Giorgio Giovanna is tired. He rarely admits that to himself but he could tell that today was going to be exhausting. Barely even one step in his office, his desk phone begins to ring.

“Signor Primo Ministro? The university students from Lucis have arrived,” his secretary informs.

“I’ll be there in a few minutes, grazie Enrica,” he replies while fixing his tie.

“Of course, signore.”

He hangs the phone up before sighing. Putting his coat back on, he walks out of his office and makes his way to the South Foyer.

A couple of minutes later, he arrives at the grand entrance hall of the Government Estate, overlooking an inlet of the Cygillan Ocean. He notices that his secretary Enrica is already conversing with several of the students. He approaches them composedly, before accidentally bumping into one of them.

“Scusi! Didn’t see you there,” he apologizes, grabbing a book she dropped on the ground.

“It’s fine-Oh! Signor Primo Ministro! I’m so sorry,” she responds before fixing her dress.

“It looks like someone has practiced their Accordoano before coming here. What’s your name?” he asks.

She blushes before answering, “Cecelia Narcaeda, signore. Accordoano is such a beautiful language.”

“It’s not often I hear a Lucian speaking it though…” he thinks aloud. “Well, enjoy Altissia while you’re here. I must talk to the other students, arrivederci!”

He walks over to Enrica who is still engrossed in a conversation with another student, clearly from the desert region of Leide.

“Here he comes now,” Enrica says, making way for him. “This is Mohammed Adina, signore. He is the students’ chaperone and a graduate student at the University of Lestallum.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mister Adina,” he says, shaking his hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Mister Prime Minister.”

“Are there only two students here?” he asks, turning to face Enrica.

“I think the others made it too late. The Royal Guard closed th-”

The sound of raucous footsteps interrupts her as a large number of students run towards the entrance of the South Foyer.

“Apologies for the delay in our arrival, Mister Prime Minister,” a light brown-haired man says, carefully making his way up the steps. “We are students from Blue Lakes University in Cavaugh,” he continues, shaking Giorgio’s hand firmly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” he responds, masking his shock at the sheer number of students.

“My name is Marco and these two here are Brian and Jai,” the student from earlier says, pointing to a relatively short man from Cleigne when compared to the taller Tenebraean standing next to him.

“A pleasure to meet you both,” Giorgio replies, shaking their hands. He briefly sneaks a look behind them where many more students wait to be greeted. Sighing internally, he excuses himself before walking towards the rest of the students.

“Yousef Khan, it’s nice to meet you, sir!” a dark-skinned student says, shaking Giorgio’s hand enthusiastically.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mister Khan. Let me guess… are you from Leide?” he asks, observing the other’s unique clothing.

“I am actually from Lestallum, sir! I’m studying aeronautical engineering,” he corrects, his smile turning to a more neutral expression.

“Ah, I see. I hope you do enjoy your time here in Accordo.” Giorgio quickly concludes the awkward conversation and moves on to the next student.

“My name is Anastasia Tumidus. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mister Prime Minister,” an oak-skinned woman says, her big, walnut brown eyes conveying a smile.

“And what are you studying, Miss Tumidus?” he asks, instantly enraptured by her appearance.

“Oh! I'm not actually a student," she explains sheepishly. "I’m here to attend a conference for pediatricians at the University of Accordo."

“Well, in that case, Accordo welcomes you with open arms. I look forward to seeing you again at the conference.”

“Thank you, sir. It was nice talking to you.”

Giorgio notices yet another group of students arriving. Enrica hurriedly walks towards them, directing them to the film theatre. He mouths a “thank you” before he gets back to shaking hands and pretending to be interested in every student. Today really was going to be a long day…

----------------------------

Several kilometers away from L’Area Governativa, Nathan and his entourage are on one of Altissia’s many gondolas, traveling through its exquisitely-designed canals.

“You think the queen’s awake at this hour?” Rhea asks, breaking the silence that had lasted for the past few minutes.

“I believe that if she urgently needed to see Nathan, Her Majesty should most definitely be awake,” Domani speculates, looking in the direction of the palace.

“She better be awake, I would rather be with my parents right now than getting killed by them the next time I see them,” Vincent jokes, trying to laugh. It ends up being a sputter at most.

Nathan stays quiet, trying to calm himself. Why does she have to meet with me anyway? The beautiful buildings are a welcome distraction, their unique designs not seen anywhere else, even in other parts of Accordo.

The rest of the gondola ride is enjoyed in quiet contemplation. Domani thanks the gondolier in Accordoan as Nathan climbs out of the gondola, stretching his legs while having a good look at the abundantly-domed Palazzo Altemeria.

“It definitely has an interesting design…” he thinks out loud. Noticing that a few people are staring at him, he turns away, looking towards his friends instead.

“I have only ever been inside it once. It was when I was very young so I’m afraid I can’t specifically tell you how it looks like on the inside,” Domani shares, before checking his watch.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Rhea shouts, attracting the attention of the palace guards.

“Uh oh…” Vincent whispers, quickly fixing his tie. He looks at Domani expectantly.

“Your Highness! What brings you to Altemeria?” a muscular guard asks Domani, after giving a bow. Nathan is quick to notice the guard’s uniform which bears the Accordoan Medal of Valor. Guess those history lessons are useful after all.

“We are here for an audience with Her Majesty. She has requested the presence of Mister Ashwolf and we are here to accompany him,” he explains, looking towards Nathan.

“Mister Ashwolf… ah! Yes, I do recall his name now. Please follow me,” the guard replies, directing them to a secluded side entrance.

