His death, her dynasty union and their war"
In a grand hall adorned with red curtains trimmed in gold, four long lines of individuals of varying statuses filled the space. Seated on a majestic throne atop a tall staircase were a man and a woman draped in regal purple linen. The atmosphere in the hall carried a sense of intensity and caution as conversations filled the air.
Suddenly, two grand doors at the room's end swung open, revealing a dark-haired man clad in sleek black armor. He walked purposefully to stand beside a woman similarly armored, positioning themselves before the King and Queen, his blood-red eyes fixed forward. The hall fell into silence.
"All hail His Majesty King Zephyron! All hail Her Majesty Queen Cordelia! Long live the Sun Twins!" The meeting commenced with resounding cheers for the monarchs. A man stepped forward, his tied-back blond hair and silver eyes reflecting battle experience. "Your majesty, as I was saying before the prince walked in, it is with great fear that I must say that woman is veraciously a force to be reckoned with."
"Hmm." The man on the throne nodded slightly, his cold expression remaining unchanged. His gray eyes seemed to pierce through the man as he stared. "But the aura around the woman was immensely elegant," the empress spoke up as she pushed back a strand of her midnight blue hair. "Her calm steps, crimson red hair, and icy gaze all came together in a terrifying harmony."
"I was utmost shocked at the sight of that woman in my bed chamber so late at night, but then again..." Zephyron leaned forward. "She did take down 100 guards and bypassed royal security with ease. How wouldn't she easily end up in my room?"
The room fell silent at the King's words in fear as his dark eyes seemed to read their minds. "F-Forgive me if I speak out of turn, but, y-your majesty, I heard that that woman offered you a dynasty union," an official stuttered out in hopes of changing the topic as gasps and small murmurs were heard.
"Yes." The King sat back nonchalantly, not saying anything more than that. "The problem at hand is whether or not we should accept it, is it not the reason i called for this audience?"
"Y-yes sire." A stubby haired man came forward as the whole hall stuttered "I suggest we take a vote sire." "Go ahead, Count Montgomery." the King said as he smirked
Montgomery turned to the officials an in a loud voice spoke "All in favour of going through with the treaty show recognition!" "I." the empress stated, raising her hand as everyone turned to her. "I think we should follow through with the treaty."
Shock and bewilderment filled the hall, as the hall was thrown into turmoil. Anyone was expected, anyone at all but not the Empress herself. Officials gulped down their words in fears as no one dared to gasp, all they did was stare right into the dark ruby eyes of the empress—she was serious.
"W-why so, your majesty?" Montgomery asked " because I sensed no deceit from the Seraphim woman" the empress bordely placed her head in her hand as she replied.
"I agree with her highness!" The prince stated, raising his hand as he drew attention to himself. "It is the perfect opportunity to finally put Seraphim under us."
"See? Even Carlyx agrees," Cordelia said, turning with a small smile to the King. "It's a very fascinating plan, but don't you think Seraphim might have something under their sleeves?" Zephyron asked, addressing no one in particular with his eyes.
"If they do and they even at the slightest bit try to act out, then..." the lady standing next to Carlyx began as she stepped forward. "We'll finally find out if their King is truly stupid."
"It seems Olympia agrees too," Zephyron said, "Then do I really still have a say when the sun twins and the Empress have a plan?" Cordelia made a small giggle as she covered her mouth with her hand. "Of course you do, your majesty! This decision requires a unanimous approval of all heads."
"Agreeably that woman definitely knew what she was doing but unfortunately because of that woman, Seraphim would become a very formidable foe if made foes. So i think i know what we must do to avoid crisis."
...
"Lady Ariana." Irie called out as she stepped into the silver and pink-laced room. A maid stood behind Aria, who faced a mirror, gently brushing her hair.
"Yes, Irie?" Aria extended her hand as Irie dropped six letters in it. "Lord Terra... Leander... Nikolai... Father... an invitation..." Aria brushed through the letters before halting at one "An... Invitation?"
Aria opened the letter and brought out its contents. "Dear Lady Ariana Isabella Silverstone, daughter of Duke Silverstone, You are hereby invited to a celebratory party in honor of Princess Iris Evangeline Nightshade." Aria closed her eyes for a moment and smiled before dismissing the maids.
"It seems the ball is happening right on time. Princess Iris comes back and makes small mischief as always, but this time..." her eyes turned dark. "I'll use every opportunity I get to achieve my goals. All of them."
Aria glanced back at the invitation letter, realizing she hadn't finished reading it and there seemed to be more information. "Princess Iris has achieved so much and is still working-" Aria interrupted herself with a scoff. "Mayhem disguised as achievement is a better phrase."
