Beyond the Sky - Session 37.8

After the events of Prince Kallian's birthday, Valaire makes her way back to the Guild Hall, dropping off Ginei with Jillia and Genevieve, and popping a few doors down to see the Queen, arriving at her door.
Valaire swiftly extracts a small silver key from within her sleeve, using it to unlock the bedroom door and open it slightly as she knocks.
Valaire: "Your Majesty, you requested my presence?"
Queen Rozeal: "Ah, Valaire! Yes, come in, come in~"
Valaire nods and enters the queen's bedroom, closing and locking the door behind her.
Valaire: "How may your loyal citizen be of help to you this evening?"
Queen Rozeal: "It seemed like a good time to catch up on things. My dear little Kallian's birthday has been happening today, and I'm as curious as a cat to hear how your day's been. Have he and Ginei met yet?"
Valaire: "I'm pleased to say it went well. I told the child of the... status of her mother's engagement, so it behooved her to meet who may entirely become her stepfather."
Queen Rozeal: "Ah! So I don't need to hide it from her anymore?"
Valaire: "You do not. She took the news surprisingly well. Better than I would have expected. (Better than I did...)"
Queen Rozeal: "Oh?"
Valaire: "The girl is taking to magic rapidly. While her association in that art is going to be much more akin to an apprentice to the young prince than as a peer, I still imagine it offers both of them a common ground upon which to relate."
Queen Rozeal smiles, pouring herself some tea.
Queen Rozeal: "That's fantastic. Now Kallian has two people he can talk to about magic~ Did you get either of them anything special today? Or are you saving my boy's present for later?"
Queen Rozeal sips her tea daintily, giggling quietly.
Valaire: "We bought some gifts around town. Nothing special; I'm afraid I have little expertise in gift-buying for royalty and my own preferences for crafting requires raw material that I am somewhat... short on."
"I doubt it would be his style, anyways."
Valaire smirks to herself, taking a seat opposite the queen and resting her arms on the table in a slightly casual manner.
Queen Rozeal: "I'm sure he'd love anything made personally by you. He's seemed overjoyed with his ring~"
Valaire looks taken aback momentarily, slightly flushing.
Valaire: "I... see."
Queen Rozeal: "I've seen it myself. It's clear you put a lot of effort into it."
Valaire: "This is high praise indeed when coming from you, Your Majesty."
"Was there anything else Your Majesty desired of her daughter-in-law? Speak it and I shall gratefully oblige."
Queen Rozeal smiles, flushing.
Queen Rozeal: "Well, um... yes, there was a small thing I was hoping you could help me with, but I wasn't planning on saying it just yet."
Valaire: "I do not mean to rush you into speaking at a pace you do not wish to. Please do not feel hurried; I have the remainder of the night free."
Queen Rozeal: "Ah! Perfect. Well. I was hoping that we'd get the slightly more serious bit out of the way before that."
"...it's about what seems like the impending war."
Valaire: "Ah. The Eriban matter."
Queen Rozeal: "Indeed... Adrian, last night, told me that they have a rather terrifying leader, and that we are likely to be attacked by sea. Even he seemed shaken."
Valaire: "I do not know to the extent Adrian possesses these contacts, or what he specifically sees and hears, but I trust that he would have disclosed what is actively important for us to know."
Queen Rozeal: "And... I'm quite worried. Worried for the safety of my country."
Valaire: "Our Eriban confidant has informed us this leader goes by the name of Black Alice. But military matters are beyond me; I could not tell you who this person was beyond the feminine epithet."
Queen Rozeal: "But... Valaire. You intend to aid us in the defence of our city, don't you?"
"Of our country."
Valaire: "Would that I would decline, pass up my blood desires for carnage with the excuse that I need to watch over the young Ginei; ensure she is safe and taken care of."
"But she has asked me personally to see retribution performed for what she underwent. And how can I decline a heartfelt request like that?"
Queen Rozeal: "I think it's quite admirable."
"You'd become a Queen who was not only once a commoner, but fights for her people."
Valaire frowns for a moment, looking slightly pained.
Valaire: "That does depend on how the battles go."