----------------------------

Meanwhile, at the Government Estate, Prime Minister Giovanna is deep in thought as he boards an elevator to Altissia’s underwater train link.

“Enrica, did she say anything else?” he asks, turning to face his trusted confidante.

“Her Majesty did not say anything else. Sorry, signore,” she responds, a slight frown on her lips.

“Enrica, just call me Giorgio. I’ve told you this many times.”

“She didn’t say anything else, Giorgio.”

“That’s better.”

The pair arrives at the underwater level, its design is sleek with touches of Accordoan motifs. The train station is quiet, the only sound a soft hum emanating from the maglev train; always ready to take government employees to any area in Altissia in less than fifteen minutes. Today, Giorgio and Enrica are the only passengers as the train speeds along towards Palazzo Altemeria, away from the prying eyes of those above.

“Everyone busy preparing for the coronation?” Giorgio asks, trying to distract himself. He tilts his head upwards, looking out the train’s glass canopy to admire the crystal-blue water.

“It looks like it. I’m surprised Camelia only asked for you specifically,” Enrica says, tapping her tablet computer.

“You’re on a first name basis with the queen?”

“No! I… I meant Her Majesty.”

“Relax Enrica, I was only joking.”

“Right, of course…”

Five minutes later, the train arrives at the palace’s station, even grander than the one at the Government Estate. Giorgio is surprised to see the queen already there along with… the King of Lucis? Enrica gasps as the train doors part, but they manage to step out together.

“Your Majesties, thank you for gracing us with your presence.” Giorgio greets, bowing to both of them. Enrica manages to curtsy elegantly, her lessons paying off.

“The pleasure is ours, signor Giovanna,” Queen Camelia replies before turning to Enrica, “Signorina Bianchi, thank you for joining us.”

“O- of course, Your Majesty.”

“Shall we get going, Camelia?” the king asks, his gray hair reflecting the luminous lights concealed in indentations on the ceiling.

“A great idea. Signorina, if you would please call the elevator?”

“Right away, Your Majesty.” Enrica hurries towards the elevator and presses the “up” arrow on the touchpad. It briefly scans her fingerprint before the elevator whirs into life, arriving promptly at their level.

Giorgio accompanies the queen and king to the elevator, engaging in small talk before he finally raises the question, “Not to be rude, Your Majesty, but why did you call me here?”

“King Regis has requested to meet a visitor here at Altemeria. He is already here according to the Guards.”

“Let’s not keep him waiting,” King Regis suggests, his voice noticeably weaker. Queen Camelia nods as they all enter the elevator, the doors closing smoothly before rushing up to ground level.

----------------------------

Back on the surface, Nathan and his companions pass through a series of security checks successfully before being ushered into a lavish waiting room. What in the Astrals' name am I doing here? Nathan can clearly see that his friends are feeling the same way he is, except for Domani of course.

“I’m surprised they failed to confiscate my cinquedea,” Domani says, pulling out a long dagger-like weapon.

“Why would you bring that in here?!” Rhea shouts, this time careful to keep her voice quieter than when they were outside.

“I always have it on me in case something happens. Better be prepared especially now that the Empire has increased its presence…” he trails off as he spots a figure through a window.

“Speak of the Infernian, there goes an Imperial…” he whispers, subtly pointing towards a person wearing Niflheiman armor. He carefully holsters his weapon.

“What are they doing here?” Nathan asks, cringing. “I thought they were banned from entering Altissia?”

“I heard there were rumors that our treaty with them was to be amended. I suppose those rumors are true,” Domani explains, keeping a close watch on the Imperial soldier.

A knock at the door interrupts their spying. Vincent rushes to the door and cautiously opens it, revealing an aging man wearing a black suit with thin, white stripes. A dark cape hangs behind him, his entire appearance commanding authority. He’s slightly taller than Domani but practically dwarfs the rest of the group. Walking into the room with the help of an intricate black cane, he surveys each of them before settling his green eyes on Nathan.

“You look just like your mother,” he observes, his lips curving into a smile.

“Your Majesty!” Domani gasps, immediately bowing politely. Rhea follows with a clumsy curtsy before Vincent gives a bow. Nathan is the last to show his respect, trying to process how the King of Lucis stands before him.

“It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am here to see Mister Ashwolf although I suppose you can all stay here if he permits it.”

Nathan nods slowly, recovering from his initial shock. He had only seen him on television, looking much younger than he did now.

“Your mother… she was a Lucian, wasn’t she?”

Nathan nods again, even though it seems that the king already knows the answer.

“She was not just an ordinary Lucian diplomat as she might have you think. I appointed her as the Governor General of Galahd soon after your family arrived in Lucis. She was one of the province's greatest leaders before her… untimely passing.”

Nathan looks at the king directly for the first time, shocked at the revelation but not completely understanding what it meant for him.

He seems to have understood Nathan’s confusion and continues, “The amendment of the treaty with Niflheim… I think your mother would have liked you to be present on behalf of Galahd at the upcoming conference.”

He pauses, letting Nathan digest the information.

“I know that this was not how you planned your life to be but well… destiny has other plans,” the king’s face distorts into what Nathan can only assume is sorrow.

“It was your mother’s wish that you become Governor General after her. I have not appointed another person since. I am sure that Niflheim will also be expecting your attendance.” The king looks genuinely apologetic but resolutely keeps his eyes on Nathan.

“I… I need a few moments, Your Majesty,” Nathan says, finally able to respond.

“Please, call me Regis. It’s the least I can do. I shall leave you for now but I hope to see you at the conference.”

King Regis leaves without another word. The door closes with a resounding thud as Nathan collapses and loses consciousness, faintly hearing his friends shout his name over and over again.