In Time And Memories

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I came out victoriously; the emperor agreed with my statement and he also told them to keep Celestia's pregnancy a secret. They can't let her run out while knowing that she got pregnant while she's still underage.

Queen Frizella is furious while Prince Pierre is staring at me with an unknown expression.

The emperor left first and I followed him since I don't want to stay in that room any further. I managed to keep my posture until I got inside of my room. 

My knees fell on the floor and I just saw myself choking and vomiting. My body is shaking frantically and my vision also started to blur. I saw Fiona panicking beside me with her worried expression.

The other maids also gathered beside me but my head is already spinning. I also can't seem to hear what they are talking about. Then, my eyelids started to fell.

When I opened my eyes, I am greeted with a bright light. It's the same light when I woke up after trying to take my life.

I sigh.

I still can't understand what am I doing here. Is this a dream? But why is it just plain white space and I'm the only person here. I started to wander again, hoping that I'll see the figure I found before.

But there's none. Nothing showed up.

--

Urus is staring at the blank paper with his furrowed eyebrows. Then, his eyes went to Xiel, who is standing next to him.

"Go on, start your letter," Xiel commanded him with a wicked grin on his face.

Urus slammed the pen on the table. "You should write it." However, Xiel shook his head.

"Am I the fiance? No, right? You should write it like what you have always did." He glared at him. It was Xiel's idea to send a letter every month for Azelaine, he said that it's a simple thing to do since they are soon to get wed.

Xiel even guilt-tripped Urus by saying that he should at least check on his fiancee especially now that his tasks are being given to her.

Urus harshly sigh. "It's obvious that she doesn't like my letters." But Xiel is too stubborn. Urus can't even imagine how many years he endured Xiel's stubbornness. Urus raised his hand and Xiel immediately made a defense position.

"It's the thought that counts, Your Highness!" Xiel exclaimed.

In the end, Urus managed to send a letter and Xiel looks so satisfied. A knock on the door interrupted them. Urus gestured Xiel to open it.

Xiel obliged. As soon as he opened the door, he was greeted by the Vice commander Cavelia Treuvoui. "Greetings, Captain Arthoion." He was stunned to speak and couldn't help but stare at Cavelia.

In terms of ranking, Xiel and Cavelia is nearly equal but considering their families' title, Xiel is still higher than Cavelia.

"Captain?"

Xiel looked away. "Greetings," he simply said then turned his back. Urus' forehead creased as he examine Xiel's reaction.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Reports?"

"The Astareth Kingdom still refuses to bargain and according to the investigations, there is something suspicious going on," Cavelia reported and handed the piece of paper that consists more detailed information.

Urus read it silently.

"I can't understand. Why won't they agree with the bargain? They will benefit from it," said Cavelia.

"No, they are not. If they agreed with this bargain, whatever this 'suspicious'  going on in their kingdom will be in halt," Xiel commented and gestured his fingers, quoting the word 'suspicious'. "Since their kingdom will be under the surveillance of Meliean," he continued.

Xiel is right. Urus offered an agreement with the Astareth Kingdom that will greatly benefit them, however, they still declined. The agreement is all about supplying the Astareth Kingdom with everything it will need in order to strengthen the kingdom but the Meliean Empire will supervise the kingdom.

If Astareth Kingdom does not have any dirty works, they will definitely agree with this bargain.

"Investigate Astareth more until we obtain a solid proof, and that is when we will attack their castle," Urus commanded. Xiel and Cavelia left his tent to order and assign the knights.

A week have passed, Urus and his knights has gathered more information concerning the Astareth Kingdom.

It turns out that there has been a frequent kidnapping and the abducted children are used to experiment black magic. Black magic is a very dangerous practice, not only in the kingdom but in the whole continent.

Emperors and kings of Polczia continent had an agreement to never practice black magic. If someone was seen using it, death will be the only punishment.

In Astareth's case, its own king is the mastermind. King Eudor wanted to have a power that can conquer its neighboring kingdoms, especially the Meliean Empire,  therefore Astareth will become an empire.

"Capture King Eudor and his family then bring them to me. Only kill those who people who tries to hinder our path," Urus commanded, ready to conquer another kingdom.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The knights started to run towards the portal, where it leads to the kingdom of Astareth. Xiel's spatial magic made it easier for them to move out.

Clashing of swords, raining arrows, cries from the fallen knights, and a fight between magic to magic. This is the normal noise that every war makes. Urus got used to it and later on, became music to his ears.

He enjoys the agony of those people who tries to disobey and fight them. Fighting is what makes him feel alive. Urus has already advanced towards the castle.

Meanwhile, Xiel is busy with his bow and arrow. Aside from his spatial magic, he is also a skilled archer. The opponent must have expected their attack since Astareth's knights seems prepared as well.

Xiel clicked his tongue. "That bastard is already at the castle," he muttered when he saw Urus nearing the castle gate.

A sword came flying towards him that almost made him fell from his horse. Luckily, he has a good reflexes. Xiel squinted his eyes and saw a figure of a man with a floating swords around him.

His mouth gaped and with a blink of an eye, another sword came towards him. Xiel opened a portal and sent the sword towards the man.

He jumped out of his horse and started to attack the man with his sword. It is a close fight and for some reason, this fight is somehow feels familiar. Xiel fused his power on his sword, making the opponent's sword cut into half.

The man's red hair came into view and Xiel recognized the man. "Yzel?!"

The man looked at Xiel and his eyes widened. Both of them were shocked after recognizing each other.

"Xiel?!"

It really is Yzel Laurenze, Azelaine's older brother.

---

to clear things, polczia is a continent where meliean empire and astareth kingdom are.

also, empire is a sovereign state that consists of different countries that is led solely by an emperor or empress. while, kingdom is like a country that consists different lands and led by a king/queen and some high officials.

to make it short,
empire = many kingdoms/countries
kingdoms = many lands