let out a small sigh that mid way turned to a hurt chuckle. “Gods you’re an idiot.”

“First up, I’m not an autocrat because if things were auto then I wouldn’t have to do anything. Second, don’t call me an idiot.” Esta stood up, a crazed look of anger in her eyes. Staring without emotion back at Wilan. “You don’t get to call me that, that dead bitch doesn’t get to call me that, no one gets to call me that.”

He let out a deep sigh as he nodded his head. “I apologize, little crazy. That was rude of me, and I’m sorry.” He walked closer to her giving her an apologetic look as he looked down at her.

Esta sat back down into her chair. Relaxing against the softness of it. “Go speak with Ny’Jon if you want details. Now leave me, I have to do work.” Her voice was cold, almost frozen solid.

“Of course, I’ll be in my room later If you wanna catch up and do something together.” Part of him was pondering scratching her head, even having had his hand raised to do so. But decided against it. If she was not in the mood he would not push it. Instead he bowed his head towards her before turning around to walk out of the room.

She didn’t speak, nor acknowledged her big brother. Simply looking at dozens of papers in front of her with annoyance.

_ _

Later that night

Wilan laid on his bed looking at his phone, scrolling through his social media feed. He wanted just a moment to relax. With a small smile creeping up on his lips as he saw a picture of Jørgen patting a bird at some new bird sanctuary that the Jarl likely had bought. Though he had to let out a small sigh. Eventually the two would be together, he just had to wait. Liking the picture before putting his phone down on his night stand. Closing his eyes as he tried to let sleep take him….

Though that was ruined by clear knocks on the door. With a small groan he sat up on his bed, reaching out to the white buttoned shirt that was hanging at the chair next to the night stand. “Give me a moment.” He spoke up as he put on his shirt, the Prince having only been wearing his boxes as he was prepared to sleep in early. “I’ll be right the-”

His ever-so nice and polite sister stormed into the room. Her hands raised high up, giving a small twirl around as walked in. “Ta-da! Your best little sister has arrived!” She was wearing possibly the most childish, sleepwear he ever saw in his life outside of fiction. PJs, that was loose fitting purple based and covered in anime depictions of bats. “Ready for the sleepover!” Esta gave an upbeat tone.

“Ny’Jon will bring over snacks and drinks for us soon enough he’s done in the kitchen.” She jumped onto his bed, kicking her feet up and resting the back of her head against the pillow. It was only now he saw Esta was squeezing a stupidly large plushie bat in her hands. As she snuggled against the plushie, she looked over at Wilan. “So what are we watching?”

“I don’t remember agreeing to a ‘sleepover’ Esta.” The Prince said, looking down at her, raising an eyebrow at his little sister, though she could see his small amused smile as he spoke. “Did you have Jørgen design that outfit? You look like you came from an anime he watched when he was a kid.”

“I did!” Esta had her bat plushie clap their wings. “Also he made this for me for my birthday! It actually fits me and doesn’t feel like it’s trying to squeeze life out of me.” She gave her plushie a kiss on the forehead. She held a big smile on her lips, and a childish look in her purple eyes.

“Well, It does suit you.” Wilan let out a small chuckle as he placed a hand on top of her head scratching it. “Fine, sleepover it is. What do you wanna watch?” He used his other hand to grab a remote to turn on the flat screen TV that was in his room.

“Oh! Maybe a slasher or another horror movie? Something with a lot of blood!” Esta squeezed her plushie tight. “So whatcha was doing? Since you forgot about the sleepover.”

“Well there is this one horror movie about a bunch of unlikeable teenagers getting killed by a serial killer. I think you’d enjoy that one.” He searched out the slasher genre on his Nordflix account. “Well I was planning on actually falling asleep before you stormed in demanding a sleepover.”

“I didn’t demand a sleepover, we agreed and then you forgot.” Esta looked towards the TV. “So besides forgetting about the sleepover what else? More boring politics or have you been on the prowl for a new partner? Perhaps one that buys islands for his bird collections and his name is a shorthand for queer?”

“I do not remember agreeing, you have to do better than that to gaslight me, little crazy.” He taunted her, giving her a small nudge with his elbow against her side. “I did see his recent post when I was scrolling through Pigeon. But no, If I was looking for a partner I want them to be single first.”

“Gaslighting isn’t real Wilan, you’re just forgetful.” She rolled her eyes. “Spirits, all these made up terms are all over social media, so annoying. So you’re stalking him now? Do you need some tips and tricks? Gotta look out for Yuri, that teddy bear is quick and silent.”

“Please, Esta. When one searches up, gaslighting a picture of your face is the first thing to show up.” He said, rolling his eyes at his little sister. “And no, I’m not stalking Jørgen. He showed up at my algorithm. Give that man some space, he is dealing with a lot.”

“Oh you give him space oyoyoyoy~” Esta gave a teasing tone. She rests her head against his shoulder. “So outside of you’re cyber sleuthing around. How are you handling being single? How many marriage proposals have you got now?”

“Well, Elina’s death is still in the minds of many. So it’s not like people saw the news of her death and immediately thought: You know what? I really want to bang the ‘grieving’ husband.” He put clear air quotes on the grieving part. “Still some noble women both within and without Blåskog had tried to be ‘subtle’ by suggesting grabbing a coffee with them.”

“Hey fucking grieving widows is the best.” She was offended on behalf of all the people she made widowed. “They’re all so ‘oh pity me my partner died’ and stuff. It’s so hot when they’re so sad.” She gives a bright smile, soft craziness in her eyes.

“Sure, sure. I’m certain you loved the sad and grieving act I put on for the news.” He rolled his eyes at his little sister’s words. "Either way, most men and women aren’t like you. They would wait before trying themselves on someone who is supposed to be depressed over the death of a ‘loved one’.”

“Oh that act of yours was so hot. Were those real tears?” Esta started to giggle at that madly. “It was so funny, Ny’Jon had to calm me down because I just kept laughing at the TV.” She kept giggling, barely controlling her laughter.

“Huh. You were actually serious about that.” He raised an eyebrow at her being a bit surprised for a moment about her genuine attraction to grieving widows. “But they were real tears, took me a while but I was able to nail the act.”

Esta was finally able to stop laughing, after covering her mouth. “Oh spirits, sorry sorry. It was oh, so freaking funny and sexy.” She clapped her hands, letting her plushie fall onto her chest. “Can you do it again? Please? Just for me?”

“Fine, but only once.” He said, rolling his eyes. “Want to lean over me as well?”

Esta heard that she couldn’t help her cruel smile crawling over her lips. She sat up leaning over her brother with that crazed look in her eye. Her long silky hair touches his shoulders as her head directly faces him. “Please do it now.”

“Gods you’re way too intense.” He muttered out before letting out a small sigh as he closed his eyes. Before opening them again to look up at her, his eyes looked extra wet without really crying. His lips formed a small frown. Looking just like he did for those cameras of a solemn man trying to act tough. “I-I will keep trying my best to keep going. But my heart is still empty.” He spoke up in a broken and sadden tone, sounding like he was genuinely hurt despite being everything but that.

