After parting ways with Epirus, Alednos then went to Elzilaura's chambers. There, he advises Elzilaura to be careful. "Epirus is spying on you. Zedon and I saw him following you. Luckily, we distracted him. Please be careful. I think he is trying to find flaws in you. I will talk to Zyric for a body guard that will be with you but for now, I have asked Harrion to watch over you.
"Zyric is my marshal and as such he is the personal body guard of the Queen or the Crystal Princess."
"Yes, but Zedon and I saw you both. You were gone for way too long, the Duke of Craiine was worried. He scanned through the gardens and we saw you from a distance. You both looked cozy.
Let us hope no one else saw you in the gardens. It will not be safe for you to be seen with him. I am not trying to humiliate you. I am your royal adviser and I must do my job to advise you and remind you of your engagement. I know you do not love Jarin but he is your fiance and deserves to be respected. Please be careful not to turn our allies into enemies."
Ezlilaura was shocked with what the royal adviser said.
"I am sorry. I don't mean to overstep but I hope you understand my concern for you." The princess did not speak but just nodded in approval.
"I better get going. I will ask Kania to attend to you immediately." Alednos was trying to make amends.
"It's alright. Let her rest. I will manage on my own." The princess speaks.
Alednos bows and takes leave.
Meanwhile, Zyric was walking around his chambers. He was tired but couldn't rest or sleep. He kept on thinking about Elzilaura and longed for her even more. He needed to have a word with her. Just as he was about to leave the room, Alednos comes in.
"Lord Marshal, I am here to inform you that your brother and I saw our princess being followed by Epirus after the two of you parted ways. As I told her, I hope The Duke of Craiine and I were the only ones who saw the two of you together."
Zyric was speechless. Alednos continues. "I've come here to advise you to stand clear of her for the time being. I know you should be the one guarding her. It's part of your duties as marshal but it would be best to delegate a security team. For now, I sent Harrion to look after our princess."
"I understand." Zyric replies. "I will go to my men now and gather that security team for her. I will update you soon before presenting the team to our princess."
"Sure, my Lord Marshal." Alednos bows a bit while Zyric left.
Alone in her room, Elzilaura recalls the moments she spent with Zyric while the words of Alednos echoed in her mind. She now regrets confirming Zyric's affections which she reciprocates because she was having trouble letting him go. She had to do something. This conflict in her head and heart must be resolved.
She then goes to her desk and starts writing a letter to Jarin. When she was done, she tries to call Kanunia to have the letter delivered to the Prince of Galmar. However, the sister does not answer. Elzilaura thought it best to find Kanunia.
As she approaches the end of the hallway, she gets distracted by the gush of wind opening one of the windows. She failed to notice that Zyric too was walking along and they bumped into each other. She nearly loses her balance but Zyric caught her just in time.
Suddenly, Epirus appears out of nowhere. After seeing the Fliskan in a most compromising situation, he went raving mad.
"I knew it. You are an infidel. You are not loyal to my liege. You would hang for this if only we are in Galmar. How dare you cuckold my Prince!!!" A raving Epirus ranted at the princess.
Zyric then puts down the princess so she may stand up against the royal adviser. "It's not what you think." She states. "How dare you imply such thing without investigating properly?"
"What is there to investigate? I saw you in a very improper moment with this man! I knew it you are not truthful. You-!"
"That is enough." Zyric defends the crystal princess. "You have no right to speak disrespectfully against our princess!"
In outrage, Epirus attacks Zyric. The Fliskan fights the Galmaran royal adviser. Elzilaura yells at them both to stand down. The Galmaran guard tries to stop the two but gets caught up as well.
Luckily, a Desdanin royal guard came to Elzilaura's aid. He pulled her away from the two fighting men and signaled to his other troops. When the Galmaran was free from his entanglement, he calls up Prince Jarin.
The Galmaran Prince swiftly comes into the scene to neutralize the situation. "Stop this now, Lord Epirus. I command you."
His plea fell on deaf ears. "No, my Lord! Galmaran honor was stained. Your bride-to-be here has proven herself an infidel to you!" He continues to harass Zyric. Epirus manages to take the Galmaran guard's laser gun and tries to use it against the Fliskan. Luckily, Zyric caught the Galmaran adviser's arm and the laser gun flew.
