W.I.T.C.H.: The Bloody Throne

Part 3

    Back and forth, back and forth the arguments and demands went between the Duchess of Ero and the Lord of Morovia. Each turn, Ruslan or Armana would make a demand, the other would deny it or would argue until the King got involved and ordered them to return their attention to the matter at hand. This would last all of five minutes before the two adults would return to squabbling like spoiled children; neither one willing to give into any of the other's demands. At his point, the thought of a lobotomy sounded very pleasurable to King Phobos.

"What about the Eroian holdings on the eastern shore? The people already see themselves as part of Morovia, why not give them their wish?" argued Ruslan, but Armana would have none of it.

"The only reason the people see themselves as part of Morovia is that your kingdom keeps invading them. They only accept Morovia because they would be burnt and pillaged otherwise. I will not let you take a holding that had been in Ero's possession since it's conception. The Great King Rumniar didn't give these lands to his only son if he didn't think they would be kept in the family."

"King Rumniar also promised the mountain range of Mormonia to his youngest daughter, but as you see Morovia isn't in possession of them." Countered Ruslan.

"Both of you stop it." Spoke Phobos and the two bickering royals stopped what they were doing. "Ero will not be giving up its holdings on the eastern shore. Morovia already had a seaport for trade, therefore the eastern holdings aren't necessary. Neither will Morovia give up any land to Ero. Find another way to solidify the contract." This back and forth had been going on for hours and King Phobos had gotten a headache by now. Furthermore, the pain from the poison was adding to his irritation; he wanted the day to be over and he couldn't wait for his wife to return. Surely, she was having a better day than him. Perhaps some of Will's hot temper had rubbed off on him or he had simply reached his end for the day. These two royals weren't adults, they were children and he was the babysitter. "Neither one of you are leaving this table until you have come to an agreement and sign the peace treaty."

At this, the two royals fell silent for a long moment; both had hoped to gain something out of this meeting other than trade benefits. Ruslan was trying to obtain the sea holdings for his King Orlan and Armana was trying to expand Ero's territory towards the west where the weather was warmer. Now that this was no longer an option, they sat in semi-silent where Armana was drumming her fingers on the table and Ruslan was grinding his molars. They knew there was an option to solidify the peace, but neither wanted to admit to it. The best way to guarantee peace between Ero and Morovia was for one of the Ero royals to become a Céile Siombalach 5. Deciding to be the bigger man, Ruslan leaned back in his seat and smiled, he didn't like Duchess Armana, but he too was tired of the constant fighting between the two kingdoms. "Well, Duchess Armana, which one of your available nieces would you volunteer to act as a Céile Siombalach?"

"Neither." Responded Armana in a cold tone. Her oldest niece, Princess Myra, devoted her life to literature and her youngest niece Korinthia was too young, being only 10. Furthermore, she was certain that Queen Isabela didn't fancy adding the title of Céile Siombalach to King Orlan to her name; the young queen, despite being newly married and a new mother made it clear that her full devotion was to her husband Victor. Lastly, the retired Queen Seras was expecting her last child with the retired King Piegan, so she didn't qualify for the role either; leaving only her as an available female. The mere thought of having the title of Céile Siombalach added to her name made her sick to her stomach. However, she remembered a conversation she had the previous day with her newest advisor, who recommended she accept the offer should it become available. With a small smile on her red-painted, perfectly formed lips and a gentle tone in her voice, she spoke.