As Julien gives a quick review to Prince Wales, Michael's attention is drawn to Agnes who's now glaring at him with arms crossed. This lasts for a couple seconds until he finally has enough and speaks up, "Do you need something?"
...
She reluctantly nods after a moment, "False-Familiar, I've been given orders from her majesty to observe you, and should you prove worthy, buy your services. From your actions today, I suspect your character is different from what is known..." she hefts her rifle while rolling her neck and shoulders, causing some quiet cracks to echo out, "Should you accept and complete your tasks as requested, you can expect a full pardon, enough gold to fill a wagon, and mayhaps the ability to return to your master." she explains, listing off the various rewards the princess is supposedly willing to gift.
Michael finds his voice caught in his throat as he hears the last 'reward', the ability to return to Louise?... Why would he want that? To be suborned again? Not only that, but he refused to leave Tiffania, meaning she'd likely have to accompany him under disguise the entire time, hoping no one would catch her out.
Then again, there were many things he needed to do in Tristania, obtaining Derflinger, retrieving Brimir's Prayerbook for Tiffania to learn Void Spells... But he doubted they'd willingly give the book to him, meaning he'd have to steal it, setting him back as a criminal.
His plans to fight the Albion army that Saito did in canon were already ruined, as he'd essentially just helped Prince Wales defeat the Reconquista. With Cromwell dead and the capital in ruins but captured nonetheless, the loyalists were set to win the war...
Habitually rubbing his mouth, he looks up at Agnes, "Specifically, what would you have me doing?"
...
Agnes sends a meaningful look at him, "Unsavoury things to help cement her Majesty's position." she states, saying all she needs to for Michael to understand just what they wanted him for. Even in Albion, he'd heard rumours of the rising tension between Tristain nobles, mostly due to his actions of killing Guiche as Louise familiar, and Henrietta's acceptance of Louise as her Royal Attendant.
In simple terms, she and the princess wanted him to deal with any nobles with notions of rebellion. Most likely General Gramont and all of his followers... While Michael wanted to do this anyway, he was very, very wary of attempting it under the princess' orders. In such a situation, betrayal was all too easy. And he doubted Louise' loyalty towards himself exceeded that of the Princess.
Just as he's about to reject her, Prince Wales voice makes itself known in the square. "I see, it seems that it would be expedient to thank my saviours." he says, glancing between Tiffania and the hooded man, the latter of which immediately kneeling in subservience towards the Prince. "Your thanks warms me, Prince... But I feel I must request something from you, despite how it ails me to make such a request." he says with his head lowered.
Prince Wales thinks for a moment before nodding, "If it's within my power," he simply says, waiting for the man's request.
The stranger nods while continuing to look down at the floor, ignoring the disgruntlement of the loyalists at his daring attempt to wring favours from the Prince in such a time, "I wish for your protection and pardon... I was one of the families who were forced to follow Cromwell, and I have done unsavoury things to keep myself and my family safe."
Julien scoffs, "Just a traitor unwilling to accept blame for his actions. My Prince! We must not accept such people within our ranks, for risk of beginning yet another rebellion years from now!"
Prince Wales shakes his head and raises a hand to silence Julien however, knowing that he couldn't simply execute each and every family that'd allied against him. There weren't enough nobles left in the loyalist faction to actually manage Albion, and he couldn't raise new nobles due to the law of Brimir, where magic makes might and legitimacy.
There's also the risk of an invasion by another country due to their weakened state, he needed to gather as many people under his banner as possible, meaning he couldn't simply execute all traitors...
With this Nobles' actions here today, he could extend a hand of mercy and make it known that he would treat any who submit to him justly and with a great amount of lenience.
Prince Wales struggles to stand straight and retrieves a sword from one of the loyalists, "Reveal yourself, your crimes. Submit to me and the true country of Albion, and we will see if you can seek forgiveness." he states neutrally, and the stranger nods while lowering his hood.
"YOU!" Michael immediately shouts, pointing at the now revealed Baron Jargkon, "You have the balls to show your face to me!?" he exclaims, drawing his sword which causes everyone else to ready their own weapons.
Prince Wales frowns and looks between Michael and the Baron, "Explain yourselves."
Michael growls, "This sick fuck forced me to murder innocent people while Cromwell was controlling me! Men, women, and children! And he did it with a fucking shit-eating grin on his fat face!"
Baron Jargkon raises his hands and shakes his head, "And I apologize tremendously for that! If it wouldn't destroy my family, I would cut my throat here and now as penetrance! But you must know that I was forced into such actions by Cromwell! He disliked my attempts to peacefully quell a peasant revolt, and forced me to create entertainment for him!" he quickly retorts, and seems to be gaining sympathy from the loyalists. Agnes didn't seem to trust him, but her opinion mattered not in this situation.
