The throne room became silent for a while. All the people inside waited for my father the emperor to be the first to talk.
"As you all know, we have been at war with Alessandria for a long time. We have been hostile with them at the time of my father." Emperor Reginald said. "The war had been more intense in the recent years and it has damaged not only our empire but also theirs. And so, we have talked about a truce."
I was a little bit surprised with the news, but I knew that there were talks about a temporary cease fire or a truce going on. Peace talks have been in the works I assumed.
"Me and my ministers have talked about the situation. We have weighed our options and have come into a decision just a while ago." Emperor Reginald said. "We also want this truce to happened, so that we can have time to heal. Not only our soldiers and people, but also the land that had been devastated by the war. And so we decided to yield to Alessandria's terms."
"But why are we the one bowing to their terms father?" Jonas asked. "Like them, we also had shed blood in the battlefield and fought against them. Why should we yield to their demands."
Jonas also had a fair share of the battlefield as a prince of the empire like my brother. As princes of the empire, they had a duty to protect the empire and lead the soldiers in battle. This has been there own battle between each other, gaining merits in the battlefield and winning the hearts of soldiers and also the people of the empire.
"Unfortunately, we have been losing many battles as of late." My father said with an icy tone. He looked at Jonas with piercing eyes. "And as I have learned from the reports, a prince had losing their battles one after the other."
Jonas cowered in the emperor's icy tone. As i have learned from the information coming and going inside my guild, Jonas has been losing his battles one after the other. My brother had been gaining fame from the battles that he had won even though it was not big ones.
"What do you think about this truce, Alexus?" Emperor Reginald asked my younger brother.
"I think that talks of peace is a breath of fresh air for the empire. As you have said, it will be a good time for our people and land to heal." Alexus replied. "But it also depends on what the other party is asking. I believe the emperor will not make a decision that will undermine our empire."
I smiled with my brother's reply. He had been alway a bright kid. And now that he had grown, he knew what to do. He is the rightful heir to the throne. I remember telling him to do his best and always please our father. Even though he was not a good father to us, he is a good emperor that puts the empire first.
"A good answer, Alexus." Emperor Reginald smiled. "As the prince had said, I will not agree to terms that are not also beneficial to our empire. As said, Alessandria asked some territories that borders ours. As you know, majority of their land is covered with dessert sand, and so they asked for the fertile land in the south. In return, they will pay us with twenty carriages filled with gold."
I was surprised at how generous the terms were. As the emperor had said, Alessandria had the majority of their lands are desserts. That is one reason why Alessandria had started to widen their borders and swallow other kingdoms. So far, they have won the territories in the north. But the north was also a frozen wasteland that gives little benefits to them, and that is why they set their eyes on Constantine which had many fertile lands in the south. Alessandria on the other hand is reach with gold mines. Gold which is the worlds global currency is a necessity, and that makes their empire the richest one in the entire world. That is the reason why my grandfather the previous emperor wanted to conquer Alessandria and started the war.
'Twenty carriages of gold? That is no little amount.' I thought to myself. 'Thinking that our side started the war in the first place, that is quite generous. They would have asked for a great amount of land if that is the case. Or maybe there is something that is not yet said.'
"In exchange with some piece of land, I believe it is such a fair trade for the truce." The emperor said. "And also, they asked for a princess to be sent to their empire as an addition to their emperor's harem."
The words that came our of the emperor made my eyes widen in surprise. This was news to me. Knowing that they only made the decisions this same day, I could not get this information beforehand.
This situation made me anxious. This was the first time since my guild was established that I did not get such information beforehand. And knowing my father, I knew who he will send.
"Because of this, I have made a decision to send Almera, my daughter, to Alessandria." Emperor Reginald said. His eyes focused on me.
I can feel immense anger boiling up inside of me. I can feel my body shaking in rage but I forced myself to remain calm. I gripped my hands into fists. I gripped it so hard that I can feel my nails burying into my skin.