Esta started to laugh in a flirtatious manner, unable to hold it in any longer. Rolling over back to his side, she held her stomach. “Oh spirits!~ You sounded so hot there~ Now if you sounded scared as well?~ I would have torn you to shreds!” She kept up her laughter through her words.

Wilan let out a laugh, but a slight nervous one as he could not help but be… slightly worried. ‘I need to get myself out of that deal with her…’

[Norgsveldet]

22nd October, 2023
Neylapdor, Lapliszna

“Hopefully your little butler will keep you in check.” Wilan said, putting on his dark blue winter coat as his sister’s servants carried his luggage out. “You may be an adult but from the adventures you and Jørgen get up too in Vakrestrender? Well you hardly mature.” He gave his sister a teasing smirk as he ruffled her white hair.

“Okay but why is it you never whine to him about it? Why is it always me that’s not fair.” She crosses her arms in a huff. Acting incredibly mature for her age both as a leader of her country and of Nystapi Akuanism outright. “Why don’t you blame him sometimes.” She tilts her head looking up at him, squinting her eyes in annoyance.

“Last time I checked I never dated you.” He said looking down at his terribly immature sister. “And I’m also your brother. It’s my duty to worry more about you and ensure you haven’t accidentally angered a certain king too much. Jørgen can handle him, you cannot.”

“Yes I can, he loves me and is just being hard to get.” She gave a roll of her eyes. “Besides, if Olav was going to do something about me then he would have already. Wilhelmina thinks I’m hilarious anyway.”

“Ah yes, I’m certain he loves you so much and is just waiting for the right moment to take you on a romantic date.” The Prince rolled his eyes at her continued insistence that the world leader she was stalking actually liked her. “Just try not to create a scandal involving him, okay? Father ruined our house image enough.”

“Fine, fine whatever. Where are you going anyway?” She places her arms at her side, playing with the edges of her coat. “Somewhere fun or?”

“Back to Kungstad, need to do some preparations there before I go to Stillfangst to meet with their Arch-Princess.” He mentally sighed after hearing that Esta would behave.

“Ah okay then… I will just be here all alone.” His little sister gave a sigh. “Next time don’t take so long to visit me.” Ignoring the fact that she and Estrid have a vacation planned together over in Norgsveldet or that Ingrid invited her to some fancy sounding tea party at her palace.

Wilan was quiet for a moment, having expected more of a flirtatious or morbid joke about his meeting with the Arch-Princess. Not seemingly a genuine moment of vulnerability. He couldn’t help but shake his head with a small smile on his face. “Oh come here you.” He said as he pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly. “I’ll facecall you when I land in Kungstad, okay? I’ll visit you more often.” He scratched her head as he comforted her.

She hugged him back tightly, her hands squeezing his waist back. “You better, or I will start acting up again.” She rests her head against his chest, taking a moment to lower her hand to act improperly with his ‘rump’ as her favorite butler likes to say it. “Have fun fucking the Arch-Princess!” Esta gave an upbeat tone, completely shifting her attitude and held a flirtatious look in her eye.

“You really gotta stop squeezing my ass.” Wilan said in a slightly annoyed tone as the two pulled away from each other. Though his tone was quite mild for someone who was just being groped. “Also I’m not planning on fucking the Arch-Princess, even If that is something she been rather forward about.”

As they were pulled away, Esta gave his butt a smack. “Hey, you’re a free man, gotta play the field a little bit. Fuck a prince or two. It makes you feel better.” She gave a look of smugness. “I heard that the Arch-Princess has this really shy, artsy kind of brother. Stays in his room all day painting pictures of forests or some bullshit. You like him, perfectly your type.”

“You are way too interested in my sex life.” He crossed his arms looking down at her with a look of someone who was trying to act serious but was clearly amused as well. “Tell you what If I do bed either her or her brother I’ll call you, okay?”

“Take pictures!” She smiles, failing to use her indoor voice. “Okay, other than your sex life. Tell all your little ones that auntie goddess Esta says hi and I got the perfect birthday gifts for all of them!” The elven woman down right looked proudful in fact that she asked her butler to find ‘perfect’ gifts for children he has never met before.

“I’ll tell them.” He gave her forehead a kiss before holding his coat tighter together before walking out the doors. Though stopped right at the moment he was about to walk down the stairs. “And I will not take pictures, that’s just highly inappropriate.”

“Boo! No fun!” She reaches out with a hand to give him a thumbs down before returning to her palace. The large oak doors closing behind her with a mighty ‘thump.’

_

28th October, 2023
Stillfangst, Blåskog

A tall red haired elven woman stood in front of her makeup stand putting on a large amount of foundation on her right cheek. Both to look good for her date with the Crown Prince but also to cover up her small birthmark. Ever since she killed her big sister six years ago she had to continue acting like she actually was Elveta, instead of her actual self. Not that she meant to kill her sister. Or well she hadn’t planned on doing it at least. But after her older sister caught her in bed with her sister’s husband? Well Elveta got so extremely mad, throwing stuff at her. Demanding her to get out, threatening to disinherit her and all that other drama. As such she grabbed something from the shelf, and lashed out in anger. Beating her sister to death. In her sister’s own bedroom. Had to unfortunately kill her husband afterwards as well. After that her father and the rest of the family had pressured her to take up the role as Arch-Princess Elveta IV. Luckily she had finished acting school, so only took a small amount of time to get her sister’s mannerism correct.

Smiling at her own reflection as her birthmark was completely covered up, and pretty youthful face was all that she could see. Putting on dark red lipstick on her lips as she leaned into her mirror again. Smacking her lips together as she was finished. “The lipstick fits me, right?” She turned around to look at her kemonomimi maid.

“Yes Ma’am” The young maid responded. Having a little piece of silver necklace with a bear claw attached to it. “Shall I prepare your wine?” The kemonomimi kept a warm smile to hide her disgust with the Arch-Princess. When she received word that the protector wanted information about her. She was overjoyed at the Spirits’ involvement in these matters. “If not, I could run a pot of coffee for you and his majesty Prince Wilan.”

“Wine might be a bit too early, so let’s start with coffee.” ‘Elveta’ said in a joyful tone as she kept checking herself out in the mirror, looking up and down at her outfit. While nothing too wild, being a professional white buttoned shirt and a black pencil skirt she had her tailor modify the dress to be only a bit shorter. Afterall the Crown Prince must be… pent up after having no wife for almost a year. “Oh my friends are gonna be so jealous when they find out about this.” She could hardly wait to see reactions this all would make.

The maid kept a firm, bright smile as typical for Akuanists. “Ayay or in your case, oyoy~” She keeps up her attitude for her boss. Spirits above no Akuanists are no puristians when it comes to relationships but this woman makes her question the morality of Carlists. Well more so, well that’s not fair either. Carlists have no morals, when her people the Nystapi were going through changes and took them for inspiration. They had to look towards the other realms that follow the eagle in terms of how they should show themselves to the world.

