It was like choosing between returning to her hometown as a failed daughter, or fulfilling her dream of having children even with a man she didn't like. Jacob was grateful to have a loving mother, but he couldn't help but think that she deserved someone better— to have a better husband than that bastard.
Today was the day he had been waiting for, going to the kingdom of Grithda to have a talk with Queen Yelan, one step closer to something he had been aiming for for a long time. He sat down, closing his eyes, the horse's pace slowed down and the sound of people talking was then heard.
Prince Jacob pushed back the window blinds slightly to peek at the situation outside, they had arrived at Grithda territory's main city. He closed it again, leaning his head back.
Fortunately everything went smooth and may it will run smoothly until the end.
Eyes full of curiosity stared at the Prince Jacob's carriage, the flag bearing the symbol of the Barlow Territory displayed proudly to the knights escorting the carriage both in front and behind.
"So the rumor that the Crown Prince of Barlow will be coming here is true."
"I wonder if he really looks as handsome as people say, his beauty can hypnotized you it's like seeing an angel."
"Strong young prince, an alpha, and a very handsome man, I want to see him with my own eyes!"
"But hasn't the Barlow kingdom cut off the alliance with Grithda.., so why.."
"Shhh! Don't talk too loud! Haven't you heard the rumors that—"
Apparently rumors circulated even among the citizens of Grithda, it didn't matter, he never cared about those kind of good or malicious rumors, it didn't affect him.
Not long after, the carriage stopped. There was a knock on the door and Jacob immediately opened it, standing outside, Harris who informed him that they had arrived in front of Grithda's palace. Jacob got down from his carriage, the soldiers guarding the entrance who saw his arrival swiftly lowered their heads in respect to the prince. Queen Yelan stood, waiting in front with a warm smile when she saw Jacob walking towards her, Jacob lowered his head. "Thank you for inviting me here, Your Majesty Queen Yelan."
"Ah, Prince Jacob, crown prince of Barlow, you need not be so formal. I look forward to your visit to my palace. I will entertain you and your knights for lunch today, I hope you will like the dishes cooked by the most competent chefs of the Grithda palace."
Jacob smiled "I am really looking forward to it, Your Majesty. I heard that there's a special food from the country of Grithda which is very delicious."
"Aha, you're right, I've ordered the chefs to show off their skills to you, guaranteed you won't forget the taste of food from the country of Grithda."
Upon entering the palace, Queen Yelan joyfully explained the various beautiful artworks and paintings displayed on the walls. Jacob listened with pleasure, he didn't expect he would be greeted so warmly like this considering what his father had done when he was still ruling Barlow.
Queen Yelan led them into the main hall until they finally entered the large dining room reserved for important royal meetings.
They took their seats, it was Queen Yelan who started the conversation, "To be honest, Prince Jacob, I didn't expect you to come here ... no, when I received news from the mailman from Barlow palace that you wanted to come here, my heart fluttered."
"Your Majesty, I thought you would instantly refuse my request."
"How can I refuse?" Queen Yelan smiled, a sincere smile that made her eyes bent, "I have been curious about Sir Jonas' son for a long time, moreover you have become a hot topic everywhere."
Jacob laugh faintly, "I hope it's a good thing."
"It would be a lie if I said I wasn't worried when I received the letter, you are a powerful prince from a powerful kingdom, news of you always winning wars is spreading widely. Almost everyone knows about the young crown prince who defeated the Argün region."
"Well, you don't have to worry about that Your Majesty I'm not like my father. My coming here is for a good purpose."
"I have a good hunch that's why I invite you to my palace."
The servants brought their dishes to the table, Jacob was leisurely enjoying the main course, the dishes were in fact delicious, Queen Yelan wasn't lying when she said that the chefs in this palace were the most competent selected chefs.
When the servants came again to their table, putting down the dessert, Jacob took a handkerchief to wipe his mouth. Thankfully, the dessert wasn't too sweet.
After eating they took a walk looking at the sights of Grithda kingdom, Harris stood behind, following the prince to guard him, they then went to a large beautiful garden at the back of the palace with so many beautiful flowers and plants, there was a table with two chairs and they sat there, a maid pouring tea for Queen Yelan and him. "About your father's death, my condolences."
Noticing the unfazed face, Queen Yelan continued, "Your father didn't have a good relationship with my kingdom .."
