Lenard sighs as he sits at the carriage, He looks to his closest servant, "Well, Albert. You have certainly overdone yourself." he spoke with great distaste.
Albert bows, "I live to serve, My prince." The satisfied smile, annoying the hell out Lenard. Lenard sighs, knowing Albert is doing it for him. Perhaps his annoyance has more to do with the meeting.
Lenard exhales heavily, calming himself down for the meeting ahead. He looks to Albert once more before asking "What could possibly be the reason for this meeting."
Albert shakes his head in disappointment, "I do not know, my prince." He takes out a letter, which he passed on to Lenard, "But perhaps this could shed some light,"
Lenard looks at the letter, after seeing the royal sigil, he asks "It came from father?" Albert nods in affirmation, making Lenard think 'What could it be for?'
Lenard carefully opens the letter, reading the contents he stops in shock. "HE DID WHAT!?" He shouts, the carriage shaking from his rage as he slams his hand at the door.
Albert looks at him with concern, "What has happened? my Prince." Rarely seeing him this riled up in any situation.
Lenard nurses his migraine as he bit out, "He arranged my marriage to an Araselian Princess." He groans in his hand as he wonders to himself, "Should I just run?"
Albert chokes as he panics, he then hurriedly replies, "My Prince isn't this great news? Running now when you are ahead is quite ridiculous, don't you think?" he tries to calm the prince down, hoping that he can avoid another one of his depressed tirades.
Lenard glares at him, making Albert stop in his words. Lenard sighs as he looks out the window, "What I need isn't to another faction in my powerbase." He rests his head near the window watching the scenery
He glances at Albert, "What I need is to take one from my brother's." Lenard sighs, as he thought 'Does father even want me to be his successor?' His anger rises from the news.
He screams in his hand before shouting, "Cause this isn't the way to have me safely succeed him." He angrily shouts for a few seconds before he calms down.
Albert looks away from his tirade, then spoke as he notices him calming down. "I don't think it's that bad, my prince. Isn't it fine that you'll have a powerful supporter?" Albert smiles before he continues excitedly, "And I heard the Araselian Princess was quite a beauty."
Lenard smiles a bit, seeing Albert's way of cheering him up. Lenard rolls his eyes before smiling back as he replied, "Even if that's true, I would have rather have a daughter of a ducal family as my bride."
Albert questioningly looks at him, "Then why haven't you? I'm sure your father would be more than glad to have you married. Certainly, he'll agree, for a woman if that will help you in the succession."
Lenard grunts in agreement as he looks out the window, "That's true, but I was still on the initial planning on who to pick. To have the perfect time to have a ducal family under me." He depressingly mutters, "Maybe I took more time than I thought."
Albert frets on the prince's worsening mood, "Then I'm sure his highness you be more than happy to cut off the engagement." he spoke with
Lenard shakes his head in disagreement as he looks to the church, "There's no way, I'll agree to that."
Albert spoke, "Why?" Lenard replies as the humble wooden building come to view. "Because If I do, they'll feel humiliated and Arasel will then most likely side with Athon."
Albert then stutters, "B-but the marriage won't be that bad, right?" his worry can be seen from his expression.
Lenard sees this as he replies, "A civil war with foreign interference never ends well." He sighs tiredly, "And if the Araselian king chooses to escalate the scale of battle, I would remain powerless to stop him. I'll probably end up as a puppet in the end."
Albert then depressingly spoke, "So it's another do or die situation for you, huh?" Lenard replies with smirk, "It always is." Albert then panics as he worries over Lenard's increasingly dangerous situation.
Lenard smiles at Albert, trying to calm his caretaker. He ruffles his hair in thought as he speaks, "I'll just have to start planning so we can at least avoid the worst-case scenario." Albert asks in curiosity, "What could that be?" Lenard wryly smiles before grimly speaking.
"It could end up with the continent of Brieslin burning in war."
Lenard leaves the carriage as a depressed Albert follows him, "Sir, is that how it's gonna happen?" The explanation that followed scared Albert into depression.
Lenard just shrugs, "I'm not sure but it is the worst-case scenario. After all." He smiles happily now that he has let go of all that baggage, 'though Albert is a bit depressed over it'
Lenard then continues walking through the garden in the direction of the wooden building, 'It's fine he'll get over it.' He stops in front of the door and looks back to Albert as he mischievously shouts, "How long are you gonna mope!"
Albert hearing this, he hurriedly followed, "Ah yes, Apologies my prince." Albert looks a bit grim, "It's just that the thought of Brieslin burning in war, Is terrifying."
Lenard smirks, "Yeah, you'll get used to it." He looks around until the realization sinks in. "I was sent here by the bishop for the marriage, wasn't I?"
Albert nods in agreement as he spoke, "Perhaps the site for your marriage will be discussed." Lenard nods as he continues to the humble church.
Lenard inspects the church closely, "It really feels surreal to have a bishop in our town." He then thought to himself, 'The fact that they even sent a bishop here, makes me wonder.'
"Of course, any child of Deia is always welcomed within her halls." The voice behind them shocks them into looking back at the voice. It was a red-skinned demon with red slitted eyes.
The man opens the door as he comes in, his black priestly robe billowing with him. He looks to them, "Come inside." a sight that fills them both with anxiety.
Albert looks at Lenard with hesitation, Lenard only nods to him as he gestures Albert to follow. "Cmon, let's see why he asked us here." Lenard confidently strides inside with Albert following behind him.
They walk through the benches, passing by the various people praying with their heads directly at the ground.
"Here we are." The bishop spoke as he opened up an office. He walks to his seat as he gestures to the seat in front of him. "Take a seat here."
The man then raises his arm for a handshake as he spoke, "Then for introductions. My name is Orvin." Lenard shakes his hand, "It is quite nice to meet you, Bishop Orvin."
Orvin smiles, "The pleasure is all mine." Lenard clears his throat as he went right to the point, "Let's get to the point Bishop Orvin, may I ask as to why you have asked for this meeting?"
Orvin smiles wider, "You seem to be in quite a hurry, But no matter. I did ask for you for a reason." He takes out a paper,
"The Church of Deia has decided to support you in your endeavour for the throne."