“Oh there are going to be a lot of oyoys with me and the Crown Prince~” The Arch-Princess said with a small smirk as she straightened her back. “You are an absolute blessing, Ny’Lirsa. One of a kind, genuinely.” She gave her maid a warm smile. “He will be here very soon so get the coffee ready darling.” The elven noblewoman closed the door behind her as she exited her bedroom, walking down the hall in a hurry. Not that she thought he’d be there, but she thought it would be wise to prepare. Not in terms of further physical preparation, rather mentally preparing herself.

Though when she walked down the stairs she was surprised to already see the Crown Prince having been let in by one of her butlers. “Your highness, you have arrived a bit earlier than expected.” She gave him a warm polite smile as she hurried up beside him.

“Well, I felt it was only prudent to arrive early for your wonderful invitation.” Wilan gave her a charming smile that almost seemed to swipe her off her feet. Even more so when he gently grabbed her hand and gave it a kiss. “It’s been a rough year… And some company is always welcome. Beautiful company, I want to clarify.”

“Oh I’ll give you some company alright…” She muttered blissfully to herself before having to clear her throat when she saw the raised eyebrow that the Prince gave her. “I-I mean, I can sympathize with that. I was devastated after my husband’s death. In times like this one often feels so alone. I can understand what you are going through so much.”

She saw the Prince nod his head thoughtfully at that, giving a weak smile that was filled with obvious sorrow. “Thank you. That means a lot, my lady.” Wilan said with a solemn tone as he took off his winter coat, giving it to one of her butlers. Revealing the Prince wearing a white dress shirt that hugged his muscular form well, and dark blue dress pants.

“Your highness, you do not need to call me that. Call me Elveta.” She gestured for Wilan to follow her up the stairs. She kept her warm polite smile while impolitely looking the Prince up and down.

“Then you can call me, Wilan.” He said, keeping a polite smile. If the Prince noticed her eyeing him up then he certainly was not showing it. He gave a respectful nod towards the servants at the down floor before he followed the Arch-Princess up stairs.

The two royals flirted with each other right in front of Ny’Lirsa on the stairs and for a good few minutes while the two were so bluntly flirting. The maid could pass them at all, and the good Arch-Princess most certainly wasn’t paying enough attention to let her maid pass. Which means she won’t have the coffee as quickly, which means the Arch-Princess will dock her pay again. After the royals left and went up the stairs, she finally could start heading to the kitchen.

One of the butlers waved towards her, speaking in the native tongue of her people. “Oi, the prince gave us a pretty good tip. It will be enough for how much the boss docks us for today.” The butler gave a chipper sounding voice, having a warm smile.

“An actual tip? Not just yelling at you for walking ahead of them with all their heavy luggage? Spirits be praised.” Ny’Lirsa clapped her hands. “Hopefully other nobles start taking note of tipping us when they come to visit. Not sure if any of you are getting your pay docked though. The Mistress is in one of those moods.”

"Ayay, twice then!” The butler gave a clap of his hands in response. “Can’t wait til the end of the month when we divide up all the tips we got.”

"Neither can I. Have you seen the recent price increases on heating? Knew I should have kept the wooden furnace.” Ny’Lirsa shook her head, walking down the hall towards the kitchen.

_

“Oh that is awful to hear.” The Arch-Princess said in a sadden tone as she listened to Wilan talking about the death of his wife and his son’s way of dealing with it.

“Yeah… He was utterly devastated. Took him to a trip to Lapiliszna to meet my little sister Esta. Gods she did her absolute best to make him feel better. Played with him and his toys. Hugged him as tightly as she could. Absolutely everything.” Wilan said in a warm tone, having his hand on hers gently rubbing it with his thumb. “The three of us even stayed up late to watch anime movies from Nordflix. Well until he fell asleep.”

“Oh that is so adorable to hear.” The Arch-Princess gushed hearing that smiling warmly. “I’m glad to hear you have people to be there for you and your son.”

“So am I. Trust me, Esta has been a lifesaver for me more than just once. Whenever I ask something from her she does it no question asked. Other than making me visit her more than I already do, that is.” The Prince said letting out a small chuckle. “She is like my little crazy helper in that sense.”

“Aww that’s sweet.” She gently held the Prince’s hand as the two talked, her light blue eyes looking into his gray as they talked. “I unfortunately don’t know much about the Jarlynja, but I’d love to meet her.”

“Well… I’m certain she’d love to meet you as well. I can arrange a meeting between the three of us If you are okay with that?” He suggests giving her soft hand a squeeze.

“Of course, tell me when and I’d love to take a trip to Lapiliszna.” She said completely caught up in his words and eyes. Not only does she get to sleep with the Crown Prince, and all the benefits that brings. But she might be close to the Jarlynja of the Nystapi? She can get laid and an amazing economic opportunity from this. Before the Arch-Princess could get her thoughts too preoccupied with such goals the door opened with her maid stepping in with their coffee. “Oh Ny’Lirsa you’re here! Was getting a bit concerned!” She gave the maid a warm smile. Obviously she wasn’t concerned, and usually would be annoyed by the tardiness. But her mind hardly cared enough about small mistakes her staff might make when she had the Soldier Prince to impress.

“My apologies, your royal highnesses.” The maid steps forth, holding a plate of coffee for the both of them with some small snacks. The Arch-Princess ‘coffee’ being majority low-fat, soybean milk and natural sugar rather than actual coffee. She placed her boss’s coffee first in front of her, then followed suit with the crown prince. “I took the liberty of preparing some snacks as well.” She places down the plate onto the center of the table. “Might I bring anything else?” The maid gives a half body bow and holds in place.

“I think we will be fine. But thank you, Ny’Lirsa!” The Arch-Princess said, clapping her hands together, giving her a warm smile before placing her entire focus back on the Crown Prince. Completely ignoring the maid’s existence. “But yes, I’d love to meet your sister.”

“Of course we will have to get to know each other more.” The Crown Prince said, taking a sip from his coffee cup. “How’s your family?”

“Well my father is still involved in our family’s finances, while my brother Asker has been obsessed with his art lately.” The Arch-Princess said in a more nonchalant way as she took a sip from her own cup. “My cousins currently serving in the army, big fans of yours actually. Never stop talking about you.”

“Well I am flattered. How involved is your father in the politics of your house?” He raised an eyebrow at her, though keeping his charming smile.

“Though he gives me advice, most of his actual involvement with our house is only on matters involving our city. Not a man to care too much about the Royal Council and debates happening there.” She said letting out a sigh as the matter of politics came into play.

“I take it you are not in the biggest mood to talk about politics?” Wilan asked, taking a small sip from his cup and then taking a bite of a cookie from the plate of snacks that had been prepared for them.

“I’m afraid so, Wilan…” She gave him an apologetic look as she took a sip from her cup as well. “Just, every time the council has a vote there are constant arguments and rivalries brought forward. It gets tiring.”

The Crown Prince stood up from his chair walking up behind the Arch-Princess, placing his rough hands on her shoulders. “You sound quite stressed than… If you want me to. I can give you a massage?” He asked, giving the same charming smile as he looked down at her.

She blushed as she looked up at him, almost empty of words before just nodding her head at the suggestion. “I-I would like that.” She said, giving a small smile before growing a bit wider. “I would like that quite a lot, actually.”

