17 Invitation

"Your Majesty, we received a letter from the Council of Eliora," Raymond brought a letter out of nowhere.

Valeria, Lobelius, and Lahar are all part of the vast Eliora continent along with fifteen more kingdoms. Some kingdoms are vast, some small, and some a merger of weaker nations.

The Council of Eliora was comprised of these countries in order to protect their territory and independence from other continents. The Council was an alliance which seeks to fight against issues affecting every nation in Eliora.

Regardless of other issues between them, such as a war between neighbors, or conflict at the borders, every nation has to set it aside once something of a bigger concern takes the attention of the Council.

The fall of the continent affects everyone so it was the Council's duty to ensure Eliora does not fall to another continent's hand.

Valeria had long refused to join the Council for unknown reasons. However, Valeria representatives are invited once in a while when necessary.

For instance, in times of aggression and war with other continents, Valeria may be tapped for its strength since it would also be uncomfortable for the empire if another continent get control over all the other nations in Eliora.

"Leave it at my table. I will read it later," Ferdinand said casually and did not even glance at the letter as if he did not care about Eliora one bit.

"Your Majesty, this is urgent. What if it's about a war? I have been hearing rumors about Zynnia Continent being aggressive again," Raymond urged and Ferdinand glared. Raymond did not back down though.

[It's just an invitation for the yearly assembly but this is my chance to make him go. I purposefully came here and even dragged Alwin with me when I saw His Majesty with the Empress. He wouldn't possibly act so lazy in front of Her Majesty, right?]

Arabella knew about the yearly assembly with the Council of Eliora.

The yearly assembly was always held in Medeus, a neutral territory at the heart of the continent. It was also where the headquarters of the Council was in.

Medeus was managed by a representative chosen by the Council which was voted upon every year during the assembly.

Arabella used to go with her parents every year since it was the time when they 'marketed' her. They bring her to the assembly for her to meet kings and princes from other kingdoms for possible marriage prospects.

In her previous life, Ferdinand and Arabella did not attend the assembly since she was already carrying a child by then and a trip would be dangerous for her health. Raymond attended it in their stead.

Moreover, she had never heard of her husband attending the assembly in the twenty-two years they were married. She had never attended it either ever since she left Lobelius.

"It's just an invitation to the Council's yearly assembly. You can go as usual," Ferdinand nonchalantly replied.

"But Your Majesty, isn't Lobelius also a member of the Council? I heard Her Majesty is feeling homesick. You may not send her home but you can both attend the assembly and meet her family," Raymond suggested and politely smiled at Arabella.

[I had been working endlessly because of His Majesty's marriage. Couldn't he at least do this for once? I still have a lot of work to do. I might just die of overwork at this rate. . . ] Raymond grumbled a lot in his mind.

Arabella flinched at the suggestion though since she had read Raymond's thoughts. He was just using her to lessen the work on his plate.

But then again, she knew Raymond was a hard worker. It was also true that she would be able to meet her family.

After years of separation in her previous life, she wanted to see their faces and see how they were doing. She would also be able to ascertain if her older brother was truly fine now.

[The Empress seems to like my suggestion. Are you going to be so heartless, Your Majesty?] Raymond smirked at Ferdinand.

[I'd like to ask her if she wants to go and meet her family. But of course, she does, right? She wouldn't be homesick if she was not longing to meet them. The Council is a pain, but I guess we have to go. Staying in the palace is boring me to death anyway. Perhaps it's time for an excursion.]

"Alright. We shall attend," Ferdinand agreed and Raymond grinned.

The next few days, Arabella spent her time getting measured for dresses, jewelry, and shoes for her to wear at the assembly. It would be in four months but the preparation would take time.

After all, Valeria has to show off that they treasure the most beautiful lady in Eliora.

The wives of the ministers even came to visit Arabella just to ensure that for the assembly, she only gets to wear the best of the bests the empire could offer.

It was quite tiring for Arabella but she had to endure. At least she didn't have to be listening to Ferdinand's thoughts all the time since he also got busy.

Moreover, the ministers' wives were good people even if they were quite the lively bunch and drained her energy. It was her chance to get them on her side early on.

Further, the travel time to Medeus was quite long as well. Valeria was in the south of the continent and borders the sea. It was quite far from Medeus.

However, Ferdinand clarified Alwin would teleport them as close to Medeus as possible so it would only take them a few days of travel compared to the supposed two months' time of journey they were supposed to take.

And on the journey to Medeus, Arabella met someone unexpected.

It was a bit too early, but perhaps, was this her chance to permanently change the future?

After all, it was someone she should meet thirteen years from now after she had already fallen to despair and hatred.