The night was cold and Hadean still in the tree branch, observing how big the Fordenn Manor is. He could feel how Laria is mad right now using his ability: Mana Analysis. He is proud to have Laria awakened her power. Finally.
Recalling the past, he remembers how Laria used to smile at him. But now she even does not want to see him.
And for Hadean, he is satisfied by the Council's intervention. They lock Prince Darius after all. The killing machine that can take a thousand Westernians at once. He sure is insane. But one thing is for sure, he has a thing for Laria. So maybe his decision is right. That's what he thought.
"Michael, deliver this letter to Princess Kylie, personally," Laria said, then called Costa, Prince Darius shadow knight, "Costa, can you sneak in the Council Prison to me?" she asked firmly.
Costa smirked at how bold her ladyship is. Asking him to sneak out to the most guarded prison in the entire Continent.
"Easy as pie," that made Laria grinned.
"Make sure you handed this to Darius, and make sure he is safe," Costa frowned at her remarks.
"Not going to sneak the Prince out?" Laria knew that he can do that. But he stopped him.
"This is not a good time to declare war at the West when the East declare war against us," she stand up, "The King is really foolish, to have the West Empire interfere in the Internal Affair," she stated.
"Go now, also, after, hire me a mercenary," then Laria started preparing to meet the King and Queen.
Her father, Marquis Ariel is smiling ear to ear upon seeing Laria enter the Palace Conference Room, and Laria make the greeting.
"Greetings to the Sun and Moon of the Kingdom," she emphasized the word Kingdom, reminding the monarch that they are not an Empire and that it is dangerous to let the Emperor of West Kingdom keep interfering.
Hadean on the side was serious at how bold she has become. The Queen expression become so sullen.
"Emperor, my Lord, it is late now, I think you and your troops should rest now," the King said, pleasing him but his expression remained stoic.
"No, I am not tired yet," he glanced at Laria. "Let's see what she wanted to say," Even the Marquis wanted to reprimand her daughter. Laria remained her sharp face.
"This is an internal problem, your Majesty, so I suggest you stop interfering," the Queen's fake smile totally lost it.
"How disrespectful!" Laria frowned at the Queens remark. She remained silent while fighting by staring with Hadean.
"I see, even in my Empire I do not want others interfering in the internal dispute," he shrugged, "However, I will not be an outsider for so long." he smirked at Laria and she does not know what that means.
"What do you mean?" she finally asked when suddenly, her father clapped excitedly.
"We are going to wed you to the West Empire, and make you an Emperor's Consort!" blood literally drained from her face.
"We know your history with the Emperor so---" the discussion was stopped when the small Icetierre came out and her nose is bleeding. She is suffering from so much stress but now hearing how ridiculous their suggestions is making her lose her mind.
"What did you say?!" the King was shocked how bold Laria became. They felt fear upon seeing her expression. But suddenly, she felt so weak.
"Laria!" Hadean run to her, but she lost conciousness.
**
Laria has been unconscious for two days straight and Arianne was the one supervising the works she had to tend to.
'If only Brother Darius would come back...' Unlike Laria, Arianne has no idea what is happening. The royal knights were going back and forth from their Manor to check her sisters condition, and it is worsening.
'Maybe summoning the real body of Icetierre took a toll in her body, and it is her first time using magic too,' Arianne was very worried. The King announced too the war versus the East Empire and causes a huge uproar. Even the heads of the four great families does not know about this.
The West Empire said that they will provide support for the Eternal kingdom as Laria's exchange, a daughter of a noble. Not just a lady, but was able to summon the Icetierre.
There was a lot of discussion among the noble, especially in the four great families happening right now. The Icetierre is an important asset to them, now that the guardians of the remaining three families is not yet awakened.
"What is the King thinking, sending off the summoner of Icetierre?" Duke Aeras asked, crossed his legs and place a map, a lot of papers that contain important document, and a letter in the table, "Did you know that the Prince of the East is here? And that they are waging war against us?"
"We did not. The King relies so much in the West," Duke Granoir said and shake his head.
"Laria Fordenn made a great contribution on the Academy, and managing the small portion of Marquessate business given to her," Duke Aeras said, "And she summoned the Icetierre. What do you think of this, Duke Winterialle?"
The Duke looked so serious. Frustrated, he looked at the documents.
"She is still your granddaughter, is she not?" Duke Granoir is pushing him. He sighed.
"It is the King's order," he skimmed through the documents. The three Duke is looking at him.
"We know you love their mother but couldn't do anything about it because of the threat of the four duchess," Duke Aeras said convincingly, "Your granddaughter needs help."
"What can I do about it? It is the King's order and he does not want us to interfere," - Duke Winterialle.
"But this is not just a family matter! Our country is in the line," Then Duke Granoir pointed at the documents. "Prince Fierro, the youngest Prince of the East, is with her,"
"What?!" Duke Tierrien was shocked.
"That is what you get because you did not attend the execution." Duke Aeras sneered at him. "He present himself and stand up for our country! We should support him!"
"Wait, wait! Why should we? Won't the East will stop raging war on us if we give back their precious Prince?!" Duke Tierrien frowned.
"Of course not! Look at this letter!" They checked the letter together. It was a letter with the Royal Family's Seal of the East.
"It was an official letter in the East Empire that confirm the passing of Emperor Farhan! The Emperor strictly said to appoint Prince Fierro as the next heir!" Duke Aeras announced.
"Is this top secret?" Duke Winterialle asked.
"And that exactly why we need to give him back?" Duke Tierrien.
They looked at each other as they spoke together.
"What?" Granoir asked.
"You really does not change, Tierrien! And yes, it is very confidential, Duke Winterialle." Duke Aeras answered.
"What?!" Duke Tierrien said angrily.
"Then how did you get this information?" Duke Winterialle asked in Duke Aeras.
He smirked.
"Did you forget that we can control the air and wind?"
"So you fly and get this piece of informatioN?!" Duke Tierrien asked and Duke Granoir smack his head.
"Ouch! What do you think you are doing?!" And then he flares up his flame.
"Can't you use you common sense for once?!" Granoir snapped back and dust particles enveloped him.
Duke Aeras smiled while Duke Winterialle cannot take it anymore. He stand up and freeze the two.
"You are always like this! Fighting like idiots!" He shouted. "Can't you see that we are in the middle of the war?!"
Then Duke Winterialle explained that even by now, troops from the East are starting to march over their land. Upon reading the documents, they see the effort of Prince Darius and Laria. How they wanted to protect the Kingdom at all costs and see how greedy the King and Queen to the point that the Prince wanted to execute them.
'Those bunch of trash...' they said in their mind how the King and Queen are destroying the country.
"So this means that... if we give back Prince Fierro, they'll just kill him?" Duke Tierrien, the hotheaded Duke asked.
"Yes, and they will use this as an excuse, and frame us that we did kill their Prince." Duke Aeras answered.
"And to wage war and take our Kingdom!" Duke Granoir added.
"We must protect our Kingdom at all cost!" Duke Winterialle announced and the four great families entered an agreement to protect the Kingdom their ancestors used blood and sweat to build.