Chapter 3 "The Preparation"

"As for the ceremony, preparations of the flowers must be scheduled to arrive about a few days"

Four days from now on and the celebration begins. With a few more tasks, I can finally sleep knowing everything is done swiftly.

"Your Majesty!"

A man ran with hair colored as emerald and eyes of gold. Ah, it's Count Tudnes, himself. Strange, its only been a few months since he had gained the titleship of Count yet he already is in duty. "Forgive my sudden meeting with your majesty" He bowed. He looks about two years younger than I am.

"Arise Count Tudnes, your presence is highly expected of your status here in the imperial palace".

Count Tudnes, one of high society's "Gifted" nobles.

"I am honored to be expected of her majesty".

"What brings you here, Count Tudnes? I suppose this isn't a place to be speaking, shall I bring you to a quieter place?"

"There's no need, your majesty. A walk with you would be enough"

Count Tudnes walked towards and offered me his arm. I grabbed it and continued with him.

"The garden is quite well-maintained as always" the count complimented. Our walk brought us at the Garden of Crystals. A garden as the center of the imperial palace.

"As it always should be" I replied back. "Especially when the festival is a few days. Even when the halls around it are simple and clean, the garden is the main attraction.

"I hope to have it directly cared for until the festival ends" The garden was filled with with every types of flowers but what stood out the most was the Moon Rose where it shone the brightest among the others. Instead of being one stalk of flower, it was a huge tree with branches covered with little flowers as if they were little children. "Even after a hundred years, its bright aura still reflects the beauty of the empire".

"They are elegant as they can be, so divine they remind me of your eyes, your majesty". I smiled in gratitude.

"Thank you, Count Tudnes. Suppose you did not intend to only compliment me now that I have lended you my ear" The young count seems friendly. Even when he's young, he seems to know well of manners.

"I do not wish to keep you long as you are busy so I will keep this request short"

A request? What could he be asking for?

"The kingdom of Calegon has kept peace with the empire of Sevaen for centuries and by the God of light, may the peace be kept long.

However, I'm afraid the kingdom has come uneasy of the empire's trust."

If it's the Kingdom of Calegon that has problems with us then this issue must be resolved. The war... will it happen again?

Now, now...I shouldn't worry...I must first know why this is happening.

"This situation of Calegon should be directly reported to the emperor as he is in charge of our relations with them" It was indeed true. Calegon could mean war yet the empress cannot help since it is not in her position to. But this topic is quite interesting...

"Do not fret your imperial majesty, war has not fell upon us"

Yet, perhaps...

"The problem is that Seaheart port decided to threaten that they cut ties with the empire, especially our recent delegation to the kingdom". It must be from that incident. The time where the late emperor had tried to hide it. As expected, it offended Seaheart of it's traditions and stopped a few trades with Calegon. Though with the trade problem, I thought Alrik had atleast handled of this situation. This cannot be delayed any longer, I need to speak this with the emperor.

"If Calegon nor Seaheart does not send one of their delegations in time for the festival, then I'm afraid that they might call it a threat to us".

Calegon was sensitive since a very long war with the empire, a century ago. Grandfather had been a high-ranking officer there at that time. It cannot happen again. Who knows, a second one might not end well like last time. "An audience with emperor seems impossible since by the looks of it, he is dealing bigger situations.

"But rather than to wait it sprout, finding ways to pluck it would be a good start". He seemed to wait for my answer to this. I never thought to have been asked for a reply for this manners. "The emperor is indeed busy yet is also handling this problem at the same time" I need to let him know that the emperor is not absent on issues like this. Especially with Calegon. "Forgive me but what can we atleast maintain relationship with Seaheart, your imperial majesty? I request answer from you, your imperial majesty" He looked curious as he gazed with those bright golden eyes.

He wants an answer and isn't patient. I need to be quick. Let's see... Last time, Seaheart was offended of their traditions and thought they were mocked. And Calegon is uneasy as always with us, trying to find a problem that can benefit them. With this, Calegon might try to take all of Seaheart and its smaller ports with them. Besides Calegon, Seaheart must be a priority.

This reminds me of grandfather's lessons.

~You mustn't portray your intentions of negotiation directly. Instead of telling them, show them that you are capable of them negotiating with you.~

That's it. Seaheart's problem was their traditions.

" Perhaps we can invite the Hope of the Seas"

He returned with a confused look.

"Your imperial majesty? The Hope? But they are of different religion than of ours...What good can they be with them here?

"Your majesty, instead of religion, shouldn't we rely on their tradition?"

He has a good point but to bring tradition all of a sudden would mean sudden changes of designs the palace and sudden offense to Calegon as they will believe that we have needed Seaheart's port. We need to obtain them without letting Calegon know. It is so that went they try to strike, Seaheart stands with us.

"The Hope of the Seas are said to be prophets and believers of the ocean gods who sees the future through seawater and is highly respected by the people of Seaheart port.

Though their gods are different, I believe we can show to Seaheart that we respect their beliefs and that we show no hostility".

It was also a good idea since it was also the Three Daughters and the Ocean God aligned history with each other. And that we could also let them share their knowledge with the empire.

"A wonderful and effective suggestion indeed. We can also establish a better relationship with The Hope"

The 2nd bell rang suggesting it was now noon.

"Thank you for this answer,your imperial majesty but I'm afraid I've taken enough of your time"

I smiled. "Don't be. I enjoyed giving you an answer for your request"

He bowed and walked away. I stayed and watched the garden as the sun fell.

It was nice to again to think of solutions like this... whether it be for peace or war, it reminded me of childhood days with grandfather.