The Proposal (Part 2)

The couple were sound asleep that they didn't even realize their barricade was gone and were hugging each other. Estella was sweating as if she was locked in a volcano filled with lava and was uncomfortable that she woke up in a flash and saw a man's chest in front of her. She realized that they were in contact that she unconsciously kick Elian's manhood while throwing the pillow barricades at him.

"AAHHHHHHH!!!!!" feeling the pain, Elian woke up and groaned, clutching and soothing his throbbing member and glaring at the culprit.

"You pervert!! I clearly told you not to cross the line!!!" Estella keeps on saying, not realizing it wasn't his only fault in the first place.

"Who's the one that crossed over huh???!!!!" Elian felt he was exploding in anger and wanted to beat this woman if it weren't that he was still squirming on the floor in pain. " If it wasn't for that loathsome plan of yours, I'd already hacked my sword to you killing you a million times!!!" Elian struggled to climb on the couch near him. 'Would my jewels be able to make children... grrr... that fucking bitch just had to target my junior.' Elian murmured under his breath.

"While I did propose that plan and you accepted it, nobody told you so!!! I didn't even expect you to cooperate much less let me stay alive! Serves you right for tainting this pure princess you Barbarian!!!" Estella said while sticking out her tongue and making a mocking face to Elian.

"Barbarian? Says the violent monkey! Hmph... Ouch....." Elian replied while petting his member. It was truly the worst case of lifting a stone and dropping on his own feet.

Both are on their own thoughts, thinking, reminiscing the past interactions....

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3 years ago.... (Estella POV)

" Anes, how long do you think this war will last?" I asked my personal maid slash bodyguard slash advisor, Anastacia.

"I am not certain of when, but how it will end Princess." Anes responded while pouring me a cup of my favorite Rose-infused Lemon tea and serving me a plate of custard scones and some cakes. " But I know it will end when the Kingdom prevails... Hmm, why would an 11 years old child like you think about his huh?" Anes added while showing that mocking-poker face of hers... I really can't copy nor comprehend how she does that without changing her expressions.

"Haa...." I sighed. " If there was another way to put an end on this war, I'd already done it." I drank my tea then bit a scone. "How could I not Anes... The war is just a waste of time, resources and people. It just brings out the worse on people, death and cycles of unending pointless hatred. Adding to that are nobles constantly going corrupt and taking advantage of ignorant citizen, who in turn becomes pawn to countless hardships and..." I was about to drink my cup when I had an inkling of an idea.

"What if I marry that barbaric warmonger... then unite the nations?" I whispered so that Anes won't hear it.

"I do not recommend that Princess! Fist and foremost, that plan is risky and uncertain your highness!!! And by 'barbaric warmonger' you do not mean that-" I stopped Anes from her yelling. This might be the first time I saw her break her emotionless face.

"Alright, alright, let us not speak of this any longer. Even I am unsure if this dubious plan of mine will work. In the first place, who knows how to secretly contact that uncouth man without slipping out or being caught. Then, if we were to have an audience with him, who knows if he will slash my head the moment he sees me and offer it in a silver platter to my father, becoming a hassle and reason to start another fruitless war. Lastly, even if we are able to have an amicable conversation, who knows whether he will cooperate or take me hostage while telling my father I colluded with the enemy prince." I sighed the moment I explained to Anes the conceivable outcomes of my plan.

'I should probably do it as my last straw. Better think of ways to help my father with the Kingdom first' I thought then proceeded to go to father King's study.

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3 years ago.... (Elian POV)

"How many loses this time?" I asked the commander of the first squadron.

"Your highness, I am saddened to say more than twice the number of last time's battle..." Commander Asuhr replied to me.

"Tsk, hateful mages" I banged my hand to the wall in vexation. 'I don't know how long and how many more lives will be taken, I should be stronger! More, more, more!' I calmed myself seeing the stunned then remorseful face of Commander Asuhr.

I dismissed Commander Asuhr and went to my study. 'I hated the fact that I could do nothing to stop all this. People lives are precious, nobody wants to die, even a painless death. We already had a fair share of death in the void century so what's with all of this' I thought.

I heard a knock. "Your highness, Afguar is here with the reports" One of the guards announced.

I immediately fixed my face. "Come in Guar." Afguar entered and placed the reports, then I dismissed the guards at my door, took one report and read it. He is my most loyal comrade who never faked his intentions towards me. I saw the cruel truth in the reports. Ferguhlia Kingdom may not have as physically strong soldiers as ours but with their current technology and magic, very soon we will be obliterated. I crushed the paper in my hand.

"Your highness, I may be so bold.." Guar hesitated to continue so I urged him. "What is it?" I inquired.

"With utmost respect to you and the Empire, I hope that your highness and the mysterious princess of that country have a marriage alliance-" "Enough!" I stopped him from continuing his misleading opinion.

"No Ahadd!!!! Listen, we obviously consistent in losing war for a decade now. Yes, soldier-wise we are superior, we are proud of their strength but we cannot handle any more loses of these soldiers or else it won't just be the Ferguhlia Kingdom attacking us, those nations on the side eyeing and watching us our nations battle through might not sit still any longer. Consider the people if you can't consider betraying the Empire!" I never once thought that Guar was this mad. I also thought of it, but those geezers in the ranks will never lay down their proud attitude and would rather die than compromise.

"I know, Afguar... I'm sorry for doubting you..." No, I never doubted him. "I was just pissed at how we can never gain an opportunity to end this with people not dying. I was frustrated at my own weakness. I am a crown prince, but I haven't done and princely duties for my people, only for myself and my father's acknowledgement" I patted the tearing Afguar to calm down so we could converse more.

"Guar, what do you propose we do?" I finally raised the flag to Afguar.

"As I had said propose to the king with the alliance, not only will we gain more time against other Kingdoms than Ferguhlia, we could also access their technology and use it against them in the future." I nodded at his idea, but it was lacking, risky and flawed plan.

"Guar, I agree with your notion, but how will you think my father will react to this. Second, will the opposing nation agree to this, do you think Ferguhlia- no, other nations will let this happen?" I asked Guar.

"No, I'm sorry I haven't thought that far.." Guar now realized the plan is way too flawed to work.

"Another is, would that spoiled pampered princess even want to marry me, when she is the center of all their operations. Others may not know, but I do for a fact, that she is one sly princess" I added to accentuate the fact.

"I'll consider this, but do not speak of it ever again, I don't want my greedy brothers nor enemy spies to know of this." I hope it'll never come to that point... I sighed.

"Yes, your highness!" Guar kneeled and steeling himself for the days to come.