The Treaty

Her eyes flashed as she crossed her arms, and her chin rose defiantly. “Then let me choose what princess I want to be,” she said firmly. “Not the one you envisioned.”

Charles’ face softened as a mix of emotions crossed his features, but sadness lingered the longest in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but paused as his chest tightened, and he uttered a resigned, “I suppose you’re right.” His face was stoic as he looked into the defiant eyes of his daughter. “Your mother and I had a different vision for you than what has come to pass.” His voice was delighted as he spoke, “But I’m proud of the woman you’ve become. You are brave and passionate, just like me.” Charles’ whole demeanor changed as he looked down at the documents in front of him, studying them for a few moments before looking up with renewed excitement in his eyes. “What do you think, Emelia the Ghost?” he said with a wide smile.

Emelia’s eyes widened, and her jaw went slack as she tilted her head to meet her father’s gaze. “The Ghost?” she whispered in disbelief.

He spoke the words with admiration, his eyes gleaming as he looked at her. He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair, gently tucking a strand behind her ear. “My men said that a soldier snuck behind the line. He moved with the swiftness of a ghost, and you didn’t know you were in danger until it was too late. I assume it was you?”

Edward stood, pushing away from the table. His chin jutted with pride. “It was.” He stuck out his chest, “She risked her life for everyone.”

Charles slowly shook his head, a smile lingering on his lips. “Who would have known you’d follow in your dad’s footsteps and become a soldier?” he said softly, pausing to take in the moment. “So, what do you think of the terms?”

Emelia scanned the meticulous documents Charles had prepared--a detailed account of the kingdoms, financial breakdowns, and strategic plans. She sighed heavily, then looked up at him with seriousness in her gaze. “Do you really think this is enough? I’ve read almost every book that has been written about the five kingdoms. You can afford to pay more.”

A low chuckle escaped Charles’ lips as he looked over the figures, his brow furrowing in concentration. “This amount is fair,” he said after a few moments, nodding and looking up at her.

“It’s not,” she bit back, refusing to back down. “You’ve increased tensions between the kingdoms and started a war over your missing daughter,” she said quietly. Her gaze was heavy on him as a pang of deep guilt settled in her stomach. She shook her head sadly, letting out a ragged breath. “Do you know the amount of guilt that puts on me? To think I’m responsible for so many deaths because you couldn’t let go.”

“You were taken from me,” Charles said.

Emelia sighed heavily and shook her head slowly as she pursed her lips. “I know, but that doesn’t justify your actions,” she said. Her eyes glinted with a hint of disappointment as she continued, “Edward’s wife died, and you were both played by the invading barbarians. You thought Edward hired them, and you played into their plan out of pride...you both did.” She gestured sadly to the pictures of the village remains, now gutted and charred from the attacks. “Your price would be enough to rebuild but not help the people start over and recover from burying their dead.”

Charles adjusted the gold cufflinks on his shirt with a half-smile. His voice was polite, but he had an air of confidence that suggested he was in control. He could see Emelia wasn’t taking any nonsense, and he respected that she had called him out on it. She’s exactly like me, he thought affectionately. He cleared his throat, then spoke in an amicable yet firm tone. “You’re right. It’s a lowball offer. I believe another twenty thousand per war area is more than reasonable, so I’ll raise my offer accordingly.”

Emelia nodded, her eyes determined as she stepped forward. She glanced between the two Kings and said, “Second, regarding the five kingdoms uniting, this treaty is initially between Alana and Cornea. I know it will be upheld because I am the daughter of both of you.” A heavy silence filled the room before Emelia continued speaking. “It may not be a reality that you wish to see or accept, but regardless we are family.”

Charles’s hand felt heavy and warm on Emelia’s right shoulder. As Edward mirrored the move placing his hand on her other shoulder, their voices sounded in unison like a well-practiced duet, “Always.” The suddenness startled them both, and time seemed to slow as the echo of that single word reverberated in the air.

Emelia placed her palms flat on the large wooden table before her and read through the document one last time. “Prince James is already engaged to Princess Elizabeth. That secures the treaty with Kingdom Macula,” she said, “And my marriage to King Leon will secure the treaty with Kingdom Iris.”

Charles smiled, “You’re missing one Kingdom.”

Her hands were clasped in front of her as she spoke, her chin held high and eyes steady. “Am I? With trade routes to the east, ocean access to the west, and four powerful kingdoms united on its southern border. I can’t believe Kingdom Sclera will stand back while this treaty gets executed without them,” she said confidently. Her voice was firm, and she stood tall before them. “They will fold to the treaty or otherwise risk being ostracized.” A faint smile of satisfaction tugged at her lips as she stepped back and waited, her gaze darting between their serious faces. Finally, after a few moments of silence, she cleared her throat. “That’s my recommendation for this treaty.”

Edward cleared his throat and declared, “Other than a few minor details, I have no qualms about the main terms.” He paused for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Charles. “Do you?”

Charles sat back in his chair, meditating on the treaty conditions laid out before him. His bald head shone from the overhead light, and he absentmindedly ran a hand over it while deep in thought. Eventually, he cast a glance up at Emelia, who held her breath anxiously. A broad smile spread across Charles’ face as he waved a dismissive hand. “Go... marry your King,” he said proudly.

Emelia wrapped her arms around her father’s neck, and the wrinkles in his face softened into a smile. She noticed his hands paused at the middle of her back for an extra second before moving to her shoulders. Charles admired his daughter - the one who had gone from a tiny infant he held in one arm to the confident woman that stood before him now. Emelia then broke away from their hug and moved toward Edward, giving him a brief embrace before turning to leave. Just before exiting the room, she cast them both an endearing smile before exiting in search of Leon.