Chapter 57

"Go on" he commanded. "What do you want to say? I believe that's not all."

Official 3 smiled and bowed. "Your Majesty is wise. Let's put aside the marriage of the human Prince and our Princess and think of the marriage of our King."

Everyone listened attentively. Even Zedekiel sat up straight.

"Princess Rose is just a princess." he said. "Your Majesty, if you marry her, you're marrying her alone. She'll move here, to this cold place and we will never be able to leave. The Mother Tree will rot away and we may even sieze to exist."

Their faces went gloomy at the mention of the Mother Tree. They all knew it was true.

"On the other hand," he continued. "Prince Ron is the crown Prince. He is the future King of Ashenmore. Like Official 4 said, he will take his father's place in 2 years. Your Majesty, instead of marrying Princess Rose, why not marry the Crown Prince of Ashenmore?"

"Preposterous!" Official 4 shouted. "That's insane!"

"Are you crazy?!" another Official shouted. "Do you want to