After defeating Agrona, Arthur Leywin finally comes back to a Dicathen that is finally in a time of peace. But divides between the races, and the need for political discourse with a new continent means there is a lot of work ahead for the young lanc...
The next day after a good night's rest, Caera took the Leywins to the newly constructed Dicathen Embassy, which was situated just a short walk away from Taegrin Caelum. Typically, Caera would not be allowed within the Dicathen Embassy due to being a figure from Alacrya, however, she had been given special permission by the council to move in and out freely until Eleanor began her duties.
The embassy building was a grand and imposing structure, designed to be a symbol of projected power for Dicathen. Its walls were made of dark red brick, and tall, white columns rose up towards the sky, framing the entrance. The entrance itself was a grand, arched portal inside, topped with a balustrade and ornate cornice, and guarded by a pair of marble dragons, their stone eyes staring out into the street. Atop the building was a large flag with the triunion symbol flying proudly.
As they stepped inside the embassy building, they were greeted by a grand, marble-floored entrance hall, its high, vaulted ceiling decorated with intricate frescoes and gilded moldings. On either side of the hall, tall, imposing doors led to elegant reception rooms, their walls adorned with paintings and tapestries, and their windows overlooking the gorgeous view outside.
The building's crowning glory was its grand ballroom, a magnificent space with a high, domed ceiling, intricate moldings, and a gleaming marble floor. The room was lit by a glittering chandelier, casting warm, inviting light across the space, and the walls were adorned with ornate frescoes and gilded moldings. Dwarven, elven, and human design melded together intricately and beautifully here to provide a wonderful testament to the wealth and taste of Dicathen.
Despite its grandeur, the embassy building was not designed to just be a symbol of wealth and power but was intended to aid in diplomacy and cooperation.
The embassy staff, handpicked by the council, were already there and hard at work, dedicated to fostering good relations between Dicathen and Alacrya. Everyone there was chosen due to their ability to work tirelessly to ensure that the two continents remained on good terms, ignoring concerns of race in order to achieve peace.
Whether grand balls and receptions were hosted within its walls or quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy was engaged in hushed corners, the embassy was a vital link between two continents. It was a symbol of the hope and effort of people on both sides for a better, more peaceful world.
As the group entered, a dwarf with a bright charming smile came to greet them. "Hello, Lady Caera, Lady Eleanor, and Lady Alice. And hello Lance Arthur. Welcome to the Dicathen Embassy."
Caera smiled in greeting to the dwarf. "Hello, Lenard. Would it be possible to show Ellie here to her office?"
The dwarf nodded. "Certainly. Please follow me."
They soon arrived in front of an intricate door that read "Dicathen Ambassador - Eleanor Leywin" on it in glossy text. As Lenard opened the door, Ellie gasped at the sight inside.
The office was a grand and imposing space, designed to project the appearance that its occupant had wealth, power, and prestige. The walls were paneled in dark, polished wood, and tall bookshelves lined the room from ceiling to floor, filled with leather-bound tomes and ornate globes. The desk inside was a massive, hand-carved piece of furniture, made of rich mahogany, with intricate inlaid designs and gleaming brass fittings.
At the head of the room stood a large, carved fireplace, its mantle adorned with ornate moldings and gleaming marble, and above it hung a painting of Arthur's speech announcing the war to the general public, with Sylvie in her full dragon form by his side. The floor was covered in a plush, woven carpet, and the windows were draped in heavy, velvety curtains, allowing occupants privacy and seclusion if needed.
While the office was grandeur in appearance, it was a rather functional space, filled with a variety of practical amenities to help Eleanor carry out her duties. A writing desk sat in one corner, complete with an inkwell and quills, while large maps of Dicathen and Alacrya hung side by side on one wall. A cup of pins and markers was by its side, allowing one to easily mark key points of interest during important discussions.
"T-This is my office?" Eleanor spouted, shocked that this all was hers to use.
Lenard gave a jovial, full-bellied laugh in response, seeming to be more at ease and deciding to be less formal by the young woman's outburst. "Aye lass, it is. The finest tools in order to help you do a wonderful job."
While Arthur, Alice and Eleanor had been wandering around the room, Caera had left and come back with two young men that appeared to be roughly Eleanor's age.
"Ellie, to help you acclimate to Alacrya, alongside the staff the Dicathen council provided you, I thought it would be best to provide you some assistants from Alacrya." With a smirk on her face, Caera continued. "I think you are already acquainted with them from what I heard."
Entering the room with big, goofy grins on their faces were two dark-haired young men, one thin while the other was big. Eleanor's eyes brightened at seeing them.
"Tedry! Rolluf! Oh, it is so nice to see you guys again!" She squealed before hugging both of them. The duo soon hugged her back.
Arthur's eyes narrowed at this display. One thing he hadn't considered until that very moment was that no matter what continent they were on, men and boys alike could be horny, disgusting pigs. He cleared his throat loudly, making sure both of the Alacryan men made note of his presence.
The duo gulped under the pressure Arthur exerted from his core to intimidate them. Typically when Arthur did this, his victims were left a puddle of gasping tears on the floor. However, to his surprise, they somehow were able to remain on their feet despite the pressure.
"Brother, stop!"
"L-Lance Arthur! I-It is nice to meet you! Ellum-ah! Sorry, Eleanor told us lots about you!" Tedry said while Rolluf nodded in response.
Arthur released his pressure, curious as to how the duo knew Eleanor. "How did you guys meet?"
Rollup responded. "We met when Alacrya had invaded Elenoir. We were on patrol duty at the time, and Eleanor had posed as Ellum to infiltrate our ranks. We three grew to be quite close as friends during those couple of weeks."
Eleanor continued. "When we retook Elenoir, these idiots got trapped within Zestier Forest." She looked down. "I know I probably shouldn't have, but I had grown to like them during our time together. I couldn't stand leaving them out to dry, knowing they would most likely be killed as a result. I snuck them out to safety after I revealed to them who I am."
Arthur's eyes softened, as he walked up to the duo. "Fine. It is nice to meet you two. Please help take care of Ellie for me."
The duo nodded with a smile in response. Arthur then leaned down to their eye level as he used mana to add an edge to his voice. "But just remember, if I find out anything unsavory has occurred... Let's just say even the entire might of Dicathen and Alacrya behind you wouldn't be enough to stop me from tearing you limb from limb."
"Oookayyy! Arthur, I need to talk to you about something. Somewhere else." Caera said, pushing the lance out of the room in order to save the two young men from pissing themselves in fright. Eleanor facepalmed while groaning at her brother's antics while Alice merely giggled.
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