"Lady Marshal, the Principal from Florem's new school is here to see you."

Edea finished off the paper she had been writing with her signature, then gathered up the papers into a neat bunch and placed them at the other end of the desk. She nodded towards her advisor and personal guard.

"Alright. Send her in."

The Dark Knight inclined his head and moved back out into the hall. Minutes later, he returned, followed by a lady in a business-like denim suit with a determined and curt demeanor about her. As Edea motioned to the chair in front of her desk.

"Please be seated." She watched out of the corner of her eye as Alternis took up his usual post in the doorway. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, Darkbringer, whose tip touched the stone ground in front of him. Protective, quiet, and cold. Same as he ever was.

However the Principal, Mrs Rhea Veeling, did not sit down. She remained standing, glaring through spectacles with sharp eyes down on the younger woman in front of her.

"Grand Marshal." She stated blatantly, "I recently received a letter from your office which states that the funding for my school has been cut off. Now, I know that Eternia has been involved in several issues outside of it's jurisdiction due to the push of anticrystalism a few years back."

The anticrystalism of five years ago. It hadn't lasted long, had it?

"However," She continued a moment later, "The Duchy of Eternia has no power over politics in any other country. The Matriarch and her counsel decide the laws of Florem, and this is why receiving such a letter of order from your office is… disturbing to say the least. Now, I hope that this was all a big mistake- a joke perhaps-that can be fixed with a bit of investigation."

Edea held her hand out, "May I see this letter?"

Mrs Rhea Veeling handed it to her in a simple motion. She had clearly been expecting this.

Edea opened it up and looked it over, flattening it out on the desk and running her finger across the written text. After a long minute of study, she handed it back to her visitor.

"This letter is a hundred percent authenticate, Mrs Veeling. I remember writing it out myself. That's my signature at the bottom, you see."

Mrs Rhea Veeling's scowl deepened. As her gaze shifted from glaring at the young Marshal and the paper she held again, it seemed obvious she had not been expecting this response.

"I have just stated," Rhea Veeling said again, "That Eternia is not, I repeat, is NOT involved in Florem's political affairs. If you do not rectify this situation, I will be forced to take it up with the Matriach. What you have done is considered a rather large offense, after all."

"Mrs Veeling." Edea said, folding her fingers over her desk, "I would not have sent such a direct order without permission. Did you fail to read the attachment that came with the letter you received?"

Now the lady looked uncomfortable. Her cheeks were almost as red as her hair, though that might have been from anger.

"Attachment?" She repeated, "I received no attachment!"

Edea held up a piece of paper and handed it to her saying "This is a direct copy of the letter you were sent. The second page speaks of political rights, and the reason why you are receiving this order." She took the page back and flipped it over, and beginning to read aloud. " 'Please note that all things have been done within the laws and intentions of Florem, and it's Matriarch. She stated as thus: Due to the decline from tradition and beauty in our country, I am now requesting that building renovations and creations be stopped until further notice. It is time our city reverted back to it's true ways. We will be putting all efforts into revitalizing our old customs, and in time our city as well. I have asked the Grand Marshal to send out letters to each of you in the proper manner so that no one is dissatisfied.' "

Edea placed the page down and looked up at the fuming woman in front of her, "So you see, we did not give the order for work to stop in the city. We only gave notice. No violation of rights, and Florem's full consent."

"But as I stated before," Rhea said attempting to keep calm, "I did not receive this attachment. How do I know you aren't akin it all up? This could all be a well fabricated lie, hmm?"

Edea resisted the urge to roll her eyes, "On the original letter, which you just showed to me, it states very clearly 'Be sure to read the second page thoroughly.' Albeit in small letters."

Mrs Rhea Veeling looked over the letter, then back up at Edea. She opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. Her face turned bright red and she folded the paper up with such ferocity that a few areas were torn.

"You haven't heard the last of this." She said, "I'll find out how you did it, Lee. I'll find that one mistake… that one little accident that one so inexperienced as yourself is sure to have made. Why is a child like you in office anyway? They can't honestly expect you to get these things right, can they?"

Edea looked up at her. Waiting. Waiting, as the insults and defamations poured out of her mouth. She was violating all acts of courtesy now. She was bullying. Trying to get back, to get a heads start in what she believed to be a battle near it's finish. But Edea waited through it all. He would come, right? He cared about her, didn't he? He wouldn't let someone be so verbally abusive against her when things should be neutral. Any minute now, he would turn around and drag the annoying Mrs Rhea Veeling out of her sight forever.

But no movement was made. Even as Mrs Rhea Veeling's insults became harsher, the dark armor by the door remained still. Cold. Lifeless.

Edea swallowed back the disappointment in her throat and held up a hand, "Alternis." She said, hoping that the thickness in her throat didn't show through her voice. By the triumphant look on her client's face, it apparently had.

It was only then that the armor standing still by the door moved. He turned and walked back over to Mrs Rhea Veeling's side.

"I believe your time is about up, Mrs Veeling." He stated.

There was no anger in his voice. No worry. No… anything. No scolding for being insulting to the Grand Marshal, no curt comeback, not even a simple movement like his fists clenching to show that he cared.

Mrs Rhea Veeling 's face grew taut and she turned on her heel. Edea waited, and just as expected, she turned back around to give a last remark.

"I really am disappointed, Miss Lee." She said, "I wouldn't have expected the great Braev Lee to pass on his entire country to an inexperienced little girl. He should have been smart and had a son instead!"

Edea's eyes strayed to Alternis. No reaction. At least, none that she could see. He nodded towards the hallway and led the annoying woman out into the hall and away from her sight.

When he was gone, Edea lay back in her chair. Saying nothing, just waiting. Maybe Alternis had only been putting on an act. After all, if he violated civility laws in any way, that would put her in a harder position before, because then she could be sued. Maybe when he came back in he would show some emotion then… a bit of caring. Anger. Perhaps he would come to her side and reassure her that everything was alright. Perhaps he would tell her that no matter what happened, he was there for her. Perhaps he would even apologize for not acting out sooner.

The sound of his armor clinking came through the hall, and soon he walked back in. Walked right up to her desk. Was he actually going to do it? Perhaps he really did care after all.

"Lady Marshal, a diplomat from the eastern province of our land is here to see you about the recent price change in meats and fish."

All her fantasies crumbled away. Edea looked up at him, shocked, disappointed, heartbroken. But he had already turned away to go get the man he had announced.

Did he not see the stress that was laid on top of her? Did he not care how she felt? Did… but no. She needed to focus. She had more meetings to handle. More people belittling her abilities. More stress, more anxiety, more pain. More silently keeping her opinion to herself and acting as if things were perfectly fine.

A few minutes later, a bushy haired man in glasses was shown in. Alternis took up his same post by the door. His back to her and her duties, doing what apparently he felt was best. Unknowing that what she truly needed was him to stand at her side, supporting her through these trials.

But she showed none of her feelings. She merely held out a hand in a swift motion towards the chair in front of her.

"Please, be seated."