Between Two Souls, Chapter 8

Adrien looked around the room. He saw Erika beside him, trying to wake him up, and Vino behind her, looking worried and scared. Adrien sat up in bed.

"It seems like you had a bad dream, Adrien. A really bad one. Even Vino got scared," Erika said as she stroked Adrien's back.

"I... I had a strange dream. Really strange. It felt so real."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I was in a strange place, a place that seemed like it didn't exist in this world."

"Huh?" Erika looked confused.

"I was in a weird house. The rooms there were lit by magical glowing balls, and they could be turned on with a switch. Then I went to a place that looked like a kitchen. There was a very cold cabinet there. The stove turned on without firewood."

"Adrien, maybe you're just too stressed about..."

"No, Erika! Listen to me first! There was also something like a board that emitted light and pictures. Then I bathed in a bathroom with water gushing out like a fountain."

"Okay, Adrien, calm down. Take it slow."

"The dream ended with me meeting someone. That person told me to leave, and then my head started hurting. Erika, I feel like the things I experienced before are connected to this series of dreams."

"Wait, you've had similar dreams before?"

"OF COURSE! I even saw something strange, like my potato suddenly turning into something called a 'handphone.' I don’t know what that thing is, or where the name 'handphone' comes from."

Erika and Vino turned to look at each other, confused about what Adrien was talking about. Erika got off the bed and stepped away. She seemed to be deep in thought. With determination, Erika was about to reveal something she had been holding back.

"Turns out, they were right," Erika muttered.

Erika turned to face Adrien.

"The Ancestor Order wants to meet you, but before that, there's an emergency meeting you need to attend."

"What? The Ancestor Order? Who are they?" Adrien looked at Vino in confusion. Vino also appeared puzzled.

"I’ll explain it to you later. But right now, there’s a heated debate you need to attend," Erika said, grabbing Adrien’s hand and urging him to hurry.

"Uh, wait! Let me change clothes first."

"Alright, but be quick. I’ll wait for you outside the room."

Erika walked out, leaving Adrien and Vino alone. Adrien quickly changed with Vino’s help.

Adrien glanced at the mirror, looking at his body from top to bottom, wondering if his fate was about to change. Vino handed him his coat, helping him dress.

"Vino, can I ask you something? It’s quite serious."

Vino stood silently, staring at her husband’s reflection in the mirror for a moment, then nodded.

"Are you ready if the worst happens to me?"

The elf went quiet, as if the question weighed heavily on her. Adrien turned around and noticed the burden his wife was carrying. His heart stirred, and he hugged her.

"Oh, I’m sorry, Vino. I shouldn’t have put this pressure on you on your first day."

Vino sighed. "It’s alright, Prince. I should be the one apologizing for not being ready to be your wife. I know your days are getting harder."

Adrien tried to ease the tension for Vino.

"By the way, why is your name Vino? Isn’t that a man’s name?"

"Ah, well, my father hoped the Celje family would have a son through me. The Celje family has always given birth to daughters."

Adrien smiled. "Well, let’s hope your father’s wish through your name comes true."

Vino smiled along with him. Adrien kissed Vino’s neck, their bond growing deeper. But then…

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Hey, lovebirds! You can be romantic later. We’ve got business to attend to. Hurry up!" Erika knocked loudly, having waited long enough.

"Uh, yeah, sorry, Erika. Hehe."

Adrien and Vino ended their tender moment and quickly got ready to leave.

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"Oh, come on now! Let’s get to the meeting!" Erika urged.

The three of them hurried downstairs, rushing to attend the meeting.

……………………..

On this cool morning, a room was heating up. Not because of the weather, but due to the heated debate taking place inside. It was the palace’s council chamber.

The room was grand, with a high ceiling of white marble and a spacious center. The seating was arranged in a circular, tiered fashion, resembling a stadium. It was here that the nobles usually gathered to discuss critical matters of the kingdom.

Much like the previous ball, all noble families were present. But unlike before, when they sought a prince, now they sought war!

Adrien, Erika, and Vino entered the room. They were immediately guided by the king’s servants to their respective seats. Adrien and Vino sat next to Adrien’s father, while Erika sat farther away.

"Goodness, this debate is really heated. Even this cool morning can’t calm them down."

The debate had split the nobles into two factions. Some families, like the Driva, Hidalgo, and Celje families, had formed a pro-war faction, fueling the intensity. They sat across from King Arthur, appearing the most agitated.

"YOUR MAJESTY! Our old enemy, our arch-nemesis, has insulted and trampled on the peace treaty! This cannot be tolerated!" Lord Ega shouted with burning fury.

"If His Majesty does not desire war with Zelestria, then you are a TRAITOR!" Chiara added, fuming with a desire to avenge her children, who had died in horrible ways.

The discovery of the massacre the night before had shaken all of Arestiana. Among one of the werewolf creatures, they found a necklace and the corpse of a Zelestrian. The necklace bore the religious symbol of Zelestria—a red gem in the shape of a dragon.

"Calm down, gentlemen and ladies!" Stoick tried to soothe the war-hungry crowd.

