Re: Zero - Dawn Eater

The rhythmic sound of carriage wheels mingled with the ground dragons' padded feet as the sun began to slant over the sky, sending diagonal beams of light across the towering spires of the capital. Shadows stretched for hundreds of meters over the landscape as the castle loomed high above the rest of the land.

Many carriages trotted through the main street; one of which was the Mathers' carriage; opulent and eye catching as always. Two ground dragons were at the forefront, the reins held by the blue haired oni. Her grip on the reins was tight, as were her lips.

She could feel it after all. The tension was palpable.

The inside of the carriage was silent, the only exception being Roswaal who kept humming to himself. One of the windows was covered by blinds while through the other, the clown calmly observed the sceneries outside. His lips were stretched into a thin smile as always and somehow, Hedin found him to be even more annoying than usual.

He thought back to the meeting and threw a glance at Emilia. She had her eyes closed and her head was pointed down, seemingly deep in thought. Yet, he could accurately feel her emotions.

Fear, doubt and confusion.

The glory he had brought out from inside her had receded back, no longer filtering out her focus. Now, all the surface thoughts and confusion reached her again. Words often cut deeper than a sword ever can. This was one of those moments.

She's too swayed by words... she can't rule even a manse like this, much less an entire kingdom... Hedin sighed inwardly. He had to support her in front of everyone. But he quite doubted her ability as a ruler. Sure, there was potential for greatness in everyone.

Even a commoner could turn into a worthy king through the appropriate training after all. Getting a sword from a lake lady and all that.

But the key lay in Emilia herself and the circumstance. She was bound both by the time and the competition. Her conditions weren't favourable to begin with. Now, she had at least solidified her stance; but it stood to reason that the challenges would only get more difficult in the future.

Anastasia, Crusch and Priscilla; even Felt, all of them were subjectively better candidates in the eyes of both the nobility and the common people.

And it mattered not what Hedin himself thought of the issue.

Emilia had no noble title, no feats, no legends to her name. All she had was the stigma of being a half-elf.

Hedin sighed again. Somehow, a bit too audibly this time - given by how Emilia flinched imperceptibly. Yet, no one spoke. The talks were to be had when they got back.

And so, the carriage headed on it's merry way; the interior silent amid the hum of a clown.

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It was not long before the sun disk sunk beneath the horizon, casting the sky in a shade of purple - akin to an old wound. Glittering stars began to appear in the sky, finally unshadowed from the brilliance of the sun and darkness began to seep in as the canvas.

On the black drapes, a low moon hung on the far end, casting a silver light onto the world.

Crusch sat alone in the balcony of her mansion, her body draped in a purple gown. Her hand absently swirled a glass of wine and her eyes were muddled and unfocused.

Wilhelm stood behind her like a steel sentinel, ever watchful and ready to serve. His tall figure seemed like it would never wither and never waver.

"What are nyow thinking? Nya?" Suddenly, a high pitched voice called out to her.

Crusch turned her head, finding a small smile bloom on her face as she saw the possessor of the voice.

"Come join me, Ferris."

"Don't mind if I do, nya!" The cat man jumped at the opportunity, his tail swaying in happiness. Sitting down, he poured a cup of wine for himself. "So? What was on nyour mind, Lady Crusch?"

Crusch shook her head, "Just about today."

"About that man?"

"That's right." Crusch nodded. Her eyes travelled back to the garden behind her mansion and slowly went up towards the darkened sky. "He might become a real problem soon. He's cunning and strong. Two qualities that don't go well together. Especially if they're in your enemies' hands."

She chuckled.

"Felt's reveal was also quite surprising today. The Astrea family is now officially supporting someone. That man also has that strange ability to amplify emotions. Must be a rare divine protection."

Felix looked at her for a few moments before taking a sip and sighing dramatically.

"Nyaaaaaa~ Ferris isn't very good at thinking over stuff like this~"

Crusch nodded along.

"At least deny it!"

The balcony descended into silence again.

Felix threw a glance at Wilhelm and immediately drew himself back. Just then, a thought flashed through his eyes.

"Nyeee, Lady Crusch."

Crusch turned her head.

"If it's Hedin nyour worried nyover, why not use this opportunity to recruit him?"

"Recruit how? Why would he betray the Emilia camp? Did you not hear what he said to Priscilla?"

Crusch's brow furrowed in puzzlement.

"Nya! Of course I did! But wasn't Lady Priscilla too forward with the request? And at such a time too!"

Felix chuckled.

"Lady Crusch, don't you remember the deal I struck with Lord Mathers?"

Enlightenment dawned on Crusch's face.

"It was about you teaching Hedin healing magic, correct?"

"That's right!" Felix puffed out his chest and nodded. "Although it was supposed to be at the royal magic research institute, where he would also learn Yang Magic, we can easily switch the venue to our mansion!"

Crusch held her chin, deep in thought.

"And what makes you think a man like him will go against his principles?"

"Mmmnyaaa...." Felix's brow furrowed. "He should realize that he's on the losing side anyways. If he offer a good enough deal, then it shouldn't be impossible."

Just then, Crusch gave him a peculiar smile.

"And does that mean if you were to be offered a proportionally better deal, you would betray me as well?"

"Nya?!" Felix's expression froze. "O-of course not! Lady Crusch! How can you even entertain such a notion!?"

Crusch's green eyes adopted a fierce glare. And a shiver went down the cat man's spine.

"Isn't that what you are doing as well? Questioning the ideals of another man while putting yourself on a pedestal?" She took a sip from the wine glass. "Stop thinking your ideals above others, Ferris."

