The Aconitum Flower

33

ALORA EMBRY

"Announcing the arrival of the Crown Prince, Lord Alaric, and Lady Astley." I watch the knights open the door and there I saw my family and the heads of each duchy, the council members, and His Majesty. We bow our heads and greet them before we sat down. And when I look around there I saw Hayes Capell, Leo, and Ryker Eyron were just in front of us.

"Now that everyone was already heard, let's now start the meeting." Everyone was looking at the emperor as we silently listen to him. "On the Eastern sea port where we import and export our goods to the neighboring empire, the chief said he saw battleships approaching. And the estimated time that the battleships expect to arrive was five days."

The silent room a while ago was now filled with different voices from the council. They started to argue in front of the emperor and when the emperor cleared his throat everyone shut their mouths.

"Can we serve the questions and your opinions later?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Forgive us."

"Hm. I know that you already had a hint and yes, what you were thinking right now was right. The King of Wren just happened to be enticed by the princess's beauty and wanted her to be his wife, but the Levan do not want to send their princess to Wren so they've been attacking Levan these past months. So, I send some help to them secretly, by the help of Astleys and Alaric they made the casualties less. We are now waiting for the messenger from Wren. Anyone can speak now."

"Your Majesty, how can we fight Wren? You know that the King of Wren was a known tyrant, If we just turned blind eye then we will avoid this war." We can't.

"I second that."

"We cannot do that we made an allegiance to Levan. And how could you forget that when we are facing the dragon who almost burned the whole empire it was Levan who helped us."

"Haa, but just think about the lives of your people. We can't just go to war with them."

"The count was right, Your Majesty. Think of your subjects who will suffer for war."

"How about making a decision once the messenger from Wren got here?" we all look at Hellios who suggests that and the Emperor nod.

"I will do that but we still need to be prepared, I will make a royal order that every family needs to send their firstborn sons to join the army and anyone who is willing to put their lives for the sake of the empire. Astley will lead the front line as always and the Eyron and Capell must support them." Us again?

"Yes, Your Majesty."

They continue the meeting and while we are all in the middle of it they announce that the messenger was already here. I watch those two appear in front of us with a smile on their faces, they greet us.

"We are delighted to be in the presence of the ruler of the emperor. I am Levi and this is Cierra we are the messengers that were sent by King Wren."

I look at Levi, I have already seen him. He was with the Prince when they visit the academy. He was still smiling, and he want me to wipe that smug face of his. While Cierra the girl beside him knows how to wield magic, she must be skilled because she can use teleportation magic. Now I know why she was here; she was a useful tool to Wren's kingdom. That is why she was able to learn magic.

"Please, don't look like that to your visitors." Cierra rolled his eyes and bow her head once again.

"This is the message that was tasked to us to deliver to the Emperor of Dormer, we assume that the representative from Levan was also here. Our great King wanted the princess of Levan that's all. Just send her and we will turn back to Wren. But if you all continue resistance, we can't do anything. Our army will eradicate everyone."