"I know," he said as he took a sip of tea, "I don't even understand why he broke the alliance with his own neighboring kingdom. Grithda is quite a strong and prosperous kingdom."
"I didn't expect such praise to come from the crown prince of Barlow."
"I want to change it, I know this is a presumptuous request after what my father has done, I hope to reconnect the broken bonds of Barlow and Grithda's alliance."
At that, Queen Yelan's eyes widened, a glow on her face radiating with clarity, her lips formed a smile.
"My succession ceremony is just around the corner and I'd like it to happen after I become the king."
"Haha, I was right." Queen Yelan laughed, her laugh was warm and very welcoming. "You're different from your father, of course I'd be very happy if a magnificent kingdom like Barlow wanted an alliance, but what will you get from my small kingdom? I'm sure there are many alliance offers from big regions that could benefit Barlow."
"What will I get?" He mumbled with a faint smile, he remembered his purpose for coming here. ".. Your Majesty, is it right for you to agree to form an alliance with a Lunatic Prince?"
Queen Yelan's smile faded for a moment, "I'm sure you've heard the rumors about that, I'm not like my father however that doesn't mean I'm a good person."
"I will protect your kingdom," he added, "I'm sure you're aware that my victory make other nations even more determined to overthrow my empire, and they will do anything that will facilitate their victory..."
Queen Yelan's face turned more serious, of course she was aware, but Queen Yelan seemed to have prepared something before it could happen to her territory. Jacob also understood that Queen Yelan must also have a backup plan if they couldn't reach out to Barlow.
".. Including attacking the area near the kingdom they are after."
Sipping her tea, Queen Yelan carefully looked at Jacob's face, in the end she sighed. "You're right, of course my kingdom needs this alliance if we want to avoid severe conflict, I sound like a coward, don't I?"
"No, you don't follow your ego and choose wisely to protect your people .. and that's admirable."
Hearing that, a smile returned on Queen Yelan's beautiful face that looked like a moon, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes added a warm expression. "... But Prince Jacob, what will you get from this small kingdom of mine? You can get something even bigger and more valuable in other areas than what you will get from here."
Jacob smiled, a smile that was more like lifting the corners of his mouth like someone who just learned how to do it, he nodded. "You seem to have forgotten that doctors from this country are highly skilled, no, they are even more skilled than doctors from other countries."
"If you want doctors and medicines, hasn't that agreement been there since King Jonas ruled..."
"That's right, I want something other than that, I want you to give me someone."
Queen Yelan's face was suddenly astonished, full of wonder, she glanced at Prince Jacob's expression as if scanning what this man's intentions were. Moments later she sighed. "Hm, don't tell me you want to marry my daughter?"
Jacob unintentionally let out a light snort, "You don't need to worry, I have absolutely no intention of marrying your daughter."
"Haha, Princess Hera is still very young, so I'm a bit worried." a sigh of relief came out of Queen Yelan, she took a sip of her almost finished tea and looked back at the prince.
"So who is it? A person? Hmm, is it my personal doctor Leika? Well she's amazingly skilful."
"Your knight commander, Adam Reyns."
Queen Yelan who was drinking her almost finished tea subconsciously choked, she wiped her mouth as she said a quiet sorry for her carelessness, Yelan's eyes widened when she heard the man's name. Her eyes were wondering where in the hell he got the information that she had a knight commander called Adam Reyns, no, that was a name that no one knew, except her, and that man apparently.
"Pardon? Did you just say Adam... Reyns?"
Jacob nodded, Queen Yelan opened her mouth, "It's not that I don't want to give him to you it's just.. Adam, let's say his character is a bit unique for you to bring him to Barlow..."
"Is that man precious to you?"
"Of course, Adam, he is like my own son..." Queen Yelan closed her eyes for a moment, her eyes seemed to remember the past that only she could see, genuine face looked like a mother worrying about her child. At that, Jacob's eyebrow shot up. But before he could ask, Queen Yelan opened her mouth.
"Adam, he is a tough and brave man so I understand why you want him in your kingdom but, oh my, it will be difficult for him to leave Grithda, so what about ...."
Of course Jacob didn't miss this scenario in his conjectures, Adam Reyns, a man who had lived in Grithda since he was small, a loyal knight devoted to Queen Yelan, it wouldn't be easy for him to leave his hometown. Fingers tapping on the table, Jacob thought of another move he had planned.