The semifinals(nationals) loomed around the corner.
But the real battle was internal.
Days blurred into a cycle of studying, training, and stolen moments with Elizabeth.
Currently, Alexander found himself in the library, studying the royal family of the Fallen Kingdom.
King Fredrick III and Queen Cathrine Von Fallen.
The royals were crowned in the Julla era, 696, nearly 20 years ago.
This was after the previous king—Fredrick II abdicated the throne due to the quote, "…it's a position of strength, of courage, destiny.
All things I've found myself lacking, it's also a stressful position, you know I think about my son, he's a great candidate…"
He went on to ramble for three hours.
Alexander groaned as he stared at the page.
"Goddess… this guy's abdication speech sounds like he was dodging a bad date."
He massaged his temples, the quiet atmosphere settling around him.
Louise had slapped this book in front of him, insisting that he read up on the royal family in case they make it to the internationals.
"Mhm, your precious kingdom by the way." Louise quipped sarcastically.
"The worst part is, Fredrick III is no better, he's more paranoid than his father, spending most of his time building forts and hidden secret tunnels."
Alexander flipped the page, scanning a portrait of the current king.
He was a stern man with a trimmed mustache and narrowed eyes.
His hair was slicked back, and his posture was rigid.
"Sounds like a real character," Alexander sighed, looking up. "How am I supposed to impress a guy like that?"
"I think it's simple."
Anna chimed, perking up, "A man like that is bound to be looking for competent leadership."
She leaned closer, "and if you make it to the internationals he's bound to notice you.
You're a killer on the field, and I bet he'll love to have you."
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
Louise sighed.
"Right, because a man that paranoid won't question why Alexander, lover to the princess of Ambur, is trying to befriend him."
Both Anna and Alexander fell silent, their retorts caught in their throats.
Louise huffed, "Don't be delusional.
You need to focus more on creating something independent of both kingdoms.
Shortcuts are nothing but traps disguised as opportunities."
Alexander sighed looking down at his book, he knew she was right, he'd figured that out himself.
"Fine," he muttered, "then what do you suggest? If I can't talk to the king…"
Louise rolled her eyes as if the answer was obvious.
"Independent contracts, go to any backwater village, offer to kill any beasts or pests, and get paid a few coppers for your services."
Alexander blinked, unsure if that was an insult or genuine advice.
She continued, "Do that enough times, and eventually someone of importance will notice you.
Then, it's simply a matter of making connections."
Alexander leaned back in his seat, processing her words. It sounded grueling but made sense.
Like farming the starting area before leveling up.
"Okay, that sounds solid, but how do I get started? I got school, studies… training."
And Elizabeth, after that conversation last night, he wasn't sure what to do with her.
Anna piqued up, "You could take the academic practicals, basically it's like homeschool. You study whenever you want, and at the end semester you sit for comprehensive exams."
Alexander's eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect!"
Mostly because he knew all the practical details, which gave him more time to study his more exotic subjects, like a foreign language.
"And the Pathfinder games? Are you just gonna give that up?" Louise pressed.
Alexander paused, then nodded. "Y-yeah, I mean I only joined for two reasons, to build my reputation and… the masked empress."
"The masked empress? You mean that girl from Stuttgart academy, what's your deal with her?" Louise asked with a sharp curiosity.
Alexander shrugged, "No idea, but she's claiming to be connected to my house.
A lost ward… I figured if anyone has information on my family's whereabouts, it's her."
"So you joined a highly competitive sport, to chase a ghost?" She asked skeptically, "Have you not considered just visiting?"
Alexander blushed from embarrassment, "I hadn't thought of that! Besides I didn't just join for that, I wanted skills, connections, fame…"
Louise shook her head, "Whatever the reason for your insanity, you're spreading your thin. How do you plan to juggle so many goals?"
Alexander tapped a finger on the table.
"After the internationals, I'll drop the sport, apply for the academic practicals, then move to the fallen kingdom and go from there."
"And Elizabeth?" Louise pressed.
Alexander shrank in his seat, the weight of unspoken truths pushed down on him.
He let out a slow breath as he averted his gaze. "Elizabeth," he murmured, "I was thinking of taking her… with me."
Louise's eyes widened—a crack in her composure.
"With you? To the fallen kingdom, have you lost your mind entirely?!"
Anna shifted uncomfortably as she quickly turned her attention towards the table.
Alexander slumped further in his seat.
"I don't know what to do."
He admitted, "I can't exactly leave her."
"What are you talking about, Alexander?"
Louise leaned forward, her chair creaking.
Alexander smiled wryly as he scratched behind his ear.
"Uh, what I mean is… when I brought it up, she laughed.
She then said nothing would separate us, like ever."
Both Anna and Louise stared at Alexander.
Louise with irritation and Anna with concern.
"And you just accepted that?" Anna finally asked, her tone hesitant.
Alexander chuckled nervously, "Yeah…"
Louise sighed deeply, wordlessly turning to leave.
Alexander watched her go, regret in his eyes.
"Louise, I—"
Louise glared at him over her shoulder.
"Don't, I'm done wasting my time. You and Elizabeth can die together for all I care." Her words were bitter and vulnerable.
She stormed off, arms crossed tightly against her chest.
Alexander released a long breath. "Why do I even try?" He murmured.
Anna glanced at Alexander, her expression a mix of sympathy and uncertainty.
"Alex…"
Alexander didn't look up. "Hm?"
"Can I give you some advice?"
She asked, her voice gentle but firm, pulling Alexander's attention from the floor.
He teased, "gonna tell me Elizabeth is bad too?" He teased with an exhausted smirk.
Anna shook her head as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
"It's okay to double down, you know? You don't have to listen to what everyone says."
Alexander slowly sat up, his eyes stretched with intrigue.
Anna smirked. "Louise is right about one thing, you can't juggle it all.
Because everyone has an angle, the question is which aligns with yours?"
The words hit Alexander like a gust of cold wind, sharp and clarifying.
For once, someone wasn't telling him to run from Elizabeth or grovel to Louise.
"If you favor Elizabeth, then go all in," Anna said, tapping a finger on the table.
"And don't let anyone stop you, not even Louise."
Alexander leaned forward.
"You're saying I should just let her go?"
Anna nodded. "Yeah, Louise is more practical, sure, but Elizabeth has the same resources."
Alexander sighed, "Yeah, but wouldn't that tie me to the Royal—"
"So what?" Anna cut him off with a shrug, "Take what you need then leave, they can't stop you.
Besides, let's be honest with ourselves, if she's as devoted as she claims, she'll make it work."
Anna reclined in her seat, "If not, then the problem solves itself."
Alexander chuckled, his shoulders liberated from the weight of expectation.
Anna was right, he owed his loyalties to no one.
His path was his own to forge, and people could either support him or leave.
"Anna," Alexander said with a grin and a point, "I'm telling Karl to marry you, because you're a genius."
Anna blushed, fanning herself. "Oh, please do."
They laughed, a genuine, bonding laugh.