90 The Palace of Dancing Wind Part 2

The man looked grim. His long brown hair pulled back into a single knot on the back of his head. Black eyes skillfully investigated the grassy earth beneath their feet. He could even see the ants bringing home little bits of tree for their nest. "Well it seems the Target has summoned a few dignitaries to come to dinner. One of which being your brother in law, sir." He reported and Clovis froze. Seconds went by without any reaction. He wasn't sure he had heard his spy correctly.

'She Couldn't be that stupid… Could she? Wait... ' Clovis began to laugh heartily, rubbing his temples with his thumb and forefinger. The Shade Prince would be a welcome guest… but he was also the one allie that could all but guarantee the throne.

The Kingdom of Shadow Vale was very much its own little world. The previous Emperors had focused solely on battle prowess and if anyone crossed them or slighted them it would result in a blood bath. They had no use for politics, or rather the had their own brand. Try to make nice for half a second at the first sign of trouble destroy them and take over their kingdom as a warning to others to leave you alone. This turned out be be an affective strategy because after the small, 400 mile square kingdom tripled its land in less than a year, other empires decided this was a fight they wanted no part of. Shadow Vale Princes married within their own country and kept to themselves. As long as you didn't mess with them they had no trouble with you. That all changed just a touch when Prince Mordrin took a fancy to Princess Vella. How Shadow Veil seemed to be creating small connections here and there, and subtly protecting the Emerald Fae Wood Empire.

"My brother in law will never agree to meet with her or either of my brothers." Clovis said aloud shaking his head. The guard sighed and handed him a envelope that once bore the imperial seal. The prince's eyes darkened. "why does that have my mother's crest?" he began reading it and anger burned in his eyes. "that's her game then? Prove me unfit by my mothers own words eh?" he picked up his brush and drew a few quick characters in the corner before sealing the envelope.

"I will send it out right away, My Lord." the guard hurried away as Clovis sat back in his chair for several long moments.

There was a time, not so long ago that all he had wanted was this garden, his daughter, and the ledger and duties within. Now he wanted more but to get it… he needed a wife. Preferably someone like his Vella. Beautiful, talented, sweet and in love with her husband not the title. He was proud of the life his sister led and wanted the same for himself and for Raina...he almost had it. Then Raina's mother abandoned them both. Him to despair and their daughter to her death.

She was elegant and dressed gloriously. Long crimson fabric with silver and gold needle work shimmering in the late day sun. Her hair tinged with gold where some of the darker brown sections caught the light. She smiled at him, her crimson lips that once made him sigh slightly parted. She didn't wear any makeup, he suspected it was because she knew how much he hated it. Her delicate hands adorned in jewels peeked out from the long sleeves.

"You have grown more perceptive…" she complimented her voice like gentle, seductive willow. He watched her speak, remembering long nights of her laughter.

"Once a snake bites you, one becomes more wary." He replied, his voice unassuming but his eyes boring into her hand as it stroked the wood. He would have to burn the desk.