The Castle of Sails commonly known as the Royal Palace was at the heart of Stormwatch. The huge, magnificent structure boasted proudly to neighboring dynasties of its rapidly growing strength and ever-increasing faith in the Goddess of Tempest!
Born from a family of pirates, The Royal Household was a clusterf*ck. It was hard to trace their true ancestors because pirates didn't take a wife, instead, they randomly spread their seeds.
Until the Wise Allen, stumped on this piece of land—while adventuring with his friends and built a city millennials ago—which later came to be known as—Stormwatch!
Nobody knew his actual name and the records only mention his title—Wise Allen.
Later on, he also brought forth believers of Tempest—from Goddess know where and helped establish a faith.
To honor Wise Allen, the later generations named the Royal Palace—The Castle of Sails!
In a lavish dining room, gentle sunlight shone from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Servants stood in the shadows of curtains.
On the long mahogany table, a plethora of luxurious dishes lay spread.
A middle-aged man with soft facial features and a mole below his left eye was sitting at one end, slowly eating a fish pie covered in sauce—A traditional breakfast of most common households in Stormwatch.
He was not bothered by the fact, that despite having access to so many dishes, he was eating the most common dish.
He wore a navy-blue military uniform with a greatcoat over it. The only medal visible was an ocean-blue compass made of a special crystal—The Grand Compass, which the House of Tempest bestows the new King of Irae during their coronation ceremony.
Despite the gaudy clothing, his aura was smooth and calm; and he gave the impression of a learned neighborhood uncle, who would secretly treat you with candies.
Across from him, some male and female figures sat munching on their choice of dishes.
The most prominent was a man with a grizzled face, a bulky physique, and a scar that spread across his right eye. His plate was filled to the brim with meat and bones were spread on his side of the table. His manners were unlike any noble.
"Father, I want the new arsenal of weapons you developed. The old ones seem too outdated to me… Also, the first mate complains all the time about the renovation of the ship." The grizzled man spoke as he patted his stomach.
"From Wise Allen to Musclehead Allen. How far we have come…" The man with soft features commented.
Ignoring the snide remark, the grizzled man laughed, "As long as you have enough strength, you can crush anything. Why do you still care about schemes and politics?"
The other members of the Royal Family weren't surprised by the bluntness of Musclehead Allen.
"Remember my foolish child—The ones who think they can overcome anything with pure strength, all have miserable ends… because there is always someone stronger than you, someone who can get you off your high horse.
"Wise Allen's words not mine." The man replied in a leveled tone, "Though I would like to add—as long as one tread carefully, one would never come across a field of spikes."
"As for your request, I'd consider… For now, go bring your sister from that island and tell her to behave this time. I need this marriage to be successful." He stood up and ordered gently.
The grizzled man was surprised, he blurted out his thoughts aloud, "You want this marriage to be successful?"
"By nook or crook. I don't care, Everett."
A confused expression appeared on Everett's face, "Then why have you been arranging multiple candidates for her in the past 5 years, but let her do as she pleased?
"She broke dozens of noble scions!
"Do you know, her title as The Broken Princess has reached the ears of ordinary pirates and Rogues alike?
"They all laugh out loud and bet on which man would tame that lioness!"
Unbothered by the criticism, an enigmatic smile appeared on the man's face, "You need to plan years ahead to not let them know what you are thinking…
"Only then you'll be worthy of the surname The Wise Allen bestowed upon us."
With that, the man turned around and walked out of the hall.
"Wait!" Everett called out but to his disappointment, the figure has already vanished.
Why did he arrange for them? At that time the boy should've been 13 years old. He could've declared him as her fiancé and waited for a few years before marrying them! Then why did he orchestrate this farce?... The expression on his face turned even more puzzled.
It was not at all surprising or weird for 13-year-olds to have a marriage partner candidate in this era.
Usually, they would declare it in advance and wait till their coming-of-age ceremony to marry them.
"Goddess, why is he always so mysterious?" Everett slammed his fist on the table which startled the other members of the household.
"Ah, sorry stepmother 3, stepmother 8, half-brother 7…" Everett rose from his seat and apologized, after which he also left the table while burping out loud.
Everett waved his hand nonchalantly while weaving his way through The Castle of Sails. A figure of a middle-aged man that gave off a scholarly air appeared by his side. He was Everett's advisor whom the King arranged for him.
"What do you think…?" Everett asked while picking his teeth with a toothpick.
"Your Highness, in my humble opinion, his actions must be to lower Princess Chione's guard. Let her think, this marriage is like any other and she can do as she pleases but… she doesn't know Akerse's are not to be trifled with.
"Duchess Faneia is very dangerous and she would put the Princess in her place, even if… the Princess bores the surname, Allen."
"From a psychological point of view, such a person would fall into desperation, leading to them taking drastic measures…
"As for what the His Majesty is thinking—even I can't gleam into his secrets…"
If she is desperate she would go to any lengths to ensure this marriage fails… Does he want to kill the boy?
Or maybe he wants to create a rift between The General and Akerse'?
Or maybe he genuinely wishes for the wedding to succeed?... Numerous questions arose in Everett's mind but he could speak some things aloud.
After all, The Royal Palace is one such place where even walls have ears.
Despite being called The Musclehead Allen, he was not completely foolish.
"Dam*it! If he were ever given a title it would be—The Scheming Allen!" Everett complained.