So that was the case. Reia let a small sigh escape her as she crossed her arms. Not that she blamed the princess at all--far from it. Though admittedly it made her a little jealous. Her own relationship with her siblings needed some work, that was for sure. Still, for the sake of civility, she would have to agree with the terms, if only temporarily. There was no escaping it after all. The Empress nodded, uncrossing her arms as she would give the pair her full attention.

"[color=turquoise]Desperate times call for desperate measures...although far be it that I would play the villain once more,[/color]" She conceded. "[color=turquoise]Very well then, let us proceed.[/color]"

[hr]

It seemed Grant had had enough of her moping around. Nadeline wanted nothing more than for the wind to take her far away, though that wouldn't happen. He seemed so disappointed--and rightfully so. How the mighty have fallen. She turned towards him, a more serious look on her face. His distaste in the conversation was written all over his face, though she would compose herself once more. How often did she have to stop and pick up the pieces? It truly did happen too often. At the end of the day, he was right. 

Still, it seemed he was not finished. "[color=darkorchid]You keep mentioning Sylvester. I thought Wesley said his brother died years ago,[/color]" He said, frowning.

"[color=coral]A shade, perhaps, but uncanny in appearance. Whatever the case, the damage is done,[/color]" She said, shaking her head. "[color=coral]I wonder...he seemed to have disappeared, but there's a part of me that wants to go back to that place...to see if the Brotherhood knows anything.[/color]"

"[color=darkorchid]On top of everything else, you've lost your mind as well? Honestly, Nadeline, are you going to make me repeat my question?[/color]" Grant threw his arms up in exasperation. "[color=darkorchid]The only thing that will accomplish is getting yourself hurt, or worse. I told you before, Savayna and I ran into some of them. And you want to know who was the man behind the man? The snake. If Levi of all people is mingling with them, then they are nothing but bad news. And even if you did find them, then what? You truly believe they would hold an answer? Do you even consider the consequences when those thoughts cross your mind?[/color]"

"[color=coral]There's nothing else I can do![/color]" Nadeline retorted, now annoyed. "[color=coral]You can't scorn me for doing nothing and then turn around and tell me that! What am I supposed to do then?[/color]"

"[color=darkorchid]I don't have an answer for you. But I'd stop and think before doing anything.[/color]"

"[color=coral]Oh, I see! So I should seclude myself and just hole everything up until I explode?[/color]" She snapped, managing to pinpoint his own fault. "[color=coral]You hide it well, but it's obvious you're upset about whatever it is that happened in Archades. It was quite uncharacteristic of her to act like a weeping damsel, but rather then be out with it you would instead hold everything in. Is that what I'm supposed to do? Just sit quietly and pretend everything is alright when in reality it truly bothers me?[/color]"

For the first time in a long time, Grant was stunned to silence. He had opened his mouth to respond, but the words never came. A silence fell between the two, lingering feelings still in the air, though he would simply lean against the balcony. He had nothing more to say. Or rather, he had nothing more to say to her. Now it was Nadeline's turn to be disappointed. She scoffed, turning on her heel and walking out. She walked through the halls of the castle, an inner flame still lingering, though she would find her footsteps ceasing before she realized it. She stood in place, not quite knowing what to do or where to go. No, she knew what she [i]wanted[/i] to do. But was it the right choice? She bit her lip, trying to decide.

[hr]

"[color=pink]Forgive the intrusion, Highness. We had heard about Wesley's condition, and I had hoped that we could have offered some sort of insight,[/color]" Emiri hastily put together an apology, nudging Keiran--who had been so focused on Wesley he didn't even acknowledge Cassandra's precense. The black haired man blinked in surprise, though he placed a hand on his forehead, shaking his head. "[color=pink]He doesn't look the sort, but he has...studied the Mist quite extensively.[/color]" More like was born from Mist and the source of all evil, but who needed details?

Keiran frowned at Cassandra, arms crossed as he looked down at her. "[color=gray]Uh...what she said,[/color]" He replied with a shrug, though he let out a sigh. "[color=gray]I'm Keiran, introducing myself as otherwise would only serve to cause more confusion, I suppose.[/color]" Emiri gave him an exasperated look, though the return of the viera would spur him to make another assessment. "[color=gray]Your services are no longer needed, I'll take it? I see [i]she[/i] has stepped in to confirm my suspicions.[/color]"

"[color=pink]What? She who?[/color]" Emiri asked as the viera would scoff at him, though her question was quickly answered as another viera would arrive. "[color=pink]We meet again, do we?[/color]"

"[color=plum]I came for another reason, though I suppose Shion's prediction held true,[/color]" Aloa replied rather nonchalantly, earning her a scowl from Emiri. "[color=plum]Greetings, Your Highness. I am Aloa of Eryut--though no doubt you're aware of who I am, although not why I am here.[/color]" Aloa introduced herself to Cassandra politely.

"[color=gray]If you were coming anyway, why not travel with us?[/color]" Keiran asked.

"[color=plum]There was another, more pressing concern I needed to see first. Now that the question was answered, I moved on to my next point. And that is here, in the Royal Palace,[/color]" She stated, lightly tossing her white hair to the side, though she would look at Cassandra once more. "[color=plum]I would see to it that His Highness would waken. In return, I ask to borrow the relic of the heirs of Dalmasca--the Treaty Blade.[/color]"

"[color=pink]Wait, you know how to cure him?[/color]" Emiri asked, incredulous. "[color=pink]What a price to pay! I never knew you to be so cold hearted.[/color]"

"[color=gray]She needs it for something,[/color]" Keiran replied in her stead, raising an eyebrow. "[color=gray]Then I can safely assume my hypothesis was correct. Though that good viera magicks is beyond my reach, otherwise I would've done it myself.[/color]"

Emiri rolled her eyes, although she placed her hands on her hips. Keiran definitely needed to learn the word 'modest', although it seemed Aloa didn't mind it much. "[color=pink]Then...shall I fetch the others? Although it would have to wait until after the treaty signing so we could have Jaakuna as well...[/color]"