Queen.

Ophelia appreciated how dramatically her life was about to change. She’d known it would come one day, just not so soon and in so dramatic a fashion. Together, Cassian and Commander Usher had briefed her on how the transfer of power had come about. Some small part of her was glad—glad to finally be a notable member of the Rainecourt family. One with more power than even Kennet, who she’d lived in the shadow of all these years. Ophelia was a ruler now—something her half-sister would never be.

Ophelia would cross through the portal looking more composed than she had in recent memory. She was dressed in a simple but elegant silver gown and Lorelle, at her side, in pale gold. Even Lorelle was on her best behavior, clever enough to realize the gravity of the moment.

Ophelia would approach her husband with her daughter’s hand in hers. She’d smile, genuinely happy and relieved to see her husband, and lean in to kiss his cheek.

“Hello, your majesty,” Ophelia said softly before stepping aside to let him greet Lorelle. Once he did, Ophelia would take her leave with their daughter.

There was much to attend to after all.

The Commander arrived in step behind the now queen of Arynn Frey. He knew that much rested on the woman’s shoulders, but that Ophelia was, despite being the quieter and gentler of the family, a Rainecourt. She would rise to the occasion—he had no doubt.

He allowed the couple a moment to themselves, standing off the the side until it was appropriate for him to approach.

“Your majesty,” Commander Usher said with a dip of his head, “I have relayed your proposal to his majesty Cassian Rainecourt and return to you with his response.”

Akagi felt like he did when he first met Ophelia: a fluffy cloud of all the goodness of the world. He smiled so big and proudly at his beautiful elegant wife, his Queen, "My Queen, my love, and my Felita," he gave her a kiss tenderly before she stepped aside and Akagi knelt down the softest smile on his face, "Crowned Princess, you are a special star always have and always will be," he kissed the back of her hand, "Dinner tonight, just us three, everyone's favorites will be made," he would speak with them later, which he hated but he had immense duties that had to be resolved.

"Captain Commander Usher thank you greatly for relaying my inquiry with his Majesty of Nevermere, I am eager to hear said response, a seat?" Akagi would offer the Commander a seat and Akagi would take the seat immediately beside it, crossing one leg over the other eyes aiming to hold the Commanders eyes.

“Thank you, your majesty.” Hadrian took the seat he was offered and went straight to business.

“His Majesty King Rainecourt is interested in strengthening the military relationship between our two kingdoms. He offers the experience and guidance of our trainers to see you build back better and stronger to meet the challenges ahead. It would seem we have a mutual concern: the continued presence of the Eldouir in Dresmond. With the combined forces of Arynn Frey and Nevermere, marching together, I’m confident that we could squash the threat once and for all.”

Hadrian paused before continuing.

“In exchange for our military aid, we would like to commission enchanted weapons for our own soldiers. The king and I will collaborate on the exact specifications of what would be most helpful in the conflict ahead. Your mother had previously been amenable to providing enchantments to Nevermere for our mutual benefit —though there has been some delay in her making good on her promise. I hope this will not be the case with you, your majesty.”

The commander finished for now, eager to hear Akagi’s response.

OOC Note: Contents of the king’s reply were discussed with and approved by Eloell .

Akagi sat upright at the confirmation of their mutual goals, he was just as eager now as the Commander was, in exchange they only wanted Akagi to honor the deal and alliance promised by his Mother before him, "Absolutely Commander," the King turned to one of his guards, "Bring us the Minister of Enchantments please and bring Grimlock," the guard dipped his head and was off without a second thought. Akagi returned his attention back to Hadrian, "@calanthe is my newly appointed Minister of Enchantments, I will be having a open cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of Arynn Frey, but I have tasked my Ministers with readying certain things aligned with their positions, Calanthe will be your point of contact, as well as the King's, anything and everything we are capable of making for Nevermere will be see through...it is something we can surely hold up, soon even, I've removed the enchanting ban. More will be clear at the cabinet meeting, but there is something I will be working on discreetly that I believe my brother in law will find beneficial to all of us," he looked at the remaining few in the room, "Privacy please? I need to speak with the Commander alone, just sent Calanthe in upon her arrival," once the room emptied Akagi would wait until the door closed.

He stood adjusted himself in his seat, "What I'm about to speak about is something I'd like to table for now as far as...well let's just say it's a journey we're about to dive into that hasn't been tested; human enchanting...human modifications through enchanting...."

Removing the enchanting ban. If Hadrian were a man that hadn’t learned to police his features he might have raised an eyebrow—but alas. Instead, he dipped his head in acknowledgment, though his curiosity he did not hide. He did not move or converse until the door was closed and he and the now-king were alone. What Akagi had to say next did solicit a slight raise of the commander’s brow.

“Human enchanting?” Hadrian repeated, not judgemental but curious, “Forgive me, your majesty, I’m not as familiar with your magic as our own…what could be the outcomes of such a pursuit?”

And that was the spark needed to bring back the jovial Akagi, "Imagine a Witch with their already existing magic..couple that with the power of a Coheedsmen or Cambrian...then couple that with the power of a Gifted...imagine taking our enchanted weapons but a Witch able to harness it as a extension of themselves..."

Hadrian assessed the man in front of him the way the military tactician might a map.

“And you believe you can do this? Give witches the strength of Coheedsmen or gifts like those from Lorendale?”

"More than believe it Commander, I know we can," he confirmed assuredly, "it isn't even illegal here or frowned upon, just untested. We have a plan to pick ten proven subjects from our slave population to test this on, once we are comfortable I will have us move it to more potent subjects," Akagi smiled, "When that time comes with your or your majesties agreement and selected subjects I will begin a real trial run," of course the King of Arynn Frey would be conducting his own mock trial upon himself first but they needn't know this yet, "however, I do find we are in agreement, we will make you enchantments in return for military training and structuring and a powerful alliance against those red headed bastards south of here?"

Hadrian listened, gathering pieces of information and filing them away without opinion or judgment for later review.

"If you would be amenable to it, your majesty," Hadrian suggested, "In the interest of communication, perhaps it would be beneficial for one of our trusted advisors to act as an assistant in this pursuit. They can lift the burden of keeping the king up to speed and answer any questions about witch magic if or when they arise.

"Excellent Commaner, I think that is a good idea," Akagi clapped most enthusiastically, "Now while we wait for Minister Calanthe, in your last correspondence you spoke of a ring enchantment, we will need to meet the future ring wearer for measurements but we can and will make the item...is there anything else we should discuss? Anything you need from my personally?"

Hadrian was pleased. He still had matters to discuss with Cassian, but the beginnings of a plan of action had started to form in his mind.

“Nothing at present, your majesty,” Hadrian tipped his head, “I look forward to this new era of closer cooperation between our kingdoms. If you ever need to call upon me, consider me at your disposal.”