As the messenger was sent to the Lapen.
In Lapen, the current situation was at odds. A little prince was born but due to the death of queen Cleo. They were still mourning the death of the queen. Hence, coronation ceremony of crown prince was postponed.
When the proposal letter reached Lapen. To discuss such an important matter, an emergency court meeting was called. It had every minister and official thinking what should they do? Then, they finally concluded that they will agree to be Norand's vassal state if they agree to their terms which were they are willing to marry off the princess to the eldest prince and not to the second prince. As they thought that marrying the first prince meant that the princess will be married to the Emperor. Therefore, the answer to this proposal was as follows, they would be mourning for 13 days, and if they agree with the marriage proposal to the first prince rather than 2nd prince they were willing to be their vassal state. If they agree they are invited for a wedding discussion after the 13th day of mourning.
When this was delivered to General Rulean after reading it in his tent he laughed hysterically and thundered, "How dare they request for my big brother's hand for marriage. They do not know their level. They should know their place. They are not in a position to negotiate with us. "Then his eyes glittered as if he had won a victory. And he sat to write an answer, to Lapen's proposal. He answered that Norand agrees to their terms and they will arrive on the 14th of the mourning day to prepare for the wedding rather than to discuss it. So, they could prepare for the wedding before the Emperor's arrival. And as proof of their statement, he sent them a royal white jade pendant indicating the identity of Prince of Norand. ( Note: Both Rulean and Cyanx had these identical white jade pendant that identifies them to be the prince of Norand. Alas! but Lapen did not know that General Rulean was also the second prince of Norand).
This letter was sent to Lapen. But he wrote another letter to Emperor Cyanx stating that the Lapen has agreed to his proposal of the marriage between the 2nd prince and the princess. Furthermore, he stated that they had requested for the marriage ceremony after the death mourning ceremony of the Queen.
When this message got delivered to Emperor Cyanx. He was delighted that Lapen would be included in his nation without any bloodshed. So, Emperor Cyanx sent all the fine jewellery, clothes, and bride and groom dresses to be delivered to the General Rulean. After-all he was the second prince of Norand and he could not have a shabby wedding.
On the other side in Lapen, the message of agreed marriage between the eldest prince and princess arrived. King Ather was overjoyed to get that news. He straight went to princess Carmine, who was still mourning for her mother and said that "Norand's Emperor has agreed to marry you. And they have written that they will come here on 14th day to prepare for the wedding."
Princess Carmine was shocked to hear this news. She had got the news that there was a proposal for a marriage between the 2nd prince and her. But, her father had refused it and requested a marriage between her and the eldest prince. She was certain that the Norand will refuse it. She wondered " How can they allow a foreign nation woman to be the Emperor's wife."
She was shocked how they agreed without any preconditions. Her guts said that it was not right.
So, she said, " Father, I think Norand's people do not have good intentions. Why don't you disagree with it?"
King Ather got furious when princess Carmine requested to cancel the wedding by suggesting to disagree with it. He thundered, "Carmine, it does not imply that you have understood the world simply because you won 2 battles in the battlefield; Or maybe you do not want to marry and keep fighting in the war to feed your inflated ego. I am your father and I know what is right for you. Do you wish to live as a man to fight with our neighbouring countries forever??? I do not want to hear anything about it. I have decided that you will marry the Norand's eldest prince."
"You do not need to go back to the camp as General ever again. I will settle that for you once and forever."
"But father...Please, I really want you to think it over."
Ather turned away from her with anger and said, "Now you have got a little brother as well. And I am an old man, I cannot fight with them forever. And being the princess, this is your duty and responsibility. If this brings peace to our people you should do it without a second thought. You have disappointed me today Princess Carmine."
With these heart stabbing words, King Ather left her in the room and walked out.
Princess Carmine stayed there crying and talking to her mother, "What should I do, mother? Is this what is expected of me as a princess to marry for the peace of my nation."
Then she stood up wipe off her tears and thought to herself, "Father, you do not believe my speculation. I really hope it is wrong as you said but I cannot stay without doing anything. Fine. You all do your preparations and I will do mine."
In the Norand side of Inap, all the wedding gifts had arrived in the General Rulean's camp. As he opened the boxes each of the boxes was filled with gold, silver, pearls and fine clothes. Alor was also in the tent witnessing this scene.
Then, Rulean turned to Alor and said, "Alor order our craftsmen to make 20 more of these boxes." Alor was surprised and he teased him by saying, "Are you planning to take more present for the Princess."
Rulean laughed when he heard those words and put on a serious face and said, "No. I am taking my best fighters with me. " This puzzled Alor.
Seeing his confused state he confessed, "I do not plan to marry the Princess. I am only interested in the nation of Lapen. If my brother would only allow me to attack it I can easily conquer it. Nevertheless, I still can conquer it from within."
Then, he continued with his order, " I want you to select 40 best warriors of our troop and hide them in the secret compartment of the box and filled it with these gifts. Design it accordingly so they can still breathe in the box. And also have those other 20 boxes modified accordingly.
Hearing all this Alor was dumbfounded. He never thought how sinister General Rulean could be.
He attempted to change his mindset by saying," General Rulean you cannot be serious with this. If the Emperor gets new about it, he will be furious. General, he may also have his own plan. "
"It does not matter how we get Lapen because only the end result matters not the method. He only wants to govern Lapen. He may get angry at first but after I conquered it. He will be happy. Alor, if you are against the idea you do not need to accompany me I will take other soldiers for this mission."
Alor quickly kneels down and replied, " No General I want to go on the mission with you. If you want to do this I will support you. It's my duty to follow you." So, Alor left the tent with a heavy heart to complete this task.
Everyone thought that Alor's master was Rulean but no one knew that actually, Arol's Master was none other than Emperor Cyanx himself. He had assigned him to take care of Rulean as Cyanx was always worried about his brother's safety as he could be very impulsive at times. Hence, though he was undoubtedly loyal to Rulean and had grown to love him. However, it was his primary duty to inform his master. So, he sent a secret letter to Emperor Cyanx regarding Rulean's scheming plan.
When the secret letter reached the capital Eijin. Emperor Cyanx banged his hand on the table and shouted, " Idiot, why can't you just follow my orders? Why do you always have to take risks?"
At this point, Cyanx was conflicted as he cannot send the letter and inquire Rulean about it as it will indicate that Arol, who was his subordinate, actually is a spy of his. Hence, to tackle the situation he decided that he will visit himself. Because he knew in his company he cannot do so. And if he still insists to go with the plan he would have to admit it to him. So, as he prepared to go to Rulean, he sent a letter stating that he will be arriving there. However, when Cyanx letter of arrival reached Rulean's camp. He had already left for the marriage preparation to Lapen.
When the Rulean and his 30 soldiers, who dressed as servants went through the border, the boxes were opened and checked. But, other 40 soldiers hid in each of the 40 boxes' hidden compartment, when they opened they could only see the gold, silver, and fine things on it.