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Michael seethes in utter fury, knowing that the nobles' general disdain of peasants and all those who they consider 'lesser' made them all too eager to take the side of a 'sympathetic lord'. He glances at Prince Wales and almost blows a gasket as he notices a shimmer of acceptance through the man's expressionless mask.
"Don't you fucking dare!" he exclaims, pointing at Prince Wales, "You fucked up once when you didn't immediately kill Wardes, forcing me to throw myself off of a fucking airship to deal with him, and now you're tempted to let this guy go too!? What happened to this 'noble honour' I keep hearing about!? BECAUSE I'VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE!" he screams.
The Prince's lips thin, as much as he wanted to punish the Baron, he'd been the first noble to willingly submit himself. Killing him now would set a terrible precedent. "While I see and understand your unwillingness to accept this man, he has come begging for forgiveness, and has shown through his actions that he seeks redemption. I owe him my life, your anger can be assuaged and fade. But the life of an honourable noble is not so easily ended." he determines.
It's not just Michael who is enraged by his words, as even Agnes looks to be ready to protect. It's only her will and loyalty towards the Princess that enables her to hold her tongue.
Michael, however, does not possess such tact. He tightly grips his sword while the runes on the back of his hand glow enough that they're visible through the fabric wrapping them. "If you won't deal justice, then I will! I'm sick of you fucking nobles and your hypocrisy!" he exclaims, and is about to charge the Baron to end his life, when Tiffania steps in front of him. "Tiffania!?" he asks, annoyed and shocked that she'd obstruct him.
She places a hand on his chest and looks at Prince Wales, "I also assisted in saving your life, Prince Wales, I was forced to use a valuable artifact I was gifted with to heal your wounds... Does your gratitude extend to me?" she asks somewhat stiffly, doing her best to keep her nerve while under everyone's attention.
The Prince nods, "Perhaps... May I know your identity?"
...
Tiffania stands there for a moment, struggling to decide what to do. She knew the Prince would demand to see her face before he accepts any of her requests, yet doing so would probably bring doom to her and Michael... Her attempt to stop him from attacking the Baron and the loyalists was unplanned, and she had no real idea what to do next. She keeps her hand on Michael's chest, using his warmth to motivate her forwards. "You might know of me, Cousin." she states, causing the Prince's eyes to widen in recognition, before they squint slightly in consternation.
The fact that his Uncle had laid with an elf was a heavily kept secret, one that may bring into question the validity of Prince Wales' rule itself. The Brimir religions hatred of elves could not be understated, so if such a fact was known it might bring destruction to his faction and Albion as a whole. It might even give cause for other countries to invade him, proclaiming his land as heretical and under the control of the elves.
The Musketeer Knights and the loyalists were muttering amongst themselves at her words, and Baron Jargkon was suddenly feeling worried over his position... If she was truly his cousin, then her word would prove heavier than Jargkon's own.
"I am unsure of my relation to you, lady, but I am the last of Tudor line... Regardless, you saved me, what is your request?"
...
She ignores his dispute of their relation for now and continues, "I wish for justice against this man calling himself a Baron, his crimes are too much to be forgiven." she states, causing the Prince to frown.
Julien nods, "I agree with the lady! Criminals must be punished! Noble blood or not!"
...
Prince Wales shakes his head after some deliberation, "I reject your request, and I denounce you both for proclaiming your relation to me, and your attempt to interfere in the affairs of Albion!" he suddenly declares, shocking both Michael and Tiffania.
Tiffania sucks in a breath at his words, her eyes tearing up at her last family member's rejection of her. But Prince Wales errs hadn't yet ended.
He takes a wand from the nearest loyalist and flicks it, causing a gust of wind to blow and force Tiffania's hood down, revealing her long ears to all those present. "Did you think I would not know of your attempts at subterfuge, Elf!?"
...
"DEMON!" a man shouts, breaking the shocked silence, causing everyone to drawn their weapons and look warily at Tiffania who seemed ready to break down and start crying...
Michael pushes Tiffania behind him, feeling anger that only matched the time he dove from the airship to chase Wardes. "So this the true face of nobility? Your word only matters as long as it suits your agenda?" he points his sword at Wales, "You disgust me, trying to scheme your way out of accepting your cousin!? Have you bunch of bastards forgotten so easily!? That this girl helped rescue your Prince!? That she healed him!? AND NOW THIS!?" he roars, spittle flying out of his mouth as he struggles to keep himself from attacking the closest person.
"DOES ANYONE HERE ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS PIECE OF SHIT IS INNOCENT!?" he exclaims, prodding his sword at the Baron. He waits a moment and only a few people speak up, revealing that they were just following the Prince's lead. Michael rubs his eyes, and glances over his shoulder at Tiffania, "Get ready for a fight, Tiff." he whispers, and she nods while wiping the moisture from her eyes.
Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!
Also, thanks to my patrons for their support :
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JayJonnaJamison
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Faruk Ereng
Nathaniel Clayton
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