Jewel | XiaoJin Fanfic

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 3

••• ♔ •••

Yujin

"People from Fernweh came?" I asked, surprised at the mention of the closed off kingdom.

"Yes, Princess. We heard that it was only a hundred of knights at most, with a carriage leading the... march. It's peculiar but perhaps it's just their culture... but the scouting knight told us that the Fernweh King was ahead by a hundred meters away from the marching knights." Chaehyun reported as I stood up from my chair.

I was having a tea party when the bells rang five times, a signal that a royal guest was arriving. It was natural for me to welcome such important guests, but upon knowing who our visitors were made me wary. Nonetheless, we made our way to the grand entrance halls to wait for the Fernweh people.

Upon our arrival, I stood by my father who was waiting by the main entrance halls.

After a few minutes, the King riding on horseback arrived as his entourage stopped a few meters away. The carriage kept going to where he stood as a woman stepped out.

They looked around my age which greatly shocked me. We haven't heard any news from Fernweh of who their leader was, but we've heard that the current ruler has been at the throne for years now. If my estimation of their age was correct, that would mean they have been leading their kingdom ever since they were in their pubescence.

"Good day, Your Majesty. It's our pleasure for you to welcome us personally. I am King Cai Kun, but please just call me Kun." The King of Fernweh nodded his head awkwardly. I think he was mirroring a slight bow? I squinted my eyes at the disrespect. No matter if two kings have the same title, it is still the rightful manner to bow to each other, especially considering the lack of friendship between the two royals. Father must have felt my stiffness as he patted my back lightly in show of comfort. I relaxed my shoulders. Perhaps it's the difference in culture. Yes, perhaps that's why.

The woman next to him grinned at me. "You must be the Princess, correct? A pleasure to meet you. I am the King's twin sister, Cai Bing. But you can just call me Bing." I almost glared at her when she didn't first introduce herself to my father, the King.

"The pleasure's mine, Princess Cai Bing. I am Princess Yujin." I greeted back curtly.

"Now that we're all acquianted, shall we bring our discussion inside the halls?" My father urged.

"That would be wise, King Choi." The foreign king glanced at me before looking back to my father. "And I would like to ask to talk to you privately."

I worriedly looked at my father. I've always been present in all the meetings concerning our lands and allies. Aside from the fact that it was my first and foremost obligation as heir, I also wanted to be aware of the ongoings of our kingdom.

"As heir to the throne, I would like to have my daughter present in our meeting." I breathed a sigh of relief when my father sensed that I wanted to be present.

"I understand, however please understand that you would be the first kingdom we approached after decades of isolation. I simply cannot trust anyone else aside from the present ruler. Worry not, I simply came to talk about the peace treaty that we would like to hopefully sign."

"Oh!" My father said in shock. I couldn't blame him. Out of twelve ruling kingdoms, only Fernweh did not sign the accords a century ago. The kingdoms have not only benefited peace from the accords, but also gained economic and cultural knowledge that merits each participating signees.

Father looked at me regretfully and I simply squeezed his forearm in understanding. I knew that this was a chance that we could not waste. "I'm sorry, dear, we will just talk after."

I nodded my head and watched them walk off to the throne room. I sighed as my ladies-in-waiting approached me.

••• ♔ •••

Narrator

Inside the throne room, the ruling monarchs settled in front of a painting of the last war.

After staring at the painting silently, King Choi directed them towards the side room where His Majesty's private office reside. King Choi sat behind the mahogany table while King Kun sat in front of him.

"You mentioned signing the treaty, King Kun?" The ruler of the Kalopsia kingdom asked.

The other king sat up straighter in attention. "Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for meeting with me privately. I know it's a strange request, but I appreciate you accommodating me. It has been a strange journey to this place in time where Fernweh is considering joining the accords. I wanted to discuss the details of the accords, or read them, if that's possible."

"Of course, of course." King Choi says, his voice going up as he waves to the wall behind him. "They're hanging right there. They'll be on display for the final day of the Jubilee tomorrow, but they are always right here, each signature preserved over the generations. There is also a copy outside the throne room for everyone to see."

The Fernweh king casually strides up to the wall behind him, not caring whether the hosting king feels the sudden decrease of distance to be dangerous. However the latter king has always been kind, thinking that it was a difference in social norms, rather than a disregard of status.

King Choi turns around and stands beside King Xukun. The two rulers read over the accord together, murmuring to each other.

"Wonderful!" The Kalopsian king says in delight upon hearing King Kun's approval of the stipulations. "The first Fernweh king to sign the accords would be you. Another ocassion to celebrte together with the Jubilee, is it not?"

"It is," King Kun agrees as he accepts the quill that King Choi hands over. "And there will be no interference in my kingdom?"

"None whatsoever. You can continue on as you have, but some level of cooperation for trade is usually expected, but not required. All you are doing is agreeing to the peace that the entirety of 11 kingdoms has enjoyed for generations."

King Kun nods as he uses the quill to sign the blank space on the document posted on the wall that was intended for Fernweh. He returns the quill and offers his hand for the other king to shake.

For some odd reason, King Choi feels a shiver down his spine at the moment their hands touch. And he prays to all the gods, named or unnamed, that his ominous feeling about the opposite royal is wrong.