Of Love and War

Love, Betrayal, Responsibilities v

"An iron fist prevails over a blind heart" Mine-a muttered as she was getting ready for the the hundredth ball her parents prepared for her and Amihan's return. It's been a month since they arrived but the parties and gatherings were non-stop mainly because Queen Avria is really throwing the news of her and Hagorn's marriage.

She reminds herself of the meaning of the gesture the Etherians do, an open hand on the chest with a fist above it. One of the very first teachings of Etheria. Do not let your heart decide on matters that concern you, the citizenry and Etheria as a whole.

"Why are you chanting one of the guiding principles of Etheria milady?" Gurna, one of her trusted handmaidens asked

"I don't know Gurna. I always thought I am ready to give my all for Etheria when the time comes. But here I am having thoughts of disapproval to what mother proclaimed" Mine-a was near tears as she looked at herself in the mirror.

She recalls her beloved Raquim and the moments they shared in Adamya, his declaration of love in Lireo and how she gladly accepted it.

"That is the downside of Etherian Royalty milady, love is never an option" Gurna looked sympathetic as she brushes Mine-a's hair.

The door suddenly opened and the queen of Etheria waltzed in her favorite blood gown. The fabric's scraping the floor reminded anyone who hears it of the screams and the wails of the dead.

"How is my beautiful daughter?" Avria caressed Mine-a's face

"I'm about to get finished mother, Gurna is just putting on some head ornaments" She tried to be like her old self as much as possible but the sadness in her voice is very noticeable

"Good. Don't take too long. The guests are starting to arrive" Avria looked at Gurna which made the handmaiden's skin crawl. There's something in the queen's eyes that makes her stares look like she's about to go kill you.

"I-I'll make sure of it my Queen" Gurna brought out the head ornaments quickly while Avria smiled and walked out of the room.

"This is all for Etheria" Mine-a whispered as a soft sob escaped her mouth

Sapiro

Inside the fortified great walls of the Great Fortress (Dakilang Moog) , the three great bloodlines are gathered for the celebration of the return of their successors along with the officials of their armies. But a certain someone is not feeling the celebration

"What's up your highness? What's with the long face you have in there?" Apitong, one of their commanders asked, he's known to be friends to the royal bloodlines but not too much with the Manticore bloodline (Poison ancestry where Enou and Asval are a part of)

"I'm just tired Apitong" He tried to be as lively as he can but his eyes cannot lie, he's devastated about the proclamation of Mine-a and Hagorn's marriage.

"You know, I've been in countless battlefields and saw a lot of tired and weary faces but yours is one which is rarely seen" Apitong gulped his ale

"What do you mean?" Raquim faced his friend

"You have the face of someone whose heart is tired. And that is something that can only be healed by being with that certain someone" Apitong's words sounded like a slap to Raquim.

"But what can I do? I'm only a prince second to the throne. If I will, I'm going to face a whole kingdom. I'm not even sure if you lot has my back" Raquim slumped back and chugged a glass of ale.

Apitong leaned in closer and whispered to Raquim. The prince face changed from lonely to shock.

Adamya