The situation in the imperial palace of Cedore was quite light and pleasant. Apart from the Emperor and Empress along with Crown Prince Andres, Orius and Valerie were also there. Emperor Kalos invited them to have a family dinner.
Well, if they hear Iria's situation and what happened in Qalagon, things will be surely different.
"Valerie, is Orius good to you? Tell me if he doesn't treat you well. I will teach him a lesson." Emperor Kalos briefly looked at Orius as he talked and the young Duke frowned at him.
"He's very good to me, Your Majesty," Lady Valerie said with a little smile. "Until a while ago, I never know that the Duke can be very playful. It's always fun to be with him."
Crown Prince Andres almost choked when he heard the Duchess.. "Are you sure about that? He's practically a stone!"
Orius sighed at his cousin's remark. "How can you say that? Didn't we always team up to get Iria? Why am I a stone now?"
"I mean... at most times," the Crown Prince clarified. He indeed knew that his cousin had a playful side in him but... he didn't know that Lady Valerie already get to witness that side.
It also took him a few months to witness that side and he was married to this woman for only a month and a few weeks.
Did he already fall for her?
"I'm glad to see that you get along well," the Empress said with her usual friendly smile. Looking at her son, she added, "It will be great if Andres could also find someone who is well-matched with him."
His mother's words reminded the Crown Prince of everything that happened in Vialand. He also knew that Crown Princess Maria will be getting married in three days. Though they received the invitation, his father was too busy to go and when his parents asked him if he could go, he refused.
His absence will be better for both of them.
"You can start looking for a wife for me, Mother," he said to the Empress who blinked in surprise. His father, Orius and Lady Valerie were equally surprised too!
"I think it's time for me to settle down," he added with a little smile.
"You will accept an arranged marriage?" his father the Emperor asked him with disbelief. "Why, Andres? Don't you have anyone you like?"
With a bit of reluctance, Andres Francia shook his head. "I don't think it's a bad idea when I look at you and Orius, Father. So, I'm okay with it. After all, I'm the heir to the throne. I can't just stay unmarried."
The Crown Prince thought that his mother will be excited to hear that he finally agreed to marry but... when he looked at her, he realized that something was wrong.
Did she saw through him?
Maybe. His mother was always great at that.
"It's fine if you think that way," his father said with a nod. "In case of an arranged marriage, we can hold a selection as per the rule."
"I'm fine with it. I won't get involved."
Kalos Francia sighed. "When I married your mother, I was still the son of a Commander, not a Crown Prince or Emperor but I still know the rules. How can you be this clueless?"
Confused, Crown Prince Andres turned to his mother who explained things to him.
"As per the rule, nobles and royals will be able to join the selection and three will be selected. However, the final decision is in your hands," Empress Amina calmly said. "That means among the three, you will have to pick one to be your wife."
"Isn't that a hassle?" Andres Francia complained and Orius chuckled.
"Don't be so lazy, Andres. You only have to pick once, not a hassle at all," Orius Alewine pointed out.
"Then we will discuss the process in tomorrow's meeting," the Emperor said. "We will have to make an announcement and because it will be opened for nobles and royals of our allies too, the selection cannot be rushed. The whole process might take a month or two."
Andres Francia blankly nodded. "Alright."
*
Orius was on his way back to his mansion with his wife. As the latter insisted, he rode the carriage with her rather than his horse.
"I bet the selection process will be very tough," Lady Valerie pointed out. "Putting aside the nobles from other provinces, many noble ladies here in the capital had their eyes on His Highness."
Orius Alewine turned to his wife when he heard her. "Then what about you? You don't?"
The Duchess frowned. "Are you a fool? I'm your wife!"
The Duke of Larica simply smiled, irritating his wife even more.
"Don't you know this, Your Grace? Since you arrived here in Cedore, most of the noble ladies here in the capital are divided into two. One group admired His Highness and one group admired you," Valerie said with a playful smile. "So, I think I'm the luckiest. Among all those ladies, I manage to marry you."
Much to her surprise, Orius remained quiet with a bothered face. It even made her wondered what had gotten into him.
"Why do you -"
"Don't say that," Orius suddenly muttered, making his wife raised a brow. "Don't think that you're lucky because I think it's the opposite. I'm lucky that you're willing to marry someone like me."
A while ago, he had heard that his wife had many suitors and each one of them were great in their own fields. They all hailed from powerful families too and the son of Duke Granago, the most powerful official was also among them yet... she chose him.
At first, he couldn't understand. However, now, rather than trying to understand, he was grateful and he wanted to make sure that she won't regret marrying him.
"Let us not talk about that," Lady Valerie promptly said. Soon, there was an exciting smile on her face. "Shall we visit Qalagon?" she suddenly asked.
"Qalagon?" he said, raising a brow.
The Duchess nodded. "I really wish to meet your sister. Besides, I think it's a great timing. Even before the selection process starts, they will need a few weeks to give time to our ally kingdoms. We will already be back when the selection could finally start."
Orius thought about it and said, "I will check the situation in the camp tomorrow and ask uncle. I'm not that busy these days, so I think there won't be a problem."
Hearing his response, Valerie Alewine flashed an exciting smile. "I've never been to Qalagon. I can't wait to go there."
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