Diana

I jumped onto the bed we’d been given in glee. I was glad to get some sleep instead of arguing over those darn peace papers. If this was the prelude I dreaded the future.

“You tired?”

“A little, but definitely less than Hector is going to be tomorrow.”

Seliph sat next to me on the bed with a smile on his face. He enjoyed messing with Hector to much. I had to step in from time to time to keep him from escalating things too far. It didn’t help that Hector also was being hot-headed as well.

“Serves him right for the way he was looking at you.”

“What do you mean?”

He looks at me confused at my response.

“You didn’t see him eyeing you?”

“I mean I did, but I thought he was just nervous about me being a different gender now. I mean my sister was acting similarly.”

“That might have been the case for your sister, but him. He looked like he had different motives.”

I sat up and looked at him.

“Is that why you were messing with him the whole time. Were you jealous?”

“No, he just needed to learn his place.”

“So you were intimidating him?”

“I was applying pressure for the proceedings and showing him who was in charge.”

“And it had nothing to do with me did it.”

“I mean maybe a little but he just needed to learn that you were mine.”

He snuggles up against me and I push him back to his side of the bed shaking my head.

“You shouldn’t be bringing such petty things to these negotiations Seliph. We have enough to worry about without you intentionally antagonizing him.”

“That boy will not hinder us in the slightest. How is your sister doing?”

“Arthur didn’t seem worried so I’m sure she’s fine. I’ll check on her tomorrow to make sure though.”

“That’s good to hear. As soon as the prisoners are released we’ll head to the capital. There we will finalize the treaty with Bern’s king. Then we shall head for the holy empire and hope that Mara hasn’t corrupted their heads of state yet.”

“She wouldn’t do that!”

“You’re saying that after everything she has already done?”

“Okay maybe I’m just being hopeful, but they wouldn’t go to war again this quickly would they.”

“Not with us, but with their weaker neighbors they might. You heard me earlier when I said Bern was weak right. Well, one of their most powerful neighbors is the Holy Empire, and they have most of their forces concentrated in their capital. Ready to strike on their leader’s whim.

“Honestly the people I fear the least right now are the Mercantile Nations. They have to have a popular opinion to declare war. Even I can’t declare war without the approval of my generals. No one should have absolute power. I don’t even trust myself with that much power.”

“That's definitely not what I thought I’d be hearing from you, and I doubt any other leader in this world would say it either.”

“I just think it’s natural. I mean even the gods divide the power of the universe among each other.”

“Sure there isn’t just one God pulling the strings of these gods of yours.”

“Well if that is the case it would be nice if this God could reign Mara in a little.”

“You and me both.”

“Well we have another long day tomorrow so I suggest we both get some rest.”

I nod my head in agreement as I lie down. We still had a long way to go.

Waking up I see Seliph getting dressed and roll out of bed to do the same. Our quarters were just as cramped as our vacation, but unlike then we didn’t have the place to ourselves. So I quickly change trying to brush my feelings about it aside.

Seliph doesn’t say anything and we get ready for another busy day. Once ready we leave the room and head for the dining hall where we’ll have breakfast with Hector.

“How did you sleep, personally I felt the beds were a bit rough.”

Seliph rubs his shoulders as we walk feigning his point.

“Those are good beds around here. The ones in your country are just ahead of the curve.”

“No, their beds are just subpar.”

I can’t tell if he’s joking or he’s serious about it. But the conversation does kill some time as we find ourselves in the dining hall. Anna is seated to the side pondering something. She barely notices us entering the room as Hector greets us.

“Good morning, I hope our accommodations met your expectations.”

“Cheap and crude? Yeah, I didn’t expect anything less from this place.”

Really? You had to start today by insulting him.

“You don’t have to start the day by insulting him Seliph. It wasn’t that bad.”

“You just don’t have high standards Done. You never did?”

“I have standards! I’m not just some pig who will sleep anywhere.”

“Oh really? Who was it that always got caught falling asleep in strange places?”

“Hey, I didn’t do that often.”

Seliph and I take a seat as Seliph continues with his complaint.

“She is right though Diana. We are royalty and as such. We should be treated as such.”

Hector looks flustered, not sure how to respond.

