In the present time, perhaps he should have directly addressed the threat at hand. Even then, maybe he should have constantly rewritten the same words to each of the monarchs, giving them identical and formal letters as opposed to individual and informal letters. Then again, many of things could have also been done other than that, and what has been done cannot be changed. This would be fine, this would be alright. He had to tell himself that, nervously twirling his father’s ring in his hands. He was expecting the best, but after thinking twice of what he had done, he probably should’ve prepared for the worst. What if Queen Zaphiris chooses not to go because of King Fairchild? She’s still in mourning... Right? Or perhaps King Zaphiris? Though, King Zaphiris is far more level headed than his sister… Such shouldn’t be a worry, but if Valentine was wrong and that wasn’t the case? Or what if King Fairchild and King Zaphiris have some newly formed rivalry that Valentine hasn’t been keeping up on? 

	Valentine released a deep sigh, lowering his head only in the slightest. He stood on the balcony attached to his master bedroom, offering a pleasant view on the daily lives of Raphael. Everything seemed just as it should be… Peaceful, quaint, and delightful. He had to keep this for his kingdom, but with the given information at hand, how could he keep it? He would push for an increased army – aye, but not too much, for the sake of the people – and would yield very little growth from it. If the weakening of the seal is as certain as it seems to be, Valentine would need a larger army to protect his kingdom. A larger army could not promise full protection of his people, but to minimize as much loss as possible would be ideal for his people and his image. There would be only one other way of acquiring such without creating a draft, and that would be an alliance.

	An alliance wouldn’t only benefit himself and his kingdom however. Yes, sure, his people have been dependent on trading with his closest neighbors Gabriel and Michael for goods and survival, but that’s beside the primary point. To have the three united as one would maximize each one of their potentials, which would be necessary in order to handle the undoing of the seal. When the seal comes undone, weakened after 275 years of tampering and weariness, they’ll have to be prepared. Why be prepared at the very moment when they can be prepared beforehand, such as now? Current affairs have not made this easy to conduct, given the circumstances of Gabriel and Michael relations, but this had to be done… If they valued their people as much as Valentine valued his, or even cared for the lives of others beyond their own kingdom, whatever it may be in the name in, then they would! Shouldn’t they?

	Perhaps Valentine was planning too far ahead, holding too many expectations. He had to think about the moment: for now, doves would already be at the kingdoms, and they will return with each ruler’s response… Hopefully as quick as possible, as he had stressed in his letters. At the moment, he would make arrangements while waiting for his love doves to return.

	“Rayne – Rayne? Picard?” Valentine called, popping his head through the curtains of his room, “If you would so kindly –“ He paused, staring at Picard for a whole couple of seconds… And was puzzled. What was Picard exactly doing? Should he comment or… Or no! There isn’t any time to waste. Duties now, scolding later. “If [i]you[/i] would so kindly, Fetch Cordelia for me, would you? And if you happen to make a run in with Argus, do fetch him as well. Gather them at my study, and I shall be there in... Hopefully couple of minutes, give or take. Please and thank you.” With that said, Valentine turned his attention back to the scenery, placing his father’s ring back into his pocket, and places his hands along the balcony’s railing. It shouldn’t take long to receive the letters, should it? Hopefully, if everything goes as plan, things won’t turn out as bad… Right?

[hr]

	Lone in the castle’s garden, the queen wrote away her response on a nearby surface, quill tightly in hand as she rushed to finish her letter. At first, the impulse reaction was to reject the letter. She had her mind made up the moment that she was told that King Fairchild would be attending, and that being said it would be the King of Gabriel. Gabriel? Adeline took it as an insult to hear that kingdom’s name in her presence! A year and three months, and did Gabriel do anything between then and now to mend their relations? None, or at least none that Adeline would accept! The thought of it infuriated her, crumbling a portion of the received letter in her palm. Instead of proceeding, she stopped, and unraveled the paper.