Queen Rozeal: "Hm?"
Valaire: "If the battle goes poorly for me, then I will not live to ascend to the throne, and will therefore not be a queen. If I survive the battle, but the young prince does not, then, as our engagement has not yet been confirmed, I am not officially the crown princess and therefore would not be permitted to ascend to the throne. Finally, there exists the possibility that both of us survive, but the people themselves refuse to accept a daemon-blood as their queen, and I therefore will continue to not be allowed to ascend to the throne."
Queen Rozeal: "Hmm, I see... that would cause some problems, yes."
Queen Rozeal sips more of her tea, listening to Valaire intently.
Valaire: "I cannot be idealistic and assume it will all work out and everybody will live happily ever after. That's not how life works."
"I know so many of life's pains and torments, both directly and indirectly."
"People can die that one could easily say do not deserve to."
"Certainly, neither you nor the young prince deserve to die, yet it is one of Eribe's fondest wishes at the moment to see that you two do."
Queen Rozeal: "Mm, it is why I sleep in your new quarters now."
Valaire: "Indeed. With your presence there a carefully guarded secret."
"Few magics outside a demigod's power can ascertain that you live there. And divination is not the Trickster's forte, I am told."
Queen Rozeal: "And I appreciate it that you are able to keep me so safe. I fear I would not fare well against assassins..."
Valaire: "Which comes down to the matter of me fighting to defend our country."
"Fighting on the front lines... or acting in defense of something more important. Which role is more important for me to fulfill?"
Queen Rozeal: "If it were me who was making that decision... the former."
Valaire: "Certainly, if I hang back, I can protect you, Kallian, and Ginei all simultaneously. But my absence on the battlefield would be felt, as my magical prowess at laying waste to enemy formations cannot be dismissed."
Queen Rozeal: "I want nothing more than to aid my people in battle, like the old Queens once did. But... my leg, and my inexperience at battle combine to create an unfortunate situation for me."
Valaire: "Indeed... the young prince, similarly, lacks real-world combat expertise."
Queen Rozeal: "There was... actually something I wanted to give you, and a request, Valaire."
Valaire: "Your Radiance?"
Queen Rozeal produces a small amulet, placing it on the table.
Valaire: "...An emergency plan, I see."
Queen Rozeal: "I have been working on this for a little while for you. It's a special amulet to keep you safe."
Valaire: "While I am touched by your generosity, Your Majesty... it is you that needs this protection more than I."
Queen Rozeal: "I have one of my own, fear not. I made this especially for you, because I have a rather selfish request to make."
Valaire: "To fight in the war in your name."
Queen Rozeal widens her eyes a little.
Queen Rozeal: "...you're quite the mind reader, or I'm bad at hiding things."
Valaire: [Mockingbird, copying Rozeal's voice] "You'd become a queen who was not only once a commoner, but fights for her people."
[Normal] "That is what you said, is it not?"
Queen Rozeal: "It is."
Valaire: "I can tell from your voice. Call it a trick of the trade, from over a decade of catering to what my clients exactly want."
Queen Rozeal: "But...of course, this gift doesn't just come with a request, it comes with a promise from me."
"If you are to fight in my name, in the Argentis name, then..."
Valaire: "Then you wish me to carry the weight of the Argentis family name with me. To be the crown princess, while I save our beloved Zeltria."
Queen Rozeal: "If you are willing to accept such a thing.. then yes."
"You of course would not become queen for... hopefully, a few years, when both you and Kallian are ready, but..."
Valaire sighs, digging a clawed finger almost painfully into one of her temples.
Valaire: "Ensure it won't be for a few years. You still have much to teach me on becoming as radiant and beloved a figure as you are. You are not permitted to be killed by assassins."
Queen Rozeal: "Of course! I promise."
"I have a few spells for self defence, I'm not completely helpless~"
Valaire claims the offered amulet with her barbed daemonic tail, bringing it to her hands to wrap around her neck.
Queen Rozeal: "So, you've accepted it. I suppose I should get ready to officiate you and Kallian, hm~?"
