Luna was sitting in Amber's office as they both reviewed the latest report from the Empire of Metaka. Their envoys had managed to contact the high-ranking empire officials, but they were unlikely to meet the Emperor or even the Prime Minister. Despite hitting the bureaucratic wall of the Empire, Avalon's envoys were met with very enthusiastic responses. It became clear that the Empire itself was on the brink of a succession war between the first Prince Guad and the first Princess Vettalia. These two had managed to gather respectable influence in the Empire Army and the Empire Senate, pushing their younger siblings into insignificant roles, already starting to eliminate them as threats. However, both sides of this slowly brewing war were unpredictable and merciless in their pursuit of power, which put Avalon's envoys in an awkward situation when both parties tried to play with Avalon's supposed support.
Finally, the opportunity to meet the Emperor presented itself during one of many balls organised by the Prince or Princess. Surprisingly for everyone, during that party, the Emperor himself assured the shocked envoys from Avalon about his steadfast support for the nascent kingdom. In the hope of building a future relationship between the countries, he would send the youngest of his children to establish and run an embassy in Avalon. He also expected to see the embassy of Avalon opened in Attalia, the capital city of Metaka, as soon as possible. However, the old monarch's unexpected and hardly understandable actions were met with the enthusiastic approval of both leading contenders to the throne of the empire. This chance was immediately seized by the Avalon Envoy, who was, in fact, a Noble Slime. After ensuring that a fitting diplomat would be appointed as soon as possible to fulfil the wish of the Emperor, he apologised, for regrettably, King Theon didn't have children, so Avalon couldn't reply in kind. To further confuse everyone, the Emperor just laughed and said he wanted the Envoy right before him to undertake this mission if his rank was high enough.
"I am lost..." Luna puffed her cheeks as she looked at the report for the fifth time.
"The youngest children of the Emperor are Cassmira and Leonard Metaka... The twins are said to be extremely talented." Amber tapped her lips thoughtfully. "If nothing else, the Emperor might want to place them somewhere safe from the succession war..."
"That's possible..." Luna nodded, slowly exhaling. "The succession war might break at any moment, so his actions would protect those two... But what do we gain from this?"
"So far, an unwritten non-aggression pact that would be prolonged… as long as the one we support emerges victorious from the succession war," Amber said thoughtfully. "But I don't have any idea who we should support..."
"Maybe no one? We could just stay neutral and see what kind of relationship we could maintain or build after the succession war."
"Hmmm... That might work. How old are those two?"
"Sixteen." Luna shrugged. "Should we inform Theon?"
"Sooner or later, he will learn that. But yeah..." Amber shrugged back. "While this is not exactly what we wanted, it surely would allow us to normalise the situation in the kingdom in preparation for Berna's movements."
•••
I was standing on the balcony of my Palace while the cold fury boiled inside me. It was hard to pinpoint the exact reason for my sudden anger, but I felt as if some invaluable chance was slipping out of my hands. The feeling was so nerve-wracking that I wanted to punch something. I closed my eyes as yet another report informed me about another potential problem. I groaned and rested heavily on the wide railing while covering my eyes with my right hand. Metaka was on the verge of a civil war. It was hard to anticipate the problems that would arise during the civil war, mainly how many people would decide to flee from the war-torn country. War refugees would create additional chaos and could potentially spark civil unrest. Of course, it all depended on how many of them would actually seek shelter in Avalon and how much aid I could spare for them. The only certain thing now was the fact that I had to finish the war in Cridia far faster than I had planned.
That meant Avalon's Wrath wouldn't be finished in time, and my Legions would have to face ten Cridian Siege Golems without any heavy support. I toyed with the idea of upgrading the Legions' ballistas, onegars, catapults, and trebuchets with the towed magi-cannons for a moment, but I didn't want to give my enemies any ideas. So, my current problems could have been boiled down to the two main venues. One: What was the Kingdom of Berna going to do? And the second one: How bad would the civil war in Metaka be? It spoke volumes about how bad the war was going for Josla Cridia if she was the least of my problems. However, I could point out exactly why she had so many troubles, and I promised myself to take very detailed notes of what I mustn't do under any circumstances.
"Theon?"
