The Jerivian officials said that their King had changed a lot since he married the Princess of Nathania. However, the change came in a good way. He had become more responsible and effective.
These days, the King cared about the administration and his duties though he still locked up himself often. However, there was one more thing.
He was pretty ruthless.
This made them more careful around him.
Zaro Aventine was having a normal daily court meeting with his officials in the court room and things were going quite smooth. However...
"Your Majesty, King Aryan sent an envoy. It's the third time this month and the envoy is waiting outside this court room right now," the Prime Minister reported to the young King.
Just the thought of the name angered Zaro Aventine.
After killing his only sister... why was the Nardodian King so shameless?
"I don't want to see the envoy," he declared. "Send him back."
"Your Majesty, even if you don't want to do anything with the Nardodians, it's a normal thing to give the envoy a chance," Prime Minister Dallas said to the King. "Envoys are the representative of their respective kingdoms. We should give them some respect."
Zaro Aventine glanced at the door of the royal court before he narrowed his eyes at his fingers which gently tapped the armrest of his throne. "Respect," he murmured in a very low voice that no one could hear. Then he turned back to the door. "Let the envoy in."
With that said, the door was opened and a man who seemed to be in his 40s walked inside. Walking towards the platform where the young King sat, he halted when the steps to the platform was still a few steps away. Then he bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," the envoy said. "I'm here on behalf of His Majesty King Aryan Tripas and Nardodia."
Silence fell upon the room for a while as the King didn't utter anything. Yet his gaze was fixated on the envoy as if he was analyzing him.
The intimidating stare of the young King who must be the same age as his son made the envoy somewhat nervous. Even the officials could only glance at the King. No one could say anything.
"What does King Aryan want?" the King finally asked, making everyone let out a breath which they didn't even know they were holding.
It took the envoy a few seconds to be back on his right mind. Then he said, "His Majesty King Aryan wants to mend the broken relationship between our two kingdoms. If you give him the chance, the King is willing to come here himself and do whatever necessary to let it happen."
Most of the officials wanted to have Nardodia back on their side and only a few didn't. However, they were only there to advise the King and assisted him. All decisions were up to him and if he said no, then the talk had to be over.
"Things are peaceful for now, Your Majesty. However, the situation right now is the perfect example of calm before the storm. With Qalagon, Cedore and Zoris on the other side, His Majesty King Aryan knows very well that working together is strength. We don't know what awaits us but everyone could tell that it's not a good thing," the envoy explained.
Once again, silence occupied the court room. This time, Zaro Aventine didn't stare at the envoy anymore. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and sat still as if he was concentrating on his thoughts.
Finally, the King rose from his seat and slowly walked down the five steps until he stood on the same ground with the envoy.
"Qalagon, Cedore and Zoris," he muttered and looked at the envoy. "In my opinion, envoy, joining hands with Aryan Tripas again is more dangerous than fighting these three kingdoms combined," he firmly said.
"Your Majesty -"
"My late father gave his trust to your king," the King snapped. He stood right before the envoy and met his gaze. "And what did we get in return? Did you forget?" he asked in a low voice.
"The Masked Commander betrayed Jerivia just a few days after that incident, Your Majesty," the envoy argued. "She must have orchestrated everything. King Aryan is innocent in that incident. He never did anything to break our deal."
Aryan Tripas was making use of Iria's departure to clear his name and Zaro Aventine knew that very well. He was well aware of how Iria was innocent in the incident that led to General Jolene's death. However, he refused to comment on that.
"This has nothing to do with the Masked Commander, envoy," he firmly said. "Do you know why we say it's broken when we broke something to pieces? It's because even if we are lucky enough to mend it again, it can't be the same anymore. Never."
"Please think twice, Your Majesty," the envoy pleaded. "This is the best for both our kingdoms. You can meet King Aryan himself and hear him out. Please give us another chance."
The young King entwined his fingers and continuously pressed his thumbs together. Then he turned to the Prime Minister. "What do you think of this matter, Prime Minister?" he asked.
As someone who knew about the truth about the Princess's death, Prime Minister Dallas was hostile towards the Nardodians. Even before, he only begged the King to meet the envoy because it was a normal thing to do. That's all.
"I agree with you, Your Majesty," he responded with his head bowed.
"That means I can't accept your request, envoy," the King simply said.
Just when the envoy tried to speak up...
"I don't want to see Aryan Tripas either," Zaro Aventine snapped. His firm voice opened no room for objection. "Think about it. If he came here, I can't guarantee anything." He paused and with a very low voice, he added, "Even his safety."
Hearing the King's last sentence, the officials exchanged glances with each other, taken aback by their King's words and action.
Most of the officials who didn't know the truth wondered why their King was so cruel towards the envoy and Nardodia.
"Tell your King to never send anyone here again," Zaro Aventine said to the envoy. "I already make myself clear and if he pressures me again, I will forget that envoys should be treated with respect.. He will surely regret it if he keeps on pushing me."
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