After Mariana stepped away from the cell where the two humans were being held, Arwin took responsibility for escorting her. As they walked through the damp, dark corridors of the dungeon, he couldn't help but glance back at the humans still locked inside.
"What did you discuss with the humans, Princess?" Arwin asked, intrigued.
"Nothing significant. I was just curious to learn more about them," Mariana replied. "I think it's important to understand other cultures."
"Perhaps you're right, but you shouldn't take such an interest in humans," Arwin commented. "They're violent and selfish creatures. In the past, we've had far too many conflicts with them."
"I know, Arwin. But I don't believe they're all the same. You should set aside those prejudices."
"As you wish, Princess," Arwin replied, bowing his head.
When they reached the adorned hallways, they encountered other elves who greeted the princess. She responded with a genuine smile. One of the guards stationed there approached them. His name was Calawen. Upon seeing the princess, he bowed and then turned to Arwin.
"Arwin, may I have a word with you?" Arwin nodded and stepped away from the princess, who continued on toward her chambers. Once they were alone, Calawen turned to Arwin with a tense expression.
"It seems there's an intruder among our ranks."
"What?" Arwin exclaimed. "Do you think the princess might be in danger?"
"It's highly likely," Calawen replied. "We'd best not take our eyes off her. But make sure no one else knows about this. Things are too tense for us to start suspecting one another." With that, Calawen walked off toward the throne room, and Arwin followed.
In her chamber, Mariana gazed out the window at the distant city. Since she was young, she'd shown a great interest in humans, despite her father's disdain for them. The door to her room began to open, and Arwin stepped in.
"Princess," Arwin said, bowing. Mariana sighed.
"Arwin, I've already told you that when we're alone, you should call me by my name. Formality doesn't suit you," she chided with a smile.
"Apologies, Princess…" Mariana gave him a stern look. "I mean, Mariana. It's just hard for me to address you that way," Arwin admitted, embarrassed. Mariana began to laugh, moving closer to him.
"Oh, come on, what are you embarrassed about? We've known each other since we were kids. I even requested that you become my personal guard."
"And I will always be grateful for that, Prin—" Before he could finish, Mariana gave him a look that made him stop.
"Anyway," Mariana sighed. "Why are you here? You seemed to be in a hurry." She sat on her bed as Arwin, regaining his composure, replied.
"Your father wishes to speak with you."
"My father?" the princess asked, confused. "I wonder what he wants… Well, tell him I'll be there shortly." Arwin nodded and then closed the door behind him.
Mariana made her way to the throne room, where the king sat. Upon arriving, she bowed, and her father greeted her with a smile.
"Hello, Father. What did you want to see me about?" Mariana asked. The king stood from his throne and looked out the window.
"Mariana, I assume you're aware of our clan's current situation." Mariana nodded, unsure of where he was going with this.
"One of the neighboring factions is coming to form an alliance with us. I want you to be the one to greet them and negotiate on our behalf."
"Father, I'm very grateful for the opportunity, but I'm not sure I'm ready for this," Mariana said hesitantly. However, her father didn't seem inclined to take no for an answer.
"One day, you'll have to inherit the crown. Besides, the young man coming is about your age. You'll get along well."
"I'll do my best not to disappoint you, Father," Mariana replied, though she didn't sound very confident. The king nodded, confident that his daughter would handle it well.
"Arwin, Calawen, accompany her to the village entrance to receive them."
"As you command, Your Majesty," both guards replied. Mariana bid farewell to her father and left the hall, accompanied by the two guards as they headed toward the village entrance.
As they approached, Mariana noticed the arrival of a young elf with silver hair and amber-colored eyes, accompanied by an imposing elf.
"I am Eldarion Carrion, second prince of the Carrion clan," the young elf introduced himself, bowing his head.
"Welcome. I am Princess Mariana Magnolia," she replied with a warm smile. "It's a pleasure to have you here."
"The pleasure is mine, my lady."
"I've heard you wish to form an alliance with our clan. May I ask why? We're not exactly a strong clan."
"Your clan was once under the rule of Arathorn, who nearly unified all the forests," Eldarion said, prompting Mariana to recall her grandfather. "However, after his death, your clan lost much of the strength it once had." Arwin stepped forward, suspecting mockery, but the princess quickly stopped him. "That's why our clan wants you to join our faction."