"Father!" Alexus stood in front of me, shielding me from our father's gaze. "Why must you send Almera there. She is your eldest daughter and the true princess of this empire."
"I based my decision because of your very words Alexus." Emperor Reginald replied. "She is the true princes of the Constantine Empire, my daughter with my lawful wife the empress. She is my one and legitimate daughter. What will the emperor say if I said an illegitimate daughter as a wife to him?" He smirked.
'So, this is how you are going to get rid of me father.' I thought to myself.
My eyes fell on Quinevere. She was looking my way with an intimidating smile. I wish I could go there and give her a slap on her pretty face.
"You are just sending her there as a hostage father." Alexus had his voice up. "I also heard that the emperor of Alessandria has dozens of women in his harem. They are just like trophies to him that he won in his conquest. My sister will not be happy in that kind of situation."
"Well, I am not asking her to be happy. I am asking her to do her duty as the princess of this empire." Emperor Reginald said. "What say you, Almera? You can be of use to me and the empire. This is your duty as a princess of the Constantine Empire."
"Father…" Alexus was still about to protest but I stopped him.
I put my hand in his shoulder to make him stop. I do not want him to get into our father's bad side of he still goes on to question our father's decision.
Alexus looked at me with a sad and confused face. I shook my head to tell him to stop.
"But sister…" Alexus said.
"Let me talk to our father." I said.
I took a step forward and bowed my head.
"If I may have permission to speak." I said.
"Permission granted." Emperor Reginald replied.
"Is this a unanimous decision made by you and your ministers?" I asked and looked at the ministers.
I for one knew that Arthur would never vote for me to be sent to Alessandria as a hostage. We have been friends for a long time and I know he would have my best interests in mind.
"There was a voting that was done and majority had voted for you to be the one sent to Alessandria." It was Duke Noel that replied.
Like I thought, Duke Noel would want me out of the picture as well. In his eyes I may not be a big threat to him, but me being a princess is still a threat to him especially if I marry into a family that can give a huge support to Alexus. Marrying me off to an enemy empire would be better, with my safety not being guaranteed there.
"Even with such a decision father, you know that you cannot just force me against my will." I looked at my father right in his eyes.
My father knew that being my mother's daughter, I am backed by the Church of Light. Even though the church does not know of my powers, they are still watching over me as my mother's daughter, still hoping that I inherit my late mother's power and awaken.
It disgusts me that they only see my value to be used. Such people cannot be called human for using other people to rise in power.
"I see." Emperor Reginald smirked. "If you agree to be sent to Alessandria then I will promise to make your brother my one and only heir and the crown prince."
The ministers was shocked with emperor's decision.
"Y-Your majesty!" Duke Noel protested. "This is absurd! You cannot just decide the crown prince position on a whim and…" Father raised a finger to shut Duke Noel up.
"My decision is final. I believe that Prince Alexus had gained much achievements to be worthy of the crown prince position." Emperor Reginald said. "Duke Arthur, be sure to right down my will after this meeting and I will sign it."
"As you wish, your majesty." Arthur bowed his head in response.
"Does this suffice, my daughter?" Emperor Reginald replied. He knew that I have trust in Arthur and he will make the will and make sure that the emperor signs it. Alexus is surely to be crown prince.
"Then I agree, father." I replied. "I agree to be sent to Alessandria as 'wife' to the emperor there." I knew that I am going there as a hostage but if this gives Alexus the golden ticket to become the next emperor, then I will gladly risk myself.
"Sister, no." Alexus whispered to me like he was begging for me to reconsider but I just shook my head in response.
"Then it is settled." Emperor Reginald said. "You will be going to Alessandria in two days. Get your things ready by then."
"Understood, father." I bowed my head down.
"This meeting is dismissed." The emperor stood up and first left the throne room.
My eyes passed by the Aberforts. They had a face that was so twisted as if they ate something very sour. They looked our way and their gazed were filled with hate. I cannot help but give them a smile filled with contempt.
"Finally." I said to my brother. "This is a battle that we have won over them, Alexus."