Crown Prince Andres thought of why he accepted the alliance marriage and looked at the woman who asked him the question.
The woman who will soon be his wife.
"What first cross your mind when you thought of an alliance marriage?" he asked and said, "That's my reason, Your Highness."
He briefly paused and continued, "As I'm already at a good age for marriage, I plan to marry. Then the proposal for the alliance marriage came."
He was being honest with her as he thought that it was for the best. However, his response drew a little smile for her lips.
"I'm glad that you have plans for marriage," she remarked. "At least I know that you're willing to marry and not by force."
Her remark made him more curious. Besides, she hasn't answered his question.
"I will tell you my reasons some other day," Ophelia Arille said and added, "I just realize that it will be better that way."
* * *
The alliance marriage between Cedore and Aederin was one of the most shocking news all around the continent. Due to the immense power that the Aederin empire held, it came off as bad news for kingdoms and empires that were the enemies of the Cedore empire.
The empires and kingdoms who were almost as powerful as Aederin also didn't take the news well because the power and influence of Cedore weren't to ignore.
The two empires will form a formidable alliance.
Jerivia was also one of the many kingdoms that realized that this wasn't good for them. Apart from being enemies with Cedore for many decades, what happened a year ago worsened the feud between them.
In the royal palace of Jerivia, Prime Minister Dallas was meeting the young King in his working room, discussing how the newly formed alliance might affect their kingdom.
As said before, the young King had become more responsible and effective after his marriage and he had also started to earn the trust of the officials.
"Your Majesty, when I discussed the alliance marriage between Cedore and Aederin with the other officials, they told me that any kingdom or empire who had a feud with the two empires will be busy trying to form an alliance with powerful nations or even with Cedore and Aederin," Prime Minister Dallas Vareky informed the King. "What will be our stance?"
"I thought about it since I heard the alliance marriage," Zaro Aventine said and made a deliberate pause. "I think we should strengthen ourselves first, Prime Minister. If we do that, those kingdoms looking for an alliance will come to us. We don't have to approach anyone."
"You mean?"
"The lands of the Helsian that we conquered a year ago," the King pointed out. "The Minister of War took charge of that and no other moves have been made. It's time for now to explore it and use it to make ourselves stronger.
"Helsia was always rich in resources and if we can make use of that, we will even be able to double our army. Besides, as all the Generals died during the war, many of the Helsian soldiers are willing to pledge their loyalty to us."
Prime Minister Dallas nodded. "That's a great idea, Your Majesty. King Rozalez is still locked up in the palace after he was forced to surrender. However, many soldiers still look up to him. Besides, many officials who are thrown to prison are still loyal to their King."
Hearing the Prime Minister, the face of the young King turned dark. After he remained silent for a while, he declared, "I will not make the same mistake as the Qalagons did." Then he turned to the Prime Minister and said, "I will go there and solve everything."
After a few more discussions on the process, Prime Minister Dallas left the palace and the King continued working on his own. He had thought a lot about how to reform the former lands of Helsia in the past days but considering all the things that were happening right now, he knew that he didn't have much time.
Now, he was starting to regret for throwing away the past year.
While he was looking at all the plans he made for the reform, he heard the sound of knocking on the door and his wife walked inside. One servant was following her with a tray that holds a bowl. When the servant placed the bowl on the table, she left.
"You already work for the whole day," Athena pointed out in her usual calm voice and offered the bowl to him. "Have this. It will give you some energy."
Zaro Aventine took the bowl without saying anything and finished the drink right away. "I plan to go to Helsia," he said, looking up at her. "You can come with me if you want."
"Helsia?"
He nodded. "I have some business there and once I finish, the name of Helsia will be wiped out forever."
Athena thought about it and nodded. "Alright. When will we leave?"
"I will settle things here first and at the earliest, it will be the day after tomorrow."
"I will get prepared then," she replied and quietly continued staring at him while he shifted his attention back to his work.
She didn't know why but... it's getting harder and harder to read him these days. She didn't know what he was up to and... what if it's something bad?
She knew what he did a year ago and she really hope that he could free himself from that.
She didn't want him to keep on walking that path.
"What's the matter, Athena?" Zaro asked when he noticed that she was staring at him the whole time.
"Nothing," she muttered and forced a smile. "I know you have much work but don't neglect your health. You sleep so less these days."
The King slightly smiled at her words. "Don't worry. After a few weeks, I won't be this busy anymore. Things will be better once we return from Helsia.
The Queen nodded, forcing a smile once more. "That's good then. I won't take up your time anymore. You have so much work to do."
She took the tray and turned her back at him. Once she did that, her calm facade was replaced by a nervous one.
She knew him quite well and she already thought that it's strange how he suddenly changed since they returned from Vialand.
Was this a calm before the storm?
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