The town of Braedon, nestled at the base of Mount Verdura, had never seen such a parade of nobility and soldiers. Three days had passed since our arrival, and the quiet town was now teeming with activity. Duke Lysander, my cousin, had finally arrived, accompanied by the royal guards of Astoria, Sir Gregor, Gabriel, and an Eldorian high-ranking officer named General Thorne. The small town struggled to accommodate the influx of people, so half of the royal guards and the knights made camp on the outskirts.I watched from a distance as the soldiers set up their tents and prepared their campfires. The air was filled with the sounds of men calling out orders, horses neighing, and the clanking of armor, a stark reminder of the serious nature of Alexander's mission and misdeeds."Are you ready, Your Highness?" Lady Evelyn's voice pulled me from my thoughts.I turned to her, nodding. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go."Lady Evelyn and I made our way through the bustling camp, heading toward Duke Lysander's tent. The soldiers we passed saluted us, their faces a mix of curiosity and respect. As we approached the large, ornate tent, two guards stepped aside to allow us entry.Inside, Duke Lysander stood, deep in conversation with Sir Gregor and General Thorne. Duke Lysander was a tall, imposing figure with a sharp gaze that missed nothing. When he saw us, he broke off his conversation and smiled, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes."Your Highness," he said warmly, stepping forward to embrace me. "It's good to see you safe."I returned his embrace, feeling a surge of emotion. Despite everything, he was family, and seeing him brought a sense of comfort. "It's good to see you too, cousin."He gestured to the new face among them. "This is General Thorne of Eldoria."I nodded to him. "General Thorne."General Thorne was a stern-looking man with greying hair and a no-nonsense demeanor. He nodded curtly. "Your Highness. Well... I will be excusing myself now that all matters will be handled accordingly without furthering any misconception." He bowed to me and nodded to the Duke before leaving the tent.Once the general had left, we took our seats around a large table in the center of the tent, covered in maps and documents. Duke Lysander leaned forward, his expression serious."Now, tell me everything. What is this about Prince Alexander's quest, and why have you become involved?"I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Prince Alexander's intention is to hunt the King of Monsters. He believes that by defeating the King, he can prevent future attacks on Eldoria and secure peace for his kingdom."Duke Lysander frowned. "And you believe this quest is misguided?""Yes," I replied firmly. "The King of Monsters maintains a delicate balance between humans and magical creatures. If he is killed, it could disrupt the peace and lead to more chaos. In Astoria, we live in harmony with magical creatures, and this hunt goes against our way of life."Duke Lysander interjected, his voice filled with concern. "But surely you understand that the threat these creatures pose to other kingdoms. They have suffered greatly from their attacks and definitely they don't share our beliefs. I strongly belief the prince will have enough backing from other kingdoms. We are at odds if we choose to be indifferent.""I understand the fear," I said, meeting his gaze. "That is why it is our duties to educate them that not all magical creatures are harmful. Many are peaceful and coexist with us. By going after the King, we risk upsetting that balance and provoking further aggression."Sir Gregor, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "Prince Alexander is a determined man. He believes this is the only way to protect his people.""I don't doubt his intentions," I said. "But there must be another way. We need to find a solution that doesn't involve bloodshed."Duke Lysander studied me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "And what do you propose?"I glanced at Lady Evelyn, who nodded encouragingly. "I propose we seek out the King of Monsters and negotiate. If we can find a way to coexist peacefully, we can avoid unnecessary violence and maintain the balance."Duke Lysander leaned back, considering my words. "It's a risky plan. The King of Monsters is not known for his diplomacy.""That's why we need to try," I insisted. "If we don't, we risk everything. Please, Duke, trust me on this."There was a long silence as Duke Lysander weighed my proposal. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. We will try it your way. But if negotiations fail, we must be prepared for the worst.""Thank you," I said, relief washing over me. "But we need to plan this carefully. The prince must not know our true intention. I will mislead him away from the King. Then, I will try to escape to meet with the King and negotiate with him. Eve, from now on, you will follow the Duke back to Astoria. I cannot allow Alexander to hold you captive once I decide to flee."Even though Lady Evelyn was reluctant at first when she considered my words, she finally understood.As we stood to leave, Duke Lysander placed a hand on my shoulder. "Be careful, Princess. This path you're choosing is fraught with danger.""I know," I replied softly. "But it's the right path."Lady Evelyn and I left the tent, the weight of the conversation heavy on my shoulders. As we walked through the camp, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The road ahead was uncertain, and the stakes were higher than ever.We found Alexander and his knights gathered near the camp, discussing their next move. General Thorne was already there, speaking with Alexander in low tones. When they saw us approaching, the conversation stopped, and all eyes turned to us."Your Highness," Alexander greeted me, his tone formal. "I hope Duke Lysander does not held any grunge to my misdeed."I took a deep breath, preparing myself. "He understands and will relay the explanation to His Majesty the King of Astoria." In other words, we have succeeded in avoiding conflict between kingdoms temporarily.The knights began to disperse, preparing for the next steps. Lady Evelyn and I found a quiet spot near the edge of the camp, sitting down on a fallen log. The evening air was cool, and the sky was a deep indigo dotted with stars."You did well," Lady Evelyn said softly. "Convincing both Duke Lysander and Prince Alexander to agree is no small feat."I smiled, though my heart was still heavy. "It's a start. But we have a long way to go."Lady Evelyn nodded, her gaze distant. "I hope your plan will succeed to negotiate with the King of Monsters."Elysia leaned against her, taking comfort in her presence. With tenderness, she delicately runs her fingers through the princess' hair as if conveying a sense of solace and reassurance. The road ahead was uncertain, but they had a plan for now. And in this world of shifting loyalties and hidden agendas, that was more than enough.As the night wore on, Elysia couldn't help but think about the journey that lay ahead. They were heading into uncharted territory, seeking out a creature of legend in the hopes of forging a peace that many believed impossible. But she had to believe it was possible. For the sake of Astoria's secret, they had to try.And as she lay in her bed that night, the sounds of the night settling around her, Elysia held onto that belief. The path was fraught with danger, but she could overcome any obstacle with determination and courage.