"Hey, Amber..." I tried to smile, but she instantaneously saw through me.
"What is bothering you? Metaka?"
"Heh..." I chuckled, amused at how much she knew me already. However, just seeing her improved my mood, so I quickly went to her and simply kissed her. "I just realised there is nothing we can do about it, so there is no point in grinding my gears over it."
"Not exactly..." Luna poked her head from inside my office and winked. "The Emperor is sending his youngest children to be his ambassadors in Avalon."
"That's..." I rubbed my chin thoughtfully as I looked up at the blue sky. As always, I found I was already aware of this, as such was the nature of the reports made by my denizens, but as long as I did not entirely focus on something, it tended to just hover somewhere at the fringes of my mind. "That's interesting..."
"I thought so." Amber chuckled, and Luna seized the occasion to kiss me the moment I lowered my head. "We currently have two theories on the matter. Would you like to hear them?"
"Sure." I smiled as I grabbed both of them, and we entered my office to sit on the cosy sofa.
"The first one is fairly simple- he sent them to keep them far from the succession war. Emperor Darius the Nineteenth seems to love the twins truly, so it is a very plausible explanation." Amber folded her legs and snuggled herself into my side.
"Agreed."
"But, we think they might also be backup monarchs." Luna unceremoniously lifted my arm to make room for herself and then snuggled it to her chest as if it were a teddy bear, making me laugh.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"That could also be the case. Hmmm..." I recalled the report from the party and all the information we had about the heirs to the throne of Metaka. "Anyway, I guess we have to be thankful for the non-aggression pact. Despite the unknown reasons for his decision, the Emperor believes that his children would be safe in Avalon. What's more, if both of the most influential inheritors agreed to send the twins here... It could be anything, but I think we should keep a close eye on them."
"Mhmm..." They both purred in agreement and giggled after looking at each other.
"So..." I tried to let them go, but they firmly held my arms. "It looks like I am trapped."
"Indeed you are..." Luna giggled.
"But why?"
"Oh, my Darling, there is a thing or two we have to chat about a little..." Amber purred with her most seductive voice.
"I am all ears then," I promised, as always too naive when it came to my wives...
•••
"Ahhh... This city is so beautiful, Darling." Callicarpa firmly grabbed her fiance's arm and rested her head on his shoulder with a delighted smile.
They have already been in Avalon for a few days, fully enjoying their stay. After just the first day it was apparent that their initial plans to stay just one week were very unrealistic and very quickly it was changed by the decree of Queen Amber that “they will stay until everything will be ready”. Today, they were strolling through one of the middle castle parks before their scheduled visit to Wendy's Tailor Shop. Callicarpa giggled at the thought that Lady Wendy would personally make her wedding dress. The winter was already a bad memory, and the Dryad pondered how quickly she and her sisters had adapted to their new status. In just one month, the Dryads went from being hidden survivors on the brink of destruction to becoming citizens of a huge and prosperous kingdom. They also became subjects of the powerful and benevolent king who was the promised hero of their people. She would smile knowing that her sister was in love with the king, if not for herself knowing the joys and perils of love. Callicarpa was herself engaged to a wonderful man, who loved and supported her.
"It's almost as beautiful as you are, Calli." He smiled as usual.
"You lived here?" He was much older than she was, which came as a shock to her the first time she met him. Even now, after the Gods had rejuvenated him, he was still a few years older than her, but she didn’t mind. If anything, she felt so safe around him. "I don't believe I would leave this place..."
"If I hadn’t left, we could have never met, my Beautyberry," he replied thoughtfully, taking a deep breath of fresh and clean air. "But yes, I lived here for a brief moment. My former land lies further east, and I wonder if it survived the wrath of Josla."
"Are you worried about your home?" It was the first time he told her about his hometown. "What was it like?"
"Oh, it wasn't exactly my hometown, but for a few years, it was my home, indeed..." He hummed and pondered on his memories. "My household was forced to renounce the lands we were taking care of for generations when I came of age. Those lands were subsequently destroyed by an incompetent lord whose household was envious of our riches. That noble was favoured by Queen Josla, and she often did things like that, placing her most loyal lackeys in charge of the most prosperous lands of the Kingdom." There was anger in Blair's voice, but it passed quickly after a powerless sigh. "Fortunately, most of the people living there decided to leave and follow us to the new lands that, as Josla had told us back then, desperately needed the guidance of a trusted household."