	Her brother would probably tell her that she was over reacting. So what? Her mother probably would’ve told her the same... And yeah, she probably would be right. But her father would say the same thing, and she would be certain that he was right. Adeline looked down at the dove nearby her. Shaken and jumped, the dove seemed startled, but moved closer to her thereafter. There was nothing to be feared… Perhaps she will receive answers if she goes from King Fairchild himself. Well, that didn’t sound convincing, or at least when she mumbled to it to herself aloud. However, the worst had to be done in order to get to the best, no? That’s why all those heroes had to slay their demons to get to their prize, right?

	Even that couldn’t convince her, and she had to read the letter again. Well, it is a given that Valentine knew what he was doing, no? Adeline had placed some trust in him in the past, and he did not fail such… Other than that one time he tried to bring Michael closer to Gabriel so soon after the assassination. Tasteless, really, but perhaps... individually, he only meant for the best. He had in the past as much as he expressed in the present. If anything else, she could simply storm off and wait within the carriage until the meeting is over, though a part of her felt as if Auberon would not allow that.

	Adeline wrote away and signed her letter with regards to Valentine in a style to reflect his informality, including her name. She noted that she was still in mourning, and she noted her low patience for King Fairchild, but insisted that she will attend despite these two circumstances. Rolling the letter up, she wrapped it with the same teal-blue ribbon her received letter came in and held it towards the dove, which immediately took it and flew away. She had a feeling that she should had discussed the contents of her letter in which would agree with her brother’s, but she felt that she didn’t have to run every decision by him. If he chose not to go – which, she would be surprised if that was so – then Adeline could go by herself. Though such had presented the question of who to take and who’s to stay.

	Auberon was sure to ask her about the arrangements soon enough, unless Valentine did not tell him as many details as he informed her with. She folded her received letter into her hands and walked back inside, her long black and muted blue train dragging behind her. Upon the first servant she saw, a maid with an empty basket in hand, Adeline called her name and requested her service.

	"Penelope, may you do me a favor?" Adeline inquired in a gentle voice, stopping in her tracks and giving full attention to the maid.

	"Of course, your Majesty. What can I assist you with?" 

	"I would like to host the following in my study," Adeline started, in which she noticed the maid's spike in attentiveness, "my brother, Auberon, first of all, followed by... two personal servants, and ones of the knights, please?"

	"King Auberon," Penelope paused, looked around her, and then back at Adeline, "Noted. Is there any specific persons you may have, your Majesty?" Adeline seemed to be at a draw, as if she didn't expect that question to come up. She did appreciate the servant's effort, however, who also looked eye to eye with Adeline. It was nice to see that she didn't come off as frightening to her servants.

	"If you find Rancor or Olifina, that would be best, though both would be splendid. And, as for a knight... Sir Venisi, please." Adeline gave the servant a kind smile. It crossed her mind that her sister Serenity would be awake by now, running around the castle, but she hoped that the child wouldn't find her way into the study.

	"As you wish, your Majesty."

	"Thank you." With words exchanged, Penelope went off.

	Adeline proceeded to her study and placed her received letter upon the desk, and turned to the window behind her chair, hanging up the curtains to let in some light into the room. With ease she opened the large window, letting the light breeze enter the room, the fresh air coming as relief to her... Everything will be just fine, Adeline thought, with a little bit of strength. Everything, she told herself, will be just fine. If all comes to worse, she'll just grab a brush and brush her hair, or have her personal servant do it, and then maybe she'll change up her dress. Either way, Adeline was certain about going to this meeting despite other personal feelings, and will do so no matter what arrangements must be made.

[hr]

	Guard duty. Of all tasks he was assigned it, it would be the most tiresome task. While some units enjoyed a laid back assignment at the castle, Lance couldn't tolerate standing for hours on end with nothing happening, having to listen to royals and maids bicker to themselves as they passed him. Even worse, the neighboring guard seemed to have fallen asleep, unable to make small conversation with him. If he were to receive extended duty, he wasn't sure what he would do. Well, actually, he would just obey the order. Maybe his obedience for today will pay off tomorrow, or in a few hours if he's released for duty early.

