CHAPTER#22:Cornelius

"I will not accept this Father!"Aria growled after hearing something that might've let the earth disappear from beneath her.

"Me? Getting married?"She scoffed in disbelief.

"Calm down and at least listen sweetling."Helios tried his best to convince his daughter.

"How can I calm down father? Just how can I?"She wouldn't listen to his request.

"Me? Marrying off to that guy?"

"Ari it is the decision that was supposed to be made."

"You sent Luci to marry off to the demons claiming that I need to be protected. She sacrificed without another word to her defense. Father, I'm saying this I am not Luci. You can't make me marry just any man you please."

Helios began to lose patience. Aria wouldn't give him a chance to explain the matter. He knew this would happen sooner or later. Rudolf had trouble controlling the nobles who demanded a new successor after the cause of the unrest.

"They have started to pressurize the parliament Helios. They are demanding you marry a noble lady and produce a new heir."

"No matter what they ask of me I would not let them taint the imperial family's reputation. I have already sent Luci upon their suggestion and have...lost her...."He stopped midway and sighed.

-"Maybe forever... God forbid."He pressed his forehead with his thumb and forefinger.

"Then... If I say there is one way to resolve this turmoil."He spoke up drawing Helios' attention to him.

"What do you suggest?"

"Well... I've been meaning to talk about it but..."He anxiously tapped his middle finger on the table.

Helios knew Rudolf like the back of his hand. He coaxed him to speak up his mind openly.

"Listen Helios... You need to be very calm and listen to me."He began slowly and cautiously

"Marrying Aria to Octavius?"He repeated the words twice.

"Look... We both know why you sent Luciana instead of Aria. You already assumed why they would demand a princess. Though it is a mistake in demand... "

"Mistake? Mistake you say? So it was the right thing to send off my Luci to that beast hole?"He growled aloud.

"Which is why I'm suggesting you not repeat the same mistake Helios."He spoke defensively.

"Think about it. What would've happened with Aria had happened with Luciana? The empire was in danger. Regardless of our forces, they continue to scheme against us. That is the flaw we have. They are ahead of us by a hundred."

"And we may as well go against them a thousand times! "He raged.

"Helios... Do you want to risk the empire again?"

This time he sat down without uttering another word.

"Marrying Aria and setting Melody with my sons can create a barrier. I can protect them. I wouldn't mind taking Avlynn's hand for my last son when both come of age. After all, they are of the same age."

"I'll think about it."He raised his hand to halt him.

"They are like my own daughters. We share the same blood to some extent. You know I can't see them being used like objects for their purpose."He gave a light tap on his shoulder and left the study.

-"At the moment this girl won't listen to me." he banged his hands on the table which startled Aria.

"You are to wed Octavius and that is an order from your King."He finally had the last say and saw Aria tearfully take flight from the window after receiving a shock from his words. He knew to some extent that she liked the oldest son of the Arcea family. A youth with blue hair as the sky and deep hazel eyes. Blue hair was the insignia of the Arcea family. They were born with different hair based on the type of charm they were blessed with. Aria would brag to Luciana about how he competed hand-in-hand with Octavius. He had graduated with the highest ranks as Octavius did. Helios was a witness during their graduation ceremony. He was the most praised Alchemist and had a good hand on the battlefield. He refused to join the military and dedicated himself to research work in the alchemist towers. Magic was prohibited in Amanécer due to the illegal practice of dark arts. Alchemy replaced sorcery and magic over time.

He let out a deep sigh. He was exhausted by the work at the imperial palace.

"Oh odite... Luci...what will I do with these girls?"

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The white cosmos garden at the south of the imperial palace.....

"Guess who?"Hand bird flew in between Melody and Avlynn and chirped and circled them.

"Look, Melody! It's a bird made of water and gold."Avlynn exclaimed and took a flight to catch it.

"Avlynn don't chase it!"Melody flew behind Avlynn.

The bird suddenly vanished and someone stood before them with a bright gleeful smile. A fairly handsome youth with sky-blue hair and deep hazel eyes flew above the gardens.

"It's Lord Cornelius!"Avlynn chimed gleefully and flew to him.

"Brother Cornelius, what are you doing here?"Melody asked in surprise.

"Long time no see princesses."He ruffled Avlynn's hair like he used to when they were younger.

"I was summoned here by his imperial Majesty your father." he lifted Avlynn in his arms and made a careful landing on the pavement.

"Where's Her Highness Aria?"He looked around the garden.

"Ooh! Somebody is in love?"Melody smirked and Avlynn stared at him.

"It's not a lie either."He replied nervously scratching his head.

"Your Highnesses are alone in the imperial gardens?"

"Why call us that? And Sister Luci would have reprimanded you for it... "There was a sudden silence and Avlynn broke into tears as soon as she remembered Luciana's absence.

Melody's expression turned sour and hung her head. She was the quiet one among the four princesses.

Suddenly the small blue bird with golden wings reappeared in the palm of his hand. She stopped crying when the bird snuggled against her cheek.

"It is said that the bluebird brings two people together who love each other. Though it's a legend but who knows?"He smiled and patted her head.

"Y-you mean... Sister Luci can come back to us?"She sniffed and wiped her tears.

"If you pray and make a wish."He replied gently putting her on the ground.

"I will give it to you."He smiled and looked at Melody.

"Thank you for this kindness brother Cornelius."She was ever grateful that he was around. He has been like a big brother to them since they were little. He was a year older than Aria. The two shared a unique bond. They often bickered and quarreled like lovers. Sometimes they acted immaturely like siblings. The Empress would reprimand them when they snuck into her office or the conference hall during important meetings.

Luciana would do the same at times when she took over the empress' office after their mother's death. They had perfect chemistry. No one denied it. But no one spoke about it either. A year after graduation he left for the alchemist tower and holed himself in research work to create outstanding works to aid the military and reduce famine and drought in the borders of the Empire. Since then they barely saw or met him. He occasionally sent letters to all of them. Most of them were addressed to Aria.

"I wished you'd visit us more often. Like when we all were children."Melody sighed.

"It can't be helped. The Alchemist Tower and the Imperial family and two parallels. They barely or never intervene with each other."He reminded her about the law.

"But they do look out for each other." she insisted while they watched Avlynn run about the bluebird.

"Yes, they do. Only if people weren't superstitious and regarded it as dark sorcery. Then perhaps..." he paused midway and got up.

"I should keep going. The summoning will start any moment."He hurried towards the main building.

"See you two later!"