CH. 30 Glowing Embers

Prince Bastian was stopped before he could enter the palace by Commander Kira. She stretched her arm out in front of him, stopping Bastian from taking another step forward.

"You dare stand in the way of the Crown Prince of Verdant!" Viviana shouted in anger.

"I serve my master and his orders are absolute, Your Highness." Came the curt reply. Bastian knew of the five commanders, and all the powerful people around Seth Peregrine, like the back of his hand. The only people who he couldn't keep an eye on were Seth's personal knights, Velia, they were like cockroaches scuttling around in the crevices unable to get a hold on them. So he knew what kind of a person Commander Kira was to some extent.

Odin and Kira were the most approachable people among the five commanders but right now Commander Kira held no smile on her face.

"I just wish to know if everything is alright." Bastian tried to no avail. She didn't budge from her place.

Bastian almost ran into the palace after Jasper but was stopped by a young boy who looked only fifteen to sixteen along with Ellie Hazel, Felipe Duchy's unwanted daughter-in-law.

"What is the meaning of this?" Bastian was angered for a moment. No one stood in his way and anyone who did, he took care of them. But now even a no-name squire and a B-class adventurer dare to stand in front of him with their swords drawn.

"Saint Niven!" Jasper called for the Saint who stood shell-shocked by the happenings in front of him, was shaken from his stupor and was dragged inside the palace.

"Move." Bastian was about to barge in but Commander Kira appeared behind the two people.

"I will take it from here, Basil. You did well." She spoke in a cold voice.

"Lady Ellie, Please go inside to assist." With that Lady Ellie was gone and the Squire Basil, led the Grand Princess' maids back into the palace.

Bastian and Viviana were escorted back to the guest palace for the foreign dignitaries without a moment's hesitation after that. Bastian had no choice so he complied but at nightfall, he got out of the guest palace stealthily and made his way to the Grand Prince's palace where they seemed to move everything because as soon as he came near, he felt the intimidation of the several S-Classes to stay away.

There are more than five S-Classes.

"Velia." He muttered to himself but he couldn't move another inch forward as he felt the killing intent. It was not unfamiliar. Despite Seth restraining himself all these years, he couldn't stop himself from leaking murderous intent during certain instances, like when Bastian's father ordered Seth's marriage.

Bastian sweated as he laughed nervously. He found me. But he soon winced because following their master, several S-Classes looked his way. Despite the darkness, he could tell that all of them knew his exact location. His skin prickled and his hair stood on end. It physically hurts to be subjected to such intimidation. He might be in the same class as them but what was one S-Class against several.

Bastain wasn't the only one who was curious. The news travelled far and wide in just a day. That the Holy Empire which stood aloof and neutral to the internal strifes of the lands, now took a stand. No, not a stand. It basically declared that the Grand Princess of Valoria was not to be touched. Not his dragon children but the Great Sage himself named a child. Maia Soleil, mortal as she was, will now and forever be the youngest child of the Great Sage.

All the kingdoms and their rulers made a decision overnight and let their envoys start a journey to Valoria immediately. But even before the envoys could step out of their borders, a letter reached them.

The Grand Prince announced that Valoria was not accepting any unwanted visitors and any action that overlooked this would be considered as a declaration of war against Valoria.

"A mere prince dares to speak such bold words just because he now has the entire Holy Empire at his side." A golden goblet flew across the room spilling the contents.

"Your imperial majesty, We must make sure not to appear hasty. I heard the Grand Prince and the Princess were not on good terms since their marriage. They won't be reconciled overnight. The Grand Princess has good ties with Verdant, we should start from there." The minister, unperturbed by the Emperor's foul mood, advised deferentially.

"Bring the Crown Prince." The Emperor, his mood a little improved, ordered and the meeting went on for days end as they planned their steps carefully to get their hands on the Grand Princess in any way possible.

