Aimee Marseille knows something is wrong when she is summoned quickly to return home. Upon her father's death, she finds startling news about the family's secret. Mechanical knights walk the countryside, an odd woman who seems to know more than she...
The door opened, scarcely making a sound as it did or at least to Aimee none was heard. Her attention was focused on perceiving who was on the other side. It didn't register things of non-consequence such as the door at the moment. She wondered whether or not she should attempt to draw her weapon, yet knowing she was surrounded by mechanical men who likely had some of the same gadgets attached to their arms as Narit did, she knew better than to risk it.
A trio came forward, mechanical men at their side as well although these were in the shade of copper with bright green eyes flooding through the darkness. A woman stood in the center, her hair caught in a high yellow bun with three sticks pointed out, the odd symbol spotted earlier on the flags represented on the ends of all three. Her clothing was of a dark robe which cascaded onto the floor, concealing her movements, and accentuated with copper designs sewn into the fabric which caused it to reflect the sun and give an illusion of fire.
The shorter man on her right wore thick glasses, his eyes little dots within them, and a green suit which looked slightly bright than new grass in spring. He had a squat body and wild white hair which frizzed in every direction. To her left stood a gaunt looking figure, a woman who appeared to have never eaten a meal in years and found no joy in life. Her skin was sallow and her clothing gray, A second glance wasn't warranted.
Gaspard approached the blonde woman, bending his knee as he stood five feet from her. His head bent, he stated, "Adviser Stanton, we have stopped the strange craft coming into the Glass Star and recovered the occupants."
The woman looked at Narit, her eyes narrowly slightly as though she knew of the woman before passing to Fekrin whom she gave a far harsher look. Her lips pursed as she witnesses him and without turning, Aimee knew the feeling was mutual. Stanton's eyes drifted to the final captive, Aimee, and the two looked at each other as a curiosity for a moment. Aimee only knew of this woman through what others told her yet from this distance, she didn't seem like the harsh monster portrayed. She seemed... as any other older woman she had encountered. Maybe she was the best for leading them.
"Do we have any indication who they are?" Her voice sounded calm and collected as though there was nothing for her to fear.
Gaspard nodded, bending his head further until his forehead nearly touched his raised knee. "One is Narit de Clois who is a resident of the Glass Star, Fekrin Snit the former captain of the engineers, and a woman named Aimee Marseille who claims to be King Retrik's daughter."
Silence fell around everyone, all attention being diverted to Aimee with questioning eyes. She stepped backwards yet found herself being blocked in by a mechanical arm on her shoulder.
Stanton smiled softly, the corners of her lips turning up slightly. "Welcome home then dear." She walked past Gaspard and made her way to Aimee, reaching out with her warm, soft hands to touch Aimee's. She clasped her hands together and continued shaking them.
"Th-thank you?" Aimee wasn't sure what to say in this situation. She had never been in it before.
Turning to those around her, Stanton said in a firm voice, "Our King's daughter has returned. We will celebrate this. The blood of Retrik is back where it belongs." She lifted Aimee's hand into the air triumphantly as she pivoted on her feet slightly, ensuring everyone around them was capable of seeing what was being presented to them.
Aimee nodded as she looked out at her companions. She looked over at Narit who had both of her hands in the air, waving about with a smile at everyone around as though she were a queen of sorts. Fekrin kept his head bent, looking down at his boots with a frown. No doubt he worried about what plans the guards had for his flying ship.
At least the crowd seemed appeased with everything being presented to them. Perhaps things wouldn't be as bad as she expected them to be.
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Gaspard rose from his position and looked back at Stanton with a furrow in his brow. This wasn't how he expected things to go when he brought the rightful heir of the Glass Star throne to her attention. He was there for years as she fought through countless bureaucrats and other adversaries who threatened to dispose her. There were countless people as they spoke squirreled away in the dank dungeons beneath the tunnel system who were imprisoned simply for uttering the possibility an heir existed.
The man dressed in green, Adviser Leaters, waddled to where Gaspard was, looking upwards at the man as he stood aside him. His eyes remained focused on this new woman and he too wore the same furrowed expression as Gaspard. "Keep an eye on her."
"Sir?"
Leaters turned to Gaspard. "We know once word spreads about who she is, people will want to put her on the throne. We will face revolution at every corner and force us into situations which we don't want."
"What are you suggesting?"
"I think you know."
A feeling of dread rose within Gaspard at the insistence of this man's words. He worked with the Advisers more than once in disposing of people who threatened their established rule. Wandering into the woods or the tunnel systems usually proved their demise since they rarely hesitated to follow him. Already he sensed this woman was outside her normal realm of security. She would be easy to dissuade.
He continued watching Aimee and Stanton, the older woman's eyes locking onto his and giving the signal he knew was forthcoming. This was his new task – kill this woman.
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With a smile on her face, Aimee continued looking out at the crowd, feeling more comfortable with each passing moment. What she had to fear no longer registered with her. She was finally somewhere that felt normal.
Stanton lowered their hands and said in a calm voice, "I look forward to showing you around the castle. I want you to notice everything. Think of this as your new home." She smiled and leaned in, embracing Aimee warmly.
