Tale of the two Thrones

CHAPTER SIX

Princess Flora's carriage had finally arrived at the grand palace gates of Rimanza, after a journey of a day and a half from Nefaria. The princess had been eager to reunite with her dear friend, Princess Pandora, and had sent a letter ahead to announce her arrival. As the carriage came to a stop, Commander Leo declared Flora's arrival, his voice booming through the palace gates. Princess Pandora, with her long, golden hair and sparkling blue eyes, hastened to greet her friend. She had been waiting anxiously for Flora's arrival, and her face lit up with joy as she saw the carriage pull up. The two princesses embraced warmly, their faces beaming with happiness. "What took you so long?" Pandora asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I expected you to arrive earlier, according to your letter." She pulled back, examining Flora's face. "You look a bit tired, but otherwise, you're as lovely as ever!"
Flora smiled, her hair slightly disheveled from the journey. "We stopped to rest and refresh ourselves along the way," she explained. "But I'm here now, and I can't wait to catch up with you." She looked around, taking in the grandeur of the palace. "Your home is as beautiful as ever, Pandora." Pandora's face lit up with a bright smile. "Well, let's not stand here and talk all day! Come, let's go inside. I have so much to show you, and we have a lot to discuss." She took Flora's hand, leading her into the palace, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they went.
As they entered the palace, Flora couldn't help but notice the grand chandeliers, the intricate tapestries, and the sparkling marble floors. She had always been impressed by the beauty of Rimanza, and this visit was no exception.
Pandora led her to a beautifully decorated room, filled with comfortable couches and chairs. A delicious spread of food and drinks was laid out before them, and Flora's eyes widened in appreciation. "You always know how to make me feel welcome, Pandora," she said, smiling.
Pandora grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm glad you like it," she said. "Now, let's sit down and catch up. I want to hear all about your journey, and what's been happening in Nefaria." As the two princesses entered Pandora's chamber, the guards halted their pursuit, standing watchfully by the door. With a playful grin, Pandora locked the door behind them, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She leaned against the door, clapping her hands together like a toddler, her voice rising in excitement. "Alas! We are free from those guards who won't stop following us everywhere! It's so uncomfortable, don't you think?" She turned to Flora, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Flora nodded in agreement, a wry smile spreading across her face. "Indeed, it's a relief to be free from their constant surveillance," she said, her voice laced with amusement.
Pandora skipped across the room, her golden hair bouncing with each step. She settled into a plush chair, her eyes fixed intently on Flora. "So, my dear friend, tell me everything! What did I miss? What wonders have occurred in your life since my last visit?" Her voice was like a gentle breeze, urging Flora to share her tales.
Flora took a deep breath and began to speak, her voice trembling; "I've been down lately, for the past two weeks, I haven't been myself. The foolish and thoughtless Eldrador Kingdom declared war against our little kingdom. Father didn't want to lose his people to the ruins of war, so he accepted suzerainty." Pandora's eyes widened in shock, her face pale.
"What!? Nefaria accepted suzerainty?! Oh, Flora, I'm so sorry!" Pandora's voice was laced with disbelief and concern. She rose from her seat, her movements swift and graceful, and fetched two cups of steaming tea from a nearby table. The aroma of chamomile and honey filled the air, a soothing balm for Flora's frazzled nerves.
As she handed Flora a cup, her eyes filled with empathy, Pandora's voice was gentle. "Here, drink this, it will calm your nerves. Tell me everything, Flora. What happened? How did this come to pass?" Flora's tears spilled over, streaming down her face like a river, as she recounted the events leading up to her father's decision. Pandora listened attentively, her expression softening with each passing moment. She wrapped her arms around Flora in a warm embrace, holding her close as she sobbed out her grief and frustration. The room was silent, except for Flora's sobs and Pandora's soothing whispers. As Flora's sobs subsided, Pandora pulled back, her eyes red-rimmed. "I'm so sorry, Flora. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you and your family." Her voice was firm, resolute. "But we won't let Eldrador get away with this. We'll fight for your kingdom's freedom, together." Flora's eyes locked onto Pandora's, a glimmer of hope flickering to life. "You'll help me, Pandora? You'll convince your father to aid us?" Pandora's gaze was filled with determination. "I'll do everything I can, Flora. I promise. We'll convince my father together, and we'll rally the armies of Rimanza to your cause. We won't rest until Eldrador's yoke is lifted from your kingdom's shoulders." The two friends sat in silence for a moment, the only sound being their heavy breathing. Then, Pandora spoke up, her voice filled with resolve. "Let's get to work, Flora. We have a kingdom to save."