“I assure you Seliph we meant no disrespect. That was the finest room we have here and has house royalty from across the continent.”

“I guess you really were right Diana. These fools really don’t know how to make a proper bed.”

I really wish he’d put this whole thing to the side. There is no need to rile him up this early in the day. Let’s just try to brush this all to the side.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“So what’s for breakfast? I’m starving.”

Hector looks grateful for the change of topic as he addresses me.

“The cooks are preparing a delectable assortment of our finest foods. They should be out in just-”

“Breakfast has been corrected to be a more appetizing meal.”

I put a hand to my face as Flora comes out with the other servants with breakfast. I can only imagine how she must have scolded the cooks for their inferior cooking.

“Was something wrong with the cooking?”

Hector looks confused at her accusation as he stares at the food in wonder.

“It was completely subpar. I’ve seen maids cook better than those so-called cooks you keep around here.”

Did demons really have such high standards? I can’t tell if this is some political ploy or bullying at this point.

“Wow! This looks really good!”

I can see Anna eyeing the food with a gleam to her eyes not caring about the subtle gesturing going on. I wish I had her ignorance to these things. I’d at least be more at ease instead of how tense I am right now.

Once breakfast was finished we discussed the final proceeding for the prisoner release and by noon we could see the troops marching into the fortress. Some men came out to greet their friends and family that safely returned while others kept asking around if they knew where someone was.

It was both a happy and sad time as people streamed in. Some would reunite with family while others would receive the news that their loved ones were dead. I had mixed feelings as I felt like each one that didn’t return was partially my responsibility. Seliph sat next to me while we ate lunch outside watching everyone mill about.

“What’s the matter? I thought you’d be happy to see them all returning home.”

“I am, I’m just thinking about the ones who didn’t make it back.”

“Your thinking to pessimistically. People die in war. There is nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. Our job as leaders is to make sure the fighting is quick and as bloodless as possible. Which, I would say we have both achieved.”

I look out and try to see it that way, but it doesn’t come naturally.

“Lighten up Done, take the wins you’ve earned. We’ve got a busy next few weeks from here on out.”

Anna gazed out at the troops still pondering on something.

“Is something wrong Anna? You look like you’ve been pondering something all day.”

“Just a premonition I have, and it isn’t good.”

Seliph looks at Anna in curiosity.

“What kind of premonition.”

“I think the Holy Empire will be invading Bern. I don’t know when or how many, but they have a plan in the works.”

“So Talos showed you a vision?”

“Yes, but it was too vague and I’m scared to think that they would actually commit to such an endeavor.”

“So what happened in this vision?”

“The Holy Empire swarmed a large city in the mountains. Completely overwhelming the people as they destroyed and pillaged to their heart's content. A battle without honor that Mara seems hell-bent on bringing to fruition.”

She seemed particularly angry about it holding no honor. Maybe it has something to do with Talos or something.

“Is there nothing else you can remember?”

“Nothing definite, I just know a place and that they plan to attack there.”

“Well, the only major city near the mountains around here would be the capital city of Bern, Oslingrad. We’ll be headed there this afternoon to meet with the king. Once there I’ll send some agents to check on the situation within the Holy Empire.

“But, my guess is that they will move sometime in the far future. They still need more time to reorganize and rearm. So at the very least, I believe time is on our side.”

“Well that’s good I guess, but it still feels like we’re sitting on a time bomb right now.”

“Such a thing would easily diffuse under your most graceful voice miss Diana. Men would discard their weapons in mass in order to proclaim your beauty to the gods!”

“Glad to see you made it here Laslow. But I would hold back your tongue if you know what’s good for you.”

“I meant no disrespect to you, my king. Instead, all I wished to do is compliment your fair wife and give her the respect she deserves standing by your side.”

Felicia hits him over the head as she carries out a fresh pot of tea.

“Show them some respect, you oaf.”

She pours me some tea setting the pot in the middle of the table.

“We just got here a few minutes ago and came as soon as we could my king.”

“Good, did everything go as planned Laslow?”

Laslow rubs his head as he faces Seliph.

“Yes, the journey was mostly uneventful with everyone making it safely here. They have all been handed off to the local garrison and we shall be ready to depart shortly for the capitol.”

