Suikoden VII

Chapter Six: Part Four

Chapter Six: Part Four

Potsfurt

"They're approaching."

Gwenette pressed a hand to her throat. "Approaching? Ah...what does that mean, Your Highness?"

"It means an Alliance warship is going to enter our waters," Kion said. He pointed two servants to different areas of the master bedroom. "You'll need to pack, Gwenette. We're taking one of our warships to go out to greet them."

"This order was passed down by the King?" Gwenette asked.

"Why else would we go out to engage an Alliance warship? The King called Philomena back to the capital for other preparations as well." He scoffed and shook her head. "Astraea has made a mess of things. It wouldn't surprise me if she was responsible for this."

Gwenette brow rose, and she clasped her hands in front of her. "Your Highness?" she said finally.

"What is it?"

"H...How would Astraea arrange for a warship to approach us?"

"She's aligned herself with a member of the Council of Five, did she not? You saw the reports—they were seen together in Életfény." Kion shook his head in disgust. "She was recognize, and no one stopped her! No—they let her act in a play and dance in a damn ballet!"

Gwenette choked, reflexively laughing. "Is something funny about this, Gwenette?" Kion demanded, though his tone was not unkind.

"I-I'm just puzzled, Your Highness," Gwenette said. "Astraea is wanted for treason...but she participated in a theatre production and a ballet production?"

"She's a frivolous girl, as I've always said she's been," Kion seethed through gritted teeth. "Because of her selfishness, we cannot deal with the Bianca Alliance with our full force. No, we have to divide our forces to fight them both!"

"Your Highness!" Gwenette exclaimed before she could stop herself.

Kion stiffened and turned to face her. He held her gaze as he waved his arms. "Leave us."

The servants quickly left the room, closing the door behind them. "If you have something to say Gwenette, go ahead and say it."

Gwenette shook her head and hugged her arms. "I-It's nothing—"

"You are my assist," Kion interjected, pointing to her. "So you cannot be afraid to speak your mind in front of me! Say it now! Do you believe Astraea is innocent of the charges against her? Do you think the King—my father—is lying?"

"I have been your assist for almost five years, Your Highness," Gwenette said, unable to keep the emotions from her voice. "I have seen the best of you and the worst of you. And I—I believe I have seen the best and worst of A-Astraea as well. I have known her since just after her test with Bhayankar. I know her, Your Highness. Just as I know you."

Kion stepped closer, his brow furrowing. "And?" he said after a moment.

Gwenette sucked in a breath and blurted it out before she lost her nerve. "I don't think she did it!"

Kion said nothing. His expression did not move. "I don't think she did it," Gwenette said, tears filling her eyes. "I—If she was truly guilty, then w-we wouldn't have so many people defecting to her, would we? P-People wouldn't see her in a ballet and say, "Oh, there's the Princess!"—they would attack her, yes? Try to apprehend her?! But she—" she gestured with her hand, fumbling on her words. "People believe in her, Your Highness! She's been blamed for the massacre of children, but she has garnered supporters nonetheless! If she was guilty, d-do you think even the lowest serf would side with her? B-But people of every social standing is standing with her! And I know—I know her, okay?! I've always known her to be a sweet girl! She's compassionate and she loves her family! She knows who all of her illegitimate siblings are! I-I'm not even sure His Majesty the King knows them as well as she does! I truly, truly don't think that she—"