"Your excellency, I am here to tell you that our soldiers have caught the old herald and they will be arriving in the palace in a few days."
"Make sure to notify me as soon as they arrive in the City." the king ordered his personal assistant.
"Yes, your excellency."
"And how is our negotiation with the Southern Kingdom?"
"They will be sending their final decision in a week or so."
"Did something happen? why are they taking so much more time for such a simple request?"
"That I do not know, your Majesty. But we should understand that they only have one daughter and many of our neighboring kingdoms have been seeking for their support as well."
The old King heaved a heavy sigh. His personal assistant is right. A kingdom with a stable and flourishing economy like the Southern Kingdom must be vigilant enough on its decision. It's not only about their kingdom but it also concerns the fate of the only daughter as well.
"And how's the preparation of the princes?" the king asked.
"We will notify their handlers the day after tomorrow since the training council are still finalizing the assignments of each stage."
"Good. Make sure this will be a fair fight for all the Princes so don't leak any information even to the elders. Let's avoid takings sides moving forward."
"And let the one deserving for the throne takes over. I totally understand your point, your highness." The assistant kowtowed with respect. "I must go now and relay your message to the council."
The personal assistant left the king who remained standing at the balcony in his chambers.
"I don't know if this is the right thing to do but the kingdom needs to choose the next rightful king. I am already too old to keep the throne. I think it's time." he muttered while looking at the heavens. "If only you didn't take away the crown prince…" he voiced bitterly.
The king had been on the throne for ages now and had been wanting to passed the throne to his sons, however, the other princes are being controlled by some forces and only his eldest seemed fit.
Prince Veziron, his second son can be a candidate considering his strength but the king was fully aware about all his hidden deeds. He is quite conceited as well and only cares about his mother's clan. Him, having the throne will only empower the supremacy of their clan to rule the whole kingdom. he can't possibly hand the whole kingdom of Allen to a puppet!
Prince Veziron is the king's son from a concubine. Though he is his flesh and blood but handing over the kingdom to him is not the wisest thing to do for now. If only his son stands on his own without his uncle behind him then he can probably be a good and wise king. But No, building up their family's reputation was their main goal all along!
The king has other sons as well, however, everyone is rooting for Prince Veziron. The king had his eyes on Prince Zyrei, however, the prince's mother pleaded the king never to appoint any of his son as the king in fear that they might get killed too. Of course, everyone knows that politics is what controls the palace and since the death of the crown prince at a young age, everyone's afraid for their children's lives.
Thinking about it, the king's sons are already at the right age to govern the nation but the king doesn't have confidence in them, fearing that the kingdom might crumble if he hands it over to the wrong person.
"Ah, God, please help me. please be the one to choose the right king to govern your nation." The king sincerely uttered a little prayer while looking at the heavens above.
*******************
Beth, Sarah and the three girls are preparing for the dinner while Liam and the team are having their session in a close room.
"So what's our plan now?" Asked Asher.
"We will stick with the original plan." Liam finally voiced.
"Yes we can still do that but how about Diana and Sarah?" Asher replied. "Sarah wanted to see her grandma but that would mean we have to go to the mainland."
"Then let's cancel the mission for now." Cole suggested.
"No. we will push through with the original plan." Liam insisted. "Asher and I will go with them so the rest must go to Marseille as planned."
"But you still have things to do right?" Asher raises his brow in question. How about Liam's goals of uniting the 12 clans? That's also important. He thought.
"Nothing will change, I will still work on it, but this time, with the two women." He answered. "We can advance in the mainland slowly."
It definitely makes sense. The team sighed in relief. Well, the mission must go on but Liam also told them that they can come to the mainland as soon as they are done with the mission.
"I will send you a message as soon as we completed our task." Cole assured Liam who nodded in acknowledgement. "Then we will leave early in the morning then."
After a few more minutes of discussion, the team dispersed. Cole and the others went to their respective rooms to prepare their things for tomorrow's departure. As for Liam, he went upstairs to check on the woman.
He was about to touch the door knob but it suddenly opens from the inside. The woman suddenly stumbled backwards upon seeing the man in front of her.
"L-Liam!" her face suddenly turned red and doesn't even know why.
The man in front of him stood speechless but was eyeing him from head to toe. The dress definitely suits her well. he smiled a little.
"Going somewhere?" the man finally spoke when he saw how the woman blushed. Is she that happy to see him or still thinking of her embarrassment earlier? the man wanted to laugh again but he held it in.
"D-downstairs…" she forced a smile.
"Can you walk?"
"Ehm." She nodded awkwardly.
"Shall I carry you instead-----"
"No!" she immediately refused. "I can walk." She fakes a smile then steps forward. Liam pave way when he saw the woman's determination. But she's limping and is obviously having a hard time.
She was holding on the railing as she takes one step down, slowly but surely. Although Liam couldn't see her hurting face but he knew she's having a hard time since he's been following her behind.
"Ah!" the woman forced to hide the pain from his sore foot. Guess she's not totally healed yet. she heaved a sigh.
"Need my help?" the man smirk behind.
"N-no… I can-----" before the woman even finish, Liam immediately scoop her in his arms.
"Hey, what are you----"
"Do you really want to be disabled all your life?" there's a hint of irritation in his voice and his face turns sour all of a sudden. The woman wanted to protest but seeing the man's sour face, she loosens up. Besides, her heart skipped a beat when she felt the man's arm around her.
Ik…! She hiccupped all of a sudden.
Her eyes were fixed on Liam's face. Why does he have a perfect feature? Eyes, nose, lips and yeah… the kissable lips… she unknowingly gulps as she bit her bottom lip. Liam must have seen it since he smirks.
"Do you like the scenery that much?" he is still wearing that playful smirk.
"Yeah… it's beautiful." She dreamily responded.
"Ha-ha!" the man sarcastically laughs which made Diana realized that she voiced her thoughts out loud.
"What a jerk!" she glared at the man and made a face. Tsk!