(Chapter 33)
Kaelion Arvasyn, the crown prince, was stunned by what his father, the emperor, had said. In his hand was a report containing a request from Lorcan Frostborne, the Duke of the North, asking for the empire's full support for a highly risky mission to eliminate all the barbarian tribes that posed a threat to civilization.
'Is this even possible?' Kaelion muttered to himself.
His face mirrored the same doubt that was visible on his father's expression. The report was filled with bold strategies and plans, but also with potential risks that were hard to measure.
Kaelion finally broke the silence.
"Your Majesty, will we support Duke Frostborne's request?"
The emperor, a wise yet determined man, stared at Kaelion with a gaze that was difficult to interpret.
"There is a high possibility that this is a golden opportunity for us. If the Duke succeeds, the threat will be gone, and our position as an unshakable ruler will become even stronger," he replied firmly.
Kaelion bit his lip, trying to understand the logic behind this decision. But his heart was uneasy.
"However, Your Majesty, eradicating all the barbarian tribes is not something we've ever done before. The political and military risks that might arise are immense. Isn't that too dangerous?"
The emperor placed the document down and looked at Kaelion, his gaze seeming to convey that he had thought this through far more deeply than his son realized.
"Every major decision carries risk. But we cannot overlook Lorcan's bravery; he is a strong ally. If we support him, and if he succeeds, it will be a great victory for all of us. But of course, we will not act recklessly."
Kaelion nodded slowly, though doubt still lingered in his heart. He knew well that Lorcan was an ambitious man. However, this plan was too extreme, even by Lorcan's standards. Amidst this complexity, his thoughts drifted to Clarisse.
"How will Clarisse handle this?" Kaelion thought.
He knew that Clarisse had a deep connection with Lorcan, both as his wife and as part of the Faeloria family. If this mission failed, the consequences would not only affect the empire but also his own family.
"Your Majesty," Kaelion spoke again, his voice full of caution.
"We must ensure that every step is carefully calculated. If this plan fails, our empire could be in greater danger."
The emperor nodded, his expression remaining calm.
"That is what we are doing, Kaelion. We will keep an eye on Duke Lorcan and ensure that we don't get caught in an uncontrollable situation. I entrust you with overseeing this personally. Do not let emotions or personal relationships cloud your judgment."
Kaelion bowed respectfully, feeling slightly relieved that they would not act in haste. However, his mind remained filled with anxiety as he left the room.
Lorcan Frostborne was a dangerous man with grand ambitions. But behind his cold demeanor, there was also love and dedication for Clarisse, something Kaelion knew would be a crucial factor in this situation.
"I need to talk to Clarisse," he thought as he walked down the palace corridor.
He knew that this was not just about politics or war. It was also about family, relationships, and their future. And he needed to find a way to protect them all from the potential destruction that might occur.