(As soon as the new year begins, he gets back to work. Without the holidays to excuse anyone from their offices and meetings, it's easier to grab certain ministers and leaders. It's not like news of Fodlan doesn't reach Almyra. Not all nations are as isolated and insular as Fodlan is. News finds its way across the kingdom and to the capital. With the change of leadership, it's only natural to wonder what this means for the kingdom and Claude is their best source right now.
He might have lost the war but he didn't leave without friends and allies. He'd been a leader in Fodlan and had considerable connections, ones that he was more than willing to share if people would just listen to him.
... And some of them do. He manages to convince some of his brothers and sisters to listen to him, some who are in positions of leadership themselves or married to people could be useful. But then there are the ones that he has no relations to. The capital is located centrally but closer to the east.
The leaders in the eastern cities and villages are further removed from Fodlan. They know less and care less for their neighbor to the west. This works in his favor. Their indifference is easier to appeal to, meaning their expectations are fewer. Of course, this means working harder, starting from the beginning, having to explain more things, and just trying to get them to care at all but he can see that he's making progress.
The leaders in the west are trickier. Closer to Fodlan and always taking the brunt of Fodlan's attacks, they're apprehensive at best and disdainful at worst. Some of the leaders refuse to negotiate and would rather advocate attacking Fodlan while it is vulnerable and weak. They won't, of course; at least, not outright; not without the king's permission. So instead, they speak against Claude, become his greatest critics, and refuse to give him much time at all.
This is fine. He's no stranger to challenge. He can work with this. He just has to come up with the right scheme...
All of this is to say he's been busy and while he's tried to check in on Flayn, it's obvious that his time is split. When he does manage to catch a break, he's more than willing to check on her. He helps her with her Almyran, he shows her around the palace and the gardens, using the different paintings and statues and banners to explain the history and customs of his homeland. He rarely talks about what he's been doing beyond a few passing comments-- another general that is driving him insane these days, an official who feels entitled to his time because they married his sister or something along those lines. It's all boring! At least, that's how he tries to frame it when he updates her.
Today, he catches Flayn reading. He recognizes the cover and the illustrations almost instantly and he smiles to himself. Creeping over her shoulder, he speaks suddenly,)
Ah, I remember this one. I was wondering if you'd find it.
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He might have lost the war but he didn't leave without friends and allies. He'd been a leader in Fodlan and had considerable connections, ones that he was more than willing to share if people would just listen to him.
... And some of them do. He manages to convince some of his brothers and sisters to listen to him, some who are in positions of leadership themselves or married to people could be useful. But then there are the ones that he has no relations to. The capital is located centrally but closer to the east.
The leaders in the eastern cities and villages are further removed from Fodlan. They know less and care less for their neighbor to the west. This works in his favor. Their indifference is easier to appeal to, meaning their expectations are fewer. Of course, this means working harder, starting from the beginning, having to explain more things, and just trying to get them to care at all but he can see that he's making progress.
The leaders in the west are trickier. Closer to Fodlan and always taking the brunt of Fodlan's attacks, they're apprehensive at best and disdainful at worst. Some of the leaders refuse to negotiate and would rather advocate attacking Fodlan while it is vulnerable and weak. They won't, of course; at least, not outright; not without the king's permission. So instead, they speak against Claude, become his greatest critics, and refuse to give him much time at all.
This is fine. He's no stranger to challenge. He can work with this. He just has to come up with the right scheme...
All of this is to say he's been busy and while he's tried to check in on Flayn, it's obvious that his time is split. When he does manage to catch a break, he's more than willing to check on her. He helps her with her Almyran, he shows her around the palace and the gardens, using the different paintings and statues and banners to explain the history and customs of his homeland. He rarely talks about what he's been doing beyond a few passing comments-- another general that is driving him insane these days, an official who feels entitled to his time because they married his sister or something along those lines. It's all boring! At least, that's how he tries to frame it when he updates her.
Today, he catches Flayn reading. He recognizes the cover and the illustrations almost instantly and he smiles to himself. Creeping over her shoulder, he speaks suddenly,)
Ah, I remember this one. I was wondering if you'd find it.