"That is enough Epirus. This is insubordination!" Jarin yells but he was even more irate and lashes back at the prince. "I am trying to protect your honor and this is how you treat me, you ingrate!!!! He finally gets a chance to punch Zyric who loses balance and immediately reaches for the laser gun.
He takes it in his hand and aims at Zyric but a Desdanin soldier comes in to attempt to disarm him. During the struggle, he manages to kick the Desdanin soldier and once he was out of the way, Epirus attempts to kill Zyric again. However, Jarin interferes. He pushes the Fliskan to safety while he receives the fatal blow from the laser.
Seeing the Galmaran prince wounded, the people within the area rushed to his side and worked together to get him and the unconscious Desdanin soldier to the infirmary to receive medical help.
At the infirmary, Epirus stays with Jarin as the Desdanin medical staff tends to the wounded prince. Elzilaura attempts to see Jarin but Epirus' men block her from entering the room.
Since Elzilaura was not allowed inside, Alednos and Zedon came to the infirmary's entrance to take the princess and Zyric away.
"We told you both to stay put. Now, look what you have done." Zedon raises his voice at them.
"I'm sorry I just wanted to see Jarin to have a word with him." Elzilaura was nearly trembling.
"I am on my way to see my men." Zyric claims as he moves closer to Elzilaura and tries to comfort her. Zedon cuts in between breaking the two of them to avoid further incrimination. "I told you to stand clear of each other. Why can't you follow simple instructions?"
"I can't." Elzilaura nearly cries. "I am on my way to Jarin to tell him I can't do this anymore." She sobs and covers her mouth.
"Are you out of your mind?" Zedon flares up.
"I have a different proposition that I know will benefit all of us. That's why I wanted to see Jarin. I want to tell him of my plan to strengthen our alliances without the need for political marriage." Elzilaura elaborates.
"I also wanted to see our princess for a proposition. That's why I turned back. I wanted to go back to my room and send a message via communicator." Zyric explains as well.
"Please, go back to your respective rooms. Don't make this more difficult." Zedon then turns to Alednos. "Lord Royal Adviser, please escort the Crystal Princess while I deal with the situation. Wait for my update in your quarters your highness." Alednos immediately takes Elzilaura away.
Elzilaura tried to resist. "I'm worried about Jarin. I'd rather stay here."
"Please Elle, you have to trust me as Duke of Craiine and as your friend. Please." Zedon sounded a bit desperate. Elzilaura nods and allows Alednos to escort her.
Harrion just arrives when Zedon gives him orders. "You are to escort the Lord Marshal here to his chambers."
"Wait brother. I think I can help out. Don't send me away too soon." Zyric pleads.
"I will be speaking with the Bealyx and I don't think I will need anyone here so just trust me and stay in your room." Zedon replies
"Maybe I can gather evidences for you that the Galmarans are up to something." Zyric states.
"You can do that in your room. You can coordinate via communicator." Zedon was starting to get vexed.
"Alright. I will go." Zyric walks away while Harrion trails behind.
In his room, Zyric wasted no time. He contacts his Pataran friends all over the universe and asks some assistance in getting information about Epirus. They all agreed to help out.
Meanwhile, Alednos leads Elzilaura to her chambers. The ladies just arrived from their sight-seeing and relaxation trip. They learned of the commotion that happened and rushed to Elzilaura's bedchambers. Alednos returns to the infirmary promising to update Elzilaura. Kanunia and Dazifae cheer up Elzilaura by offering comforting words and also narrating their adventures to distract the distraught princess.
Suddenly, they receive a transmitted communication link. It was Zyric.
"We are supposed to be avoiding each other." Elzilaura says.
"I know. This will be the first and the last time. I just want to say I will do everything in my power to clear us from this mess and find a way for us." The Fliskan Marshal says.
"Likewise." Elzilaura softly responds. "Is there anything more?" She seemed hesitant.
"Yes." He takes a deep breath. "I love you. I always have and always will. I won't hold back anymore. I will fight for our love no matter what."
Suddenly, Elzilaura's hopes were up. "I love you too and will find a way for us to be together." She blows him a kiss before she hangs up. When she glanced back at her companions, Dazifae looked teary eyed and Kanunia clutched at her chest.