“Good, go see to the final preparations. Do you think by the time we finish this tea we’ll be ready to head out?”

“Of course, I’ll have the men ready to go at your command.”

He then runs off as Felicia cleans up our empty plates.

“How have you been Felicia? I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I am honored by your word miss. But sadly I’ve just been quite busy trying to keep Laslow in line.”

Seliph holds out his cup and Felicia refills it as she prepares to leave.

“Has he been getting in trouble again?”

“No, but I always feel like he is going to get himself into trouble.”

“Then there is nothing to worry about. He’s a grown man and as general at that. He can take care of himself.”

Anna doesn’t look convinced as she pours herself some tea.

“Yeah, I’m not too sure about that. He does seem like the guy that would gladly dive into trouble without a second thought for some pretty lady.”

“Well there I no doubt about that, but his loyalty is in the right place I can guarantee that.”

They must have had some kind of history I haven’t heard about or something. Laslow’s personality doesn’t really seem to really match with Seliph’s much. It’s a wonder why Seliph doesn’t get on to him.

Hector soon joins us with a look of puzzlement on his face.

“I heard you were going to be headed out this afternoon. If you had wanted to leave so soon you should have told me. I could have prepared you an escort for your trip to the capitol.”

“You see, I could have, but I honestly don’t trust your men. This way no one will know our plans till I execute them meaning it’s safer for me to set up my own travel plans. Though, you are free to join us if you so please prince Hector.”

Seliph continued to drink his tea not caring about Hector’s sweating brow.

“Then when do you plan to be on your way then?”

“Well, “

Seliph drains his glass shakes the teapot and I fail to hear anything inside. Guess we had drained that thing quicker than I had thought.

“We just finished our tea here so I see nothing stopping us from leaving right now. What do you think Diana?”

“I wish you could at least give Hector a chance. You seem to enjoy messing with him way too much Seliph.”

“Well, it’s just too easy. He leaves to many openings, just like you do.”

He tickles my hand and I jerk back in surprise. I sigh as he smiles at my reaction.

“That might be the case, but we’re trying to form a good relationship with him so can you dial it back a bit.”

“Alright fine, if you insist. We’ll leave a little later so you better hurry up prince. We won’t be waiting long.”

“Ah, right.”

Hector then rushed off with a panicked look on his face. As much as I wish Seliph would treat him better he hasn’t done anything outright hostile and he is representing his country so I don’t feel like I should tell him to act too much. I’m not his mother after all.

“Well how about we all get ready to go ladies. We have quite the journey ahead of us.”

I get up and make my way to the carriage hoping everything goes smoothly once we reach the capitol.

Hector

I tell the servants to quickly prepare my things and a horse as I enter the fort. Seliph has been constantly messing with me the entire time he’s been here and he has never left Diana’s side when I’m around. So my plans to talk with her alone have been foiled so far.

Seeing Diana’s sister was also a nice surprise. I’ll have to ask how she got here when I have the time. Maybe I can use her to get closer to Diana. Cause, there is no way I’m going to get close to Diana if Seliph has something to say about it.

Anna is also a champion of Talos as well so it might be a chance to help get Talos’s favor if I help her. I just have to be careful I don’t get on her bad side or else his wraith might fall on me. Gods know I have enough on my plate.

I might still be able to salvage this mess though since they released all of our captured troops. I’m thankful they all have returned safe and I believe their families will be as well. With that, I at least have some good news for my father.

Seliph though, he didn’t seem as scary as the stories made the demon king sound like. But, I definitely could feel him staring me down whenever I even looked at Diana. She also didn’t seem to notice either which I found odd. To get along with someone you had hated so soon. Did she actually love him or was she just ignorant?

I thought about the time he had stayed here and tried to think of if he had any lovers when he did. I couldn’t think of any and I never saw him make a move on anyone here either.

I sigh as I can’t fathom what she must be thinking. She is nothing like my fiance with her arranged partner. I just couldn’t wrap my head around this whole mess.

I realize I’d been daydreaming and finish preparing my traveling preparations. Mounting my horse as their entourage leaves the fort. The men look at them with hope on their faces and a realize how much weighs on their actions. I can only hope that I can help shoulder the burdens of my country and see these men's’ hope realized.