Alexander found himself bumbling down the tracks in a train car with the royal family.
The royal family's private train car was opulent.
The plush velvet seats, gold-trimmed walls, and a chandelier swayed gently to the car's rhythm.
"So? Are you excited for your big game, lad?"
King Emmanuel asked, grinning as he sipped a glass of water.
Alexander raised his brow.
Who knew doubling down could get you face-to-face with the king?
Elizabeth giggled as she nudged Alexander, "Oh Alex, Father doesn't bite, speak up."
Alexander chuckled, clearing his throat.
"Yeah I'm excited, Academy Brest is the best of the north, right?"
Emmanuel nodded, "Oh yeah, they're a defensive powerhouse.
Strike fast and dig in, that's their motto."
He leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.
"But I've seen you play, they don't stand a chance."
Alexander smirked.
Usually, he'd have played it off, maybe praised Raphael's leadership.
But for some reason, Anna's advice echoed in the back of his mind.
"Ah come on, it's not all me…" he replied, his eyes narrowing with a mischievous glint.
"…just mostly."
He winked.
Emmanuel reclined with a laugh.
"Oh hoho, aren't you the wise one, young Alexander?"
Elizabeth blushed as she nuzzled closer.
Charlotte, who sat next to Emmanuel, smiled faintly.
"You've certainly grown out of your shell," she teased, her voice silky.
"I wonder, is it because of the company you keep? Or was it a product of your forging?"
Alexander met Charlotte's gaze—sharp and probing. There was a flicker of unease, but he quickly pushed it down.
"A little bit of both," he replied, his expression shifting to something reflective.
"I've always had my own goals, but it wasn't until André and Louise did I start to realize them."
Charlotte nodded as she leaned closer, tapping her pale index fingers together.
Alexander met her intense pink gaze with a hard swallow.
"I see," she tilted her head, "is that why you're returning home, to achieve these goals?"
Alexander froze, his heart skipping a beat.
The question killed the atmosphere, hanging in the air like a soul snatcher.
Elizabeth's grip on his arm tightened as she turned to look at him.
But it wasn't just her, everyone was watching.
He didn't expect Charlotte to just come out and say it.
"Uh," Alexander exhaled deeply, "y-yeah, yep."
He averted his gaze while nodding.
Charlotte's smile remained as she rested her chin on her hands.
"Aw, you're truly leaving? After everything we've done for you? I don't think that's fair, do you?"
Alexander quickly shook his head, raising a hand in a placating gesture.
"Woah, woah, it's not like that. I just want to take back what I lost, not be an accessory to someone else's story."
Charlotte remained silent as he continued.
"I appreciate everything you've done, honestly.
But… out of everything that's happened, there's still no place like home. You know?"
Alexander held Charlotte's piercing gaze.
She chuckled softly.
"I'm inclined to agree, but what's a home if you have no one to share it with? You can't possibly expect to do it alone."
Alexander paused as Charlotte's words sank in.
Her question wasn't just a casual probe, it was a challenge.
Alexander sighed, "I don't intend to do it alone," he answered.
"Anyone who wants to join me, can."
"And what if that someone has obligations to Ambur? Would you still allow them to join?"
Elizabeth frowned, "Mother, I've already—"
Charlotte shot her a knowing glance, and Elizabeth slumped in her seat.
Holding Alexander close.
Charlotte sighed.
"May as well speak plainly now. Alexander, do you intend to take Elizabeth with you?"
Alexander took a deep breath, he was already in this far, might as well double down.
"Yes." He answered, "If it's at all possible I will take her."
His voice was careful but firm.
"I like…"
He paused.
No… I gotta commit!
Double down.
"…I love her, I love being with her, I love Elizabeth and I want her as my partner."
Elizabeth's eyes stretched with jubilation as she pressed against him.
"Oh, Alex!"
Emmanuel choked on his water, gripping the table as he coughed. "W-ait!" He wheezed.
The D'élites exchanged thunderstruck glances.
Even Donna who earlier seemed uninterested, turned her head.
Charlotte's smile widened with amusement, "Ah, bold words Alexander."
He reclined in her seat, her voice smooth with an edge.
"Love is no small claim, and it comes with consequences.
You're not just declaring affection for my daughter, but for the second princess of Ambur."
Alexander's heart pounded but he held his ground.
"I know she's the princess, it's hard not to," he said, "but… I also can't deny my feelings anymore."
Elizabeth giggled, burying her face in his arm.
Victoria glared at her, before awkwardly averting her gaze with a huff.
Charlotte's gaze never left Alexander.
"You're determined, I'll give you that. But don't think this conversation ends here."
She crossed her legs.
"But for now, enjoy your…"
— — —
"…victory!"
The imperial soldiers shouted in unison as they marched in goose step.
Their black leather brogans thumped against the cobblestone streets of the Dvergr's capital.
Gävle.
They marched in long columns, their muskets pressed against their shoulders and purple coats billowing in the icy wind.
Burned out at hollowed buildings surrounded them, with Dvergr scattered amongst the ruins.
Some huddled with their children near barrels of fire, while others ran as soon as they heard the marching.
In the middle of the formation was the emperor of the Western Empire and his most trusted generals.
They rode in the center carriage, flanked by escorts and mages.
"Just like that, the campaign comes to an end."
Major General Levi laughed as he puffed on a pipe, his eyes glinting with excitement.
"You speak as if you're elated," Lieutenant General Vor said, glancing out the window.
The emperor, who was now 15, smiled.
He was draped in formal attire, a pressed suit with a gold capelet draped over his shoulder.
"Yes Uncle, if I remember correctly you complained for the entire campaign."
He teased, "Can I just lead a detachment down south? Could I just defend a border town? What if I just went back home and defended the empire…"
"Ba- Ba- Ba, hey!" Levi cut him off, waving his hands wildly. "That's BESIDES the point, we're here, and we've won. That's what matters."
The emperor chuckled, "Indeed, uncle. But let's not get too comfortable here. The Dvergr may have been powerful, but they're not the real threat."
Vor glanced at the emperor, "You're referring to the long-eared kingdoms? Ambur and Fallen?"
The emperor nodded.
"Indeed, I've gotten reports that Ambur has expanded their fleet of iron ships, and our contacts in Fallen suggest they're expanding their army."
Levi blinked, before pointing a finger at the emperor.
"I told you! But no, you had to launch a crusade in the north, you called my war against them pointless and now—"
The emperor raised a steadying hand with a relaxed smile.
"Uncle, your war was pointless. They held you back for six years, and you gained little but experience."
Levi grumbled, "Maybe if you committed more mages, I'd have won."
The emperor tapped Vor's shoulder. "Could you please tell my uncle what you told me?"
Vor slightly shifted, "those mages wouldn't have made a difference in the long term. Not with those assassins hidden about the Fallen Kingdom."
Vor's voice was steady, his gaze fixed on the passing ruins as they marched towards the tsar's palace.
"Our best mages would've been picked off one by one."
Levi slumped back, puffing his pipe with a scowl.
"So what? Why are we now in a better position to fight them?"
The emperor tapped Vor's shoulder again.
Vor tapped a finger on the door. "Resources, the Dvergr's mines are unmatched.
We'll be able to feed the imperial war machine the steel it needs to rival Ambur."
The emperor smirked as Vor finished. "See uncle, everything works as intended."
Levi snorted, tapping his pipe against the carriage window.
"Yeah whatever, this time I want a proper campaign, no more begging to moronic nobles."
The emperor chuckled. "Emma is too good to you, uncle."