[Norgsveldet]

Next morning

The Arch-Princess let out a small yawn as she stretched her arms out and sat up. Her long red hair being a complete sweaty mess and having an expensive silk blanket covering her lower nude half. The room was dimly lit, with most of the lights turned off and the sun still not being out as it usually wasn’t this time of year. She couldn’t help but smile as she thought back to the ‘fun’ she had with the Crown Prince. With her looking towards her night desk which had two wine glasses and an empty red wine bottle next to them. Letting out a small giggle she laid back down rolling to her side so she could look at the handsome Prince’s face. Only to find the otherside of the bed empty, no strong handsome elven prince in sight. She let out a small sigh, leaning her head against a pillow and looked up towards the roof. Staying quiet for a moment, alone.

Though her mood improved the moment she heard the sink from her bathroom start. Seeing the lights from the bathroom illuminating through the door. She couldn’t help but be quite happy that the crown prince had decided to stay behind. Getting out of her bed she walked towards her makeup stand, stepping over her clothes that were laying on the floor. Looking at herself in the mirror with a smile wanting to put on her lipstick for her elven prince. Plus she liked the marks it left when she kissed him. Though as she pushed her lips together to put on the same dark red lipstick from yesterday, she noticed that on her right cheek was her heart shaped birthmark. “Fuck, no, no.” She cursed to herself as she began panicking a little bit as she dropped the lipstick and immediately began looking for her foundation in her makeup stand. Pulling the drawers and rummaging through them to see if she finds anything. Breathing in and out at a panicked pace. With her beginning to look around at the floor. “Where is it, where is it, where is i-”

She then heard the sound and saw the light of a camera flash. Looking up from her leaned down position, to see the Crown Prince with his phone in hand with its camera directed right at her. “Smile~” He taunted with a smirk as he took another picture, and then another. Having taken two pictures focused right on her face. “You have a very cute birthmark, Elisia. Such a sad thing to cover.” He let out a mocking chuckle as he put the phone back into his pocket. With him wearing dark blue dress pants, and his white dress shirt that was unbuttoned. Which revealed the Crown Prince’s muscular body, though in this case the Arch-Princess could hardly focus on that.

“I-I, I think you’re mistaken. I’m Elveta.” She said letting out a nervous chuckle as she used a hand to cover her birthmark, pretending like nothing happened. “I-I assure you this is no-”

“Come now, we can be honest with each other.” He said, rolling his eyes as he reached out to his pant’s pocket again revealing him having the foundation. He threw it nonchalantly at her, causing her to trip over to catch it. “You know, I gotta respect your dedication. You had people fooled for six long years. I mean I think myself above killing my siblings but hey If any of them killed me I hope they go to the same level of dedication.” He shook his head in amusement as he began buttoning his dress shirt again.

“H-How dare you on accusing me of-”

“You know. I could just come back later right? With a shovel I mean. I know it would be considered rude to start digging into somebody else’s flower garden.” He turned around to look at himself in the mirror, taking a moment to comb his white hair. “I wonder what would happen If your family’s sins were revealed…”

“P-Please, do not tell anybody.” She stuttered out, nervous and terrified. She and her family had spent over six years keeping the murder of her sister secret. And she thought that it would be impossible for anyone to know what they did.

“Hmm.” Wilan hummed to himself as he stayed quiet for a moment, placing the comb down and looking himself up and down in the mirror before turning around to face her. Keeping a smirk on his face as he walked up to her, leaning down to look her right in the eye. His cold gray eyes met her scared light blue ones. “For my silence, I will demand your vote in the Royal Council.”

“Y-Yes of course, your highness.” She stuttered a little.

“Very good, Elisia. As long as you remember your votes belonging to me, I will keep your kin slaying a secret.” He said with a small chuckle, before his body glanced up and down her nude form for a moment. “Now, I must get going but I will assure you I had a good time last night.” He gently grabbed her chin to give her peck on the cheek before straightening up again. “Now I will have to get moving, I’m glad to make business with you. Elisia.” He gave her a taunting smile before finally exiting the bedroom.

Leaving the Arch-Princess alone sitting next to her makeup stand, with her hands on her face as she breathed in and out. Her mind was still panicking even if her breathing wasn’t anymore. Trying to calm herself as she tried to figure out how the Crown Prince knew. Though for now she just had to follow whatever political request he made. Letting out a weak sigh, she looked back at the mirror as she began putting on foundation again on her right cheek. All the while she tried not to cry.

_ _

29th October, 2023
Neylapdor, Lapliszna

“Why hello there prince of hearts, what sinful pictures you sent to your young, impressionable sister~” Esta teases over the video call, Ny’Jon once again holding up her phone so that Esta can drink her tea and still hold her tv remote. “Honestly Wilan, you really know how to make a girl jealous~”

“Well what can I say, being a charming and now single crown prince has its perks.” Wilan said with a smug attitude with the Jarlnyja seeing him leaning against his seat. Her darling brother is in his private jet, having recently sent her the pictures of Elisia’s unclothed form and having finished telling her about the way he blackmailed her. “Once again, I thank you for the information. As such you deserved pictures afterall.”

“Why is it you can send me all those sinful photos but when I send you those kind it’s all wrong and crap. I mean it’s not like they’re real people or anything so their opinion on it doesn’t matter.” Esta gives a eye roll, “Ny’Jon, stop looking worried. I don’t have any pictures of you like that… Yet.” She keeps her focus on the phone.

“Esta, a good 50% of the time those pictures have them with stab wounds.” Wilan rolled his own eyes in return before taking a sip from his champagne glass. “The other 50% it’s just of you naked or somehow worse.”

“I didn’t think me bedding your former mother-in-law was that bad.” Esta gives an annoyed pout, sipping her tea in a moderately upset look. As if someone stole her candy bar. “Besides, I had Ny’Jon take photography classes so they look better too. I mean, he really got into it when it comes to my stab work.”

"No, I didn’t. I almost puked.” Ny’Jon’s voice said in a mildly annoyed tone.

“Well I guess next time you send me pictures I can study how good the photography is.” Wilan taunted his little sister, finding her pout adorable.

“Hpmh!” She crosses her arms, almost spilling the tea onto her chest. “Stupid.” She places her tea cup down on the side of her nightstand, then crosses her arms. “You know, you really should be much happier with my photos, I mean, I thought that before and after photos with that one woman, your mother in law was really funny.” She gives a crazed grin.

“Her name was Manita, but it doesn’t matter now.” Wilan took a moment to chuckle a little bit from what happened but kept his comment to himself. “I prefer not having been sent pictures of corpses, nor was I interested in Manita’s nude form. Thank you very much.”

“Boo.” She gave a thumbs down towards him, “Boo. Come on, I literally fucked your mom. Well step-mom, but that totally counts. I mean come on, it’s hilarious right? Anytime we get into another fight, I can bring up that I slept with Melina and then I win.” Esta logic was perfectly without flaw or mistake… According to her at least.

