"Duke Everdale, there are not many in the aristocracy that I can truly rely upon. Avesta has been a long established empire and would have been invincible if it wasn't for Ardos, after engulfing existence of many neighboring countries, a war will begin sooner than later.
That is why I wish for you to lead a diplomatic delegation to the King of Ardos. As a way of a last attempt to establish peace."Those were the words the emperor of Avesta conveyed to Damien Everdale, it looked as if the monarch was kind and benevolent when in reality it was an unspeakable truth that the journey to Ardos was filled with catastrophic adventures and thousands of warriors perished while trying to cross the confluence of seven seas bound by rugged mountains from three sides.It took them a month of journey, venturing the snow trapped hills of the rugged terrain and low lying valleys filled with wild beasts. Their horses were unable to sustain the cold aura of the place and succumbed to death, maybe that was why when the father and son duo arrived at the city palace of the enemy nation they had a sorry appearance.It was informed through an eagle that a delegation of the empire of Avesta would be visiting yet in reality no preparations were made because since time immemorial thousands of such delegations who came for diplomatic purposes or to espionage were either devoured by the snow or killed by the beast.This was a snow covered cold desert where even a drop of freshwater was scarce and precious.This was where the strongest warriors of the empire trained for years before being recruited into the army. The land filled with precious diamond mines that many coveted yet were sacrificed to the goddess of war before they could get their hands on it.This was Ardos- the land of seven kings combined by Emperor Icarus ZephyrDamien and Karl could accomplish such feat thus they had the honor to be invited by the king and his council for a personal rendezvous, personal because if suspected they could be very well killed without any witness and thrown in the wilderness.________________IMPERIAL PALACECOURT OF THE GRAND EMPERORARDOS (Pronunciation aar-th-aus)Scarlet red draped the imperial palace walls and it appeared as if a bloody heart was beating amidst of frozen tundra, it was the insignia of the bloodshed in the imperial family of Zephyr which paved the way for the throne.A decade ago they were a small kingdom state ruled by the previous king and queen and were barely surviving. Being in a precarious condition after the sudden death of the ruler, Queen Ciana, the blooded mother of Emperor Icarus was given a single choice- to warm the bed of her brother-in-law and to give birth to a son for him to survive. It was her son's life that she had to save by sacrificing her own. What followed the offer was a bloodbath and the division of the imperial court.The kingdom almost ceased to exist after the end of the civil war and Emperor Icarus was reinstated on the throne at the age of fifteen after killing his uncle. From then he had expanded his kingdom to the stature of an empire, so far and wide that none could fathom the true power of Zephyr and had renamed the empire- Ardos.The existence of Ardos was Icarus. The same place which was a fable could now be seen by the duke- and his son. "Please come this way." Duke of Everdale was guided through the splendor, chandeliers of silver lined with black gold shone the way to the largest chamber where they were meant to be."Duke Damien Everdale, Sir Karl Everdale from Avesta." The servant announced when they entered while the men looked at the courtiers who stood to greet them as they were asked to settle down, it was only the magnificent luxurious throne at the farther end that was unoccupied by anyone."Entering his highness the sun of the empire!" Earlier the throne which looked too large for a person of twenty six now appeared somewhat dwarfed as the emperor who had the height of six feet five inches with an aura that could even make the surrounding seem warm as compared to him settled down.Smoldering golden irises looked at the two strangers not kneeling and there was some amusement in his eyes. "Rise" Soon they all settled down and the meeting began."Our King of Avesta does not wish for a war and is willing to negotiate with the monarch.""After sending assassins trying to annihilate his majesty how dare you utter such words of arrogance!" A minister seethed through his teeth."We believe this is a conspiracy by another kingdom, we always had good relationship with Ard- Zephyr in the past."The atmosphere got heated with the arguments yet the emperor refused to utter a single word as if finding the rage entertaining."The protective charm on your coat...if I may ask then who has made it for the duke?" Who was this person sitting on the throne?He was a wolf that stalked his prey till they were bled dry. Every word had a deeper meaning in his mind and nothing could be forsaken in his presence."A servant of our manor gave it to father." Before Damien could speak, Karl stiffly replied making the monarch smirk."Duke Everdale's manor must be filled with riches for a servant to have the wool of the armean stag which is rarely found....I could smell the medicinal aroma of it from here."MonsterThis man was a beastDamien said nothing for a moment, so this was why Layla who was at that time sixteen returned home late and dirty and even after being scolded heavily insisted on him to wear it whenever he went out."Replying to his majesty, it is made by my daughter.""Lady Everdale? Looking at how talented the young ladies from Avesta are... kindly tell your ruler, in exchange for peace I would like a bride from the empire who could weave a similar charm for me."Image"Is everyone present here?" "Yes" Jeremiah answered Layla softly looking at her for a few moments as if he wished to say something yet at last refrained himself from doing so.He received Layla in the Valentine duchy without any of her belongings because the future duchess seemingly had already asked the servants to directly take her personal items to the secondary mansion located far away from the posh areas of the capital."For those who are not aware, I am Layla, the princess of Everdale.This gathering was called out for I wished to convey my heart to all the servants working in the mansion. For now I am yet to get engaged to Duke Valentine but even after our engagement my permanent residence shall be the secondary mansion, the reason for which I believe is not one that you all should be worried about." Servants who by now have only heard that the princess had a strong disposition were sure that she should not be crossed."In case this proceeds as planned I shall be your master