Valaire: "Wed on his birthday... I suppose this was not the birthday present he was expecting from his mother."
"...You know, when some children turn of age, their parents get them a prostitute for their birthday. Which I imagine you are doing, in a fashion. Hmhm~"
Queen Rozeal giggles, smiling.
Queen Rozeal: "I suppose so. I guess you'll be making him a man and a husband on his birthday~"
Queen Rozeal looks a little distant after a few moments, her smile fading.
Queen Rozeal: "Hmm... but it does bring us neatly back to what I wanted to ask you earlier."
Valaire: "My, you are full of things to ask, tonight. Please, allow your new daughter-in-law to hear out your thoughts."
Queen Rozeal: "Hmm... well."
"Yesterday, I was speaking with Adrian about the couples that have seemed to form amongst my friends and family as of late."
"And though I'm overjoyed with all of you... I can't help feeling like I'm a little left out."
Valaire: "It is hard not to be reminded of that which you have lost. I empathize with your pain; while all of Zeltria lost their king that day, you lost a husband as well."
Queen Rozeal: "Not only that, but... well."
Queen Rozeal flushes a little.
Queen Rozeal: "As much as I did love Sorean... well. He... wasn't particularly attentive to my needs."
Valaire: "I see. The womanly desire. I can understand that itch."
Queen Rozeal: "And well, as a Queen, and with my leg... I can't exactly go out and meet people to tend to that itch... and it's been quite a lonely six years."
Valaire: "I do know a few techniques that serve well for getting to the right points of relief. Why, with proper care, even this thorny tail can be quite the tool."
"While I won't be able to help you during the nights I am away at war, I imagine a little magic can be used to tend to needs when you are alone in your quarters."
Queen Rozeal: "I... the offer is appreciated, but as you're my daughter in law, I was more hoping if you may... know anyone in your past profession discreet enough for me."
Valaire: "I see. It would be awkward for you."
Queen Rozeal: "Besides, that'd be quite unfair for Kallian, wouldn't it?"
Valaire: "Well, it's not like I'm cheating on him romantically."
"Don't worry, don't worry. I'm maintaining fidelity."
Valaire puts a claw to her chin in thought.
Valaire: "The problem, at least among the Red Lily, is that there are only so many that can be trusted to keep a secret, and only so many that know how to please women, and not just men."
Queen Rozeal: "Well, I do trust you completely..."
Valaire: "And the two groups do not often combine... after Tania was beaten a couple years back, I believe I became the only one meeting both criteria."
"May I suggest magic as an alternative? There are a couple spells that, while lacking the warm touch of a fellow body, can certainly simulate the tactile sensations."
Queen Rozeal: "I've... actually been using magic like that for a while."
Valaire: "Not enough, then."
Queen Rozeal: "I... suppose. It's... just not really the same as another person."
Valaire: "I can imagine. I can ask around to find people I can subcontract for the goal; I'm familiar enough with other brothel owners, if not their workers. I could not guarantee discretion, however, and as you are in hiding from assassins, discretion is rather important, isn't it?"
Queen Rozeal: "It is of the upmost importance."
Valaire: "I can ask around, but I really can't promise the familiar touch. You can ask Jillia, but she is somewhat birdbrained and is ditzy enough to say things that come to mind without regard of secrecy."
"I would be happy taking the duty myself, as I can promise you both utmost discretion and utmost ecstasy. Purely on a professional basis, of course; it's not an infidelity if I'm just doing a job that might get my fingers dirty."
Queen Rozeal: "And you would be definitely happy in assisting your Queen on this problem?"
Valaire: "I live to serve, Your Majesty."
Queen Rozeal: "Right, then... I don't suppose you'd mind helping me now before we head out?"
Valaire offers a wry smile, standing up.
Valaire: "(If Adrian learned of this, being sent to the Rift is the least of my worries.)"
Queen Rozeal: "(Kallian was raised Elvish, he may understand that his mother has needs.)"
Valaire: "After you, Your Majesty. Allow me to show you how diverse my talents can be."
Valaire aids the Queen in her problems, before setting out to Kallian's quarters, ready to bind the two together.