In another palace a little away from where the Emperor was scheming with his heir and ministers, a young man stood at the window watching the raindrops slide across the glass panes. Outside, the storm raged but the inside of the room was only filled with the mild sounds of thunder and rain along with the cracking of the wood in the fireplace. It was cold but peaceful, however the man felt an unprecedented chill run through his body. He heard of the Holy Empire's naming ceremony only vaguely but he dissuaded his confidants from saying anything. Not because he was afraid of his father and brother hearing of his ambitions but because he had a feeling that he shouldn't involve himself in this matter. He was oddly sure that it would only bring him and his people ruin.

Faraway from this, the sun shined hot and blazing making the castle under it look like a gem buried in between the sands. A man with sun-kissed skin sat leisurely on this throne with two of his many wives draped on either side of his throne, occasionally feeding him fruits and wine. He looked at the two letters on a golden plate placed on the tabletop not far away from him.

"What should we do, Your Majesty?" A middle-aged man with a braided goatee inlaid with thin gold threads asked bowing in front of the Pharaoh.

"Do nothing." Came the leisurely reply and with a wave of his hand the Pharaoh dismissed everyone, including his wives, from the room. When the room was finally silent, a clinking sound made him smile a little. The leisurely look in his eyes became gentle and he looked at the gorgeous woman walking towards him. The royal blue and gold attire of hers exposed her delectable bronze skin all at the right places.

"What bothers you today, My Love?" She asked as the Pharaoh pulled her into his embrace.

"At the sight of you, I've forgotten all about it." He said nuzzling in the crook of her neck. She chuckled, taking his face in her hands and kissing his lips softly. Only the Great Royal Wife, The Pharaoh's one and only Queen, could have such freedom.

"Is the naming ceremony bothering you?" She asked.

"Not really." He answered, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I'm just waiting for that wolfcub to bare his fangs someday and he is finally showing not only his fangs but growling at anyone who comes at him. It is entertaining. I'm merely curious about this change." He replied.

"And you think that the Grand Princess has something to do with it." The Queen stated.

"Of course. It was only a hunch but a strong one. Then I thought, a King or a commoner, what man isn't a slave in front of the love of his life? A beauty to behold and a grace worthy of war." He said kissing his Queen's neck and rubbing her slightly swollen stomach.

"How is our little one doing?" He asked, his voice muffled from where his face buried in his wife's hair.

"Hungry." Came the reply.

"Mn." He called for the servants and the Pharaoh spent the rest of his day with his wife and their child.

In another palace, a lone woman sat on an exquisitely designed sofa and behind her was a screen that has an elaborate picture of phoenixes woven into it.

"This was the first. The Sage never did such a thing. I bet the girl's soul would be quite the delicious dish, Her suffering even more flavourful." The voice went on and on in the woman's head.

The woman rolled her eyes in annoyance and held her head with a heavy coronet on it.

As the news travelled, each land had their view on it.

And the women who were after Seth Peregrine and always considered Grace Finely as unworthy had their tongues tied in a stupor. Some even fainted as soon as they heard the news.

Isla Argyle however was as calm as ever. The only thing that gave away her current state of mind was the nail marks on the chair's armrest.

Unworthy unworthy unworthy unworthy unworthy The word kept running in her head and nothing else.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The Verdant King was in the same state as his daughter. He immediately sat on a conference call with the crown prince, some of his ministers and some Valorian nobility.

In a place far far away from all this chaos, a woman sat leisurely on a wooden settee amidst a lush forest. She has lush green hair and emerald eyes that sparkled under the sun and vicious under the moon. She shot a lazy yet sharp look at the man who appeared out of thin air.

"What brings you here?" She asked a little annoyed that her peace had been disturbed. The man said nothing and stood silently until his little sister perked up like a cat.

"I have a younger sister!" Her eyes sparkled with all the mischief in the world. The man couldn't help but sigh in exasperation. He had no idea what that old man was thinking.