A few weeks had passed, since Azrael arrived back in Althea. The air hung heavy with a suffocating silence as Azrael's walked through the corridors of the palace, his steps measured and purposeful. He could feel the weight of his decision pressing down on him, like an invisible force that threatened to crush his very soul. He knew that he had made the right choice, but that did little to ease the ache in his heart.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the silence. "Azrael!"
He stopped, recognizing his father's voice. King Eldarion stood at the entrance to the throne room, his expression concerned. "Father?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly.
His father motioned for him to enter the throne room. As Azrael walked inside, he couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. Inside the throne room, his father sat on a white chair, where his advisors normally sat and gestured towards another chair. "Sit, son," he commanded, his firm but there was a hint of gentleness that Azrael had not experienced in a long time.
He sat down slowly. The silence stretched on for a while, broken only by the nervous tapping of Azrael's foot against the marble floor.
Finally, King Eldarion spoke, his voice with a hint of amusement. "You look like a kicked puppy, Azrael." He chuckled softly. "Or perhaps a lost child."
Azrael scoffed, "Funny you should say that Father," he muttered.
King Eldarion's smiles faded, replaced by a seriousness that mirrored Azrael's own. "Do you know why I proposed the marriage to General Kazi?" he asked, his eyes boring into his son's.
Azrael shook his head. "No, Father. I thought it was a political move, to strengthen ties between Althea and Niameda."
King Eldarion chuckled, a low rumble that echoed through the vast chamber. "Politics, yes," he admitted, "but not entirely. You see, Azrael," he continued, his voice softening, "But from the first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one for you."
"Father we are not similar," Azrael said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Love has a curious tendency to bloom in the most unexpected places, between the most... opposite people." King Eldarion paused, gathering his thoughts.
"But she lied to me, Father. She deceived me all along. Confused me, made me question everything."
King Eldarion raised a hand, silencing his son. "Did you ever ask her why?" he inquired; his eyes boring into Azrael's. "Did you ever give her a chance to explain herself?"
Azrael faltered, a flicker of shame crossing his features. "No, Father. I was...I was too angry, I suppose." He looked down at his hands, clenching and unclenching them in his lap. "I should have given her a chance to explain, but...I couldn't bear the thought of." He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
King Eldarion sighed. "Governor Nari, her father, contacted me weeks ago. He revealed that General Kazi decided to come to Althea undercover to uncover a traitor within our midst. However, the mission was cut short due to the little altercation with your sister Athiel."
Azrael's eyes widened in surprise. "A traitor? Here, in Althea?"
"Indeed," the King confirmed. "It seems General Kazi was willing to go to great lengths to protect both Niameda and Althea...and although she fell for you in the process yes...she was willing to put her life at stake for both kingdoms...even if it meant... deceiving you."
Azrael remained silent, processing this new information. Deception was still a bitter pill to swallow, but understanding Kazi's motives somehow made it easier to bear.
"It still doesn't justify her lies," he finally said, his voice low.
"Perhaps not to you," King Eldarion said gently, "but to her, it was justified. Her loyalty to Niameda runs deep, Azrael. Deeper, perhaps, than you realize." He paused, studying his son's face.
Azrael closed his eyes, the image of Kazi about to cry but swiftly wiping away her tears so she would not appear weak in front of him. He had hurt her, pushed her away in his own self-righteous anger. A wave of regret washed over him.
"I cannot be with her now, Father," he said, his voice filled with despair. "I hurt her."
King Eldarion chuckled softly, laying a hand on Azrael's shoulder. "Love between youngsters," he chuckled, shaking his head. "So full of drama, of pride, of refusing to see what is right before your eyes."
"Maybe, for the first time in your life, Azrael," he said, his voice softening, "you should consider sacrificing for what you want. Love, true love, rarely comes easy. Sometimes, it requires a little... compromise."
"But Father," he began, his voice hesitant, "what about my duties? As second prince, I have obligations to Althea."
"Duties, Azrael? You, who spend more time either in the stables or grooming your hair or playing music with your brother Akiel?" the King asked with a teasing grin. "Your heart, I think, is already in Niameda. And you know what? That is not such a bad thing. Perhaps it is time you followed your heart, my son."
"Well," he stammered, "I... I had not really thought of it that way, Father." He paused, considering the King's words.
The King's smile widened. "Indeed," he agreed. "And Althea will always have your brothers Aradiel and Akiel. Besides, with your... unconventional skills, I am sure we can figure out a way to utilize your talents without requiring your constant presence."
Azrael's heart pounded in his chest. Was his father actually suggesting...?
"But would not it be... scandalous?" he stammered, voicing his biggest concern. "Leaving Althea, to be with a woman from another kingdom?"
King Eldarion leaned back on his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "Traditions are meant to be upheld, Azrael," he said, his voice firm. "But sometimes, they also need to evolve. Perhaps, for the first time, the woman shouldn't be the one to leave her home and family. Maybe, a man can do the same."
A wave of relief washed over Azrael. His father, the embodiment of tradition, was actually considering bending the rules for him. "Thank you, Father," he said, "I will not... I will not disappoint you."
King Eldarion smiled warmly. "Disappoint me? Nonsense. Go, find your Kazi, my son. And remember," he added, "only marry one woman."
Azrael burst out laughing, a sound that filled the throne room. His father, a man with a wife and a concubine, offering advice on monogamy. But in that moment, it did not matter. He understood the meaning behind the words, and he was grateful.
"I was not planning on marrying anyone else," Azrael said.
With renewed purpose and his father's unexpected blessing, Azrael dashed out of the royal room, his heart full of optimism he had not dared to think of. He had a fight ahead of him: regaining Kazi's trust and convincing her that their love was worth violating tradition. But, for the first time, he was willing to battle not only for Althea, but also for the woman who had stolen his heart.