"Although Othinia is mediocre since they support Thevailes, then together they can create trouble for Abetha. Father needs to talk to the King of Mivesea," Cian suggested. "Even if they won't ally with us, as long as Mivesea stays out of it, Abetha can hold off the southwest. With the help of Griven, we can also hold off the north."

"Do you think it will work?" Arlan asked. "Othinia's and Mivesea's royal family have always been allies, like two peas in a pod. Aren't you building up your marine force because of Othinia's threat? Since you have received news that Othinia will be working with Thevailes, perhaps in the next couple of days you will receive similar news about Mivesea. If my guess is right, even before Prince Cian is abducted, Thevailes must have already long reached an agreement with Othinia and Mivesea. The King of Othinia would definitely support the kingdom where his own sister is Queen Dowager, like how the previous king supported Abetha because of his daughter, the current queen. Not to forget, the current King of Othinia, King Ranulf Nefertiti, is as ambitious as the King Samer of Thevailes. My guess is that King Samer promised a part of Abetha's territory to King Ranulf."

"They dare!" Cian frowned with a clenched fist.

"They already did," Arlan added.

Cian glared at Arlan, "I know Prince Arlan is here to suggest to get help from Megaris and have us approve of this political marriage."

"Indeed. Since Griven is an ally of Abetha, I am here to offer a suggestion that will be beneficial for both parties. Isn't agreeing to the King of Megaris's demand the best way, leading to a future where we all can be at peace and avoid a destructive continental war?"

Arlan studied the gloomy faces of the Ilven father and son. He talked again after a short pause, "If King Armen approves of this marriage, Megaris can formally intervene as an ally and send in its army to suppress both Thevailes and Hatha. The military strength of Megaris is capable of subduing those two kingdoms. Your northern frontier will be safe, and you can focus your military strength on the land bordering Othinia as well as the sea force down south. With my and my brother's authority, Griven will also be able to enforce you in the south by sending you several ships for marine warfare.."

"What you are saying, in exchange for military strength, we should sacrifice our own family, a young, innocent girl?" Cian spoke. "Can you even hear yourself?"

"Again, I am speaking in my capacity as an official envoy of Griven at the moment. Would you prefer to sacrifice your entire kingdom? Hundreds of thousands of ordinary people? Thousands of broken families and orphaned children? And once Abetha is conquered, do you think King Armen can even keep this throne? Don't you think your entire Ilven family will be executed? When that happens, can you even protect your sister? Say, even if she were to be spared, hearing the rumors about her, I am sure there are so many curious minds out there. Who knows, she may fall in the hands of some perverted noble as a trophy of war, and she would end up in a situation even worse than death."

Heavy silence took over the study room.

"If you wish to protect her, it would be better to agree to this marriage proposal. That way, Abetha would be safe, and about the Third Princess, I will vouch to you in the name of my kingdom that you can trust the King of Megaris."

Both King Armen and Cian did not say a word, but it was evident that they were struggling to come up with a solution. Arlan could see that they were reluctant to sacrifice Seren like this, but as royals of Abetha, they also could not ignore the lives of the people in their kingdom.

"King Armen?" Arlan called out. "May I speak further?"

King Armen, who remained dazed with his thoughts, looked at Arlan.

"I would like to ease you by advising something, this time in my capacity as a friend," Arlan spoke, and not just King Armen, but even Cian looked at him attentively.

Arlan looked at them with a meaningful gaze. "I know you are worried because the Third Princess is young, and you are hesitating because you do not wish her to be harmed. You might have heard many rumors about Drayce, and as someone who has known him for years, I can confidently assure you he is not a bad person. He might be rude, but he is trustworthy, a man of his words. Since he is asking for your daughter's hand in marriage, then he will treat her well and will do everything in his power to protect her as a husband. As his future wife's father, he will keep his word as long as you ask him something in exchange or put any condition in front of him. You can use it to aid something in favor of your daughter before giving her to him. As long as you make him promise, consider it fulfilled. Drayce will never break a promise."

After giving them a polite bow, Arlan excused himself and left the study, leaving both King Armen and Cian silent with their thoughts.

"Father…"

"Seems like we have no other option," King Armen interrupted his son. As he said these words, it was as if he had considerably aged. This was perhaps one of the hardest decisions he had ever made ever since he assumed the throne.

Cian looked at his father in disbelief, though he knew his father made a decision after much consideration. "What about Seren? We can't let her leave just like this. I don't want her to suffer anymore. She's been locked up in that tower all her life, and now she just got out; it's like we are selling her off. Isn't this too unfair for her? I can't accept this…."

"As a royal, you are and will always be first the Crown Prince of this kingdom. Being her brother, familial ties, this only comes second. As my daughter, as part of the Royal Family of Ilven, she too must play her part. We might not be willing, but we cannot ignore reality. People of this kingdom should come first as many innocent lives would be at stake."

Cain stayed quiet, and King Armen glanced at his stubborn son. "I also made this decision as a father. Your worry is no different than mine, but we can only trust King Drayce. He had given me a word that he would protect Seren and she would live a free life in his kingdom. Perhaps, under his protection, your sister will have a better life than here. I want her to know what happiness and freedom feel like as well, and perhaps those are things we cannot give her."

Cian wanted to believe in his father's words, but as a brother, the worry in his heart could not be removed by mere words. Was the King of Megaris truly someone who could be trusted?

With Seren now out of the tower, Cian thought he would play a hand in taking care of his sister, but before he could even show her what life outside her prison was like, she was ready to be sent away from him. As a brother, he had not even done anything for her.

"I will talk to King Drayce," King Armen informed him with a weary sigh. King Armen was more about with the part that Arlan said- Who knows; she may fall in the hands of some perverted noble as a trophy of war? He can never let this happen to his daughter.

Despite his reluctance, Cian could only nod.

--------

After leaving King Armen's study, Drayce went to see Slayer. His expression was somber, and nobody knew what he was thinking.

Just as he reached the hallway where Slayer was resting, he saw an odd sight. The old physician, Erich Winfield, was wandering outside of the bedchamber, pacing left and right slowly with his hands folded back at his waist. He looked deep in thought, even muttering lightly under his breath.

Drayce remembered the old physician's strange expression when he saw those magic elixirs. He was sure that was the reason the old physician was behaving like this.

When Drayce reached the door of the room, the royal knights stationed outside saluted him, causing the old physician to notice his presence. Just like before, he didn't bow to Drayce, and neither did Drayce mind it. For him, this old man was the savior of his friend, and he owed him. Erich Winfield returned to his busy pacing.

Leaving the old man in his own world, Drayce entered Slayer's bedchamber after his knight held the door open for him.

Drayce entered and went towards Slayer's bed, and fortunately, he was awake.

"Your Majesty!" Slayer said. Although his voice was weak, it at least sounded better than before.

He tried to move to get up, but Drayce stopped him. "Don't move."

Slayer didn't give up as he wanted to at least be able to sit and bow to Drayce. With his king visiting him personally, how could a knight keep lying down? Wasn't that disrespect to his lord?

Seeing the actions of his stubborn knight, Drayce sat at the edge of the bed and stopped him from moving by putting his hand on the shoulder. "I am just Dray."

Drayce meant he was there as his friend and not as his king. Slayer finally gave up and lay back in bed.

After checking in on his health and telling him about how the other knights were waiting for him to return, Drayce took a leave after asking him to rest.