Chapter 104: Advice

Once Drayce left King Armen's chamber, Cian went to see his father.

Cian did not even bother with the pleasantries."Father, what did the King of Megaris say?"

King Armen had a weary expression on his face, as if his conversation with Drayce had completely taken out his energy. "Doesn't look like he will back down."

Cian paused for a while and said, "I wonder why he suddenly wants to marry Seren in such a rush when he had never even seen her. Is he scheming something?"

King Armen sighed. "I am afraid the real reason is nothing fancy. He is known to go after anything that is forbidden and picks up his interest. He had probably heard stories of the infamous cursed princess who had been hidden from the world and wished to get her because she's different."

"Then the more we can't let such a tyrant get her!" Cian frowned. "What if he gets bored of her as soon as his interest passes? Won't Seren suffer more than she's suffering now?" He then sat on the chair in front of his father. "When will Father tell me why we have to keep her hidden? Why can't we let her live like other princesses?"

King Armen was expecting this from his son. After all, his son had matured in many ways, and he could not bear being kept in the dark.

"You know she is not normal like us. You have seen what she can do."

"I know, but it only happens when someone provokes her and troubles her."

"It's not the only thing," King Armen said as he let out a deep sigh, not knowing how to begin explaining the truth to his son.

"I want to know everything."

"It's… Seren, she…" 

King Armen stared at the empty space in front of him, struggling to find the best words to explain her situation. 

"Son, there are things in this world that are beyond what we mere humans know. Things we shouldn't be part of, where even being a ruler of a kingdom is meaningless. But your sister is different. She holds the power that can control the entire world as we know it, but she's young and vulnerable. If she falls into those people's hands, those wicked people who I am hiding her from, she would be in great danger. We can only protect her by hiding her."

His father's words were beyond the scope of Cian's understanding. However, looking at his father's serious expression, Cian had no choice but to believe.

"What do you mean? And who are those people?"

"Those who wanted to harm her and her mother. Her mother is not an ordinary person either," King Armen explained.

Cian's mind was filled with many questions. He wanted to know how his father and Seren's mother met. He wanted to confirm if she was indeed a witch. He wanted to ask why she wasn't here protecting her child alongside his father.

His father's explanation was equally unbelievable and overwhelming.

"Things are beyond our understanding, and even if we try, it is useless since these are things we cannot control," King Armen added.

Cian gritted his teeth. "Then, why does she have to wear that veil? What does that have to do with anything? I understand not showing her face to outsiders, but why can't even her own family see her appearance?"

"It's to protect her. This is all I can tell you. We can never take that veil off of her face."

This answer again. It was the same answer he got back then.

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the study. Lord Eudes entered the study and informed his king, "Apologies for interrupting your conversation with the Crown Prince, Your Majesty. I am here to report that the Prince of Griven, Prince Arlan, seeks an audience with you. Should I make him wait?"

"Send him in," King Armen approved, and the two turned silent, both deep in their own thoughts. Though the father and son were discussing an important thing, it would be impolite to send Arlan back. 

Soon after, Arlan entered the study and politely greeted King Armen, "Greetings, Your Majesty King Armen and Your Highness Prince Cian!"

King Armen gestured for Arlan to have a seat.

Arlan sat on the chair left to King Armen and opposite to Cian. 

"How can I help Prince Arlan?" King Armen asked.

"As an ally and future in-law with the Royal Family of Ilven, I am here to advise King Armen in making a decision related to both the kingdoms of Abetha and Megaris." 

Today, Arlan was the total opposite of his usual playful self, when he was either poking fun at Drayce or being casual with Cian. He looked like a royal delegate from another kingdom, sitting to discuss proper diplomatic matters between their kingdoms. 

"I hope Prince Arlan is not here to take his friend's side and suggest us to approve his outrageous demand," Cian said with a frown. 

Arlan smiled lightly. "If it were that easy, I wouldn't be here."

"I would like to hear what Prince Arlan has in mind," King Armen interrupted the two before their exchange escalated to something worse. He was sure there must be something really important that Arlan even requested a private audience himself.

Arlan nodded lightly and spoke, "Have King Armen, and Prince Cian thought about Thevailes' next move after they got defeated so badly?"

King Armen and Cian both understood what Arlan meant to say. Though they were busy with other affairs, they didn't forget about the war, especially Cian. After returning to Abetha and looking after his sister, he spent the rest of his time dealing with the things related to his kingdom.

"They only requested a peace treaty with Megaris, but not Abetha. We can expect their next attack soon," Cian said with a dangerous gleam in his eyes, "and we are already preparing for it." 

"May I know how?" Arlan asked. 

"We are trying to recover the loss from this war first. Our generals are preparing our forces to be ready for any kind of situation," Cian replied. "From the latest report we received, we have decided to build up our marine force."

Hearing this, Arlan understood that Abetha was already aware of the secret movements Thevailes had undertaken against Abetha.

"Good to know Prince Cian has taken measures against their strategy, but is it really possible to defeat​ Thevailes alone?" Arlan asked.

Cian gave Arlan a cold glare. "What is Prince Arlan insinuating? Will Griven abandon an ally in need?"

"You misunderstand," Arlan said as he shook his head. "Indeed, my younger brother is to be wedded to the Second Princess of Abetha. But the army he could mobilize, even with my assistance as the Crown Prince, would it be greater than what the monarch of the largest kingdom himself could provide?"

Cian knew what Arlan meant, but he kept his mouth shut, not willing to admit he's correct. 

King Armen asked, "What is Prince Arlan's view on the next attack? Do you think that the combined strength of Abetha and Griven won't be enough?"

Arlan did not give a direct answer. Instead, he lay out on the table the information he had gathered so far. "We know after the demise of the previous King of Othinia, Her Majesty Queen Niobe's father, the friendship between Othinia and Abetha had considerably weakened. The current king favors Thevailes more, with him being the brother of Queen Dowager of Thevailes. Is that not the main reason why Abetha had stopped trading iron ores with Othinia and started importing more goods from the east?

King Armen didn't agree out loud, but he nodded lightly, approving Arlan's claim. 

Cian sighed. "Are you implying that because Thevailes will get Othinia to attack Abetha through the sea way, we need the help of Megaris? Just because of Othinia?" 

"You forget, if Othinia is joining in this war, Mivesea will likely join Othinia's side too."

"Mivesea is Abetha's ally."

"Didn't Hatha and Abetha have an alliance as well, but they still defected to Thevailes' side?" Arlan asked, causing Cian to shut up. "Mivesea might be a small kingdom, but you shouldn't underestimate it since they have a strong marine force. Since other kingdoms are attacking Abetha and joining in will be beneficial to them; why won't they do it?"

"Are you sure Mivesea will be joining in attacking our sea routes as well?"

"Yes, I am confident. This is information gathered with the help of Megaris, who you know has long been enemies with Thevailes," Arlan explained. "Not just the sea, but from the information the spies had collected, Thevailes will also take advantage of Othinia sharing the border with Abetha. You will be busy with warfare on both sides, through the land as well as the sea. Previously, we were only against Thevailes and Hatha, and the attack was manageable with the support of our army from Griven. But this time, it would be four kingdoms against two. Abetha would be attacked by enemies, both from the north and south. Knowing Thevailes, the other small kingdoms from the west would not interfere in the matter to help Abetha. At best, they might stay neutral, but worst case scenario, they might even help Thevailes, especially if they were to promise trade rights."

King Armen and Cian turned silent as they imagined the scenario in their heads.