The woman looked far away to the infinite horizon as her maid collected the heaps of letters that have accumulated onto the desk and put them away before wiping it with a cloth and stacking the tiny place with books containing the knowledge of herbs and alchemy."Lady, the duke and young masters have sent a letter today too..do you want me to......""No, just throw them away.""Duke Valentine has expressed his wish to come and visit you once before departing to the border areas."The delicate female did not answer but rather looked outside at the sun that was burning somewhat soothingly in the color of ruby before dipping below the aqua waters of the ocean.Layla sighed and without her knowledge tears gathers as dew drops on her lashes yet maybe with time she had become so stubborn and habitual to abuse that she refused to let them fall. It happened to be the death anniversary to the only one being that she had come to love and has lost so suddenly.She asked the disappearing sun god
After Duke Everdale returned to Avesta, it was a matter of discussion of who was to be offered as a sacrificial lamb to Ardos. The imperial princess of Avesta was her father's pride thus under no conditions she was to be placed in a precarious condition where she would have to bear the brunt of being a bride that was sent by the enemy kingdom and would be suspected as a spy thus when there was no movement from the side of Avesta, Ardos sent its army at the borders.There was no breach of boundaries but even stationing of the mighty warriors and engulfing the empire from all its sides was seen as a threat.Avesta if not sacrificed a mere woman shall be annihilated. The imperial princess thus at last agreed despite her father- the emperor's resistance yet soon all issues were to be resolved."You are even younger than my daughter that why are you willing to sacrifice your life?" Princess Layla had requested an audience with his majesty the emperor and thinking that it was Duke Everdal
Emperor of Avesta had sent a portrait of the lady who expressed her desire to marry the Grand Emperor of Ardos with a negotiation deal, but along with it there was also a very personal letter that was solely addressed to Icarus and not to his council that was seated in a military camp at the border of Avesta.The cabinet read out what was stated in the agreement- that Princess Layla, the daughter of Duke Everdale was a very dignified woman and hundreds of other such things, along with it there was a dowry offered befitting that of an imperial princess in exchange of familial relationship based on a matrimony. All in all, the king of Avesta wanted Layla to be married off well- duke Valentine had tendencies which were in the process of turning abusive, Damien was too worried about the duchy's pride and his sons were incompetent to decipher human emotions. It was better to be Ardos's queen than Avesta's daughter.Icarus unknown to such things paid little attention to the layman details
"My dear subjects, I know it must have been quiet surprising for you to be summoned at such a short notice. Today's celebrations are to celebrate Lady Layla's birth anniversary and to have her debut in the imperial palace."The imperial princess further continued as the King took the throne along with the Queen that many were too shocked to see."As many of you must be aware that my imperial mother- her majesty the queen has been extremely ill for several years and it was only a month ago that Lady Layla who had only learnt alchemy at her home by herself invented a medicine that treated her majesty to the extent that she can attend this banquet tonight.It is to express the gratitude of the entire nation that for Lady Layla's meritorious service she is granted the honor to become the adopted daughter of the imperial monarch."When a favor was given haphazardly it was always a double edged sword, at the surface people appreciated and seemed to admire yet beneath it hid the evil side wh
"All Hail the Grand Emperor!" There was the monarch of Avesta sitting on his throne yet when the announcement was made it echoed akin to someone that had a stature even more magnificent than tens of rulers combined had arrived and the King of Avesta dared not be offended despite feeling that he was in a situation which he had never thought of.How can an enemy barge into his royal palace uninvited?A similar shock was resonating among all the people present yet the ladies could only gasp and the gentlemen could only watch without breathing. It was never said that Sovereign of Zeyphyr would be visiting in person, was it someone's challenge to him that he was answering?Only the female standing in the middle of the ballroom or the Emperor himself could decipher that.The nobles parted like the red sea paving way for the Grand Emperor and his train of delegates that have personally come to the birthday celebration of Princess Layla. They did not know what to say, was this a great honor o
With the end of the celebration banquet multitudes of splendid gifts piled up for Princess Layla but the only one she really chose among all of them was a simple book that was heavier than its normal counterparts sent by Marianna. Since Layla would be living for a week at the imperial palace before she had to go to Ardos, Damien and others could not talk to her to express their like or dislike over her decision.It was only Marianna that was given special permission by the imperial princess to meet her tomorrow in the palace.The book was a little rusty by sides and had old pages that turned yellow over the course of time yet it seemed to be a historical chronicle of many nations that once existed and many that have already ceased to exist. Layla smiled skipping over to the history of Zeyphyr since Ardos was a new nation and this old text might not have it.The female skipped the pages happily before her eyes came across a figure that made her smile falter and after reading about it
"May God Narairis bless your majesties with health and prosperity." Layla smiled at the King and Queen of Avesta before bowing down for seemingly the last time. A week had since passed and a delegation of soldiers with their emperor have come to receive Princess Layla.A gloved masculine arm with veins making a pattern was offered to the fairy who grasped it and made herself comfortable inside the imperial carriage of Ardos that would make a month long journey to reach the capital of the empire."Is that a gem from the necklace I gave you little dove?" Pale ruby irises that were looking further out of the window now clashed with the golden ones seemingly without any emotion before they regained their composure as the female smiled."Replying to your majesty, the heirloom was quite heavy thus I could not have the opportunity to wear it everyday so I took the earrings and asked a renowned goldsmith to have them carved into a pendant, I hope you will not be angry with me."The previous wo