Inside the patient's room, Epirus stood there watching over his prince. Once they were alone, Epirus whispers to the critically wounded Prince. "Forgive me lad but I need a war. This is the only way we can break our alliance and support the Mudrogos Vel and Nybians. I will make sure you will be honored as a hero. I promise you." He then injects a small drug into Jarin that makes him shiver. Epirus frantically calls for the doctor as Jarin become critical. Not for long, the prince dies.
Once he was dead, Epirus takes over. He commands the doctors to release the body as soon as possible for they will head back to Planet Havo immediately. All autopsies and other medical protocol will be done in their home planet.
Yonanes soon arrives and meets Zedon at the doors of the infirmary. Finally, the Duke of Craiine was allowed entry because he was with the Bealyx. Yonanes then tries to talk to Epirus.
"My Lord Epirus, I offer our deepest condolences for the untimely passing of your prince. Tell me what caused this?"
Epirus becomes defensive and more arrogant than before. "That Fliskan Witch did this. I caught her in the act! She was in the arms of her Fliskan lover. I discovered their affair. This is an insult to us Galmarans. She is to blame for Prince Jarin's death."
"Watch your tongue royal adviser." Zedon warns. "She is a princess and must be treated with respect."
"She is indecent and unfit to be a royal bride." The royal adviser lashes again.
"She is innocent unless proven guilty otherwise." Zedon points out.
"I agree with the Duke of Craiine." Yonanes shifts his gaze from Zedon to Epirus. And also, there were witnesses claiming it was you who accidentally hit the prince because of your rage. You even refused the orders of your prince. That is grave disrespect and insubordination too." Yonanes says.
"Think what you want to think your majesty but I know the truth and this will be reported to our king. As of this moment, we are breaking our ties with Fliska. We are leaving this alliance immediately!"
"I am reminding that only the king can break diplomatic ties with Fliska. I hope you are not overstepping in power. I do understand you are upset and I will let that slide. I hope you reconsider my lord but if this is your decision, I cannot hold you any longer against your will." Yonanes then sets Epirus and his team free.
He then leaves the infirmary with Zedon. "My Lord Duke, I feel we have just gained new enemies. We have to meet and change strategy again. The Galmarans should they join, the enemy might betray us." The Bealyx sadly voices out his thoughts.
"According to intelligence reports from my spies, they are trying to find ways to break away from the treaty made during the Flisko-Galmaran war. I think they framed up our princess but I have no clear evidence."
"Isn't Epirus' rage the evidence we need?" The Bealyx asks.
"Perhaps but we need more. We need solid proof that he is in league with the Mudrogos Vel Empire. Besides, he is a cousin to Jarin. The King might favor him more. He can twist the truth and the Galmaran King will believe him. The troops are loyal to him so they will lie just to absolve Epirus of any wrongdoings."
"I see." Yonanes says. "How do you find this proof?"
"My spies and Fliskan intelligence are working on it." Zedon claims
"Very well, cousin." Yonanes says. "Let me know how we can be of assistance."
"Of course, thank you cousin." Zedon injects. Alednos comes in and bows before the two leaders.
"Cousin, I must leave now for a briefing with my generals. Please be in our meeting soon. I will have everyone in the great hall." Yonanes then walks away.
"What happened, my Lord?" Alednos asks.
"Jarin is dead." Zedon sighs.
"We are in deep trouble then." Alednos says
"Yes." Zedon grunts. "And poor Jarin."
"It's very suspicious how he died." Alednos claims. "His injuries could have been healed quickly considering medical technological advancement. I sense foul play involved."
"You have a point there Alednos." Zedon affirms.
"If we can have investigators in Jarin's treatment room and his medical records, we might find what we need." Alednos suggests.
"I will ask the Bealyx for this." Zedon says. "But inform the princess that Jarin is dead and we are doing everything to get to the bottom of this matter. Allow her to leave her room but suggest that she avoid being seen with my brother until we resolve this issue."
"Yes, my duke." Alednos bows. "I wish I had a brother like you always concerned for my well-being. Whereas my family hurt my beloved and now she has become our enemy."
"I am sorry Alednos. I promise you that if I ever encounter her, I will try to sway her back to us. After all, part of her will always be Fliskan." Zedon says.
"Thank you, my duke. " Alednos responds.
"Think nothing of it. You deserve to be happy too." The duke replies.
Before they could continue, they both hear an explosion.