Innocent Until Stolen

4. The Meeting

Nova was given a silk white dress, with white slippers sowed on flowers. She let her hair fall over her shoulders out of the bun she always wore. 

She came to the princes with a smile, Mudads wore a similar outfit, while the princes wore their royal clothes "You two will stand, behind us, like the other guards. Nova, you stay with Hakuren'' "yes prince'' "Mudads'' They gave each other sharp nods

"Are we allowed to eat?'' Nova asked looking at the food placed her "You didn't eat before?'' "I was doing to my chores of the day...'' "Nova'' Jia how just paced her, throw her a dumpy "Eat quickly'' Jia then went on her way. Nova shoved it in her mouth, chewing with big checks. Then gulped it down. Mudads sighed "What manners''

Nova followed the princes into the dining room, staying five steps behind Prince Hakuren. Mudads on the other side of the table did as well. Prince Kouen with his guard sat next to Hakuyuu. The king of Kai, Kunimichi was first to arrive with his three sons. Long white hair sat over his shoulder, some of his hair pulled back into a bun with a pin holding it in. They sat one seat down from the emperor

Then it was Go Toshi, king of Gou. He had black hair pulled up into a ponytail. He likes his two daughters were covered in scares. The guards looked even meaner, but Nova saw the weak lick, knowing how to attack if shit went bad

Last with the loudest entrance was Tan with her long pink hair flying around everywhere. Her smile was bright, almost too big to be real. The light pink eyes locked onto Nova "Oh my god! It's one of those Fanalis! It's only a baby two'' Nova through her shock, growled at the queen when her hands grabbed her checks

"She's so squishy! Like, look at those cheeks!'' Nova took a deep breath "It is nice to meet you Queen Tomatsu'' She bowed through her hands "She even knows who to speak! Sayo! Ask it is to buy her! She would make a wonderful collection to my wall'' Nova awkwardly smiled when she walk past running a finger along her cheek

Mudads over the side of the table glancing worrying at her. Prince Hakuren did also. Nova smiled at them, letting them go back to their jobs "They say, she hangs the bodies of her victims on the throne room wall in Tan'' One of the Kai's shoulders muttered

"Who says?'' "The maids of the Queen say. Also, look at the looks her servants are giving you, girl'' Nova looked toward their sorrowful looks "She'll have to kill me first'' Nova hissed. Looking back at Hakuren's chair

After the last of the food was brought out, Jia walked around handing two chop chip cookies to the bodyguards "Three to you'' Nova giggled reaching for a fourth. Jia smacked her hand away "You already have more than anyone'' Jia with a smirk slipped Nova another one "You really shouldn't eat more than you're giving Nova''

Nova matched on the cookie "I'm sorry'' After they finished their cookies, the emperor came in with a speaker, speaking about his arrival. The night was going smoothly, talking loud and cheerful but that was with food. When the food lifts. The business was now in session

Every bodyguard took a closer step to their one. Nova sends look's to Mudads gripping the knife in her sleeve when Emporer Hakutoku leant on the table, his eyes darken "Kunimich. Go Toshi. Tomatsu. You all know why you are here''

They nodded all glancing around at one another. War was burring in their eyes "What is your answer'' Tomatsu spoke first waving her hand up "What do I get out, handing my kingdom over to you with no strings attached. No, up roar from my people, no complaints from me''

Hakutoku was taken back but kept his composure ''What do you want Queen Tomatsu'' "You're brother's hand in marriage. It will appear as an arranged married for the rule of my kingdom'' she covered her mouth with her long pink sleeve gigging

"We can come to that arrangement'' Nova looked over to Kouen. His hand's shocked with anger. His father was loyal to his mother, she couldn't marry him

"Kunimichi? Go Toshi?'' "No'' Go Toshi hissed "I will not join under your control Hakutoku'' "Go Toshi we can come to an arrangement that is good for both kingdoms'' "My answer is no. I will not sell my kingdom off like Tomatsu''

''Kunimichi?'' Hakutoku asked with a sigh "Hakutoku I respect you as an emperor but you are pushing your luck. With these plans, you'll die trying... My answer is no, my friend'' Hakutoku stood up sharply

"The Kou Empire will take the Kingdoms of Gou and Kai by force'' Hakutoky headed to the door "Hakutoku just leave your dream of one nation in the dust! You can't go to war over a dream!'' "I am and I will, Kunimichi. Leave at once before I have you all executed. This is now enemy territory''

Tomatsu giggled loudly seeing the king's shocked face "You will all die'' "Shut up witch!'' Go Toshi snapped, leaving with his daughters, who waved goodbye to the princes. Kunimichi sighed heavily

"Is your father really, going to war over a fantasy dream?'' Hakuren stood "A fantasy dream that will become reality'' Nova followed after Hakuren, how followed his father. Hakuyuu stayed back "This is goodbye, King Kunimichi. Your kingdom will be first to fall'' He bowed before leaving, catching up to his brother

"So, what do we do know?'' Nova asked ''Are we still you're bodyguards for the night?'' "You'll stand post at are doors yes'' Hakuyuu answered with a smile. Nova controlled herself from groaning. She wanted her to bed beneath her, not the wood floors

"What of the war?'' Mudads asked before Nova and he separated to follow the princes of choice "Will we be your guards there too?'' "We haven't decided''

✧

While the meeting was happening, Royo came to the Blacksmith workshop beneath the place "So you are the blacksmith'' He turned in his chair, smirking "I heard you now worked her Royo, but why?'' ''I'm cleaning up messes you created'' Satoshi chuckled, taking up her broke sword

''I see Titos took your hands'' ''I see he took your legs'' The coals brighten up Satoshi's face "The fanalis's with you, what are their names'' "Wouldn't you like to know'' Satoshi's face sunk, his finger pointing over to a desk where a sack of gold sat

"All that for, their names'' Royo pocked through the gold bag "Lot of gold, for their names'' "Royo'' He hissed "Mudads and Nova'' His eyes brighten up "Nova? Are you sure that's her name?''

"I was there when her mother birthed her, I'm sure'' "Her mother! How is her mother!?'' Royo ruffled around the bag of gold "In the deck-door, now tell me'' "Dead'' "How?'' Royo took another bag "She had another child. It killed her... Do you know of her? And why the interest in Nova?'' Satoshi chuckled tears pouring down his face

"I really thought I lost her... But her child lives'' Royo while he sobbed in happiness took the other three bags. Equaling up to 7 bags "See ya! Have that sword done by tomorrow, so stop crying!''