"Join you?" Arwin exclaimed.
"The Carrion clan has already taken control of all the eastern forests and will soon dominate the south as well. Our goal is to unite all clans into one," Eldarion explained. Mariana realized this was the same dream her grandfather once had. "Now that you know we aim for the same goal as Arathorn, we would be honored to have your strength."
Arwin did not look pleased with the idea.
"That doesn't sound like an alliance," Arwin protested. "It sounds like you just want to take control of our village. Isn't that right?"
"Silence, Arwin," the princess ordered, slightly annoyed. Arwin relented, though his frustration was evident. "I need time to consider it. It's not easy to accept such a proposal immediately."
Eldarion nodded, understanding her hesitation, though the elf beside him didn't seem to share the sentiment.
"Please, Princess. There's nothing to think about. Your clan is completely finished. I've heard you've even started to suffer from slavery," the elf said with a malicious smile. "Isn't this a good deal? We're saving you from your wretched lives." Arwin, fed up with his words, drew his sword and attacked the elf. However, the elf blocked it effortlessly.
"Well, are you trying to start a war now?" the elf mocked.
"Shut up! Stop treating us like garbage!" Arwin shouted angrily, pressing his blade against the elf's.
"Arwin, stop!" the princess exclaimed. Arwin was forced to back down, though his frustration remained evident. "I deeply apologize for his behavior, Prince Eldarion."
"There's no need to apologize. Doral is the one who disrespected you. Please forgive him."
"I'm sorry if my words offended you, Princess," Doral said with apparent remorse.
"It's fine," Mariana replied, though she could still sense Arwin's lingering anger. She then turned to Eldarion. "I'd like to continue our conversation. Would you care to take a walk in the forest?"
"It would be my pleasure, Princess Mariana."
Accompanied by their respective guards, Mariana and Eldarion walked through the forest, chatting as they went. Eldarion, walking beside Mariana, maintained a serene smile, captivated by the forest's beauty. Mariana, on the other hand, couldn't shake the feeling of tension in the air, especially between Arwin and Doral, whose distrustful gazes kept meeting.
"This forest is beautiful," Eldarion remarked, breaking the silence as his eyes wandered across the towering trees. "Ah, I almost forgot," Eldarion added, halting his steps. "I brought a special tea from our clan. Would you like to try it?"
"Of course," Mariana replied with a smile. Eldarion turned to Doral.
"Doral, could you bring it out?"
"I'm sorry, sir. It seems we left it at our camp," Doral said, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Oh dear, I thought we had brought it along. Would you care to join us, Princess?" Eldarion asked.
"It would be my pleasure," Mariana replied.
They made their way through the forest until they reached a small camp where more elves from the Carrion clan were gathered. Upon seeing Mariana and the prince, the elves greeted them with a respectful bow. While the guards remained outside, Mariana and Eldarion entered and took their seats around a small wooden table. Doral began preparing the tea and then served it to both Mariana and Eldarion. Mariana held the cup in her hands, inhaling the aroma before taking a small sip.
"This tea is delicious," she remarked as Eldarion sipped his as well. They chatted for a while, but Mariana began to feel strangely tired, her eyelids growing heavy.
"Are you all right?" the prince asked, noticing her fatigue.
"Yes… don't worry… I'm just a little tired…" Mariana murmured sleepily before finally collapsing to the ground. Eldarion watched her with concern.
"Princess!" Eldarion exclaimed. "Are you okay?" Doral's laughter echoed, catching the prince's attention. "Doral, what is the meaning of this?"
"We're just doing what the king ordered, sir," Doral replied.
"My father?" Eldarion asked. Before he could say anything else, he too began to feel drowsy. Realization struck him as he understood something had been added to the tea. "Doral, you cursed traitor…" he muttered before succumbing to the sleep that overtook him, just as it had Mariana.
"Sweet dreams, sir," Doral said as he hoisted the princess's unconscious body onto his shoulders.
Arwin entered the tent after noticing something amiss. Quickly taking in the scene and seeing Doral carrying the princess, he unsheathed his sword to strike at him. However, before he could act, someone knocked him unconscious from behind.