“Mother-in-law and stepmom are very different.” Wilan couldn’t help but sigh while having a smile as he continued to chuckle from her antics. “Fine, it’s somewhat funny. Just saying be careful when sending me pictures, okay?” He raised an eyebrow at her, having placed his phone now on the wall in front of him. So he didn’t have to keep holding it. Prince is still wearing the buttoned white shirt from earlier, with the two first buttons being unbuttoned. “Afterall I could have been in a meeting or public in which all that people would need to know I have pictures of Manita like that was to just look at my phone screen at the right moment.”

“Oh fine whatever, if it is so weird to have photos of your little sister.” Esta reaches over on her bed, to hold onto one of her many plushies. “Estrid bought me a new plushie, look at it and how soft it is!” She holds up the plushie, it being a fox with a crown on its head.

“You can send me photos, just give me a warning so I don’t have a sudden panic attack.” He let out a sigh before raising an eyebrow at her again. “Isn’t that Queen Wilhelmina from that one children cartoon? They made her into a fox and the Fylkir into a bear If I remember correctly.”

“Yeah! Look how cute it is!” Esta squeezes the plushie tightly, swaying it around during her hug. “So cute, I’m amazed you didn’t have one for your kid. Also, still not a cartoon, it’s anime and I know that you know that and just being an asshole.”

“It’s utterly adorable. Very nice of her to buy it for you.” Wilan said before letting out a small chuckle. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I should have said anime. I just like to annoy you.” He took another sip from his champagne glass. “Well he only just began watching it, but I’m thinking of buying him the Olav bear plushie.”

“I’m going to hurt you every time you annoy me.” Esta gives a cold stare for a moment before quickly returning to her happy, loving self again playing with the plushie. “You should get him the plushies, and one of those fancy train sets.” She slowly pets the fox plushie now. “Ny’Jon, should I get a fox? I think I should get a fox.”

“You do already have several fox plushies, including a plushie of each of the Royal Foxes. Including O.B which you cuddle with whenever Estrid is not here.” Ny’Jon said in his same stoic and calm tone, while leaving out the fact that it wasn’t just when Estrid wasn’t here. But also whenever she couldn’t force him to spend the night in her bedroom. “It is your choice to get an actual fox, but I will ask for a wage raise. As it would be my duty to take care of them.”

Wilan couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at the butler’s comments, finding the two’s interaction amusing. Hardly one that an employee and employer should have with each other but one of amusement nonetheless. Plus it was one far better than what their father had with the servants. “Always have Ny’Jon to clean up your mess, huh?” He taunted his little sister.

“You mean what a butler is for?” Esta rolls her eyes, “Okay Ny’Jon, we’re going to find a nice kit together then. Just me, you and Estrid, so you better be ready for that responsibility.” She points her finger towards the kemonomimi behind the camera. “We will find a nice fox, that all three of us will like and take care of.”

“You mean Ny’Jon will take care off.” Wilan couldn’t help but continue to tease his little sister. “Afterall, Estrid has her own duties as High Lady in Briaklandr and you are hardly that good with animals.”

“Hey, I love animals! Just they tend to be bats and as for Estrid…. I still don’t know what High Lady does and not sure where Briaklandr is.” Esta gave a shrug of her shoulders. “My palace is bigger than hers though.”

"It’s an constitutional entity within the country of Maanbriak, in which Mrs. Estrid serves as a Royal Protector of said entity as a representative for the Norgsveltian Crown.” Ny’Jon spoke up having spent a long time studying matters of the Crown Realm when he was in Eyjaria. Having tried to use said knowledge to show why he was fit to be a butler for the Bjørn’s castle. Before the Jarl decided he was better fit for Lapiliszna.

"Basically. She is a representative for her uncle for an East Gondwanan country.” Wilan explained in a way that it would be easier understood for Esta.

“Oh wow, very interesting… Where is Maanbriak?” Esta scratched the back of her head. “One of those poor places in Gondwana? Where all those orcs live and stuff right?” The Jarlnyja was knowledge about many things in Borea, and even in Akuanism if it was important enough. That does mean of course, she has no fucking clue what is going on outside of Borea. Until recently, she still thought that Johanna Svepdrupe was still the PM of Norgsveldet. Recently meaning last week.

“Nah Maanbriak is a cluster fuck of species and ethnicities. Quite wealthy as well, well, for Gondwanan and East Borean standards.” Wilan took a sip from his campagne glass again, finishing it. Was it a bit early to start drinking? Yes. Did it stop him? No.

“It’s south of Nyveldet and west of New Leganes, your majesty.” Ny’Jon said with a small sigh, wondering how she was qualified at all to be a leader.

“Ah neat.” Esta shrugged her shoulders. “Anything else you want to tell me? I do actually have work to do, actual real work. Not this nobility nonsense or politics.” She starts to sit up right, grabbing her tea again to drink it.

“Only that I’m very certain Elisia began crying after I left but I have no pictures of it.” Wilan said, shrugging his own shoulders.

“Boo, trash and do better. I have to go meet with Brewmasters about this month’s festival, celebrating Niväk.” Esta stood up, finishing her cup. “Have to get changed, which you are of course are welcomed to watch and all but I can’t be late now~”

“Tempting but I will say no.” Wilan said, letting out a small chuckle. “Alright then, hurry off and do your thing. Love you, little crazy.”

“Love you too Wilan! See you naked later!” Esta gave a wave goodbye, looking towards the camera and then up to Ny’Jon. Then looking back down to the camera.

With the Prince giving a wave and giving his goodbye the call ended. With the butler letting out a sigh as he gave the phone back to Esta. “I’ll give you some privacy, your majesty.” He gave a respectful bow before turning around to walk to the door.

“No you won’t, do you know how many bloody ribbons need to be tied on this outfit? It’s going to take us forever to tie it all together, not to mention all the bells.” Esta sighed, grabbing Ny’Jon shoulder and dragging him towards the closet.

“Why can’t you just ask the maids to help you….” He mumbled out slightly annoyed and embarrassed.

[Norgsveldet]

30th October, 2023
Kungstad, Blåskog

The icy cold autumn wind of the East Borean climate hit the window of Mrs. Stenberg’s office, with her looking outside admiring her country’s beautiful capital. From the large temples built in the name of their gods, to the large industrial and financial buildings that were the cornerstone of East Borea’s largest economy. One of Borea’s largest cities, filled with continued life and economic activity. With a busy port that exported her nation’s large mineral wealth, and the mineral wealth of Blåskog’s loyal subjects of Lapiliszna and Noraida. She was a proud nationalist afterall, how could she not admire a country that through the worst of adversities kept going on? Not just withstanding the climate and the hostile region, but overcoming and controlling huge chunks of it. As a Carlist it was the ideal to uphold, you are not just supposed to withstand adversity. You were supposed to dominate your adversaries, and remain on the top of the world. By all means necessary.

It’s how she had risen so far to the political ladder, she was not born with noble blood. Nor did she rise up through the military though like all citizens she served her five year time as an conscript. No, her career path was within the parliament. Not as a reformist democrat like those Ulvriktru Democratic fools, nor as a hyper Terist nationalist like those among the right. No, she found herself among the cold hearted bureaucrats within the King’s Party. She had served as the King’s most devoted administrator when she was prime minister, serving in the best interest of the Crown and Motherland.

