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“Thank you for having me,” Maxim spoke to Eira politely. “Dinner was absolutely delicious.”

“You’re wel-”

“You are welcome to come join us again tomorrow if you like,” Melissa interrupted. “Even the next day as well, it has been a while since we have had a well mannered young man around the palace, it’s so refreshing.”

Zhelimir and Damien glared at their aunt. What did she mean it had been a while since there was a well mannered young man at the palace? Zhelimir was there every other day, and Damien practically lived there! They were well mannered, were they not?

“Err thank you for the invite your majesty,” Maxim responded nervously. “I am humbled. But I’m afraid I can only come here if Eira wishes so.” He turned to the princess who smiled sheepishly back at him.

“Of course,” Eira mumbled. “I’m sure I will be seeing you again, there is still much you have to show me.”

“Well if everyone is throwing invitations up in the air,” Damien spoke. “Then it wouldn’t be a problem if lord Maxim joined Zhelimir and I for a drink one of these fine days, would it?”

Maxim nodded. “I would be honored. You are the crowned prince of Ervelon, and he one of the most prestigious knights in all of Gavaria. One would have to be mad to turn down such an offer.”

.....

“Alright,” Eira spoke firmly. “I think Maxim would like to go home now, it’s getting rather late. Isn’t that right Maxim?”

“Um yes, I should be going now..” the elven man took Eira’s hand and kissed it before bowing to the rest of her family.

They all stood and watched as the handsome elf hopped into the carraige and pulled away towards the palace gates.

Eira turned to her family and sighed heavily when she saw the expectatant looks on everyone’s faces except for Zhelimir, Damien and her uncle William who seemed more skeptical than expectant.

“I know what you’re thinking and the answer is no,” Eira declared. “Maxim and I are only friends and that is it.” She walked passed them towards the hallway that led to her bedroom, followed by her mother who walked hurriedly to catch up to her daughter.

“Eira.. just a second honey...”

The princess stopped in her tracks and sighed. Of course her mother would be the most interested in a man she had brought to dinner. Anyone but Elric huh? She turned around and curtsied before listening to what her mother had to say.

“You did not inform me that there was a suitor who had caught your fancy,” Melissa commented with a smile. “And he is quite handsome too, you’ve got a good eye.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you mother,” Eira responded. “But I do not wish to be anything more than a friend to Maxim. There is nothing else there if that is what you were hoping.”

“Friend? Eira these men did not attest to be your worthy suitors so they could be your ‘friends’. If you wanted to make friends you could have gone into the capital.”

“Well Maxim doesn’t seem to have a problem with that,” Eira responded.

“He is only trying to be nice. As the princess he wouldn’t dare speak against your wishes.” Melissa walked closer to her daughter, gently held her shoulders and smiled at her. “I saw how he looks at you, trust me when I tell you that lord Maxim is smitten by you. And if you just stop being childish and give him a chance, you will see that you might reciprocate his feelings as well.”

Eira pulled herself away from her mother’s grip and took a step backwards. “Will you please stop mother,” she spoke firmly. “I have no such feelings for Maxim and I will not have them at any point. But you know that don’t you.. you’ve always known that I will not want any man who comes my way.”

Melissa shook her head and smiled at her daughter. “What are you talking about Eira?”

“You knew about Elric didn’t you? You knew he was my bloodhalf even before I did,” Eira replied. “Don’t lie to me, this is why you convinced father to make this ridiculous royal decree, because you hated the fact that Elric and I were bound to be together.”

The smile on Melissa’s face faded and was replaced by a slight scowl. “You are right, I indeed did know about the bond between Elric and yourself before hand, and yes, I did push your father to make the decree.” Melissa took a step forward and gave her daughter a serious look. Her eyes did not exhibit any malice, they were filled with worry and love, indicating that Melissa indeed felt like that she was doing was what was best for her daughter.

“Elric has been involved with our family far enough,” Melissa continued. “Think of the implications of the two of you being together Eira, what would people say?”

“I don’t care what people say!”

“Well you should!” Melissa spat back, shocking Eira. The princess had never heard her mother sound so seriously angry. “You are a princess, and you want to be queen one day, what people say should carry some importance, because these are your people Eira, you will serve them one day and what they think of you will affect your influence.”

The woman’s features softened a little, and the scowl on her face was once again replaced by her warm sweet smile. “I’m only trying to protect you Eira, there is more to life than being in love, especially for someone of your stature. Do you understand?”

Eira thought hard on what her mother had said, and with a determined look, shook her head and took another step back. “You’re one to talk when you’re married to the man you love. I’m sorry, but I will not concede.”

Melissa sighed and folded her arms. “Very well, if that’s how it is..” the queen turned around and began walking away, leaving Eira feeling a little confused and uneasy.

Before Melissa disappeared around a turn she turned her head. “You are expected to come up with the names of the top suitors tomorrow and present it to the royal council. From that list your husband shall be chosen, I hope you did not forget.”

“I did not,” Eira responded with an equal amount of spite.

“And I should make mention,” Melissa added on. “Only those who showed up for this little activity can qualify to be on that final list. So Elric does not qualify.”

*

Elric and his men, now disguised in Gavarian armor walked through the town of Crasmere towards the capital. Their journey had been slowed down a little because they could not move as fast as they wished they could, it would only draw unnecessary attention to themselves.

Since they were disguised as the very gaurds who had been depatched to look for Elric, they had to pretend to be on patrol as they moved towards the capital. The whole thing was making Elric uneasy, with every passing hour he felt like they were wasting precious time, but there was very little that he could do to speed things up. It’s was either this, or getting caught and missing the chance to get to Eira.

“Hey! You there soldier! Hold it!”

Damn it, Elric thought to himself. So far they had moved inconspicuously without being stopped by anyone, but now it seemed they had to see if their acting skills were as good as they hoped they were.

Two men dressed in Gavarian uniforms walked towards Elric and his men. Their slightly different armor and medals were evidence that they were soldiers of a high rank, probably sent to lead the other soldiers during their search.

“Where are the three of you off to?” The tallest of the two men spoke. “Didn’t you receive the orders? All soldiers are to search for the lycan prince in their designated shires.” The man inched closer to Elric and tired to peak into his his helmet. “And which shire have the three of you been deployed to huh?”

Elric’s men began to panic a little, they knew they would be caught, they knew nothing about the shires of Gavaria nor how different soldiers were allocated to them, this was the end of the line for sure.

“Well soldier speak up! We don’t have all day to be standing around interrogating you,” the man added on. “Unless you prefer we take you in and interrogate you at the base?”

Elric did not respond, making his men panic even more.

“As a matter of fact, take off that helmet so I can get a better look at you soldier, you seem a little too cocky for someone of your rank.”