Hours later, the team was assembled in Vaelorian's study. The mood was immediately different from their last meeting; the atmosphere was not just tense, but palpably cold, charged with the possibility of international danger. The large, elegant map of the Lumina Empire territories had been replaced with a detailed, antique chart of the Eastern Sea and the distant Sovereign Empire, its coastlines drawn in meticulous, intimidating detail.
Riven stood beside Vaelorian, looking at his friends with serious eyes. The easy camaraderie of the conservatory was gone, replaced by the rigid, efficient dynamic of a war council. "The Breadbasket Project is a success. We proved our domestic strength. Now, we face an international challenge. This mission is far more dangerous, and absolutely must remain secret."
Vaelorian then held up the letter from Princess Lyra, the foreign seal gleaming under the lamplight. "We are going to the Sovereign Empire. Ostensibly, we are a cultural delegation led by myself, intending to strengthen ties. Unofficially, we are going to investigate a highly sensitive matter: the princess's future fiancé, GrandDuke Valerius, who she fears is unstable or compromised."
A palpable silence fell over the room. The Sovereign Empire was powerful, its navy famed across the three continents, and interfering in their internal affairs was an act of war if discovered.
"The stakes are simple," Vaelorian continued, his voice low and firm, cutting through the tension. "If we help Lyra, we secure a crucial ally in the East. If we are caught interfering, we risk a major diplomatic incident that could lead to open conflict. Our presence alone is a calculated provocation. This is not about winning a Senate vote; this is about helping a good friend, and securing Lumina's future."
Riven then stepped forward to assign the mission roles.
"We need roles that explain our presence without revealing the investigation. We are going as a Cultural and Security Delegation," Riven stated, his eyes moving decisively from face to face.
Riven looked directly at his good friend and fellow Knight. "Barron, you would be our eyes and our shield. You will handle all physical security and logistics. You are officially in charge of ensuring the Crown Prince's safety during transit and during our stay. Plan the fastest, most secure route across the sea, and research the Sovereign's coastal defenses. If we need a quick exit, you'll find it."
Barron simply nodded, the command settling firmly onto his broad shoulders. Internally, he ran through ship manifests and the defensive positions of Sovereign's main ports. "Understood! A clear route in, and a guaranteed emergency route out. I will not fail to extract the Prince."
"Willow, your curious mind as usual is our greatest weapon," Riven instructed. "You will be the delegation's official Chief Cultural Advisor. Your job is to research every piece of Sovereign history, protocol, and, most importantly, the entire lineage and history of GrandDuke Valerius and his House. You need to know more about the fiancé than he knows about himself. Any historical flaw, any documented ambition—you find it."
Willow instantly looked energized, seizing a fresh scroll and quill. The idea of unearthing ancient, hidden secrets was intoxicating. "Whatever secret he's keeping. You better believe I'll find it."
Riven turned to his Ambassador friend. "Mira Lune, your skill is vital. You are the Official Diplomatic Liaison. You handle all public interaction with the Sovereign Emperor and his court. You must ensure our entire visit looks seamless, culturally respectful, and utterly boring. You are the perfect veil. You must divert attention from our true purpose and keep Princess Lyra from breaking protocol."
Mira Lune gave a small, confident smile. Her inner voice was already composing suitable, innocuous small talk. "I understand. I will be the most tedious, politically neutral Ambassador they have ever hosted."
"Anya, this is the most subtle role, and the most important," Riven said, looking at the Healer of the group. "You are the Lead Health and Wellness Consultant. Your job is to observe GrandDuke Valerius. Healers see things others miss. You are looking beyond his public smile. You are looking for physical signs of instability, stress, drug use, or illness—anything that would explain Lyra's concern. You will also use your medical status to gain access to private areas or moments where protocol might be relaxed."
Anya's eyes narrowed with professional focus. She felt the weight of the trust placed in her observational skills. "Physical health often betrays political ambition. I will find out if his mind or body is compromised."
Riven paused, looking at his entire team. "This is not a game of leveraging vanity. This is a game of espionage. We're going without the full force of the imperial guards. If we're compromised, we have no backup. We are relying entirely on our wits and our trust in each other to succeed."
Vaelorian stepped beside Riven, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "The Crown will handle the official documents. You all will hold on to what you've been told. Now, pack light, pack smart, and remember, don't tell a soul. The journey begins in three days."