To say the least, no matter which country it was on the continent, it was an exhilarating night for many to celebrate the next decade. It was S1200 now. Not only did Valflame Palace enter a peaceful slumber once the orbal fireworks ended, the whole capital did. Chancellor Osborne's declaration of Liberal and Erebonia entering a union in the coming future began to spread like a wildfire in a mere couple of hours. The outlook remained unclear, and many wondered what would happen from here on. That includes a certain violet-haired Crown Prince, who happened to pass the night residing in Princess Alfin's room.
And it was for a good reason why many wondered what would happen from here on out. This never happened in the games. Liberl and Erebonia never entered a union. In the face of countries, such as Calvard, that alone could be seen as a threat. Plus, it was only until recently that both Liberl and Erebonia were at each other's throats during the Hundred Days War. Her Majesty the Queen could not do anything during this tragedy in regard to the destruction of Hamel. She could only bite the bullet and take this gruesome secret to the grave, as did many of the top Generals of Erebonia's Imperial Army. It wouldn't be until Cassius launched a swift counterattack using newly developed orbal airships that allowed him to repel Erebonia, and catch those responsible for this war. The Nobles who instigated Jaegers to attack Hamel.
Silencing them by capital punishment and taking their heads was to shut Erebonia and Liberl up, making sure this incident wouldn't see the light of day.
At the same time, it would, yet again, be the very same Nobles who would be the cause of the October War in the coming three to four years, giving rise to a full-blown civil war within Erebonia. The very same civil war where Rean and Class VII would use the Crimson Wings to quell the flames of war from within his own country. Having the power of a Divine Knight backing him made that possible. Instead, for the time being, the Nobles could only hide away after the festivities came to an end. Everyone was able to celebrate and ease any tensions that sprung up inside Valflame Palace.
On the contrary, most Nobles were surprised to see one of their highest-ranked members, someone who was the firstborn son of House Albarea, attend the dance, along with his younger brother. Rufus Albarea. Just seeing him alone dance along with everyone else made the Nobles second guess themselves, wondering if they should do anything during it. In the end, nothing came about, and the night passed by.
Along with an outlook that was unclear, it brought in a new set of worries. While people did not know what would happen to Erebonia and Liberl after they entered this union, there was one particular country that was about to face far more pressure than it ever had during its long chaotic history where it clashed against Erebonia and Calvard on multiple occasions.
The land of Crossbell.
Crossbell State was placed in a very particular setting.
The country was surrounded by not one, not two, but three powerhouses. Liberl, Erebonia, and Calvard. Now that Erebonia and Liberl were entering a union with one another, this alone is going to send far more pressure to Crossbell State than it has seen in the past. It was used to similar pressure from being undermined and taken advantage of, and even switching sides every so often throughout its course of history. It was a war-torn nation. In response to that, Crossbell City, its capital, received the name, "The City of Sin".
Crossbell State is just as old as the rest of the countries were, emerging out of the Great Collapse. It experienced the Dark Ages and the Middle Ages. It acted as a crossroads between the three countries, allowing trade between one another. It also mediated problems that one country may have with another, if it wasn't fought through war. With that said, its leadership changed multiple times. Crossbell would be under Erebonia, and likewise, Calvard, at different times. To say the least, Crossbell State long desired for true peace. It wanted to become independent, and it wouldn't be until Trails of Azure where it would attempt to take that big leap, all thanks to its new mayor, Dieter Crois. While it may be in a period of peace now, the looming pressure has already begun to grip this nation as a whole.
After all, Crossbell State had never seen two of its three surrounding countries form an alliance before. It is unprecedented.
The only thing Crossbell State did not know at the time was the fact Chancellor Osborne was putting the final touches on the Non-Aggression Pact that will be presented to all three countries, Erebonia, Liberl, and Calvard. The primary goal of this pact was to make sure not a single war was to happen during the duration of the pact. This, in fact, did take place in the games. The only difference from that to what is happening now is the added layer, a union between Erebonia and Liberl. Hopefully, this pact will bring another wave of peace to where Crossbell state wouldn't have to worry for the next couple of years.
