Book 6: Chapter 1

Book 6: Chapter 1

Spring.

Three summers had passed since the crown prince had been appointed regent of the Kingdom of Natra.

The days had been rocky. Ever since the death of the Emperor of Earthworld, the ruler of Eastern Varno, trouble had crashed into Natra like waves.

Future historians would certainly be rendered slack-jawed by the never-ending trials and tribulations targeting the kingdom.

In the next breath, they would praise Natra for knocking back each one.

Natra overcame. Once the subject of ridicule, the poor runt of a kingdom had managed to blow back every challenge to come its way.

The one who led the people during the era termed the Great War of Kings was Wein Salema Arbalest, fated to be remembered by historians.

Sensible internal policies. The proactive eagerness to step into the battlefield as needed. The devilish cunning to toy with neighboring nations. The benevolence to put his people first.

He was the perfect prince.

The prince was the key to Natras future. Bathed in the warm spring sun, the citizens were certain of this fact.

Howeverthe sky was bound to cloud over, even in the most blessed of lands.

In fact, a spring storm was brewing in Willeron Palace in the Kingdom of Natra.

Nghhhhhh.

Currently sulking; approach at your own risk, warned the look on a girls face as she sat on the bed with a big pout.

Falanya Elk Arbalest. Weins younger sister and the crown princess of Natra.

Though shed been young when Wein ascended to the post of regent, shed recently started acting like a real adult, maturing in mind and body

Except now. She was in the middle of a childish tantrum.

How much longer are you going to sulk, Falanya?

A boy with red eyes and a head of white haira Flahmsighed loudly.

His name was Nanaki Ralei, and he was Falanyas appointed servant. His attitude toward the crown princess might be considered rude to some, but as they were childhood friends, it didnt bother either of them.

Im not sulking. Falanya turned the other way with a huff.

You are.

Am not.

Are too.

AM! NOT! Falanya snapped back, but that didnt seem to faze Nanaki.

Throw a fitsee if I carebut you need to pull yourself together when youre in public. Youre worrying the officials.

Gulp. Hed gotten her weak spot. She knew what he was talking about.

From some topographic, cultural, or national influence, the royal family was generally imperturbable. The current crop of rulers was no exception: King Owen, Prince Wein, Princess Falanya, even the dearly departed queen.

It was extremely rare for any of them to lash out at the officials in sadness or anger.

This was exactly why the officials were thrown for a loop when one of them did have a bad day. Without much experience with mood swings, they didnt have the skills to weather the storm.

Wein can usually smooth things over.

Whenever Falanyas mood went south, it became Weins responsibility to calm her. As the little sister, Falanya had no choice but to lay down her arms when her beloved brother admonished her.

This, unfortunately, wasnt an option for them right now.

Wein was absent from the palacewhich was, coincidentally, the exact reason for her mood.

Its not uncommon for Wein to leave for long stretches of time. Are you still having trouble adjusting?

No! Thats not why Im upset!

So she was upset. Nanaki knew pointing that out wouldnt do him any favors.

Then whats getting under your skin?

Isnt it obvious?! Falanya snapped back, raising her voice. Because he went off to a tropical island with Princess Tolcheilaof all people!

It had all started in early autumn of the previous year. Two neighboring kingdomsNatra and Soljesthad waged war on each other. Wein had formulated a strategy to topple the enemy army and capture King Gruyere. Natra had been granted partial rights to the port in Soljest, along with a hefty ransom and reparations.

Maritime trade has been lucrative for as long as its been around.

Speaking in a low voice was Prince Wein, sitting in his office.

But our climate means our access to the sea is frozen over for most of the year. Which makes it hard for us to benefit from maritime products, he continued.

His aide Ninym stood at attention by his side. She had the characteristic white hair and red eyes of the Flahm. Maintaining her silence, she listened to her sovereign.

Meanwhile, the port of Soljest is usable all year round. We might be able to use this opportunity to open trade channels with other countries. Thatll help explode our economy.

Weins statement made total sense. The basic strategy of business was buying local products cheaply and selling them for high prices in faraway lands. Overseas trade meant raking in some serious profits.

So Wein turned to Ninym. What did other countries say about trading with us?