King Arthur sat on his grand throne, flanked by his advisors and ministers. He was trying to think clearly about the matter, continuously discussing it with them, especially with Stoick. Queen Sophie, who sat beside him, remained silent, her face full of worry.

"You’re just making things worse! We should be strengthening our defenses and hunting down those monsters!" Bridgette voiced her opinion.

"Lady Bridgette, have you forgotten? Many Vickers family members were slaughtered! Don’t you want to avenge their deaths?"

"What do you know about defense? You’re just a woman who’s lucky to bear the Vickers name. GO BACK TO THE KITCHEN!"

"Yes! You’re responsible because you made the prince weak by teaching him how to cook!"

The Driva family hurled insults at Bridgette, who was furious beyond measure. Adrien, overhearing this, felt equally uncomfortable.

"YOU BOSSY OLD FARTS!" Bridgette shouted.

"HOW DARE YOU! WATCH YOUR MOUTH!"

Unlike other families like the Celje family, who governed entire territories named after themselves, Bridgette wasn’t a landowner. She was merely a restaurant and bar owner. It was Bridgette who had taught the prince how to cook when they were children.

"Calm down! Lady Bridgette’s words have some truth to them. We can’t let Arestiana’s defenses weaken. Besides, are you sure Arestiana is ready for war again?" Theodore’s calm voice cut through the heated tension.

"Theodore! Why do you always oppose us, the teachers? Do you doubt the strength of our kingdom?" a voice from his own family retorted angrily.

Once again, Theodore was at odds with his own relatives. Adrien, sensing the gravity of the debate, stood up and boldly supported Theodore’s argument.

"Lord Ega, Theodore isn’t doubting our kingdom’s strength. War carries great risks. Is Arestiana ready for those risks? Or worse, ready for additional dangers like plagues and other threats?" Adrien’s tone was measured but firm.

"What do you know, you brat! Arestiana’s soldiers and people are ready for any risk!" Lord Ega shot back.

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE?!" Adrien suddenly shouted, his voice reverberating through the chamber.

His outburst caused the entire room to fall silent.

"I know the people far better than you, who live in luxury!" Adrien’s words hit the pro-war faction like a heavy blow.

The entire faction of war supporters fell into a stunned silence.

"Do you know why I rarely associate with nobles? Do you know why I hate these fancy dances? Do you know why I chose to befriend a village girl who raised her status to sit with us? Why I married an Elf? Why I prefer cooking over attending grand balls?" Adrien's voice was steady as he walked to the center of the room, facing the war-hungry faction.

"Because you’re all too busy scrambling for more power! And using me as a tool for your political agendas. I’d rather stay far away than be tainted by your dirty hands!" Adrien’s voice grew sharper with each word, cutting through the room's tension.

Whispers started to ripple through the pro-war faction, murmurs of doubt spreading.

"If you were truly wise, you’d investigate this matter more thoroughly. There could easily be a third party using the Zelestrian people as scapegoats!" Adrien warned.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The sound of a staff hitting the ground echoed, silencing the room. It was General Phobos.

"Quiet, everyone! The King wishes to speak!"

After a long debate, the King finally stood up. "Very well, if you all demand war, then so be it. However, I must clarify this incident with Zelestria. I will travel to the Republic of Roum to resolve this matter."

Many in the room were shocked by the King’s decision.

"You can either stay here or come with me, but you must strengthen the kingdom’s defenses and send bounty hunters to deal with these monsters. There might be a third party behind this," the King added.

The King’s decision only heated up the pro-war faction further.

"Why the hassle? Just attack them!"

"The King has lost his mind!"

"Arestiana will be ruined."

The debate ended with the King's decision to travel to the long-walled country that separates Arestiana from Zelestria to demand an explanation from Zelestria regarding the matter.

Adrien and Vino left the room and found Felix, Bridgette, and Erika gathered in one of the palace’s garden corridors.

"Erika! Felix! Bridgette!" Adrien greeted, waving his hand.

"Adrien!" Felix responded.

Adrien approached, feeling sorry for Bridgette, who looked dejected from the earlier insults.

"Oh my. The Driva family is indeed ruthless; they can’t control their mouths. I’m sorry, Bridgette."

"You don’t need to apologize for someone else’s actions, Prince," Bridgette replied.

"So, it looks like we’re likely heading to war, huh? Hummph, I’m getting more worried. Adrien, are you really not going to inherit my fortune?"

"Felix, why are you so worried? Relax, you’ll find a partner eventually. Your fortune will be just fine."

Adrien glanced at Bridgette. "Why don’t you marry Bridgette, Felix? You two are quite close."

Felix immediately looked dejected at Adrien’s question.

"I was going to, but Bridgette has already been betrothed to someone else."

Adrien was surprised by this. He regretted Bridgette’s decision, given their close relationship. Bridgette remained silent, not wishing to discuss it further.

"Oh, Erika, you mentioned The Ancestor Order earlier. What is that?"

Erika’s expression became serious. The determined woman looked around, checking if anyone else was nearby.

"Alright, since I’ve known you for a long time, you have the right to know. Follow me if you want to find out. If not, then don’t."

………………….To Be Continued…………………