-HIM-

"I'm not going to a war," I reminded Lars after looking at the preparations that he had made for our journey to the Somirean kingdom.

"It might turn into one," He pointed out while securing his weapons, "and even if it's just a normal celebration, it would be foolish on our part to not go there without any preparations,"

"I don't have a problem with that as long as Theoron doesn't mind one of them hanging around his court," I nodded at the disguised assassins at the very back of the Royal convoy.

"Don't worry, I have chosen from our best spies to do that work," He assured me, unable to detect the humour in my voice. I chuckled nonetheless.

"You seem to be taking my whole court there. Don't tell you have some mages in one of those carriages," I joked.

"Of course, how could I leave them behind?" Lars surprised me with his serious tone, "They're the ones preceding the assassins," He informed me, wiping the amused look off my face.

"We cannot take them, Lars," I warned him gravely.

"I don't want to hear any of that! We're going to step foot in the enemy territory, and there's no way I'm going to allow any slip-up," He shot back at me while going through the list of all the men accompanying us at the celebrations. Below us, one of my generals was calling out the names to ensure everyone was there and ready to leave.

"You're overdoing this," I told him.

"You might not be scared of your death, but some of us are," He told me before going about to check the convoy.

Maybe he is right.

~

After travelling for two days, we stepped foot in the capital of the Somirean Kingdom. The entire Capital city was decorated thoroughly for the event. People in the city were scrambling around, preparing for the grand event.

The celebrations were planned in a grand manner, as grand as their crumbling economy would allow it.

I was quite impressed with the grandness of the things there. I thought I couldn't be more impressed, but when we reached the Citadel and headed towards the palace, I was dragging my jaw on the floor. I couldn't have ever imagined something of this grandness from the Somireans.

Or maybe, Theoron was just putting up a show for me.

When we reached the palace, Theoron was already waiting for me with his important court members, ready to welcome me. For once, Theoron looked in his true element of Emperor as he welcomed me with splendour.

I played along with him, showing my gratitude for his invitation by giving him many gifts. He accepted them all and led me inside his court, where the real celebrations took place. For the most part, I couldn't believe I was sitting in Theoron's court.

I couldn't decide whether to laugh or be worried about myself. For once, I was glad Lars overlooked the preparations for our journey. Otherwise, I had grossly undermined everything here.

I sensed a strange kind of tension in the air as the ceremony at the court was rolling towards its end. I couldn't quite put a finger on it at first, but I had a hunch.

Something was up. I could see it on Theoron's face as he got up from his throne to make his speech for the day. I watched him unblinkingly as he got up from his seat and edged towards the front of the platform. His hand rested on his sword as he glanced around the whole court pridefully. His eyes lingered on me for a few seconds longer when they landed on me. Something flashed in them before he looked away and began his speech.

"It has been my pleasure serving Somirea for the past," Be begun, his voice strong and sharp with pride. For once, he didn't seem like a puppet Emperor as he continued, "With the blessing from the divine, I hope I can continue serving Somirea as long as I live, whether my life is long or short, whether I am sick or grieving. I shall always find a way to serve the benevolent people of Somirea who have given me the opportunity to be in service, which is the greatest good a person could do. I thank you all for putting your trust in me. I am honoured to have your company at such a pleasant moment, especially my new friend— Alexandros of Cromeria. I hope our friendship soon blooms into something more," he announced, I could feel all the eyes on me. The court was shrouded in deathly silence, the air sizzling with tension.

"Talking about friendships, I couldn't help but reminisce about my family. Though I consider every subject of Somirea as an extended family, I still ache for the family with whom I shared my blood. It is common knowledge that I don't have any living members alive. You see..." He trailed off briefly, staring at a distance, "my assent to the throne had been abrupt, triggered by the untimely deaths of my dear mother and sister due to the unspeakable disease that often plagues the Royal blood.

A disease that has claimed many lives in the past but not anymore! On this occasion, I announce that my lineage is free of the disease... and so is my sister!" He roared, and all of a sudden, the door of the court crept open, and a woman walked inside. As soon as my eyes fell on her, I froze.

I couldn't think of anything else but stare at her as she walked inside the court, smiling widely at Theoron. My shock was shared by everyone else present at the court. Though my shock my due to a different reason.

"On the 5th anniversary of my coronation, I reintroduce my beloved sister to the world!" He announced.

She can't be! I kept thinking to myself, but the way my wolf stirred inside me said otherwise...

_