It was morning and Arin Helev was in the Royal Army camp. He was standing inside General Hanson's tent and briefly looked around before he had his gaze fixated on the map of the continent.
Soon, Hanson Lorin walked inside. "Your Majesty, did you wait long?"
The King turned to his friend when he heard his voice. "No. Are you that busy?"
"As you know, it's time for recruiting soldiers and with the missing cases, there are a lot of things to do," the General replied with a sigh.
"Do the soldiers still search the capital?" Arin inquired and Hanson nodded.
"We want to put pressure on the abductors and make sure that they won't be able to move around freely."
"That's good," the King muttered. "But I have a feeling that the children will be kept in one place, not moving around.
"What do you mean?" the General promptly asked.
"I think we already look enough. So, I believe that the children are hidden somewhere without transporting them around," Arin said.
"Then I will tell the soldiers to search more deeply," Hanson replied and Arin nodded.
"If you have time in the evening, why don't you come and practice with me, Hanson? We're both so busy and it's been a while, right?"
Hearing his friend's invitation, Hanson Lorin nodded with a little smile. "I would love that."
* * *
The daily court meeting was currently held in the imperial palace of Nardodia. Emperor Kalos was there and Crown Prince Andres was also sitting on his father's right as usual. Orius was also among the officials.
After listening to the reports and discussion of all the topics, Emperor Kalos was about to bring up the marriage of his son. However...
"Your Majesty, there is still one topic left," the Duke of Manea said to the Emperor. "It happened too sudden and I cannot report to the court before the meeting. I apologize."
"What is it, Duke Manea?" the Emperor quickly asked.
"Your Majesty, an envoy from Aederin Empire suddenly show up in my mansion before the meeting. I don't hear anything about this before he showed up and there is no time for me to report to you," the Duke of Manea informed the Emperor.
Everyone in the court was taken aback by the news and the Emperor and the Crown Prince were no exception.
An envoy from Aederin Empire in the far south?
The largest and most powerful empire of the continent?!
Though the two empires always remain neutral towards each other, it's the first time an envoy from Aederin came to Cedore.
However, everyone knew that this wasn't how an envoy should arrive. The Emperor of Aederin was supposed to send a letter to Emperor Kalos and informed him about the envoy beforehand.
An envoy entered their empire yet they know nothing.
"The envoy is outside the court right now, Your Majesty. He is seeking an audience with you," the Duke of Manea added.
Though many officials expressed their displeasure in the abrupt arrival of the envoy, the Emperor ordered for the envoy to enter as that was only the normal thing to do.
Cedore was one of the most powerful empires on the continent but Aederin was at the top. It won't be good for them to offend an envoy from such an empire.
The envoy who was a man in his 40s walked inside and halted before the platform where the Emperor and the Crown Prince sat. Then he bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Your Highness. I'm here in the name of His Majesty Emperor Lucius of Aederin," the envoy announced and greeted the two royals. "I hope you could understand my sudden arrival, Your Majesty. I have a purpose and I don't mean any disrespect. If Your Majesty or the officials feels offended, I sincerely apologize for it."
His words calmed down the officials who once complained of the situation. In fact, they didn't expect the envoy from the most powerful empire to be so formal and humble towards their Emperor.
"I believe that Emperor Lucius will have a reason for it," Emperor Kalos spoke up. "The journey from Aederin to Cedore took a week, envoy. So, it must be important. What brings you here?"
"Your Majesty is right," the envoy said as he bowed his head. "His Majesty Emperor Lucius sent me here for a very important matter."
While everyone was eagerly waiting for the envoy to continue, the envoy briefly glanced at the Crown Prince before he turned back to the Emperor and continued, "His Majesty sent me here hoping that our two empires can be united by marriage."
Marriage? Alliance marriage?!
Everyone raised their brows when they heard the envoy! Why all of a sudden?
"His Majesty Emperor Lucius wants his only daughter, Princess Ophelia to marry the Crown Prince of your empire so that our two empires will have a lasting friendship bond by marriage and blood," the envoy added.
Now, the one who was taken aback the most was Crown Prince Andres.
Of course, he had never seen the Princess of the most powerful empire in the continent. However, he heard many rumors about her.
The Princess in question was beautiful and most importantly, she was the pearl of her father, Emperor Lucius Arille. Rumors have it that the powerful Emperor was a fool for his daughter and whatever she wanted, he would grant her. That's why the Princess was often regarded as spoiled.
Well, it wasn't just her father. Her older brother, Crown Prince Augustus was the same. Despite being a tough and powerful heir to the Aederin throne, he was known for being a protective brother. Many said that the Princess was the only weakness of the Crown Prince.
Those two overprotective men want him to marry the Princess who was the apple of their eyes?! Why?!
It was already strange enough to know that the Emperor and the Crown Prince allowed the Princess to enter an alliance marriage!
Emperor Kalos looked at the faces of his officials and he could tell that they liked the idea. After all, many empires and kingdoms will be able to do anything to have a strong ally like Aederin.
"I think this matter needs some discussion," Kalos Francia finally said to the envoy. "Until the decision is made, Cedore will be glad to have you as a guest."
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