At the king's behest, the group left the chamber to begin their investigation.  Fredricus returned to his seat and finally felt a certain amount of weight had been removed from his chest. Looking at the pile of the unsent letter, he was glad he didn't have put any mind to it for this time being. 

However, there came another headache from a certain elf who remained in the chamber despite the clear dismissal. She was the one who didn't bow. A transgression punishable with fifteen lashes for anyone failed to observe the importance of paying respect to a king. But instead of apologizing, the elf took her time fooling around with his favorite bookshelf and lacquerwares, blatantly breaking every court etiquette like nobody's business. 

[b][color=#d896ff]"So many years in the Council and you still have not mastered the basics of etiquette."[/color][/b]

The elf glanced at him briefly. [b]"You know what they say, can't teach an old cat a new trick."[/b]

Fredricus found that analogy makes very little sense it felt like an insult to his intelligence. However, the king, with the ease of long practice, kept his emotions in check. [b][color=d896ff]"Rare be the days when Jazdia Crystalspark would heed to the king's summon. I remember that wasn't one of your [i]tricks[/i] either."[/color][/b]

Jazdia closed a book with a blue cover that told the tale of classic Kindeance folklore and shelved it back. [b]"You know I am not turning down an invitation. Also, even rarer be the days when a king would require assistance from a humble restaurateur." [/b]

Fredricus couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh, probably the first time after some people tried to have his neck. [b][color=d896ff]"I have heard about your retirement. But a humble restaurateur? Are you sure you are not being delusional, Milady?"[/color] [/b]

There is a brief pause, and Ferdinant remembered a very silly anecdote that said the fall of Tretagor began when two amethyst glowed in its royal great hall. At this moment, it didn't sound very silly at all.

[b]"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened lately, Fredricus, King of Kindeance."[/b] 

The elf moved forward, looking back at Fredricus who didn't feel intimidated at all. No, not this time, he was tired, wounded, and wronged and he thought the only way to make himself feel better was a blatant show of power. 

[b][color=d896ff]"You are one to talk! And really we should thank the Mecheans for sapping the cheerfulness of my court."[/color][/b] He glared back, then added. [b][color=d896ff]"Also, I will see you behave in a way that is considered proper in a royal court, Milady." [/color][/b]

Jazdia was no pushover either, and he knew she never was. 

[b]"Or what? Throwing me out? No thanks, I can leave myself." [/b]

They had been in this battle of staring for a full minute already, and even this time, Fredricus opted to be a bigger man. Wrangling this elf was as useful as shouting at the rock. As well as chaining and hauling her to the dungeon. So instead of risking his palace having another hole, he receded.
[b][color=d896ff]"How was the Council, Milady?" [/color][/b]

[b]"I thought you know that I have retired."[/b] Jazdia answered, still belligerent tone.

[b][color=d896ff]"Yes, I know, but you are still one of their important associates--"[/color][/b]

[b]"Let's make it easier for both of us by omitting the tediousness of Royal Protocol, [i]Your Highness[/i]. I know you are not... inviting me to reminisce about the old days, so why did you bring it up now?"[/b]

Ah, the old days. Fredricus still remember those days like it was a few weeks ago. When Kindeance began its rapid economic growth 30 years ago, it was all thanks to the big nations on the western part of the continent waging war on each other. It didn't matter who was the victor, his only concern of that time was a threat from another bigshot Tretagor who took the advantage of this momentum by conquering the Westernant's vassals and absorbing their standing army into their own. It was just a matter of time until another war would come to his doorstep. 

Fredricus knew for the sake of his kingdom's survivability, he couldn't afford a war, big or small. So he contacted the newly formed League of Nations, pleading to join, adding another reason why they should pacify the Beast of the North, and they did just that. With systematic warfare orchestrated by the Council, Tretagor was brought down to its knees, torn by a civil war after its people, inspired by a lust for revolution, court-martialed their king and had him executed.

Fredricus always saw himself as a rational man. With the downfall of his potential enemies, and after seeing the extent of what this Council could do, The King wanted nothing of it anymore, so he withdrew the application and remained neutral. Obviously they were not very happy with his pragmatic decision.