	Leaning against the castle's stone wall, Lance guarded the east gate quietly. The view was pleasant, but there was no one to make small talk about it with... And even then, who went through the east gate? No one's permitted through them anyways, only knights, bishops, and monarchs. However, perhaps by the off chance there would be intruders. Even then, if someone were to intrude, why the east gate? If Lance had to be intruding, in which he probably shouldn't be theorizing in the first place, he wouldn't choose to go through east gate. Though, given the current situation of the gate at the moment, it didn't sound like a bad idea.

	"Nystrom? Lance Nystrom?" In a quick moment, a hand waved in front of him, and Lance looked up to spot a white haired, blue eyed lady dressed in bishop apparel. 

	"Hm...? Oh – Oh, Daniella –"
	
	"That's Danny for you, Lancella," Daniella lifted his chin up with her leather-bound book, "I'm not working with anymore formalities."

	"My apologies Dan – Danny," He spoke, his cheeks slightly pinked, "I can't remember everyone's name around these parts, and furthermore preferences and nicknames, schedules and more." She released a distressed sigh following his sentence. With that given sigh he already felt bad for coming up with excuses. "What is it today?" He asked, hoping to move on from his mistake.

	"Today? Well, you see," Daniella looked up to him and sat on a nearby half-wall. She opened her book up, flipping through the pages mindlessly, then closed it up. "Monarchs, bishops, knights, ya-da-da... Okay, despite all the gossipy filler the castle is full of, there's actually something happening as far as I've heard of. You know the Kingdom of Raphael?"

	Lance rolled his eyes and grumbled, "Kingdom of Raphael... That's what the dove was?" 

	"Hey, look at you! You're not so bad for guard duty," She pinched Lance's cheek, in which he yanked himself from her after only a second's hold. "Yeah, apparently from what I heard, the King Fairchild has a letter from... from what's-his-face. Probably about peacey weacey, flowery-sparkly make-up talk." Lance stared at Daniella for a moment, blank in expression, but then cracked a smile.

	"Danny, I swear if they hear you talking like that..."

	"Hey! They don't! That's the catch," Daniella grinned. "I'm technically not on duty for as long as I'm not in a church or around kissing the feet of the rich people."

	"A self-declared vacation? I don't think that's what being a bishop offers –"

	"Says the one guarding the east gate."

	"Fine, fine – that's quite a shot... I'll take it," Lance muttered the rest under his breath, in which Daniella lifted a book under his chin, expecting him to cough up his words. He didn't, but instead, laughed. Shaking her book towards him, she could only follow then after. After a few seconds, Lance started to clear his voice, "But, but mind that. You think there's gonna be another meeting?"

	"It's like the only thing Raphael knows how to do. Of course! Tactically speaking, I think it'd be a bad idea to ignore the opportunity, but that's probably why I'm not an archbishop yet."

	"That or, you know, it's only been a year since you've been bishop." Daniella shrugged and muttered in agreement. The two remained silent for a while. Then, Lance looked over at Daniella with a confident smile.

	"You think I'll get released early from duty?" 

	"I'm pretty sure if there is a meeting, and if they're taking anyone, it's gonna be a knight and not a warrior."

	"Cruel Danny, really cruel."

	"Sorry."

	"No you're not." 

	Both of them shared a laugh for the time. Daniella set her crosier nearby her as she entered into a long conversation with Lance, the two of them making various small talk with each other. Topics varying from castle gossip, work as of late, the kingdom's situation, and more. The both had their guards down, slacking, but truly only Lance was the one on duty. On the other hand, Daniella had just tended to her morning agenda, taking a small break between that and her upcoming afternoon agenda. Conversation was a nice time killer after all, especially when it wasn't with some of the knights and their constant formality towards her. That's probably why she talked with Lance so much, and perhaps a few other warriors around Gabriel as well. A small slice of normality was all she asked for, and by seeking it, she received. 

