"I've been to many places before, Your Majesty. But I think the people here are very admirable," Crown Prince Augustus Arille said to Arin Helev who was sitting opposite him.
It had been a while since dinner was over and Iria was with her family. However, the Aederin Crown Prince sought an audience with the King and they did that at the latter's working chamber.
"That's an honor, Crown Prince," Arin Helev said to the Crown Prince who was about the same age as him. "I should also come and visit your Aederin one day. I heard that even the provinces are as magnificent as the capital."
Augustus Arille slightly smiled. "Though the provinces in my empire developed a lot, it would be an overstatement to compare it to the capital. After all, capital is capital, right?"
"You're right," Arin said, exchanging the Crown Prince's smile. "It's a pity that you have to leave tomorrow, Your Highness. It will be great if you can stay for a while more. We can have a tour and even hunt too."
"That's very tempting, Your Majesty. But I'm already away from Aederin for more than a month. I believe that you understand me because you also have many responsibilities," Augustus Arille said and added, "I hear that the annual tournament is coming soon. I will be glad to come and see if you're kind enough to invite me."
"Of course, Your Highness. As long as you're willing to come, I will send you an invitation." Arin briefly paused and added, "Your presence will surely honor us."
Somehow, the Crown Prince intrigued Arin. Despite being the future Emperor of the most powerful empire of the continent, he never acted rude or proud. Instead, he was always formal.
"I ask to have an audience with you because I believe that your Qalagon and my Aederin can have a great cooperation in the future, Your Majesty," Crown Prince Augustus spoke up. "I heard that you focus a lot on trade ever since you took over the throne and I think we can trade between us."
"I always wish to expand the trading to the far south where your empire lies, Your Highness," Arin Helev said. "However, I can only reach Cedore. Next to Cedore is the Elodian Empire. I don't know why but the Emperor of Elodian seems to dislike me. He doesn't allow my merchants to pass through his empire and the other paths available are too rugged for goods to pass through."
Hearing this, Augustus Arille gave a quick thought and said, "Then what if I open the Cartic Ocean for you?"
"Cartic Ocean?" Arin Helev asked and thought about it.
The Cartic Ocean in the south was one of the biggest oceans on the continent.
"Maybe Your Majesty forgets that the Cartic Ocean is under the control of Aederin," Augustus Arille said with a little smile. "My father is very fond of you and I'm confident that I can persuade him if you're willing to trade with us. However, that would also mean you will have to persuade Cedore to open their ports for you." He chuckled and added, "But I don't think it will be a challenging task. I know that Emperor Kalos is crazy about his niece who is your wife."
Arin Helev finally smiled. "I'm glad that Your Highness is very open to my kingdom and I think only a fool will turn down the offer you just made. So, I will talk to Cedore and get back to you soon."
"I'll be waiting," Crown Prince Augustus promptly said. "If we can trade, it will strengthen the ties between our two nations and my father is also highly interested in forming an alliance since he met you at Ophelia's wedding. I believe that can happen soon. Besides, if you can trade with us, you will be able to expand your ties to other nations in the far south and even another continent. We can open the way for you."
"It's not like my Qalagon can offer you something in return as your ties already covered the west, Your Highness," Arin Helev frankly said. "I'm feeling quite lost here."
"Cedore and Aederin are bonded through marriage now and for the sake of my sister, I want the relationship between Cedore and Aederin to get stronger," Augustus Arille explained. "Your Qalagon is the closest ally of Cedore and you're also bonded through marriage.
"Besides, Crown Prince Andres cares for you and your wife a lot. So, I wonder if I can join you two, my Aederin, Cedore and your Qalagon will form a formidable trio. Don't you think so, Your Majesty? If our three nations stand together, no one will dare to challenge us for years to come."
Everything the Aederin Crown Prince said to him was reasonable and Arin knew that. If the three nations indeed stood together, anyone who wished to attack any one of them must think not even twice but thrice!
"Your Highness indeed loves your sister a lot. I can feel that everything you suggested is for her sake," he pointed out after a while.
Augustus Arille smiled. "That's right. Besides, our three nations are connected through marriage. It's not an unlikely thing for us to stand together." He briefly paused and added, "I don't think I'm the only one who cares for his sibling a lot, Your Majesty. During my two days here, I saw how much you cared for your younger brother. The Duke of Larica is the same and even Crown Prince Andres is a fool for his cousins."
"Power struggles between siblings destroy many kingdoms and empires, Your Highness," Arin Helev said. "It's a relief that such a fight doesn't exist in Cedore, your empire and also my kingdom. It will be great if it can stay this way."
Crown Prince Augustus nodded. "People think that all royals are crazy about power and that we will be able to do anything to gain authority. However, even royals aren't the same, Your Majesty. In my case, I don't think I'll be able to exchange my family for anything, be it the throne or even the empire.. I'm nothing without them."
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