A Reality better than the Dream

14.-The disaster - A hidden enemy

Emperor knew that Kandik's matter was very urgent and he had to handle it as soon as possible, but also in a proper way so that she would not resist to his help. So he invited General Sheng for a private discussion.

G.Sheng: Emperor, Prince Kandik is not a good man. We know many bad things about him, about his habits and life. But no details about his political movements, they are in the darkness. We have only suspicions, not proofs. However, such a wealth cannot be used only for a lustful life, I suppose. Fortunately, Iris feels disgust for him and his wealth.

Oren: Mm... What you said is right. I suspect that the reason he made this marriage proposal is not for power, because your kingdom is far away from their own kingdom which he desires to govern. He would prefer a marriage alliance with a neighboring kingdom to unite them – so, I suspect that he wants to marry her because he feels passion for her. (Sheng felt a great suprise at emperor's blunt manner and concern). This means that he will try again to win her, but in an improper way, since he cannot win her heart. He will try to possess her in any possible way. Such a man will be uncontrollable in his passions. Mm?

Sheng was standing there obviously embarrassed and astonished, trying to find a way to protect the queen and her surrounding.

Oren: I will give you the information and you must inform her grandmother. You two must tell the Queen about the problem, she will believe you. I am not a person she trusts. He, perhaps, will try to make her surrender to him, because he is powerful enough to arrange the conditions in the way he likes to press her. You have to protect not only the queen, but also her grandmother, who is the Queen's weak point, and yourself. If anything bad happens in the family or the land you must warn me immediately.

Then he presented to him the whole matter with the new information.

General Sheng could not believe that the emperor was so much interested in their affairs, that he immediately took the initiative to handle the things.

G.Sheng: Emperor, I am extremely grateful for your concern. I always believed that you are a great man. If Iris knew your concern she should be even more grateful than me... But why must I not inform her about your help?

The Emperor smiled slightly and said:

Oren: Your queen is very independent and does not want to be indebted to any man, unless he is already her close friend. Am I right?

Sheng smiled nodding. He also knew that the emperor wanted her to approach him not due to a debt, but freely. Anyway, he had his own reasons to act like this.

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Next days they were meeting every morning to discuss about the coming war. Oren had noticed that she had made wise notes and foreseen cleverly some probable movements of the barbarians. In the evenings they were sitting in a hall discussing about anything else.

G.Sheng: Iris, can you play music for us?

She was very hesitant, saying that she had never before played music out of her close surrounding. Oren was smiling and asked her to play anything she liked.

Iris: Mm... but... Alright, I will play for you the story of a tree's life. It is an old song of our land, which respects the life everywhere. I like it very much.

It was a very nice music and song. Oren's stare was fixed on her and her expressions during the song. He was already sure that he had fallen in deep love with her, but he had to wait. The past was still between them preventing the trust she needed. This woman was very rare, indeed. She was so simple and kind, that the other generals did not feel bothered of her interference in their field. This was the first phase of their effort to scheme their war movements. After a few months they would deal with it again. Before this, they had to check their army in details to confirm their possibilities.