"But I don't!"

"Is that right." Crusch again looked at him. And Felix shrunk under her gaze.

A few moments passed in silence before...

"Ferris is sorry..." He meekly apologized.

Crusch nodded at his words.

Taking another sip of wine, she said.

"While I do not support your superiority complex, I do trust your loyalty, Ferris. As for Hedin, his loyalties remain to be seen. He's a new face. Better to be with us than against us." Wilhelm strode forth and filled the wine glass again.

Swirling the deep red liquid in the cup, she supported her head with her hand and chuckled.

"But I do wonder, what is the worth of a loyalty bought on benefits?" Her eyes travelled to Wilhelm.

"What is your impression of that man, Wilhelm?"

"He is a man of focus, commitment and willpower." Wilhelm replied without missing a beat.

"Such an assessment from the sword demon himself?"

"Merely an observation, Lady Crusch." Wilhelm bowed. "His eyes tell of a hundred battles, of hundreds of wounds and near death experiences. The support of such an individual - trained both in the mind and the body - would be invaluable."

Hearing Wilhelm's words, Crusch's lips curled into a smirk.

"Then, Ferris." She called out, making the cat man's ears perk up. "Do what you will. We've made the deal already. Might as well try to snatch all the benefits."

"At once! Lady Crusch!"

And so, amid the soft and slanting embrace of the moonlight, Crusch and Felix shared a glass of wine — scheming all the same.

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"I'll just ask you this... are you sure you're cut out for this stuff?" Hedin's voice cut through the air like a blade. His words, although spoken with the utmost care and warmth stung like the coldest icicle. Emilia felt as if she had been stabbed through the heart.

"Now now, iiiiiis that a riiiiiight thing to say at the mooooment, Hedin?" Roswaal's sing song voice chimed from the side but Hedin ignored him.

His focus was on Emilia. Right now, they stood inside her room, to discuss what had transpired through the entirety of the royal conference.

Emilia looked down at her feet, her hands balled into fists. Quietly, she whispered something.

"What was that?" Even with his enhanced hearing, Hedin didn't pick up her words.

She spoke again, a bit louder but just as quiet for any normal ear. And her words reached him.

"How can you say that..." Her meek voice said.

Hedin raised an eyebrow.

"Say what?" He asked. "That you aren't cut out for this?"

Emilia flinched. And watching her, Hedin sighed again.

"Look, Emilia. I want to support you, and I will. But are we certain you have what it takes to lead a nation? Are you really sure about doing this?" He paused. "Because to me, it seems like you're just playing house."

Emilia's eyes snapped up at him, filled with surprise. Then, the surprise was quickly replaced by doubt and then anger.

"Playing house?" Her tone carried a sharp edge.

Hedin didn't waver under her gaze. "That's right." He nodded. "What else is this but playing house? The only reason you were able to stand up for yourself today was because of my glory. Look at your competition. Their goals might be absurd and downright laughable from a political standpoint. But they have the courage to say them out loud. Unafraid of anything and anyone. People that talk ill of them? What are they to them but background noise?

"But you? Sorry to say, but you flinch. Backing down from a confrontation is not the quality of a ruler."

Emilia clenched her teeth.

"A man convinced of his own righteousness will fight the world, no matter how heinous his deeds are, he will make them righteous in his own mind. But in yours, you still cling to the social stigma, that people won't accept you."

Silence. Hedin let the stillness settle for a moment before continuing.

"Let me say this clearly. Making a nation of equality? That is neither your true goal, nor what you want to do. And someone that is afraid to claim aloud his own desires, someone that will alienate himself and demonize themselves over others... they will waver in front of the simplest challenges. You are playing house, because you cannot even be true to yourself."

Emilia grabbed at the hem of her dress.

"So let me ask you this again, Emilia. Are you sure you're cut out for this?"

Emilia stayed quiet for a moment before she opened her mouth.

"No..."

"Hm?"

"You don't know anything!" Emilia exclaimed, tears at the corner of her eyes. "You dunderhead! How can you say something like that?! Aren't you supposed to be my friend?!"

She turned around and walked to the door, "I know what I want! And I know how I will get there! I joined the royal selection for a reason!"

Bam!

The door slammed shut.

Everyday, she seems more and more like a child... I wonder how her life so far has been like. She doesn't seem to function like a normal adult would. Without the right development, winning over a nation is a day dream. Hedin sighed again.

"Myyyyy, wasn't that quiiiiite something." Roswaal shook his head and walked over to the door too.

"Goooood night, Heeeedin." And so, he left.

"This is supposed to be Emilia's room." Hedin looked around and shook his head. He picked up his hat that was on the bed and donned it over his head.

I'm in the mood for some night exploration today. Been a while since I've done so. I need to cool off. He mused.

And yet, walking outside, he bumped into a small figure.

"Ah, Rem?"

"Ah!" Rem exclaimed. She averted her eyes and folded her hands in front of her. "Um... Rem heard the commotion. Did you have a fight with Lady Emilia?"

"A fight?" Hedin thought back to the conversation. "Well... you can call it that."

Hedin did not have much experience with emotional drama and fights like these. So, in a way, this was also a first for him.

"It's not too serious, is it?"

"Might be. I don't really know." Hedin sighed.

Just then, he saw Rem flash a beautiful smile.

"I know you'll be able to sort it out!"

He smiled wryly.

Is that so...

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Throw some stones.

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(Image Here)

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A/N: Enjoying yourself so far?

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