Tolcheila nodded. Patura is governed by the Zarif. The current head of the family, the sea guideLaduis Alois Zarif. If I step in, he may grant you an audience. What say you? Will you try your luck in the Southern lands?

Wein and Ninym exchanged looks.

They had considered trading with Patura. Its island values didnt align with those of the East or the West, and they had heard Levetia had almost no foothold there. As proof of this, the Flahm could apparently live normal lives there.

Wein had reason to believe they wouldnt care if he had bad blood with Levetiabut it didnt seem realistic to trade with them. After all, Patura was so far away. Though it was common practice to send local products to distant lands, their locations on opposite ends of the continent felt needlessly far.

The other reason it seemed impossible was the products themselves.

Patura is on the opposite side of the continent from Natraand the same distance away from the Empire. Is there even a need for us to ship them these goods?

Well, Tolcheila answered, you ought to remember that the Empire has tried to conquer Patura as part of their imperialist agenda. The islands have managed to fend them off, but this has soured any chance of reconciliation. Meaning Imperial goods are not in wide circulation.

Emotionally distant from the Empire and culturally divorced from Levetia. If he didnt factor in distance, Wein could certainly see Patura as a viable option.

If youre still unsure, I will allow Natra to sell our goods wholesale. I am your ally, Prince, so I can offer a more-than-fair price.

Tolcheila flashed him a mischievous grin. Weins mind raced.

It certainly wasnt a bad deal. Tolcheila would act as his liaison until Wein could meet with a representative from Patura. After that, it would be up to the two kingdoms to seal the deal. It was better than wasting time running around with no solid plan.

King Gruyere must have calculated that Wein would come to this conclusion.

Hes one sneaky pig.

The king must have known Wein wouldnt find a place to trade with so easily. And Wein wasnt the type to let an opportunity slide, especially with this new port. The princess would gauge the perfect moment to offer him a helping hand. In the end, hed owe her for mediating the discussion, plus Soljest would now have a place to sell its wares.

As for making him sign a contract for the boats and seamenwell, that was just plain bullying.

The most infuriating part about this whole thing was that this was an offer too good to refuse.

Next time I see him, Im turning Gruyere into a roast pig.

Hed reached his decision.

Thank you for your offer, Princess Tolcheila I would appreciate your facilitation.

I figured. Let us send off a letter immediately.

In the note, Tolcheila introduced Wein to the representative of Patura, and Wein penned his own message. It wasnt long before they received a reply that essentially granted them an audience.

That was what landed Wein in the island nation of Patura.

Back to the present.

Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ive had enough of this brother of mine! Hes so! So!

Left behind in Natra, Falanya was throwing a fit with Nanaki as her audience.

I wanted to go, too! But Im stuck here, keeping house! How come Princess Tolcheila gets to go?! Ugh! No fair!

Falanya flailed on the bed. This tantrum was a long one. She had a policy of not embarrassing herself in front of Nanaki, but that had totally gone out the window.

If she were a tyrant, Falanya would take out her rage on the officials. Since she was a good girl at heart, however, that would never happen. The only victim was the punched-in pillow in her bedroom.

Nanaki felt on edge whenever his master was in a mood. The officials were begging him to do something about it. He wasnt exactly the best at comforting people, but it was worth a try.

Falanya.

What?!

Tolcheilas body is just as childlike as yours, so I dont think itll do anything for Wein.

His vision filled with pillow. Nanaki caught the projectile.

Falanya side-eyed him, moaning. Hmph, I bet Wein is having a ball, under puffy white clouds and sailing over the deep blue sea! Im going to give him a hard time as soon as he gets home!

The window opened up to the sky.

Thinking of her brother under the same sun, she knew what she was going to do.

Meanwhile

Well, then.

Blue ocean.

White clouds.

Sunbeams poured down.

Wein stared beyond the iron bars of a jail cell.

Well, what am I gonna do?

It was the third spring Wein had served as regent. The Kingdom of Natra could hardly be called powerless anymore.

This welcome change for its subjects was a source of tension for other countries.

This era, which was to be coined the Great War of Kings by future historians, was entering a new stage, one in which new trials and tribulations awaited the Kingdom of Natra.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om