Yet how did the king repay her efforts and time? By throwing her under the bus. The moment Blåskog got too much heat from the international community the king, instead of standing by his actions, blamed her. Atrocities committed by Ragnarstat separatists? Her fault. The stagnation of the economy after sanctions? Her fault. The king’s image being ruined by foreign presses because of his statements after her forced resignation? Somehow it’s also her fault. To say that her commitment to monarchism was shaken by the king’s smearing of her name would be an understatement.

Yet when she was approached by the Reformer Prince about a possible political alliance between her and the two sons of the king? Behind the king’s very back? Well she couldn’t say she wasn’t intrigued. Though she waited for making any official commitments, until she had a moment to meet with the Soldier Prince. She didn’t hate Prince Torster, but she feared his ideals of Ulvriktru Democracy did not match well with her beliefs of pure state enforced efficiency. The Crown Prince’s little experiment in Teieleie had certainly captured her attention after all. Now that was a man she could follow with far more confidence.

Her thoughts were broken by two clear knocks on her office door. “Come in.” She said with a stoic tone as she turned around to face the door, standing next to her desk with hands behind her back.

The door opened revealing none other than Crown Prince Wilan, with the elven prince wearing his dark military uniform with its silver buttons and symbols on. The uniform belonged to the army’s officer corps, one that the prince had served in. Hilda couldn’t help but smile knowing how much the prince seems to fit his persona. “Mrs. Stenberg, I apologize for my tardiness. Had an important matter to deal with.” The Prince’s voice spoke up with a good mixture of charm and politeness as he gave her a charming smile.

“No need to apologize to your highness, I hope I’m not taking too much of your time.” She gave him a polite smile and as she bowed her head deeply to him. She gestured to the prince to sit down in front of her desk. Her office was traditional in its form, not much different from what one would see a noble using. With dark cold gray in color scheme for the walls, and with a black mahogany desk. With the only warmer colors being that of the historical paintings she has hung up or the silver decorations.

“Oh do not worry about that, I did need to eventually discuss matters with you anyways.” The prince kept his charming smile and behavior as he sat down, as the former prime minister poured him a cup of coffee.

“Quite so, your brother had discussed these matters quite a bit with me but I felt like I needed to hear your angle first.” Hilda poured herself a cup of coffee before finally sitting down. “Your brother talked quite in depth about the need of changing our country’s status quo, and how my position in the parliament and the King’s Party could help. How the two of you are planning on changing the country for the better… And well I think you get my point.”

“While my brother might be over exaggerating some parts he is largely correct, and we would want you to be part of that process.” Wilan took a small sip of his cup as he spoke, his tone being polite and dare say humble. “Me and my brother view that your forced resignation was a shame, a woman of your talents and political experience should not be sitting on the bench. She deserves to lead.”

Hilda raised an eyebrow at that before taking a sip from her cup as well. “Your highness, while I’m all so flattered by your words. I would like you to be more frank.” She placed down her cup before giving a hard look towards the prince, studying him.

Though he was just quiet, still smiling but quiet as he seemed to think over what to say. “Mrs. Stenberg. What I’m merely offering you is a chance to regain your position, to once more be that leader that we both know you are.” While his voice was still charming, and he still had a charming smile. Hilda couldn’t help but feel… a behavioral switch from him. “I’m offering you back the position to become a prime minister, not today or tomorrow. But in the near future. If you work with me and my brother on changes we are going to be making, I will reassure you. I will correct my father’s mistake.”

“How are you planning on doing that? How can you offer me a position that only the Crown and the Royal Council can enforce?” She asked, giving the prince a curious look.

“Me and my brother have our ways, trust me.” Wilan took a sip from his cup. Not ever dropping that charming smile of his.

Hilda couldn’t help but feel a slight worry in the back of her head, she wouldn’t want to assume the two would do anything harsh against their own father. But well, kin slaying has happened in the long past in the Royal Family’s history. It was not an impossible action. Yet in the forefront of her mind she only saw an opportunity. “You know… I’m hardly the most reformist politician out there.” She gave him a small smirk.

And for the first time the Crown Prince smile switched away from a charming one, instead it was replaced with a cocky smirk. “Do not worry Mrs. Stenberg, I am no democrat.”

[Norgsveldet]

10th November, 2023
Neylapdor, Lapliszna

Torster woke up from his bed, his body sweating as he breathed in and out slowly, his entire body shaking as he tried calming himself. But no matter what he did, and what breathing exercises he did he couldn’t help but still feel anxiety and shame. The nightmares continued coming up, time and time again. At least that is what he called them. Nightmares. But they were far more often just… memories. He’d call them bad ones, even part of his mind, the part he hated and felt disgusted by liked it. It’s why he never told his wife about it, not because he thought she would judge him. No, he knew she’d be there for him. Comfort him, be there for him. When he looked at Velina, part of him felt safe. Safe in a way he remembered his mother made him feel… When she actually acted like one that is. Letting out a sigh he gently kisses Velina’s forehead as he got out of bed. Going out of the bedroom wearing just his sleepwear, as he walked down the hall to where he remembers his sister telling the kitchen was. He just needed a glass of water so he’d be more calm. His body still shaking from the dream, with him trying shake the it out of his mind.

He felt a surprise hug coming straight behind him, for a brief moment he thought it was his wife until he realized his wife wasn’t that short. He gave an annoyed sigh, “Esta, why can you have your staff give me a hug but not yourself?” He got no response until out of fucking no where, she appeared in front of him from the darkness of the long hallway. His sister’s voice gave a chipper, “Because I love being dramatic!” She gave a clap of her hands.

He let out a sigh as he gently grabbed the hands of the maid that was hugging him from behind pulling them away from him. With the maid soon after hurrying away from the two siblings. “Well. Thank you for letting me and my wife stay over the night, I trust you and Estrid will be alright taking care of the little one for a little bit?” He asked, giving a polite smile not wanting to say why he was awake, as he pretended everything was okay as he stood there.

“Of course! I love children, they’re so cute!” She clapped her hands together, walking closer to him. “So why are you up so early, walking around in my palace?” She kept her up-beat, chipper tone of voice but her crazed look in her eyes was anything but. “More nightmares?” She tilts her head to the side, with a smile on her face.

Torster wanted to question how she knew, but decided against it. He knew Esta, well, not as good as Wilan but good enough to just say it was because she is ‘divine’ or whatever other bullcrap. Enshrined spirits aren’t even gods to begin with so he doesn’t understand why she keeps saying that. “Yeah, I’m having some nightmares. Nothing for you to worry about, I just needed a moment to breathe and, well, think.” He tried to be as polite as he could, the last thing he needed was her to get in a stabby mood as Wilan called it.

“Sure it is, all residents and my people’s troubles are my own troubles.” She skipped as she walked towards him. Keeping that big stupid smile, with her bright purple eyes showing no-signs of emotion. “So, is it about her again? I have Ny’Jon make us some hot chocolate to chase away those nasty memories.”

