Return to the queen's home.

By the time you finish your speech and grand reveal, and the queen leads the event towards a celebration likely to last all the way until morning, and your group marches through Avana to the walled-in mansion where the royal family stays during their time away from the capital, it's gone beyond evening into night. There isn't even a hint of sunlight, and the sky is pitch black apart from a sea of stars and a vibrant moon. Clouds are coming in, the wind is picking up, and the temperature is dropping, though thankfully, you've arrived at your destination.

The company you keep is hardly affected by the cold anyway. You've grown to be incredibly resilient. The queen is garbed somewhat more warmly than the other girls, and she's a tough gal as well. Elves don't resist the elements to the extent of sunhearts, though Nyllia wouldn't be much of a pro adventurer if a chill were to stop her. Xiaoqing of course was blessed by the Empress of Ice, so she could be laying naked in snow and likely be completely fine. And the guards leading the way are the best of the best.

You're escorted through the front door and straight back to the throne room. I really does feel unusual, going from a beautiful manor to what appears so much like the inside of a castle, but perhaps it's something that Catherine prefers, or one of her ancestors.

Speaking of both, after the queen dismisses the guards to allow your group to finally be alone, one other managed to sneak their way inside--a certain high vampire, capable of moving about as no more than a plume of dark mist.

The doors shut. Queen Catherine II sighs and says, "Quiet at last."

"The sentiment is shared," speaks Cat, the Vampire Queen.

All heads turn. You noticed first, but the others follow. Cat is standings there nonchalantly, still dressed the same as before, sans her parasol which she now holds retracted in her hand. She removes her hat as well before gliding the tips of her fingers back through her long, dark hair, sighing softly as she does.

Catherine places a hand upon her chest. "You can't just sneak in here like that. The guards--"

"They would never stop me," says Cat. Though after a moment, you can tell she's become flustered, even if nobody can tell but you. "I mean, sorry. That wasn't the right way to word that at all. Let me start over."

"You're lucky the rest of the family wasn't here," says the queen. "I doubt they'd be so open minded. But yes, please speak. I don't mean to be so hostile either. But you know why I'd feel defensive. I don't need to explain."

Cat wanders closer to the throne. She leans her parasol carefully down beside it, and then hangs her hat from the tip. She looks down to the seat deeply and silently, placing her hand upon the back. Her fingers feel along the polished wood as if memories are racing past through her mind you'll never be able to see. But you can imagine. "It's been so long," she finally says. "Since everything was mine. But it isn't even the same throne as before. So much has been replaced, but I'm still here."

"May I ask you something, great-grandmother?"

"I'd rather you not call me that, but yes." She turns to face the others again at last.

"Did you kill the court wizard Dezro?"

"When I was still lost, and my plan was to once again reclaim the crown, I did many things I regret. Literally speaking, I did not kill Dezro."

"But did you order him to die?"

"The vampires who once worked for me slayed him. I didn't tell them to do so, but I also didn't insist he stay alive either. I was apathetic. I wouldn't blame you if you viewed it as a **** by my hands, even if I wasn't present. I'm not here to ask for forgiveness, Catherine. I just wanted to speak to you face-to-face. I'm tired of hiding in the shadows. If you wish to punish me, let me have it, but earnestly, I apologize for everything I've done. What my vampires did. What my high doppel did. All of it."

They've talked in the past, but never like this. There's a lot for them to hash out still given everything Cat did.

The queen looks to you and the others. "I think I wish us to speak in private. How about you three head to my bathing chamber in the meantime? It isn't so grandiose as the one I have in Tolis that you're acquainted with, Kyle, but I'm sure you'll find it to your liking. Wait for us there."

"I know where it is, Your Majesty," says Nyllia.

"Wonderful. That saves time. Please escort Kyle and Xiaoqing there, if you please."

"Of course." She curtsies low. "Come then, you two. I think a true bath is due after all that celebration. And here's your stein back."

You take the mug in your hands. Then you reach down, and shove it into your Bag of Holding. As you push it in, you feel the opening of the bag quiver, but after a moment, it pops in the rest of the way. "Lead the way then, Lady Tesgella."