Now, the former leader of the so-called peacekeepers was standing in front of him, sporting a similar expression as she did in their last meeting when attending the Helvetian royal banquet ten years ago. Honestly, Fredricus couldn't really answer why were they having this banter. Was this still the part of enlisting a pawn to do his bidding or just two old acquaintances talking about the old days? 

He decided to find out. 

[b][color=d896ff]"I have been thinking. Would bringing back the old days help me find the prince?"[/color][/b] The King reached for the bottle of wine but could find another stemware. [b][color=d896ff]"And flush out the traitors and slaughter the usurper?"[/color][/b] 

The elf's nose wrinkled. [b]"No. Certainly not. And I don't drink. Thank you!" [/b]

[b][color=d896ff]"What about... the repercussions,"[/color][/b] The king emptied his glass in one gulp. The liquor was so invigorating he stopped caring about mincing his word.  [color=d896ff][b]"...should we invade Meche?"[/b][/color] 

[b]"Ah, so that's why you brought this up."[/b] Jazdia stared out the window, but her face was not as alert as Fredricus had predicted. [b]"You don't have to fear them. Kindeance and its neighbors are beyond their jurisdiction. However, you will have yours and your kingdom on everyone's little black book if you dared to wage war unprovoked."[/b]

Jazdia shook her head, gesturing that Fredricus should have known better. [b]"For a country that depends on trade and export that would be suicide for your own economy."[/b] 

[b][color=d896ff]"People will forget, it doesn't matter where the goods came from as long as people find it satisfactory both in quality and pricing." [/color][/b]

The elf nonchalantly continued her tour in his chamber and found a set of porcelain wares with a half-emptied teapot. Without asking for Fredricus's permission, she poured a cup of already-cold tea for herself and reheat the container with her fire magic.

[b]"The world is changing, Fred,"[/b] she approached the king again. [b]"And everyone is out there flaunting their morality in every aspect of their lives. Isn't that your approach when this conflict started? Nobody would want to trade with colonizers, invaders, or slavers. King or not. And if you think your kingdom is the only trading port in this region people would just change their course, or better yet, someone else would start a new one. You are not an idiot. You know this from the get-go."[/b]

Fredricus smiled as he leaned against his chair. [color=d896ff][b]"And yet, you are still putting an effort to entertain us with that lengthy forewarning. Are you sure you are retired, Milady?" [/b][/color]

Jazdia's silence answered his question. 

[b][color=d896ff]"I am sure you have heard me saying the chance for Meche to do the right thing is still open, but to guarantee its safety..."[/color][/b] Fredricus shook his head. [b][color=d896ff]"I am afraid you have visited the wrong person, Milady. I am [i][b]King[/b][/i] and [i][b]a Father[/b][/i]. If you want to stop this war, do your part and help me instead of preaching about its consequences."[/color][/b] 

After another long pause, Jazdia shrugged as if trying to retake the dominance from him. [b]"Why should I help you? I am here to deliver a formal complaint."[/b]

But Fredricus knew this time he was indomitable. 

[color=d896ff][b]"For the unprofessionalism my soldier displayed when searching your new restaurant? I am really sorry, but the impending war forced us to be less bureaucratic with our procedure. [b][i]You[/i][/b], however, can help to normalize the situation so it can be... profitable again."[/b][/color]

Jazdia sipped her stale tea and looked the other way. Fredricus apparently had had enough of this old acquaintance playing hard to get. 

[color=d896ff][b]"Miss Jazdia."[/b][/color] He said, straightening his posture and putting more emphasis on his words his voice starting to sound coarse and breathy. [color=d896ff][b][i][i]"The very flesh and blood of mine they are currently holding in their custody is my only son. Find him, for he will inherit the crown one day when this body has given up. I don't know what the future holds, but you will outlive me, and when that day comes, I assure you he will be your valuable ally."[/i][/i][/b][/color] 

In his last attempt, he smiled. [b][color=d896ff]"Consider this as a long-term investment."[/color] [/b]

Fredricus didn't care anymore if his words would get through to her. The not-supposedly-old King let out a heavy sigh, leaning against his chair as he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the elf was nowhere to be seen, and at the edge of his table was a teacup, half emptied but still steaming hot.