19 19: The anticipation of fate

"How did you know Falael was the one for you?" Amaris asked. It was a question that had been buzzing around her head for a while. How did you know if you loved someone? Grace looked at her with a sympathetic smile.

"We had been through hell and back, and no matter what we went through, he made me feel safe. Why do you ask?"

"Every time Ivailo touches me, it makes me feel alive. As if I was asleep before and now I am truly awake."

"If that is the case, tell him how you feel. If we are going to war, then tell him exactly what you are feeling because he might feel the same way. It is better to die knowing that for a short time you were loved than it is to live a thousand lifetimes without ever experiencing love."

"I appreciate your advice." Amaris said. "We should probably head in. The banquet welcoming you to our court will start in an hour." The pair headed inside.

And now Amaris stood in front of an ivory and gold floor-length mirror that had been placed into an otherwise empty corner next to her dressing table, coming to terms with the drastic measures that she may have to go to telling Ivailo how she felt.

Kenia had dressed her in a pale pink silk, adorned simply with a gathered neckline and a slim fitting skirt. Simple earrings adorned her ears, pearl with a little piece of gold holding them together.

If he doesn't accept me when I look like this, Amaris thought; then he will never accept me. Ah well, the only thing that I can do is tell him how I feel. The worst thing he can say is that he does not feel the same way.

"You agreed to what?!" Grace screeched.

"I said that I agreed to marry off our children to the children to the children of Rinomve and Ivailo." Falael responded calmly. He had expected Grace to be so mad that she had thrown something, and he knew he was treading on extremely thin ice, but he did not want to keep more secrets from her. Heaven knows, they already had enough challenges in their marriage without having to add on more secrets. "It was the only way to solidify the newly formed treaty with Asharia, Acad and soon, Thoasia."

"So you just sold children we don't even have yet, just to have a treaty with another country?" Grace said, pacing. Falael took a deep breath.

"I don't like this solution, either." He said, taking Grace by the shoulders and trying to calm her down. "When Rinomve suggested this solution, I just about slapped him over the head. If it wasn't for Ivailo being there, I might have. But unless we want Rinomve to be a king without support of other nations, this is a small sacrifice that I will make."

"And what if we never have children?" Grace asked.

"Then we cross that bridge when we come to it." Falael pulled her into a hug. "Now, let's get ready for the banquet."

Rinomve flopped back on the crimson silk coverlet covering the bed of his rather large guest chambers. Since the meeting, he had been going round and round in circles with the same few questions. What kind of king would he be? Would he ever find a queen? How would he fulfil the bargain that he had suggested? Why oh why was he so stupid to suggest that they marry their children off to each other's children?

Concluding that these questions were all just going to be answered in a matter of time, he rolled off the bed and pulled on the navy and silver jacket that had been laid out across a chair.

"Your Majesty, would you like to wear the green or the silver?" Cyran asked, holding up two coats.

"The silver." Ivailo responded in a monotone.

"Is everything okay, Your Majesty?"

"No, it is not." Ivailo sighed. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty."

"How do you feel about going to war?" He asked, desperate to have answers to the questions holding his head hostage.

"I think that the Oblivion Kappa deserve to be annihilated, and to put our guest Lord Rinomve back on the throne is just the butter on the slice of bread." This answer made Ivailo more nervous.

"And what do you think about Lady Amaris?"

"How do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"How do you think she would react to us going to war?" Ivailo asked.

"Considering she was the one that informed you of Lord Rinomve's existence, I struggle to see why she would be against us going to war. Why do you ask, Your Majesty?" Ivailo exhaled a breath that he did not realise he was holding.

"Because I feel strangely protective of her, as if her parents made her of glass and the announcement of war will shatter her."

"Maybe, Your Majesty. But you cannot un-send a letter. The only thing that you can do is go forward, you especially."

"What do you mean, Cyran? Please, speak plainly."

"Go to war, Your Majesty. You are too far along that road to stop the impending invasion of Thoasia. And if you are so concerned about Lady Amaris, tell her. Do it before you never see her again." Cyran said as he helped Ivailo slip into the silver jacket he was holding. "There. You look like the Emperor that Acad needs, and the man Lady Amaris deserves."

Ivailo stood up, clinking his polished silver spoon against the crystal goblet that sat near his plate, making the wine look more tantalising than any ale could ever be. The transformed throne room, which had been buzzing with activity and conversation, became so silent that he swore that he could have heard a bead drop from one of the many ladies' gowns. Taking a deep breath, he started his speech.

"Honoured guests of the high court." He said, turning to where Falael, Grace and Rinomve sat. "Welcome to the Empire of Acad. Noble Lords and Ladies, welcome to Craester Castle." He took another deep breath. "I wish we were meeting under better circumstances. Tonight, I announce that the Empire of Acad will support the Kingdom of Asharia in their support of Lord Rinomve, the rightful King of Thoasia." He said, showing Rinomve. A murmur of distaste, likely at the fact that Amaris was not killed before this announcement, swept through the gathered nobles. It would not surprise me if the former lords of the high council and their mates had gone around and started drumming up support for Amaris's death behind my back, Ivailo thought. "I will meet any resistance to this war with the resistor being labeled a traitor. Also," He took a large gulp of his wine for courage. "I will purchase all the private armies to form the very first Royal Army of Acad." Even more dissatisfaction rippled through the crowd. "And now, for dinner!" Ivailo motioned for the servants to bring out the plates.

A hush fell over the room as the lords and ladies became engrossed in their dinner. If I am going to do anything, I need to do it now, Amaris thought as she made her way to where Ivailo was standing, talking to Falael. It did not take long, and soon enough, she had his attention. She motioned for him to follow her as she walked out of the throne room.

"Is everything okay, My Lady?" Ivailo asked as they stepped out onto a balcony. The proximity made Amaris's heart beat so loudly she was sure that Ivailo could hear it.

"No, Your Majesty. Everything is not okay."

"What troubles you?" He asked sweetly, looking genuinely concerned.

"I don't think that you should go onto the battlefield." At this revelation, Ivailo looked stunned.

"Why? You were one of the most ardent supporters of us going into war with the Oblivion Kappa."

"Because I love you." She said as she let out a breath that she did not know she was holding. "Because I love you, and I don't want to lose you."