              By evening, Pandora took her friend to the king's chamber, a grand room with a high ceiling and large windows that let in the warm glow of the setting sun. The door was guarded by ten silent guards who bowed respectfully as the princesses entered. Inside, the room was beautifully decorated with white chairs, dark ebony carpet and curtains, and shining bulbs that cast a warm light. King Dayal sat alone, sipping tea and enjoying a moment of peace after a long day of ruling. As Pandora and Flora entered, the king looked up with a warm smile. "What brings my princess here by this time?" he asked teasingly. Pandora pouted playfully, "Come on, father, you know I come here every day." The king chuckled and motioned for them to sit. Flora was struck by the warmth and laughter that filled the room. She had never seen a royal family so close and cheerful. "It runs in their blood," she thought to herself. Pandora invited her to sit beside her, and Flora did so, feeling a bit awestruck by the grandeur of the room. Pandora introduced Flora to her father, and the king asked about her family and kingdom. Flora replied simply that they were fine, but Pandora cut in, her voice filled with concern. "Not so fine, father. That's why Flora is here. She needs our help." The king's expression turned serious, and he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Flora. "Tell me more," he said, his voice gentle but commanding. Pandora's voice was filled with urgency and concern as she spoke, her eyes locked on her father's. "Father, Flora's kingdom is in trouble. Eldrador declared war on Nefaria, and they're forcing them to accept suzerainty. She's overwhelmed and doesn't know what to do. That's why she came here, to ask for our help. We can't just sit back and do nothing, father. We have to act." Pandora's words poured out in a rush, her passion and empathy for her friend evident in every sentence. She reached out and took Flora's hand, her grip warm and comforting. "We have to help them, father. We can't let Eldrador get away with this. Nefaria is our ally, our friend. We owe it to them to stand up for what's right." The king's expression was thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he considered his daughter's words. He knew that getting involved in the conflict would have far-reaching consequences, but he also knew that he couldn't ignore the plea for help.
            With a deep breath, the king started; "My dear, wars are not an easy thing to declare. Wars are declared on smaller kingdoms by larger kingdoms who are better than them in size and military capacity. The Eldrador kingdom has strong allies like the Bulzar and Sawik empires, thus making it hard for any empire to conquer it. Even our empire has ties with Eldrador, as they supply us with 90% of the fruits here, making it impossible for us to go on war with them. Our merchants trade with their merchants, our people have intermarried, and our cultures have intertwined. War would mean burning our own ships, destroying our own homes, and shedding our own blood." King Dayal stopped as he noticed both the two girls looked hopeless. He took a sip from his tea cup and continued, "The consequences of war would be devastating, not just for Eldrador, but for our own kingdom as well. We would be putting our own people in harm's way, and risking our own stability and prosperity." He paused, collecting his thoughts before speaking again, his voice measured and deliberate. "I understand the gravity of the situation and the plight of Nefaira. But, we must be realistic about our limitations and the potential consequences of our actions." The king's words hung in the air, filled with a deep wisdom and understanding. He gazed at the two young princesses, his eyes filled with a knowing glint. "As both of you are young, you will not understand what we, your parents, go through when making crucial choices in life. You have never met the people of Eldrador, as they are nice and generous people. Merging their kingdom with yours might bring all the people good. It is only normal for you to hate everyone in Eldrador, however, it is wise to think twice before the evil of hatred consumes you."
The king's voice was calm and measured, but his words struck a chord in the hearts of the two princesses. They felt a pang of guilt and uncertainty, their minds racing with the complexity of the situation. Pandora and Flora exchanged a glance, their eyes locked in a silent understanding. They knew that the king was right, but their hearts still ached with the desire for justice and freedom for Nefaria.
The king's cup clattered against the saucer as he dropped it, the sound breaking the silence in the room. Pandora and Flora stood up, their movements stiff and formal. They wore brave faces, but their eyes betrayed their true emotions. With a nod, they acknowledged yhe king's words, and silently left the chamber, the weight of his wisdom heavy on their shoulders.