[hr]

	Another blast from the Sheol Cathedral, shaking the building from loose rocks that kept it standing. What was once a beloved building of worship in the Kingdom of Lucifer had become a workshop on the curse that sealed the kingdom away from the surface many years ago. Day by day, body by body, the attempt to undo the seal would harm those who tampered with it, but the risk was well worth it. A couple bodies for the sake of freedom? It was a well accepted concept within the Kingdom of Lucifer. Whether human or demon, cursed or not, prisoner or unit, all capable hands would be used. No exceptions. Disobedience to do as instructed led to a death worse than what the seal could inflict, but it would be a death that some would choose over the other.

	Lenore stood on the second story of the cathedral, looking down upon the many bodies draining the seal. Those who were disobedient were turned to the ash that laid scattered across the floor, those who fell still and quiet were back to their feet once more, and those who passed in a painful death were brought back to do their chore. She wasn't alone in watching over them. Nearby her was Ichabod, another bishop of the Kingdom of Lucifer, though not as important as herself whom claimed the archbishop title herself. Some feared the title, a rare others like Ichabod didn't care for it, but Lenore took it as rightfully her own and secured it by all means necessary.

	With another scream filling the cathedral came another airy blast from the seal, and this time it was something worth noting. Twice in a row in a short period time showed promising signs of the seal's weakness. Lenore felt certain that the seal had now reached a critical weak point, one that will present itself as a promising release from the underground. She made note of this in the journal on top of her tomb and then made her way down the stairs. Only one person had the nerve to pause, thinking that they were done with their task, but immediately went back to it when they dared to look at Lenore. 

	Outside of the cathedral and going down another flight of stairs, she was quick on her feet to meet with the king immediately. She didn't have to share a word with Ichabod for she was certain that the progress made was able to speak for itself. It was something to be proud of. Sure, she didn't do the work herself, tending only little to the actual seal itself, for it would be suicide to weaken the seal with the method the kingdom's been using. However, it was effective. If she wasn't as demanding as she was, it probably would have taken longer to handle! She had to give herself some credit for this project. On the other hand, Ichabod deserved credit as well for bringing back dead bodies the second time around.

	The walk from the cathedral to the castle would be finished in thirty minutes, given that Lenore's pace was slightly rushed for the sake of delivering the news. She didn't give attention to any citizens and lower titled persons who would pass on by. At the door of the castle, she would knock, and a servant would answer. A cursed human – obvious by the curse upon his forehead – who's name... Didn't come to Lenore at the very moment, but nor did she care to remember any of the servant's names. 

	"Your Grace," The servant nodded towards Lenore, "What may I... assist with you with?" He sounded quiet at first, but furthermore after looking over to see Ichabod in the background.

	"I seek audience with King Erebus; I have a report ready to be looked over," Lenore stated. The servant nodded again and opened the door further, allowing them into the first room of the castle. 

	"Pl – Please... wait right... here," He said, "I shall... check him, with you..." With that, he made his depart.

	Lenore looked over to Ichabod, the two standing quietly in straight posture. She didn't say anything at first. A thought crossed to her that she should probably say something, but what was there to say? Should she seek his approval of her efforts? She had accomplished quite a feat leading on the project. Yet, if she were to speak, may anyone be forbidden to hear it. She wouldn't want her reputation tarnished by silly rumors or furthermore give Ichabod anymore power. Fighting for her reputation has been difficult enough. At any moment, anyone could take a piece of information that they discovered from her and use it against her. Not that Ichabod would allow it, or so she was sure, but demons will use the dirtiest tricks just to do otherwise. Even in the face of death they'll talk about. 

	So no, hush, remain quiet. Perhaps he'll say something? Lenore looked up to her with her ice-blue eyes, holding the tome and journal in her hands tightly. Pass the time, compliment her, [i]say something[/i]; it felt as if she was being torn apart by the seal's magic itself. Time will pass though, of course it will. Maybe the king should hurry up if he took pity on a soul – implying he ever could.