“…how?” He raised an eyebrow at his little sister as she skipped in front of him, with not a care in the world. Yet he just sighed. “You do not need to bother your butler for that, but I’ll be fine. It was just a bad dream…” He looked away from her, not wanting to look her in the eye. In eyes that reminded him of their mother.

“Oh, okay. I guess you can make it if you know how to work in a kitchen.” Esta spoke without missing a beat. “If it’s fine and just a bad dream, then why are you wandering around in my halls?” She puts a finger to lips, making one of those silly Valkyr anime poses. For someone who doesn’t know Esta personally, it would look completely adorable and even for those who do know her well. They know it is just a bear wearing reindeer skin smiling up at them.

“It was a very bad dream, but that’s all it is.” Torster said in an annoyed tone but his body felt a shiver coming through him. His eyes began to wander around. “Sometimes one just needs to go on a small walk to forget about those types of dreams, right?” He said now more warmer joking tone, though one which was oh so clearly fake.

“Ah like a walk to the kitchen to make your local goddess and sister some hot chocolate?” Her tone is ever-so upbeat. “Usually when I get bad dreams, I have Ny’Jon make chocolate.” She lied as easily as she breathed. When she gets a bad dream, she… Well best not to mention it.

“Yes, something like that.” Torster gave her a forced smile as the two entered the staff’s kitchen. “I’ll make us some hot chocolate, just sit tight.” He kept his forced smile as he went to the espresso machine, grabbing two cups for them. He didn’t want to say much, if anything really. As such he stayed quiet as the machine poured hot chocolate into their cups.

Esta sat down on top of the counter, looking directly at him the whole time with that creepy expression. “So you’re not looking at me because I remind you of her or are you still pissed off that you didn’t get to become a god yourself?” She tilts her head at him, her smile growing wider.

“Esta.” Torster said in a quiet tone as he put the cups on the counter. “I’ve gotten over you becoming the Jarlnyja of the Nystapi, and becoming their Enshrined spirit. You do not need to bring that up.” He took a sip from his own cup, yet he kept his eyes away from Esta.

“Oh thank the spirits I didn’t wanna kill you.” Esta tosses a now, very noticeable knife into a nearby sink. “So it’s just that bitch.” She leans back against the wall, taking a sip from her cup. “Want a mannequin of her? I like stabbing it when I’m upset.”

Torster couldn’t help but jump a little bit when he saw the knife clatter against the sink. He had little idea where she got the knife from, much less how she was able to hide it. “I… I’m good. I’m not exactly one to stab people.” He looked towards her, giving a very nervous and anxious smile.

“Nah you’re more the poison type or hire someone else to do it for you. Probably the latter honestly, you’re a coward at heart.” Esta took another sip, placing her cup down. “So you want to watch me stab it then? We can make a whole event out of it. I just bought this new portable smoke thingy-do-hickie and I have been really wanting to use it.”

“Esta, I’m none of those things.” Torster said letting out a sigh, a heavy sigh. “I’m not interested in anything violent, I don’t want to see you stab anything or anyone.” He couldn’t help but just be exhausted at his little sister’s attitude, with him muttering. “Not like I even wanted our mother dead to begin with…”

“Why did you want to marry her?” Esta gave a confused look, a real sign of emotion as her mask melted away. “I mean, I get it but like why? She was a bitch and a horrid woman.”

“W-What no! She was our mother!” Torster said his cheeks growing red at her comment giving a small annoyed look towards Esta. “I literally married Velina while she was still alive, much to her annoyance might I add!”

“Yeah to her annoyance, you got away from her and ended up in the arms of another woman.” Esta rolled her eyes. “Honestly, if you didn’t go to Norgsveldet you probably would end up married.” She took another sip of her drink. “Listen like I said I get it but- Wait are you blushing?”

“I’ll remind you that it would be illegal under Blåskovian law.” Torster said, taking a sip from his hot chocolate. Yet his cheeks were still red, and he refused to look Esta in the eyes looking away as she questioned him.

“Okay you don’t get married in the eyes of the law, but every other way you clearly are. What then? We both know daddy doesn’t care one way or another. Wilan probably wouldn’t care about that match either honestly, like he makes fun of you but that’s about it.” Esta further her confused tone why anyone would ever actually want to get with whatshername.

“Esta, can we like not. Just not? I mean gods, don’t you find this entire conversation insane to have?” Torster couldn’t help but rub the bridge of his nose. This was really not helping him deal with the memories.

“Not really, this is a fairly normal thing to discuss. Besides, talking about it helps. Probably.” She gave a shrug of her shoulders. “I mean why run for it, when you can just fight it and not have to deal with it again.”

“I doubt this would be a conversation that would be held in the Norgsveltian Royal Family…” Torster muttered to himself, part of him really wished he had been born in Norgsveldet. It would make life much much easier. He wouldn’t have to deal with the insanity that was Blåskog, the insanity of his family.

“Okay but you’re not, so get over it.” Esta finishes her hot chocolate. “You’re a Borean, act like it for Spirits’ Sake. It’s not that hard.”

“Okay fine, you want me to talk about it then fine.” Torster said in an annoyed tone as he glared at her, putting down his cup. “I didn’t have a dream or nightmares, I just keep having to remember the first night our mother-” He stopped for a moment, his voice having risen to high. Causing him to let out a small sigh. “On the first night my mother brought me to her bedroom for some ‘fun’. I was thirteen.” He looked away, taking a sip from his cup. “There. You happy now?”

“Not really, I haven’t felt joy since this morning. However, continue.” Esta noticed one of her fingernails was dirty, and started to inspect the other ones. Still listening to her brother, though clearly distracted.

“What do you mean to continue? I’m not telling you more.” Torster finished his cup and shook his head in annoyance. “I just wanted a moment alone, Esta.” With that he walked past her, out of the kitchen. He couldn’t handle her anymore, he just couldn’t.

Esta didn’t care enough to follow after, she believes that he’s not trying to kill her and at least made an attempt to care about his ‘issues.’ She gave a lazy wave as he walked away. “Okay, good talk. Have a good sleep.” She returned to looking at her dirty fingernails, getting up off the counter and took an alternative exit.

[Norgsveldet]

11th November, 2023
Karasjok, Lapliszna

Torster took a sip from his coffee cup as he glanced towards the window, out towards the snowy weather outside and towards what was the city of Karasjok. And unfortunately like many other Nystapi cities it was in all honesty rather depressing. Far from the expensive and flashy skyscrapers, and Blåskovian designed houses that dominated the Nystapi capital. No instead Karasjok seemed more dominated by traditional Nystapi architectural designs or by rural neo-gothic designs that seemed taken directly from Lapérouse. Made for residents with large families in mind, as such lacking more flashy houses that wealthy Blåskovians had in Lapiliszna. It was practical. But practicality only mattered as much as it was all well maintained. And well, he already noticed quite a few run down buildings as their train passed the city. Despite its proximity to Blåskog the city’s only driving source of activity and modernisation seemed to be the city’s railway and streets. It has been said that the city was just built as one big transit hub, and well, Torster couldn’t disagree with that assessment. At least not with how much effort the city seemed to put into the transportation of Lapiliszna’s raw resources through the city and into Blåskog.