"That was unfair..." The Dryad tilted her head and blushed in embarrassment since she was still learning the nuances of politics and wasn't sure if she had said something silly or not.
"It was." He agreed with a smile, seeing her flustered. "But very, very typical for all impatient or petty rulers."
"Do you think King Theon would order you and your soldiers to take post elsewhere?" she asked, a little scared.
"Haha... My soldiers? No, I don't believe that. But me? Hmm... Maybe? But that would be different from what Josla had done. In the case of King Theon, he would ask me to go, presumably to the North or to the East, where known and powerful enemies are. I would be replaced by a capable and competent commander who would care for Westwood and its inhabitants as well as I do."
"But you do not sound like you believe that would be the case," she pointed out almost accusingly.
"No." Blair shrugged carelessly as he picked up a beautiful pink flower and placed it gently into Callicarpa's hair as he smiled blatantly. "It's because I am where our King needs me the most. On the west lies only Eshya and the Great Northern Wilderness. In the words of our King: 'In the West, we can find friends and enemies alike. I can deal with Berna and Metaka because we know them, but I need you, Blair, to stand vigilant and protect my Kingdom from what we don't know while I’ll be busy. I will grant you the manpower and means so no foe could best you in battle, but you will be on the frontier, alone in the face of the unknown.' But he was wrong..."
"How so?" she asked, overwhelmed by the strange bond between her beloved man and the King of Avalon. Blair was preparing for war as if Dragons were to descend on Westwood and then lay waste to Avalon. She witnessed the brief exchange of words between them, which was enough to make the King himself change his plans and give Blair a free hand in whatever he was planning. Her Fiance was mapping the wilderness and planning fortresses and new cities, and the only thing that the King expected in return were progress reports. The Dryads had just started helping the farmers, but she knew King Theon was not expecting spectacular outcomes immediately. She felt it was somehow wrong. Royalty, according to Blair, Lord Kirin, and her older sister, were usually greedy. These thoughts crossed her mind for a split second, but it was enough for Blair to lift her gently into the air, without her noticing it. She squealed and laughed soon after as she lowered her face to kiss him.
"I will never again be alone with you by my side." He smiled as he kissed her, pushing away all her concerns.
•••
Lavender was resting in her chamber, sipping an apple and pear juice while watching the sunset. Contrary to her fears, the King did not point out her inappropriate behaviour the last and only time they had met. The last days passed in the blink of an eye, and she was feeling not only much more comfortable in Avalon but also she befriended all the Queens. King Theon entrusted her with many responsibilities, and her head was still spinning from the shock. Everything recently seemed to have happened thanks to Queen Amber, Irene, and Hestia, but she was glad to be helpful and close to the King. Lavender decided to take a stroll in the magnificent Gardens of Avalon before sleep, so she changed her clothes and discovered that her wardrobe was full of gorgeous and lavish dresses, along with less official clothing that was still equally as wonderful. She chose a long, fur-lined coat since the evenings were still too cold for her. Lavender enjoyed the warm touch of soft and smooth materials on her skin, thoughtfully hugging the sides of the coat and pondering how fortunate her kin were to be protected by the powerful King. Her thoughts wandered aimlessly, jumping from subject to subject as she slowly walked down the corridors of the Palace, trying to encompass and process everything so far. From joyful thoughts and memories to far darker moments in her long life, she considered everything, along with the 'what ifs' of an equally dark future that hopefully would never come.
When she reached the Gardens, it was already half-dark outside, but the lamps illuminated the nearby paths, so she slowly walked until she found a park bench on which she sat. The air was so fresh that she wondered how the King managed to keep it that way. The blessing of the God of Winds couldn't be the only thing that kept the odours of the cities at bay. Even the Dryads, who were very strict about cleaning, couldn't get rid of it all, as they thought the smells were inevitable within their hidden settlement. Just now, she realised that the air in the Dungeon City of Westwood was also clean and fresh after King Theon took over. She giggled at the silliness of her current thoughts and realised one more thing. She was happy in Avalon.
And she hoped to never leave it again...