Chapter 97 DARIUS' RELUCTANCE

At the mention of the Sylph Kingdom, Darius’s expression shifted. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over him. There was a flicker of desperate hope quickly overshadowed by a surge of bitter recollection. He shot to his feet and began pacing the confines of the office like a caged beast.

“The Sylph Kingdom?” he repeated. His voice laced with hesitation. Then he stopped pacing. He turned to face Arthur with a deep furrow creasing his brow. “Arthur, are you truly suggesting we seek help from them? Have you forgotten why I even left the Empire in the first place?”

Arthur’s expression remained steady and his gaze unwavering. “I haven’t forgotten anything, Darius. How could I? Vladimir made sure we were all acutely aware of your… priorities.” The subtle emphasis on the word was not lost on Darius.

“My priority was my mate, Arthur,” Darius retorted with a defensive edge creeping into his tone. “I chose Mystica. I rejected their alliance, and so as Janessa. Do you honestly believe they would be inclined to assist the very man who spurned their princess and their kingdom’s strategic interests?”

The memory of his tense conversation with Vladimir, his furious pronouncements, and his defiant stance against the arranged marriage to the Sylph Kingdom heir flooded his mind. It had been a pivotal moment; the catalyst for his self-imposed exile was a testament to the depth of his feelings for Mystica.

Arthur stepped closer. His voice dropped to a more persuasive tone. “But Darius, the Sylph Kingdom doesn’t know the full truth. They believe Vladimir’s narrative. They think I am the one who was always intended for the betrothal. The amenable son who was willing to forge this alliance. They haven’t been made aware of your initial refusal and the reason behind it.”

Darius’s skepticism remained etched on his face. “And you think that ignorance will somehow work in our favor? What happens when Janessa inevitably discovers the truth? That she was initially offered to me, and I rejected her for a creature she might deem… insignificant?” The potential for offense and outright hostility was immense. The pride of the Sylph Kingdom was legendary. And Darius’s past actions could easily be interpreted as a profound insult.

“That’s a risk we have to take, Darius,” Arthur insisted. “But consider this: we don’t need the entire Sylph Kingdom’s resources, their armies, or their open support. We only need Janessa’s help. And I believe she might be more inclined to offer it than you think.”

Darius scoffed. “Kind-hearted? A Sylph royal? Arthur, you’re letting sentiment cloud your judgment. Don't forget that every creature in this Realm tends to be calculating, strategic, and fiercely protective of their interests. There's no such thing as kindness.”

“Perhaps,” Arthur conceded. “But I’ve heard whispers, Darius. Whispers of Janessa’s compassion and her willingness to aid those in need. Regardless of their station or origin. Creatures within their borders who have faced hardship have reportedly found unexpected kindness from her. If she possesses even a fraction of the empathy these rumors suggest, wouldn’t she be moved by the plight of someone unjustly taken, especially if it involves the brother of her supposed future consort?”

Darius’s doubt lingered like a heavy weight in his chest. His mind reeled with the potential ramifications if Janessa discovered the truth. The carefully constructed lie could shatter, turning a potential ally into a formidable enemy. The humiliation of being rejected could fuel her anger. It could lead her to actively sabotage their efforts and perhaps even inform Vladimir of their clandestine approach.

“And what if she finds out, Arthur?” Darius pressed. His voice was tight with anxiety. “What if she learns that I was the first choice? That I turned her down for Mystica? Her pride will be wounded. She might see this as an unforgivable slight. She could expose us to Vladimir or worse, use this knowledge against us in the future alliance.”

“Those are just possibilities, Darius and I won’t deny it,” Arthur acknowledged. His expression turned serious as he continued. “But we are running out of options. Remaining here, relying solely on our limited resources while Vladimir holds Mystica captive, is a far greater risk. We need to try a different approach. And Janessa, despite the potential complications she's in, still offers a unique opportunity.”

Arthur stepped closer and placed his hand on Darius’s shoulder. “Think about it, Darius. Janessa is intelligent. She will undoubtedly have her reservations about this forced alliance with Vladimir. She will be seeking to understand the true dynamics within our Empire. Your sudden reappearance and your desperate search for your mate… it presents a narrative that contradicts Vladimir’s carefully crafted image of unity and willing cooperation. She might be more receptive to hearing your side of the story than you imagine.”

He paused, letting his words sink into Darius. “We don’t need to reveal everything upfront. We will approach her cautiously under the guise of clarifying aspects of the alliance. We will gauge her reaction and her disposition. And then, if the opportunity arises, we will appeal to her sense of justice and her rumored compassion. We will ask for her help. Not as the spurned suitor, but as a brother desperate to save his beloved.”

Darius remained hesitant. The weight of his past decisions pressed down on him. The idea of facing Janessa Leon, the creature he had once rejected without further thought, filled him with a deep unease. Yet, the image of Mystica’s face and her trusting eyes, accompanied by her gentle touch, melted his apprehension. He had to try at least. He owed her that much.

“And if she asks why I’m not the one seeking this alliance?” Darius questioned, his voice barely a whisper. “Why am I not the one betrothed to her?”

“We’ll say you are… indisposed,” Arthur replied quickly. “Dealing with a personal matter that requires discretion. We don’t need to divulge the specifics unless necessary. We focus on the urgency of finding Mystica and appeal to her potential willingness to help a fellow royal in distress, even if that royal is my brother.”

Left with no other viable alternative, the desperation to find Mystica finally outweighed Darius’s reservations. He swallowed his pride. The bitter taste of his past rejection lingered in his mouth. He had to set aside his personal feelings and his fear of potential repercussions for the sake of his mate.

“Fine,” Darius conceded. His words were heavy with reluctance. “Alright, Arthur. I’ll do it. I’ll meet Janessa Leon. But you will be there. I won’t face her alone.”

A wave of relief washed over Arthur’s face. “Of course, Darius. I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ll approach her together carefully and strategically. This is our best chance and we have to make it count.”

The decision was made with a new sense of purpose. But there was a tinge of anxiety that settled over Darius. The path he had chosen to take ahead was uncertain, and it was fraught with potential pitfalls. But for the first time since Mystica’s disappearance, he found a glimmer of hope pierced through the darkness. He was finally taking action. Trying to reach out to an unlikely ally in a desperate bid to bring his mate home.

The encounter with Janessa Leon would demand a bold and deliberate approach. A tightrope walk between revealing too much and not enough. But Darius was prepared to face the consequences. If facing the woman he had once rejected meant the slightest chance of finding Mystica.