Because of that, it did provide ease of mind not only to Crossbell State, but to its current Mayor, Mayor MacDowell. Even knowing this pact will come about soon, he was still anxious. This feeling grew as he celebrated the new year together with Elie MacDowell and the rest of the CPD and their friends at Long Lao. This anxiousness wasn't the only thing Mayor MacDowell was feeling as the night went on. Overall, he was experiencing a complex set of emotions, both good, and bad. Like many others, he did not know what would happen from this. He didn't let this press him down to enjoy the festivities, however. The mood was festive as everyone dined and drank to their heart's content.
However, it did not go unnoticed. Elie was obviously quick to notice the complex array of emotions that passed through Mayor MacDowell's eyes, but chose to remain silent on the matter. She saw her grandfather not talk about it, so she had no reason to butt in. Likewise, Elie wasn't sure what was going to happen next, but seeing Naoto's new fiancé, Elie knew deep in her heart that she had to make some moves soon so she wouldn't be left in the dust. She knew about Naoto's Royal Harem, and that he was seeing more than one girl. Just knowing that alone meant Naoto might accept her. A thought she kept to herself as the night passed. Instead, both Elie MacDowell and Mayor MacDowell let such thoughts subside, and had some fun with everyone in the restaurant. Cheers were spread all around!
During this, Mayor MacDowell observed his granddaughter, and was secretly happy seeing such genuine happiness Elie was sharing with the rest. It had not been long since Elie's father filed a divorce with his own daughter. That alone is enough stress to collapse an entire mountain, but that did not happen, thankfully. Elie had already gotten adjusted to this separation, and seeing the new year pass with zero disturbance, Mayor MacDowell was pleased.
Not a single shadow of a fight, not a single sight of Monsters, not a single disturbance. The new year passed, ending the evening off with orbal fireworks, just like the rest of the countries!
With that being said, there was one thing Mayor MacDowell knew that the rest didn't. Chancellor Osborne wasn't a stupid man to propose such an outrageous idea that acted upon emotion alone. For himself, along with Elie, held a secret that was far more grand than having a princess and a prince join hand-in-hand with one another, and enter a marriage.
And that is the origin of said Crown Prince.
Unlike other people, Mayor MacDowell would bring Elie over for a while when the Osborne Villa still stood. To a particular area on the outskirts of Trista. It was the Chancellor's home. Who knew at the time that such a boy would walk on his path, receiving his rightful spot to ascend Liberl's Throne in the future. Mayor MacDowell wasn't one to joke about bloodlines. But contrary to others, this fact was a secret worth keeping amongst the secrets he already has. In addition, Elie knew about it as well, considering she was the one who played at the Osborne Villa back then. Just like the Mayor, Elie stayed silent on this completely. She didn't utter a single word about the time she spent there in the past.
And perhaps that was for the best. Elie didn't want to be left behind. Mayor MacDowell wasn't ignorant to what Elie felt. It was brought to light the moment Elie expressed her desire to attend Jenis Royal Academy as a transfer student, a year or two at most. All so she can stand beside Naoto. Otherwise, she would have little reason to attend there. Jenis wasn't exactly known for taking in foreign exchange students.
Because of that, Mayor MacDowell could only assume his granddaughter was developing feelings for the boy he had gotten to know back at the Osborne Villa. The only thing Mayor MacDowell didn't know was that Elie had actually crossed paths with Naoto while sailing Calvardian waters on her way to Arteria. Just like with everything else, Elie had kept that secret. In return, Elie's desire to see one another grew from there on. By attending the training designed for Squires at Arteria's Holy Capital of the Septian Church, she hoped that would provide some form of security so Naoto wouldn't have to face future dangers alone.
It was unclear whether or not Elie would become an official member of the Gralsritter, let alone take one of the seats of the Dominion. That is a strict requirement of bearing a Stigma, and Elie does not not have one. Not unless she experiences some form of trauma that is enough to trigger it. Hopefully, that does not come to fruition, now that she has a desire to remain beside Naoto.
The sign was clear as day. Not only to Mayor MacDowell but to Elie herself. Some held onto certain expectations of what was to come, while others still had many worries about the unclear future. It wasn't just impacting Crossbell City, but to the countries beyond it to the east. Everyone wondered what was in store for the future. As the fervor died down, Mayor MacDowell pondered what he had felt and thought earlier in the night. As he wandered into dreamland, he wondered whether or not he should give his granddaughter a push. It was clear to him that Elie liked the boy she had gotten to know over the years. He just wasn't sure what to do...