Him and Velina were taking a luxury train trip on their way to Kungstad, his wife still sleeping in her bed. Torster for his part was up early. As he always was. He rarely had good nights to sleep, not just from the horrid memories his mother has caused. He still remembered how he and his siblings just buried that poor girl. The thud from her corpse as she was dropped in a random ditch that he had to dig up. The blood that was pouring from her lifeless body. He remembered every single horrid detail. And how little it bothered Esta and Wilan. Esta with her wide smile, while covered in blood. While Wilan just had the audacity of being bored during it, despite being friends with the girl. The memory brought a shiver down Torster’s neck, as he put down his coffee cup on the coffee table in front of him.

Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t choose his family. He needed to check up on older brother over how the preparations are going. As such taking out his Jotun he quickly called up his brother as he kept looking outside. Though when the phone was picked up the first voice he heard was not from his brother.

Rather than hearing his older brother on the phone, he heard the voice of a small girl, speaking in Nys’tat’en. “Hello, this is dad speaking.” She tried to sound more like him, faking a deep tone but it so clearly failed.

Though not soon after Torster could hear the actual voice of his brother speaking in the background. “Ny’Kino give that back.” Being firm in its tone before a whining voice came from the small girl who for some reason had his brother’s phone.

“But daaaad.” Torster heard the little child whine.

Shortly followed by said whining was an extremely tired mother. He easily could recognize Ny’Kuil’s voice and Gods he knows she used that tone with Esta enough time. “Give the phone to your dad or no dessert.”

“Okay mama.” The child sadful replied.

“Thank you, dear.” Wilan said in a kind but slightly tired tone as Torster assumed that the child was now being taken care of by Ny’Kuil.

“Wilan, care to explain?” Torster said in a slightly judgemental tone, while normally he would give the benefit of the doubt to his brother. It was also in the end, his brother. The idea that Wilan might actually have cheated on his wife before she died was not off the table.

“Oh relax. They’re not mine.” Wilan said in a quiet tone, letting out a small sigh. “They’re the children Ny’Kuil talked about, Esta told them I was their father instead of Carl being their father so, well now I am acting as theirs.”

A heavy sigh left Torster as he heard that. “And I assume Esta only thought that because our father lied to her?”

“Yep.” Wilan’s voice was rather flippant despite the topic matter, though he wasn’t surprised that it was.

“Well, that is certainly a predicament you’ve gotten yourself in…” Torster said in a sympathetic tone. “Is everything alright?”

“As alright as it can be. Just trying my best to make them happy.” WIlan’s tone was more just tired than anything, almost making the younger brother he should have called in a different time. “But let’s not dally too long, you called me for a reason. Right?”

And there again was the colder sterner voice from his older brother that he dealt with so much as a kid. Dealing with it and never complaining about it. Well he had complained to his mother who comforted him, but her way of comfort was not appropriate. “Yes, I was mainly calling you to check on how the talks with Mrs. Stenberg went, and if you have got more ability to sway the Royal Council?”

“Well after I assured her that we will not go too far in the reforms once we are in power, she became much more excited to work with us.” Torster could not help but be slightly annoyed at the talk about giving assurances about being restrictive with the reforms. “Before you speak up, I will make clear reforms will naturally happen. But we need to be careful where we target first. It is easier to convince bureaucrats like Stenberg that we are just seeking to go after the nobility rather than pushing for grand and liberal reforms to make Blåskog into the beacon of liberty in East Borean darkness.” The older brother’s voice was quite clearly mocking in its tone when speaking about what Torster found was his end goal for their country.

“Yeah, yeah very ridiculous. Ha ha.” Torster’s tone was sarcastic and clearly a bit annoyed. “Look If want to get the UPD with us on the idea of forming a grand alliance with the KP and PNS than I need to be able to place assurances to them as well that we gonna make genuine democratic reforms.”

“Which we will, little brother. We will. Stenberg just wants us to focus on ridding the influence of the Royal Council; the best way to give more democratic reforms is just shifting the responsibility of theirs to the Common Council.” Torster could feel himself calm down hearing that.

“That is a good start at least… Though Stenberg will be very reluctant of the Crown weakening its own power.” He once more grabbed his coffee cup taking a sip from it as he let Wilan continue on.

“Which will be fine for now. Our focus is to ensure the nobility and clergy bend the knee, we can worry about giving up my powers later when they have been dealt with.” The older brother’s tone was clear, its firmness and anger, Torster had brought up the matter of the power of the Crown being weakened. Never ending in a full agreement what said restrictions actually will be like. “Either way, it is up to you in your meeting with Mr. Henriksen to get the UPD with us on this. It’s vital that you succeeded.”

“Yes, Wilan.” The younger brother could not help but let out a sigh. It would need some long discussion, but it was possible. Before he could speak up again to ask about Wilan’s work with the Royal Council, he once more heard a kid’s voice in the background.

“Papa! Papa!” He heard a boy’s voice this time. “Do you love me?” The joyful tone the boy once had shifted into a darker, pitiful tone. One that tugged on the young prince’s heart strings.

“Of course I do, sweetie.” Wilan’s voice was uncharacteristically warm, or at least it felt uncharacteristic for Torster. “Hey, you think we can talk later? I understand we have much to discuss bu-”

“No, no. Wilan, I understand. We can talk more later.” Torster said with a warm chuckle, he couldn’t blame his big brother for wanting to help the kids. He’d do the same. “Say hi from me.”

He could almost hear his brother’s smile as he finished speaking. “I will, and good luck with the meeting.”

_ _

Ny’Løststad, Blåskog

Wilan put his phone into his pocket as he looked down at the little boy who was grabbing his leg and rubbing his cheek against his dark blue dress pants. “Alright, you come here.” He said as he put an arm around Carl Jr. and easily lifted him up. “Your father loves you very much.”

The young kelf wrapped his arms around him, giving a weak pur. “Are you sure?” He still sounded quite weak toned but was improving slightly.

“Yes, very much so.” He held the young kelf down as he placed a hand on the kid’s head scratching his kemonomimi ears. “And by the way, Uncle Torster called and said he wanted to tell you hi and that you should not believe the stuff Auntie Esta tells you about him.”

“Of course the man with no eyelids would say that.” The little kid cuddling into his dad’s hand. “If you love me so much then why did you take so long to visit us and mama?” His hands cling onto Wilan’s shirt.

“It’s… difficult to explain.” The Crown Prince said with a sigh. “Let’s just say there are bad people out there, who wouldn’t be happy that I’m here. Understood?” He gave his ‘son’ a peck on the forehead. “But papa is here now, focus on that. And papa loves you.”

“Papa won’t let the bad people hurt us?” He gave a quivering tone, it wouldn’t be the first nightmare he would have because of the implication that bad people are out to get them but it was the first time his papa said it more directly.

“Papa would do anything in his power to ensure that nothing bad happens to you.” Wilan said in a firm tone as he held the kids close. “I promise.”