Amidst the regal splendor of the throne room, Veldina reluctantly lowered herself onto one knee before her beaming father, the King. The monarch's enthusiasm knew no bounds as he beckoned his daughter closer, his face alight with paternal affection. "Veldina! I am so delighted to see you! Now, come here and give father a big hug~!" the King exclaimed; his voice filled with childlike glee. Veldina's expression soured at the display, her jaw clenched in discomfort. The 1st Queen, seated primly beside her husband, shot the King a stern rebuke. "Really, Edric, this is hardly the proper setting for such behavior."

"Oh, it's quite alright, my dear." the King replied with a wave of his hand, his eyes twinkling merrily. "We're alone here, hoho. Now, come along, Veldina, give your old man a squeeze!"

"No, I'd rather die than embarrass myself before you, Father." The strength of her personality, paired with a quick temper, made her a force to be reckoned with.

Veldina's declaration left the throne room in stunned silence, save for the barely contained laughter of the 1st Queen and Crown Prince Maxwell. The King's face turned a deep shade of crimson, his mouth agape as he struggled to comprehend his daughter's bold defiance. "Die?! Oh, Vel, you've always had a flair for the dramatic, but really, dear, that's taking it a bit too far, don't you think?" the Queen managed to stammer out, her voice laced with amusement despite her best efforts to maintain a straight face. Maxwell, unable to hold back any longer, let out a stifled chuckle, which promptly evolved into a full-blown fit of giggles. His shoulders shook as he fought to compose himself, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. Meanwhile, Veldina stood firm, her arms crossed defiantly over her chest. "I mean it, Father."

"Oh, it's Vel!" The sudden interruption sent a shiver down Veldina's spine. She slowly turned to face the newcomer, her amber eyes widening as recognition dawned. Standing behind her, radiating an aura of serenity and benevolence, was Princess Marybelle. Veldina's oldest sibling, the revered First Princess and Holy Saint of the continent, whose presence held as much authority as their father's throne. "It is...nice to see you Vel..." Marybelle's gentle voice conveyed; her expression warm yet watchful. The mere sound of it stirred bittersweet memories within Veldina – of their childhood, when Marybelle's doting nature and unparalleled skill with a sword and holy magic had made her an unassailable force, leaving Veldina always striving yet never quite matching her accomplishments. Four years of absence from the capital had not dimmed the sting of that reality, nor eased the lingering apprehension Veldina felt whenever Marybelle was nearby.

"Why didn't you say goodbye before you left the capital? Geez, I was beside myself with worry!" she chided, her voice rising with indignation. "And then you return here and immediately start pestering our youngest sibling and her friends? Don't you think you're a bit old for that behavior at 26?" Marybelle asked. "Also, where's your boyfriend? Introduce me to him already!" Marybelle's words tumbled forth in a whirlwind of emotions, each sentiment layered atop the last. Her twin brother Maxwell could hardly process the cacophony of feelings behind her accusatory tone, which veered wildly from annoyance and worry to concern, excitement, and playful teasing. Veldina's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation at Marybelle's scolding, the older princess's words striking a nerve. "Well, excuse me for living, sis." she snapped back, her tone edged with defensiveness. "I wasn't exactly planning on returning anytime soon, let alone announcing it to the entire court." She shot a sidelong glance at Isla, Sylveria and Isao, who watched the exchange with wide-eyed fascination, their heads sticking out of the pillar. "And what business do you have interrogating me about my love life?" Veldina added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm not some prize to be paraded before the masses." Marybelle's expression softened slightly, though her eyes remained intent on her sister. "Veldina, I'm just concerned about you. You've been away for so long... it's natural to worry. And as for a boyfriend," she continued with a playful smirk, "I mean, you always run towards me crying saying how much you were broken hearted because the man you loved was already taken-" Veldina's face turned a vibrant shade of crimson, her embarrassment palpable as she silenced Marybelle's words with a scandalized grasp on her sibling's mouth. "Shh, sister! That's confidential!" she hissed through gritted teeth, clearly mortified by the sudden revelation of her romantic misadventures. 

The revelation sent ripples of astonishment through the assembled crowd, particularly Isao and Isla who were still reeling from Marybelle's confession. Sylveria, meanwhile, bit her lip to stifle a giggle, finding her sisters' dynamics utterly captivating despite the mortification they undoubtedly felt. Then, as the doors to the throne room swung open, a statuesque figure strode in, her presence commanding attention. The 2nd Queen, Valleria, exuded an aura of raw power and beauty that sent shivers down the spines of even the most hardened individuals present, including Isla, Isao, and Sylveria. Her sharp features and cropped red hair framed a face that seemed carved from granite, yet her eyes, a piercing crimson, betrayed a depth of emotion that belied her rugged exterior.