Iris Evangeline Nightshade. An ambitious woman filled with the spite of arrogance. Apparently adopted by the king for possessing something great, Iris settled in well—her manners, talents, and political position grew immensely. All this was due to her unique ability; Iris was one of the very few chosen to be a member of the Elite Elcheon.
The Elite Elcheon, a group of twelve individuals representing the moon, sun, and nine planets, chosen by the goddess Solarius to keep the four kingdoms safe. The goddess decreed that these twelve individuals could pass on their abilities to chosen successors after death, ensuring the cycle of power continued.
Aria smirked at her perfect recollection and thought aloud. "Apparently Iris possessed the ability known as illusoria, granting her the power to create and manipulate illusions. This power was originally granted by Solarius to a man named Venus, which is now the name of the closest planet to Earth..." Aria stood up and slowly began to pace the room. "But Princess Iris seems to be causing more harm than good. In my past life, when she came back, we got into a huge fight which grew into a beef, but this time I plan to attack her before she does to me." I'll have to cause more mayhem than Princess Iris if I'm going to be the greatest villainess. I really can't let a measly old fox beat me.
Aria made a devious smile and stared at the invitation before all the color drained from her face, and she turned pale. "D-Drakorian people will be attending?!" Aria stumbled back in shock and bewilderment, her eyes bulging. "B-but this isn't supposed to happen until a week after our fight?" Calm down Ariana.
Aria stood up straight and began pacing roughly. She couldn't understand why all of this was happening. Was it because I have knowledge of my past life or...
Aria stopped pacing. "Is it because Nikolai was chosen as the heir faster than originally?" A sudden realization hit her. "Yes, of course! Everything has to happen faster to keep up with the pace!" Aria grinned with joy but it immediately faded as another realization hit her.
"Hold up... Wasn't the Queen attacked at the party in my past life? Th-That's right... and that caused a huge war between Seraphim and Drakoria because Drakoria suspected us as the perpetrators..." Aria fell to her knees, hitting a table and causing a framed picture to fall and shatter. "And it was during that same war..." Aria turned to the shattered portrait on the floor, it was the portrait of her and her brother. "that Asher died."
Tears streamed down Aria's face unexpectedly, and her room door suddenly flung open. Maids rushed in alongside her brother as they had heard the sound of the shattering frame. They all called out to Aria, but the louder they thought they were, it was all being muted in Aria's head, all she could do was watch them scramble around her.
"Aria! Aria!.."
...
"Lady Ariana!" A butler rushed into an office with haste. There Aria sat, dressed in all black and white men's clothing.
"What is it, Sir Renard?" Aria asked as she went on with her business, not minding the urgency in his voice. "We just got word from the military, and a squad of them is outside the mansion!" Renard answered.
"Could they have come at an even worse time? I was just on my way to see Leander, and here they are, asking for my attention." Aria dropped her papers and stared right into the butler's dark blue eyes. "You have ten seconds. What. Do. You. Want?"
"The men outside.. they said your brother went right into the enemy's turf and killed the general but... at the cost of his life." Terror filled Aria's face, and her color drained. "The knights said that he-"
Aria pushed the butler aside as she ran, interrupting him and not minding what else he had to say. "Asher! Asher!" She screamed as she ran to the door "Asher! This can't be true."
Hot tears streamed down her face as she ran as if her life depended on it. "It's just jest, right? You're strong, you've always been the strongest! Tell me it's all just jest and you just planned a surprise for me like always! Tell me-" Aria flung the doors open and froze at the sight of knights holding an open coffin. Aria walked closer and stared at the coffin.
"Asher...?" Aria stared at the men who had their heads down then at the body. "No no no no no no NO." Aria grabbed hold of the coffin and cried. "Asher!" "wake up Asher! i'm right here! You have my utmost attention right now! Please wake up!" Aria screamed at the top of her lungs. "Asher!" Aria gripped the cloth that covered his cold and bloody body. "Asher! Please! Please wake up!" Aria begged and begged
"Asher please!" She screamed, she shouted, she begged- she did everything just to see him again. just to see him smile at her again.
"Asher! Asher! Please don't go! Don't leave me alone!" Aria kept on screaming, crying, and begging for him, but nothing happened. Instead, guards came to drag her back inside as her mother had ordered. "Asher!"
Was it because of my abruptness? Was it because i toke you for likely? Or did you just hate me so much you didn't want to leave any longer.
...
"Had I been more cautious and less oblivious... I would have avoided his death back then." Wouldn't I?