As they walked out of the room, the grandeur of the palace seemed to fade into the background, and the only sound was the soft rustling of their dresses. The tension between them was palpable, their minds reeling with the implications of the king's words. They knew that they had to find a way to reconcile their desire for justice with the harsh realities of politics and diplomacy. The doors of the king's chamber closed behind them, and they found themselves in the long corridor, lined with portraits of their ancestors. The silence was oppressive, and the only sound was the soft echo of their footsteps.
               As they reached Pandora's chamber, the familiar surroundings seemed to offer little comfort. The two princesses sank into the plush couch, their bodies language screaming defeat. Flora's eyes welled up with tears, her voice cracking as she spoke. "I can't believe it, Pandora. Our kingdom, our home, it's all gone. Just like that." She snapped her fingers, the sound echoing through the room. Pandora reached out, wrapping her arms around Flora in a warm embrace. "Oh, Flora, I'm so sorry. I know how much Nefaria meant to you." She stroked Flora's hair, trying to offer some semblance of comfort. "We'll get through this together, I promise." Flora pulled back, her eyes red-rimmed. "But how, Pandora? How can we just sit back and watch as Eldrador takes over our kingdom? It's not fair." Her voice rose, anger and frustration boiling over. Pandora's expression was sympathetic. "I know it's hard, Flora. But we have to be realistic. Our father is right, war would be devastating. We can't risk the lives of our people." She took a deep breath, trying to think of a solution. "Maybe we can find another way, a diplomatic solution perhaps. We can try to negotiate with Eldrador, see if we can come to some sort of agreement." Flora shook her head, despair etched on her face. "You don't understand, Pandora. Eldrador doesn't negotiate. They take what they want, and they don't care who they hurt in the process." She stood up, pacing around the room. "I can't just sit here and do nothing. I have to do something, anything, to save our kingdom." Laron, Pandora's brother, burst into the room with his usual energetic and careless manner, oblivious to the somber mood that filled the air. "Flora! I heard you came in this morning! How do you do?" He exclaimed, his voice booming through the chamber. Pandora's eyes narrowed, her frustration with her brother's timing and lack of consideration evident. "Don't you even know how to knock, Laron?" She glared at him, her voice laced with annoyance. "Can't you see we're in the middle of a conversation?" Laron's grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, his expression turning sheepish. "Oh, sorry, sorry! I forgot. I'm just really excited to see Flora!" He turned to Flora, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "I haven't seen you in ages! How was your journey? What brings you here?"
Flora's expression was polite, but her eyes betrayed her sadness. "It's good to see you too, Laron. But I'm afraid my visit is not a happy one. Eldrador has taken over Nefaria, and I've come to seek our father's help." Her voice was measured, but the pain beneath the surface was evident. Laron's face fell, his excitement dissipating. "Oh, no... I'm so sorry, Flora. I had no idea." He looked at Pandora, his eyes seeking guidance. "What's going on? What's happening with Nefaria?"Laron's eyes widened as he listened to Flora's tale, his expression shifting from shock to outrage. "That's outrageous!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in indignation. "Eldrador can't just take over Nefaria like that! We have to do something!" Pandora's eyes rolled in exasperation. "That's what we've been trying to figure out, Laron. But it's not that simple. Father says we can't go to war with Eldrador, and I agree. We need to find another way."
Laron's face scrunched up in thought. "But what other way is there? We can't just sit back and let Eldrador bully you!" Flora's eyes sparkled with determination. "That's exactly what we're trying to figure out, Laron," said Pandora.  "I think I might have an idea." Laron's eyes sparkled with excitement as he jumped up from his seat, his long legs carrying him swiftly across the room. "I'll retire to my chamber now, but meet me early tomorrow morning at the palace garden. I think I've remembered something important from an old tale that might just help us!" He exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm, his hands gesturing animatedly as he spoke. Pandora and Flora exchanged a curious glance, intrigued by Laron's sudden eagerness. "What is it, Laron? What have you remembered?" Pandora asked, her curiosity piqued, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied her brother's animated face.
Laron's grin grew wider, his eyes shining with excitement. "Ah, I'll reveal all tomorrow. But trust me, it's a tale of bravery, wit, and mystery. I believe it may hold the key to our success. Meet me at the palace garden, and we'll embark on a journey to reclaim Nefaria and outsmart Eldrador!" With that, he bowed low, his long hair sweeping the floor, and hastened out of the room, leaving the two princesses to wonder what ancient wisdom he had uncovered. They exchanged a skeptical glance, but a spark of hope had been ignited within them. Perhaps, just perhaps, Laron's tale would hold the key to their salvation.