Sincerely I loved Prince Liam even though I was betrothed as your wife with non of my accord. Sincerely I had none of the great time living quietly by your palace. Sincerely mother and father, I would've known no hope when it comes to both of you...
That day an official's meeting was held from morning to noon. It was such a big uproar that even commoners were at desperation. Belard Kingdom was to rage war.
To think a Kingdom as neutral as Belard would rage war. Hen, his Majesty's representative held the meeting with conversation's filled with meaningless chatter. Duke Christian did not stand up to interfere until his daughter Deanna was called into the meeting...
I hurried home in a mess. While sitting in the carriage a Royal Notice was sent to me; wishing my presence. To be invited in the Royal Palace was a great honor but it is also such dangerous place to be. Changing the dress I wore was the least I could do to avoid humiliation.
A vintage dress with butterfly like sleeves was what I wore, it wasn't extravagant but was good enough to please nobles of high society.
"nice to see you all dress up"
"ah, mother"
My sleeves fluttered as I bowed down in courtesy. I looked back at mother whom eyes glistened in ruby, her light blonde hair was tied back; left some hanging down.
"I wish you luck"
"yes mother"
"it would be best if you'd bring back a man"
Discomfort went up my spine, mother was telling me to be useful and make up for the loss father and mother had. A beautiful person such mother had such stern face. Every tone of hers were cold that sent shivers.
... "yes... mother" ...
I went on and rode the carriage from the Dukedom to the Palace.
I walked the halls filled with bustling people, something urgent was definitely up; as to why I was sent. I had no clear thought in mind.
"here?"
A knight escorted me into surprisingly the Royal Palace's meeting area. A definite political residence of officials. The door opened as a man with silver hair caught my eyes. It was father.
"Lady Deanna of the Duke has arrived"
"greetings"
The people inside the room made a bow except father and certain man with green eyes. He must be the rumored representative. I took a seat behind father not to far away.
"if I may Duke Christian... why did you bring your daughter to the meeting?"
That was such a great question for I didn't really know how am I of use in this meeting.
"first of all, all of the officials present here are such scums and is a great waste of time talking to"
It was written in the officials face; they were humiliated and disappointed. The representative on the other hand was smirking as if he won a round of tug of war. That aside, father spoke such word so lightly, even if father had a higher status than the officials present it is still quite rude to speak such words more ever there are merchants here that would die for information.
What is it that father is trying to do...
"The war that is to rage is nothing but a minor problem, if we look around our Kingdom is blessed with so much resources and support. Etheledo Kingdom is one"
"what do you mean Duke??"(asked the merchant)
"what I meant was we could form a trading contract with Etheledo Kingdom and ask for equal distribution, our Kingdom is blessed with Holy Stones that is necessary for Etheledo Kingdom's blessed lands"
"I see then we could ask for normal trading help or much better we could use both Kingdom's contract as an absolute shield; Belard Kingdom wouldn't dare to rage war"(said Hen)
War? The discussion was straight forward, they hastily went on with the topic without explanation, but because of little hints left in the conversation I began to figure out what was truly happening. Kingdom of Belard was raging war suddenly; there are exactly two reasons why.
One is probably because they suddenly had an increase in power so that they wanted to take a kingdom in their hands. Our Kingdom Okeara was the best target.
The other reason is resources, the intelligent people, the power, and the rare stones found here.
Father's plan was very much efficient. There would be no bloodshed, no misunderstandings, and casualties. Father's plan was mostly best to use but... something was odd.
Trading with Etheledo Kingdom surely wasn't that easy... even if they had no Holy Stones they could live as is. Does that mean father has yet something else to offer?
Father called me to the meeting just to listen to him and all this chatter? Does father have another plan in mind? I am a bit nervous but surely father wont do exactly what I'm thinking...
"Deanna" ...
-------The Vintage Dress----------
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