Damn it all! Of course Nadeline was right, but to do so [i]now[/i]?! There was just too much left to chance, what in the world was she thinking? "[b]That may be true, but...I can't let her do this. Wesley, you must help me to convince her otherwise.[/b]" Grant urged him, beckoning him to follow. He started to lead him back to the throne room. "[b]Reia is up to something, I just know it. If Nadeline tries to take the throne, no doubt she'll claim treason or--or something. My sister is not one to back down without reason. The fact that she isn't here means she is up to something--come, let us go to the throne room, I am sure she is there.[/b]"

-------------

It looked like Emiri had missed her chance to square off with Lola. She actually found herself rather disappointed. She had wanted to show her exactly what she was capable of...alas, it was not to be. And Michel...she had met him in Archades, she recalled. He was very polite, handsome too. Obviously he was playing two different sides, though she did not think much of it. Just another thing to worry about, as always. That list just kept on growing, it hardly seemed to ever lessen. "[b]Did you get to fight her? Are they strong?[/b]" Emiri asked Savayna.

-------------

"[b]My sweet daughter, I understand your intentions, but...Rozarria is in a state of chaos right now.[/b]" Lorenzo tried to explain the current situation to Nadeline. "[b]The people do not wish to dethrone Reia. They want her to stay as Empress...and have revolted as a result.[/b]"

"[b]A revolt? But that's...[/b]" 

"[b]Reia has fled Stigma, making it look like the Council has taken care of her.[/b]" Karolina said. "[b]Your father is acting as Emperor at the moment, but the people are not happy about Reia's disappearance. It's likely that when she does return, she will be able to reclaim the throne, citing it to be the will of the people.[/b]"

Nadeline was shocked to hear this. It was as Aloa said to Wesley, Reia may have been power hungry, but she treated her people well. They didn't know any better...everything Reia did, she did it for Rozarria, and as such was seen as a symbol of strength. She was manipulating them, in a sense, and she did it well. "[b]But the council exists [i]because[/i] of the people! They wish only for Rozarria's prosperity, they do what they must because Reia is unfit for the throne! Father, I know now what I must do, I will take the throne, claim my birthright and rule as the next Empress of Rozarria. Reia cannot return to the throne![/b]"

Lorenzo and Karolina looked at one another. No doubt they probably agreed with Nadeline, but now things were complicated. "[b]The council...does not wish for you to ascend.[/b]" Karolina informed her rather reluctantly. "[b]They fear you...they fear they will not be able to control you. They wanted someone they could easily manipulate. The only way for you to ascend...Grant, Lorenzo, and Reia would have to be dead..[/b]"

What?! "[b]That...that cannot be![/b]" Nadeline exclaimed, clearly upset. "[b]I...They cannot strip me of my birthright! If I so have the reason, I can succeed them! Father, you did not even want to rule! Reia is unfit! The only two who can are myself and Grant! The council...they cannot deny me my birthright![/b]"

It didn't end there, much to Nadeline's dismay. "[b]Furthermore, they...want to offer you as a token of peace to Dalmasca, to unify our countries with you marrying a member of their royalty. By allying ourselves with them, we will join our forces and declare war on Archadia.[/b]" And that much hit the final nail on the coffin. She looked at her parents, clearly in shock. They would never allow her to do that, so why were they doing this to her? It was too much to take in. Nadeline slowly sank to her knees, alarming Karolina, and she rushed to her daughter.