Koyuki, the Necromancing Foxkin

CHAPTER 305: A Royal Meeting

I was nervous during our carriage ride. How would the meeting go? What if the princess refused to help me free Christa? My mind was busy thinking about all the ways this could go wrong.

"Oh, the palace!" Cassie said, looking out of the window.

It sounded like a nice distraction from my thoughts and I was curious, so I had a look.

"Wow…"

I was almost speechless. Before us was an ornate metal fence which kept intruders out but allowed everyone to see the splendor of the palace. A cobblestone road led through a vast garden towards a massive building. It was still too far to see the details but the white stone of the palace shone brightly in the sunlight.

The gate was guarded by a squad of soldiers. Their metal breastplates were spotless and even slightly decorated. I wondered if they were magical as well. On each side of the gate was a large pole displaying the royal banner: A golden phoenix, its wings spread wide, wearing a silver crown with green gems, on a completely white background.

"Halt!" A guard called out and Kaito stopped the carriage.

"Greetings. The ladies Koyuki, Helena, Cassie and Skadi have been invited." Kaito said, while handing the invitation to the guard. He took the piece of paper and pressed his thumb on the corner. A small blue light appeared.

"Seems to be in order and you are expected." The man replied and handed the invitation back to Kaito. He motioned to the other guards and they opened the gate.

"That was easy." I mused as we started moving again.

"I am pretty sure they know about our carriage and Kaito would be hard to impersonate." Skadi pointed out.

"I suspect they had a mage nearby checking for illusions." Helena agreed.

"You make a good point. A dullahan is so rare that Kaito is a form of identification, as long as they check for illusions." I said.

"A goblin dullahan even. In stories they are usually, eh bigger humanoids. Humans and orcs are the most common." Cassie added.

As we approached the main building I could see more details. The windows had green frames, actually they were not just green, they were jade. They must have cost a fortune! The main building we were approaching was three stories tall and I could see some faint golden lines on the white stone. They might be magical runes.

Between the windows were flattened rectangular columns which looked like pillars. I was not sure if they had a function or simply existed because they looked good. And they definitely gave the building an even grander feeling.

Our carriage stopped on a large square and Kaito opened the door for us. We had the ibex, Frank and Bob with us. They would keep an eye on Christa, who remained inside the carriage. While we disembarked a butler approached us and greeted us with a bow.

"Honourable guests, Princess Olivia has sent me to escort you to a private meeting with her."

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"A private meeting?" I wondered. I had thought we would be introduced to more people at the court. I thought this was a larger event with more nobles being present.

"Indeed. Please, follow me." The butler said.

"May I bring my undead?" I asked, assuming my friends were included in the invitation.

"Certainly." The man replied.

We had all of our tier threes with us as we followed. The cats formed magical top hats and bowties, except for Yoru. Yoru decided to create a necktie, a top hat and a monocle from ice.

The inside of the palace was just as impressive as the outside. From the materials used to the ample decorations, like paintings on the walls, or sculptures in the hallways, it was almost overwhelming. I pitied the maids who had to keep it all spotless.

Our destination was a sitting room with two couches and multiple chairs. All had elegant embroidered cushions and were arranged around two smaller wooden tables. Since it was summer the marble fireplace was not lit.

As we entered Princess Olivia was lounging in a chair, a maid standing behind her. She wore a green dress, matching her eyes. Her face lit up and she smiled warmly.

"Koyuki! It is good to see you again, please come in and take a seat. That goes for your friends as well."

All of us curtsied. "Your Highness."

"None of that! We are in private, after all." She replied. "Ignes, bring us some refreshments please."

While we took our seats, the maid behind the princess nodded and moved to a cabinet. Hatsumi and Kaito joined her to help. The princess watched them approvingly. "I see you have acquired some staff, good. Making your vampire spellblade a maid was a genius move. She will remind everyone of your power, as will your dullahan butler."

I was not sure how to answer, so I just nodded. It had not even been my idea, Hatsumi had insisted on becoming my maid. Kaito had been eager to serve as well.

The maids returned with porcelain cups and poured us some tea.

"Now, let's discuss some more important matters. I heard you were attacked." Princess Olivia stated.

"Yes, your Highness. The guards have a few prisoners, hopefully they will figure out who sent them." I replied.

"I have been informed they were a party of adventurers, however the missing illusionist was a freelancer. Considering Ilestria's love for light magic they might have been involved but we lack proof. Your recent discovery concerning necromancy has certainly not gone unnoticed. Neither by them, nor by our own people. General Kyra especially has become interested in your powers." Princess Olivia said.

"But I am already part of the military." I replied.

"Of course, but where you are placed and what your powers will be used for are still up for debate. There has even been a request to fast track your training but I believe it would be a waste. Even someone gifted needs a proper foundation." The princess replied.

"I would prefer to finish my studies at the academy." I said. "I would also like to be posted somewhere with my friends." I hesitated a bit, then I grabbed Helena's hand. She was sitting next to me on the couch.

The princess nodded. "House Frost has been a loyal ally to the crown." Then she looked at Cassie. "House Ashborn's loyalty was mostly to House Ashfield, however it seems to be changing."

"My mother has been under pressure from the duke but she is no longer aligned with him." Cassie confirmed.

"Your Highness, if I may?" Kaito asked.

Princess Olivia looked at the dullahan then gave him a nod.

"Koyuki's rising power means she can form her own faction. One aligned with the crown. House Frost has access to the trade with the dwarves, Skadi's family owns trade caravans and can easily supply House Ashborn with profitable goods. Koyuki is friendly with House Barkworth as well. While Koyuki lacks a title she does have some influence among the nobility." Kaito said.

"Interesting." The princess replied, while sipping her tea.

"Your Highness, I would like your help with freeing Christa, a slave I know from my time at Rossalyn Academy." I said. "The establishment owning her does not sell their maids. My friends and I can acquire the funds but…"

"But you lack the influence to make it work." The princess finished, pondering the request. "I have heard that you have an additional maid with you. She would be the slave in question?"

"Yes, your Highness." I confirmed.

"I have a proposal for you, Koyuki." Princess Olivia replied. "I will free Christa and hire her as my personal maid."

"Um, why?" I asked. I had not expected that.

"If I may?" Kaito asked and the princess nodded.

"If Princess Olivia hires her, there is less chance of other slaves from the academy becoming a target. It might even be seen as the princess acquiring leverage over Koyuki, especially if people do not know that this was an agreement between you. They might conclude that Princess Olivia has acted on her own." Kaito explained.

"What if it is leverage I am after?" The princess asked, while looking at Kaito.

"You already have that. Koyuki is legally bound to serve in the military and if she fails at the academy she would become a slave again. I believe you seek a mutually beneficial relationship with Koyuki. Especially since a lot of officers in the army are nobles. Nobles whose loyalty might be to their own families, not the kingdom." Kaito replied.

Princess Olivia smiled. "I like your butler."