7-22: Vassalage III

The royal family stood tall and proud, above all, a radiant glow about them. Everyone showed their respects, bowing towards them.

"Raise your heads, everyone. This is a banquet! A celebration for a certain group's well-doing. I will be announcing their rewards in just a couple of hours. So please, enjoy yourselves everyone." Priscilla spoke, not a single hint of nervousness in her voice. A perfect public speaker.

All the guests calmed down, and continued to mingle together. Veronica's parents breathed a sigh of relief. Being a commoner while in the presence of the rulers of the kingdom is quite taxing.

"My dear, have you made any new friends?" Veronica's mom asked, patting her daughter's head.

"Yes! Uh, let's see... Avi should be around here somewhere..." She responded, looking around. Aviris should be easy enough to spot, considering her dark skin tone compared to everyone else.

"Aha! Found her! I'll be right back." Cassidy exclaimed, quickly, yet as calmly as she could, ran off to grab the second of the harem.

"These must be your parents." Sable asked after quietly approaching.

"Mhm! Mom, dad. This is Sable, Sable, my parents."

"A pleasure."

"Greetings to you too, Ms. Sable. Thank you for being friends with our daughter." Veronica's dad greeted.

"Of course. Helping her and her team is also quite fun. And I must admit, I am fond of her." Veronica knew what Sable meant by that, but her parents didn't seem to catch onto it the same way Veronica did. "Ah, please excuse me. It seems my servant needs me for a moment. Farewell." Sable excused herself, making a slight bow before leaving.

"Well she's quaint. Well spoken too. But a servant?" Veronica's mom started to wonder who Sable exactly was.

"Apparently she's the daughter of a Duke."

"Oh my! What an honor. Oh, what was that important thing you wanted to tell us?"

"Oh yeah! Uh, I'm trying to figure out how to word it... Well, you two are grandpar-"

"I'm back and I brought more than just Avi!" Cassidy interrupted, with Aviris, Shaerill and Eleanora following along. Almost all the eyes were on Eleanora, dolled up with makeup and wearing the most extravagant dress her Maids could find. The rest were on Shaerrill, trying to determine what she was doing at this event.

Meanwhile, Veronica's parents just gawked. Three different types of people they never expected to see in their entire life.

"Everyone, these are my parents. Mom, dad, this is Elly,"

"Greetings. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."

"Avi,"

"Hello. I'm Aviris. Veronica is such a wonderful girl." Her words made Veronica blush for a moment.

"And Shaerrill."

"Nera." She greeted in her mother tongue.

After the parents finally collected themselves from the shock, the five of them all began to converse with each other. Though, it was mostly embarrassing stories of Veronica's cchildhood.

Then, after consuming the best food they've ever had, Eleanora left and joined with her mother and sister.

"Ladies and gentlemen. It is time for the main event. My child, Eleanora, please call them up."

"Of course, Mother. Ahem. Veronica Dornan, Cassandra Bright, Aviris of the Kanhawsa tribe and Shaerrill of the Vauxterel Forest. Please, step forward."

The girls were filled with nervousness, but an order from royalty should not be ignored. So, they all formed up in a line in front of the Queen and princesses, respectfully bowing.

"Thank you, Eleanora. For their bravery and service, preventing another needless war from breaking between our kingdom and the Elven people, these girls shall be rewarded for their efforts. And so, they all get to request one item of their choosing from the royal treasury." Priscilla said. Her voice was both gentle and loud. I'm all honesty, Veronica wouldn't mind sharing a bed with her.

All the nobles in the room applauded their efforts. Or at least, the girls assumed it was all. All the noise really starts to mix together.

"For coming back to us, and bringing us very important information, preventing a similar event from happening in the future, Shaerrill, I request of you to be my personal advisor for any matters that can or will effect Elves. Your help would be greatly appreciated, to keep the peace, and help heal the wounds we have both suffered."

Shaerrill was confused, though perhaps that was due to the human language not being her first language. But, she eventually nodded.

"I graciously accept, Your Majesty."

"Thank you. And, lastly, for leading the group, taking on thick and thin, and suffering near loss, Veronica Dornan. I hereby grant you the title of Margravine."

Not only was Veronica shocked, but so were all the nobles. Baroness would've been good enough, but a margravine? That's quite the promotion. And clearly, not all the nobles were very happy about. Though, the never voiced it. Rather, they thought, and planned.

"T-Thank you, my Queen." Veronica was shaking. She wasn't just a commoner anymore. And she soared right past Barony.

After the rewarding ceremony, the banquet was officially over, the girls were undressed, and finally, Veronica would go to sleep. Though, she was unsure how well she'd sleep, considering she wasn't even tired anymore due to the shock, and her sudden promotion still causing a great deal of anxiety.

Luckily, she had quite the treat in her chambers.