Upon catching sight of her daughter, Veldina, the 2nd Queen's countenance softened, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Veldina! I'm thrilled to see you, darling." she exclaimed, striding forward to envelop Veldina in a crushing embrace. The princess returned the gesture with equal fervor, her face buried against her mother's shoulder as if seeking solace in her familiar scent. Valleria's ire simmered as she confronted Veldina, her annoyance palpable in the tightening embrace. "So, you thoughtless brat, why didn't you even bother saying goodbye to any of us four years ago? God forbid you show some basic human decency!" As Valleria's grip on her daughter tightened, Veldina winced in protest, her own sharp-tongued retort rising above the din of the throne room. "You muscle-bound hag, I wasn't even here to avoid you! Ouch, ow, ow—!" The mother and daughter' fiery personalities, seemingly inherited in equal measure, collided in a spectacular display of bickering animosity, leaving everyone else in awe of their unyielding dynamics. Valleria's grip on Veldina tightened, her annoyance palpable as she pulled the princess closer. "Don't you dare speak to me in that tone, young lady!" she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "I am your queen, and you will show me the respect due to my station!"

Veldina, however, refused to back down, her own ire rising to match her mother's. "Ow, ow, ow! Let me go, you brute!" she yelped, squirming in Valleria's grasp. "You weren't around either, so don't act like you care!"

The throne room erupted into chaos as the two powerful women engaged in a fierce hug-of-war, their strength causing the very air to vibrate with tension. Isla, Isao, and Sylveria watched in awe, their eyes wide as saucers at the display of raw might unfolding before them. It was clear that Valleria isn't struggling like Veldina. "Oh right. So why did you return to the capital?" Valleria asked letting go of Veldina. 

Veldina rubbed her sore arm, shooting a glare at her mother. "I returned to inform you and father of grave matters, Mother." she said, her tone crisp with impatience. "The fallen hero has brought ruin to the central continent, transforming his kingdom into a demonic stronghold. Demons have begun to appear across our own lands as well, likely heralding the return of the demon king." Valleria's expression darkened. "These changes everything." she murmured, her mind racing with the implications. "We must prepare for war, rally our forces, and—" She cut herself off as a commotion broke out near the entrance, turning to see a group of knights ushering in a bedraggled figure. As the individual stumbled forward, Valleria's eyes widened in shock. "Raymon? By the gods, is that you?"

King Edric walks and crouched beside the crumpled form of Raymon, his brow furrowed with concern. "Speak to me, old friend." he urged, gently shaking the knight's shoulder. "What befell you?" Raymon's eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes haunted by unspeakable horrors. "Your Majesty..." he croaked, his voice barely audible over the din of the throne room. "It's... it's the figure of the fallen hero and the demon king. We fought valiantly, but—" His words trailed off as a fit of coughing seized him, blood frothing at the corners of his mouth. Sylveria, standing nearby, felt a chill run down her spine at the gruesome sight. Master Raymon, once a paragon of strength and wisdom and also one of the princes and princesses sword and magic instructor, now looked on the brink of death. "Nonsense! The fallen hero couldn't be in this land!" Valleria declared, striding over to join her husband. Her words cut through the tumultuous atmosphere, her statement serving as a clarifying point amidst the chaos. "Veldina just mentioned the Fallen Hero's activities are centered in the central continent, not here in the southern lands." she pointed out.

Veldina brought a hand to her chin, processing the implications. "Of course... it must be one of those shadow mimics." she deduced, referring to the monstrous creations spawned by the Fallen Hero. These shadowy entities possessed the uncanny ability to traverse vast distances while emulating a mere fraction of the Fallen Hero's formidable power which allowed the Demon King to resurrect. In the midst of this epiphany, Marybelle and Queen Elysandra approached Raymon, Their compassionate nature guiding their actions as they employed their extraordinary healing abilities to mend his physical wounds. Their ethereal essence swirling as they poured their healing energies into the battered knight. Gradually, the color returned to his cheeks, the gashes on his body knitting closed under their tender ministrations. Though fully healed in body, the emotional toll of his ordeal weighed heavily upon him.

Edric, noting Raymon's fragile state, issued a quiet command. "Summon the palace guards to escort Master Raymon to his chambers. He needs rest and tending." As the burly guards stepped forward to assist the weary knight, Sylveria, Isao, and Isla watched with bated breath, their hearts heavy with the gravity of the situation unfolding before them.

With measured deliberation, Veldina addressed Queen Valleria, her tone calm and rational amidst the turmoil. "Unfortunately, Mother, all the intelligence I've gathered suggests the Fallen Hero's activity remains contained in the central continent. Given our non-alliance with the central kingdoms and their stringent border control, as well as the strained diplomatic relations between our nations, it wouldn't serve our interests to intervene there directly." Veldina's words emphasized the pressing concerns facing their own continent. "For now, I propose we focus on our immediate priorities: eliminating the shadow mimic that invaded our land to revive the demon king and ensuring he remains deceased." Her logical reasoning underscored the pragmatism needed in navigating these complex circumstances. Valleria's initial frustration seemed to dissipate as she listened to Veldina's rational assessment. The young princess's calm demeanor and logical reasoning helped to quell the queen's escalating anxiety. "Very well, my dear." Valleria conceded, nodding slowly. "It appears our priorities must lie elsewhere for the moment. The Shadow mimic and the demon king's resurrection pose far greater threats to our lands than the fallen hero's antics in the central continent." She turned to Edric, her expression serious. "My lord, we must mobilize our forces and prepare for battle. The safety of our people depends on it." 1st Queen Elysandra agreed along with Maxwell. Edric, sensing his wives' resolve, stood tall, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. "As you command, my queen. We shall not falter in the face of these encroaching dangers."