When Prince Wilhelm read the letter, he imagined his mother's anger and sweat beaded on his forehead. He could feel the heat on his face. On the bottom of the parchment, fingerprints, his mother's, burned onto the scroll. Nervousness tightened the back of his neck. It was silly to think her magic went off from pure fury. Spellcasting required deliberate concentration, but the image of his mother exploding into flames while writing gave him pause. I'm dead. I'm definitely going to die if I go home.

He didn't want to explain the situation in a letter carried by pigeon. Multiple birds needed to be released to ensure the message's delivery. Since not all birds arrived, it was assumed spies intercepted some. So, Prince Wilhelm delivered a simple update regarding his relationship with Nix and that his diplomatic mission to the Sanctuary was nearly concluded. The elves and humans forged a stronger alliance.

He grimaced, again, when he reread his mother's simple reply.

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT ELF-WHORE IS MOVING IN?!'

He whimpered now. Every time he looked at the sentence, his reaction grew more severe. By the end of the day, he figured, he would grow bald and suffer ulcers. He couldn't say Nix could potentially carry an heir after Lord Walter's treatments, so he couldn't write a letter to calm his mother. I didn't even do that much. I was simply present. Why am I the only one punished? Gaia, Aphrodite, or Hera, please, save me. Aratron? I'm friends with your disciple. Please come out of obscurity and assist me.

"What are you reading?" Nix asked and peeked over his shoulder. "Oh, seems she recieved the wonderful news! Good luck!"

"What do you mean, 'good luck?!' You have to explain this to her with me! I can't face this war alone! I need allies!"

"Well, I mean, I am a wayfarer, free as the wind..." Nix then kissed him on the cheek.

Prince Wilhelm considered running away as a tactical option.

Upgrading the economic treaty with the Sanctuary to a military alliance could be justified, thanks to Walter's and Elin's monstraculture gathering efforts. They amassed many giant spider eggs and spinnerets by hunting free-roaming monsters to extinction under the main town. Prime Minister Asibridel accepted them for processing, and she promised a portion of the spider silk would be delivered as repayment. Lady Elin looked less than pleased since she gagged the entire time they hunted and declared spider silk was no longer her favorite cloth. The elves kept the secret of its production, but she learned enough.

Next, Walter performed the actual task Prime Minister Asibridel wanted to request: clearing out the nearby dungeons. He admitted his mana was insufficient to clear them all at the same time and made her pick one. Then, Prime Minister Asibridel surprised everyone when the elusive dwarves arrived at her beckon. They renovated the dungeon and reversed the traps. While temporary, because dungeons tended to reverse external alterations, they could rely on it for continued gathering. Her plan, all along, was purely an economic one, to improve the income of the Sanctuary.

If the wives never betrayed the prime minister, then they would still have their positions and enjoyed greater riches. Prince Wilhelm asked what she was going to do with them.

"They were sold to Bartgoria, as an ironic punishment. Perhaps removing their presence will alleviate some of the political tension. New first wives will be selected soon, but that depends on the men. The situation is give and take."

"You didn't send the traitors to the theocracy?"

"Despite their willingness to send me there? No. That's one punishment I'm not willing to dole out. Bartgoria will send some of them there, when they prove incapable of submission or a problem. That's out of my hands."

"Speaking of," Prince Wilhelm scratched his chin, "How much of yours was an act? Do you like Lord Walter that much?"

"Trying to embarass me, prince? It won't work. I'm too old for that. None of my submission was an act, though I didn't enjoy it. What I did, what I would have done, would have been for my people. I'd do it again, and much more, for half the outcome today. I have before. I will again, I think."

"Honestly, I see you in a new light. I wrote you off as a schemer."

"Then that," Prime Minister Asibridel smiled, "Is also good news."

"If Walter's treatment works, and Nix has a half-elf child, then are you going to undergo it as well?"

"No, I think not. It might be best if the treatment isn't widespread until our government stabilizes and the people grow accustomed to the idea. Unless, of course, an elf man is willing to share it with me, or Walter and Lady Elin decide to build a harem. That doesn't seem likely in the near future. If it's not the Black Mage of Eovamund, then I do not want to dilute elf bloodlines. Besides, I might need my body for future politics, and my current arrangement makes it suitable. I might need my strenght, too. And you, prince? How strongly will you commit to this alliance? If the theocracy attacked the northern peninsula tomorrow, would you deploy soldiers?"

The prince agreed and declared he was willing to pen a certification. "It's Lord Walter's request. If I said no, then god knows I'll never hear the end of it from my sister. She's not fond of the theocracy, either." He promised more unification after a half-elf heir arrives. "Though, that will radically alter your government, most likely. If we can't produce an heir, then we might need to retreat back a stage."

Prime Minister Asibridel turned away her gaze. "I hate to say this, but we'll have to welcome it. Not everything can be controlled. I ask you treat us well, if that time comes."

Prince Wilhelm bought two horses from the elves for the trip back to Letun. He watched Lord Walter doze and finally pass out on Lady Elin's back. When his head shifted, the wide brim of his pointed cap rubbed against her head. So, she put it on her own, to keep them both shaded.

"Can we try that?" Nix asked.

"What? Wear my clothes?" Prince Wilhelm said, "There's a thought."

"Not that. Well, maybe, but the other thing. Let me control the horse."

So, Prince Wilhelm and Nix switched places. When he wrapped his arms around her, she giggled and lifted his hands from between her legs.

Moments later, she could hear the prince's snoring.

"They're quite alike, aren't they?" Nix asked Lady Elin.

"Very."

King Arthur.

Lord Walter accidentally used that name for Prince Wilhelm during their trip. The prince inquired and received an explanation.

"To think, heroes have their own heroes. I never even thought to ask."

Lady Elin wanted to know more and immediately interrogated him.

Arthur, huh? That's a nice name. Dad will like it.