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“I’m sure this is some sort of mistake,” the elven king mumbled, more to himself than as a response to his wife.

“I wish it was,” Melissa spoke in a flat tone. “But I felt it, and it was as clear as day.”

“But it can’t be true!” Gareth groaned. With shaky hands grabbed his now throbbing head. “Why would the gods chose that.. that sick man for my daughter?! It can’t be true!”

“You think I want this Garry? You think I want our daughter bound to a man like Elric?! After everything he-” Melissa bit her quivering lip and looked away. “Just the thought of them being together churns my stomach.” She walked towards her husband and looked down at him, her face exhibiting scorn and disgusting. “I know you don’t want to have to force Eira into a marriage, but it’s either that or leaving her in the arms of Elric, which I’d rather die than allow!”

Eira with Elric? Gareth chuckled at the thought, what kind of misfortune was this? Had the gods gone completely mad? Or were they punishing him for something he didn’t realize he had done?

“Pass a royal decree,” Melissa told her husband. “Make it known to all sons of lords, princes from across the continent, noblemen, knights, and all men who deem themselves worthy, that the crowned princess of Gavaria will be searching for a worthy suitor.”

Gareth felt his heart sink, he was never for the idea of his little girl rushing into marriage in the first place, much less into a marriage with a man she didn’t love. Was this really the only way to keep Elric away from Eira? Wasn’t there another way that wouldn’t take away their daughter’s freedom and happiness?

“I thought about having Elric captured and locked up, or even have him sent away to some far off place,” Melissa explained as if having read her husband’s mind. “But that would not only lead Eira to resent us, but it would bare enemity between us and Elric’s people. And that is the last thing we need right now.”

.....

“What if we send Eira away,” Gareth suggested. Desperate to keep from putting the burden of an arranged marriage on his little princess. “She could go live with her grandmother in Ervelon, or in the snowlands.”

“With her power,” Melissa responded. “She could easily teleport to wherever Elric resides whenever she so pleases.” The red haired queen sat down next to her husband and took his hand in hers. “But if she is wedded to man who she remotely likes, by moral obligation, she will stay away from Elric, and him from her.”

Gareth was still not for the idea, but it seemed like the most logical solution at the moment. Why did things have to turn out this way? Why did they have to get so complicated.

“Alright,” Gareth whispered, “I will pass a decree, announcing that my daughter is ready to find a suitor.”

Melissa gave her husband a sad smile before pulling him into her arms and comforting him by stroking his hair. “Everything will turn out alright,” she whispered and planted a kiss on his forehead. “The burdens of a father are much heavier than those of a king. And you carry both.”

*

“So apparently, Jacob thought you kidnapped me,” Eira explained while chuckling in amusement. “he has been paranoid ever since that day, constantly asking me where I spent the night. I swear, sometimes he really gets on my nerves.”

Elric sipped his ale and looked up at the woman who was happily telling him stories. “it seems like this Jacob friend of yours, has taken a bit of a liking to you.” He responded.

It had been so long since the silver haired man had engaged in banter of any sort. Back during his royalty days, he would not have engaged in such small talk with anyone. But it was different with Eira, speaking to her always felt so refreshing, and even though they were talking about a guy who possibly liked her, Eric happily carried the conversation along. Watching her expressions as she spoke, and hearing her laugh, was something that the lycan was surprisingly enjoying.

“You are right about that,” Eira responded while twirling her glass of wine. “Can you believe the man had the audacity to ask me to court him? I mean honestly, Jacob and I have barely seen eye to eye from the time we were children. Can you believe my shock, when he came up to me and told me that he has feelings?! That’s absolutely ridiculous.”

“Perhaps he behaved so unruly around you, because he liked you. Men have different ways of expressing their affection towards a woman, maybe getting on your nerves was his way.”

Eira gulped the last of her wine ans looked up at the man sitting in front of her, “you behave unruly around me as well, is that your way of expressing affection?”

Elric’s cheeks lightly dusted pink making him turn him face away from the redhead. “I think the wine is finally starting to get to you. You’re now spewing nonsense.”

Eira chuckled at the man’s embarrassment, this is what she wanted, for him to live a life that’s care free and happy, for him to enjoy the little moments that human interaction had to offer.

“Thank you,” the princess mumbled, “for having a drink with me.”

“Don’t mention it, I mean it is your birthday after all,” Elric responded. He turned back to look at Eira, raised his cup of ale and gave her a smile. “Happy birthday princess Eira..”

The redhead raised her empty glass as well, “to a new year, and a new friend.”

CLINK

*

Back in the great kingdoms of the elves, Ervelon, Ronda was walking down a hidden path towards a familiar house she had visited several times before.

she’s slightly retracted the hood of the cloak she was wearing, and knocked at the wooden door in front of her. Not too long after, the door swung open and a young woman stepped out of the house.

“Lady Ronda,” The maiden who was standing at the door spoke coyly. “Welcome.”

Ronda pulled the hood of her cloak completely off, and looked up at the maiden, the same maiden whom she had sent to put a cup of poison in front of Melissa the day after her wedding.

“Forget the pleasantries Hana, is your brother ready for me?”

The young maiden nodded, and opened the door fully to let Ronda into her little home. “He awaits you in the living room my lady.”

The green eyed elf walked hastily into the small house, and into the living room where a young man was sitting on a chair. When the man saw Ronda walk in he stood up and bowed slightly.

“You were not kidding,” Ronda spoke to the maiden, an impressed smile tugging her lips. “your brother definitely is the looker, I’m sure even the spoiled little princess of Gavaria won’t be able to resist him.”

“But what if she does,” Hana mumbled nervously. She realized she owed Ronda her life after helping her when she had nothing, but involving her younger brother in a scheme to get revenge was making her a little uneasy. “What if they find out he is a spy and is only trying to get to the princess, they will have my brother killed.”

“Are you insinuating that I do not know what I am doing?” Ronda question the maiden who gulped response. “don’t forget your place Hana, I am the master schemer here. As long as you and your little handsome brother over here...” The woman traced her green eyes from the young man’s head to his toes, “... do everything I say, the way I will say it, everything will go according to plan.

Ronda took a few steps towards the young man and gave him a smile, “and what is your name handsome?”

The way her voice rolled of her lips made the man shudder, The very tone of her voice was as venomous as a snake.

“I am Maxim,” The young elven man responded.

“Maxim? That is a lovely name.” Ronda and circled the man a few times before stopping in front of him and placing a hand on his shoulder. “And how old would you say you are Maxim?”

“A hundred and nineteen my lady,”Maxim responded with a voice that made even Ronda’s heart flutter.

“You and I Maxim, are about to do great things together.” The eleven woman smiled menacingly. “I very much look forward to working with you.”

Ronda then turned to face Hana, and tossed a satchel filled with silver coins her way. “There is more where that came from, after you get the job done, you will never have to work another day in your life.”