13. GATHERED

Again, the thundering noise that had enveloped Valliant resounded. Crysta woke up. She looked at the window. Also surrounding the room.

''What was that dream?'' Crysta held her forehead.

It wasn't a bad dream. But that kind of dream wasn't good to have in her sleeping world either.

With her wakefulness fully restored, Crysta removed the blanket, walked towards the window and opened the shutters. A cool breeze instantly penetrated her skin as soon as she opened the glass. Crysta hugged her cold body.

''When will you arrive, Prince? I can't wait to see you.'' She looked out at the dark ocean. Hoping that she would find Pascal's ship passing in front of her eyes. But Crysta's hopes were too high, she realized it was impossible because until now the king and queen did not know when Pascal would return to Valliant.

She quickly closed the window with a heart filled with longing without closing the curtains. Back on the bed to dream about the man she loved.

If Crysta had just held on for a few seconds, she would have been able to see hundreds of Valliant ships passing by her bedroom window.

***

It had been three days since Crysta had been on Valliant. King Brent and Queen Ophelia in the kingdom of Orva were very calm knowing that their daughter was in the safest place possible.

However, the arrival of Prince Leonard along with King Arthur and Queen Seraphina, the prince's parents, stirred up the palace.

During the meeting, Prince Leonard expressed his hidden wish. Or rather, he has been planning since he found out that he was the prince chosen by King Brent.

''It seems that I don't need to listen to the princess' words of approval for her willingness to marry me, Your Majesty. Although the princess' arrival has been delayed, I have already assumed that the princess has agreed to our arranged marriage even though she has yet to come to our kingdom.'' Prince Klein taught his brother to say something like that for Leonard to tell Crysta's parents.

Queen Ophelia knew where this was going. She looked upset while King Brent smiled and listened.

''That's why, once King Lumiere's seven-day rule is over, I will pick up the princess in Valliant and bring her straight to Lucard. The day after, I would like our marriage to be performed immediately.''

*''If you don't want your Crysta taken away, then speed up the wedding and don't delay any longer.'' Klein provoked.

*''But how? Eastern tradition requires that the betrothal take place at least one month after the princess's official declaration, Klein. I don't want to be looked upon unfavorably by the people of Lucard, Orva, as well as all the kingdoms in the east as a prince in lust.''

''All traditions have an exception, big brother. You can drag Prince Logan's case into your statement. It will arouse King Brent as well as the Queen,'' A cunning glint filled Klein's eyes. ''You just need to convince them that you do not want to have the same fate as that Mytris prince. The one who died before marriage. Making them think that there is no point in delaying marriage. Also the rebels who want to harm the princess, that will also be taken into consideration.''

*

Leonard inhaled the oxygen around him. He puffed out his chest while explaining the cause and effect of why he made such a decision. And that desire was strengthened by the presence of the king and queen of Lucard who also supported the idea.

After listening to the lengthy explanation, King Brent finally made the final decision on the negotiation.

Queen Ophelia put on a flat face even though her heart was very sad because she had guessed what decision King Brent would make.

''We live in a world of balance,'' the queen opened her voice just as King Brent was about to open his mouth. ''And that balance is based on two things, tradition and rules.''

Under the table, Queen Ophelia grasped King Brent's hand. Giving the code to let her speak first and not interrupt her statement.

''As a mother, I always support whatever my daughter decides. And my daughter always obeys her father's orders. Crysta is still seventeen years old. And I've never forced her to speed up or slow down something that was meant to be.''

Honestly, Leonard was a little offended by Queen Ophelia's words. Not only King Brent was restrained from saying a word, Leonard was the same. Queen Seraphina gripped her son's wrist tightly. Asking Leonard not to interrupt the Orva queen's speech.

''I did not refuse, nor did I agree to Prince Leonard's request. But I only ask one thing. As the future of the Lucard kingdom, you must set a good role model for the people and all the kingdoms of the east. It's about a king who abides with tradition and rules,'' Queen Seraphina glared as if blaming the decision of those who came to Orva. ''Isn't that so, Queen Seraphina?" she continued.

Silent for a moment as she sensed that Ophelia did not like her son, Seraphina finally returned Ophelia's subtle insult.

''Didn't my son make his point, Your Majesty? That should have been taken into consideration-''

King Brent wanted to answer, but was again stopped by the queen.

''You should be able to distinguish between utilizing and considering. It is not wise to seek to profit from the death and also the bad things that happen to someone.'' Those words silenced Seraphina, especially Leonard who sought to defend Brent by looking at him endlessly.

But even King Brent couldn't do anything about it because Queen Ophelia said something that made sense and wasn't wrong.

The atmosphere became awkward. Arthur took the initiative to break the tension. He laughed.

"Please forgive my son, Your Majesty. It seems the prince just doesn't want the princess to change her mind.'' King Arthur put Leonard down as if his son was just thinking realistically. Again. A defense disguised as sweet words.

''Didn't I say that my daughter is very obedient to her father's orders? If the king says the princess will marry prince Lucard, that means Crysta will agree to it. Because whether she changes her mind or not, my innocent daughter has no choice but to fulfill her duty as a daughter of the king.''

Not only the royal guests were embarrassed by the queen. Even King Brent himself felt it.

With a heart of resentment and unspoken anger, Queen Seraphina looked at the kingdom of Orva with a displeased look. In front of the carriage door, she could see Ophelia and Brent from up there. Watching them leave the kingdom with Lucard's army.

''Your Majesty.'' A servant opened the door for him.

King Arthur was already inside, along with Prince Leonard who was swallowing the disappointment of Queen Ophelia's rejection.

''You were too harsh on them, my queen,'' King Brent said. ''They will surely remember it.''

''I have no obligation to be polite to those who try to take advantage of an opportunity,'' she snapped back.

''You are too prejudiced against them,'' King Brent defended.

The queen squinted. From the tail of her eyes she showed a clear dislike for the king's defense.

''Do not turn a blind eye or play innocent, Your Majesty. I can smell the foul intentions of a person even if they live on a mountain.'' The queen hurried away, leaving the king alone without permission.

''Apparently you still take sides with that prince of the eastern seas,'' he said as he looked at Queen Ophelia's back as she slowly disappeared from his sight.

On his way back to Lucard, Prince Leonard decided to go to the kingdom of Agnar to see his good friends, Prince Alexander and Prince Tiago. Klein was already there, waiting for him. Princes from Lunar, Pakar, and Arcturus were also on their way.

Leonard dressed quite thickly before mounting his horse since the kingdom was in a snowy field. Taking a few men with him.

The four princes made a small alliance like a special genk of princes. Where the small club consisted of princes from six kingdoms. Why not seven? That's because Pascal wasn't included. The kingdom of Orva also didn't count because the club was only made up of princes.

A gathering was held once a month. And it had become a fixed schedule for the princes.

In a room that was little more than a training ground, Prince Tiago took aim at the target with the arrow in his hand. Klein and Alexander watched. On the count of three, the arrow was released but unfortunately missed the target.

The two spectator princes laughed.

''Your archery skills have not improved at all, Tiago. Did your brother, Alexander- not teach you properly?'' Klein with his evil mouth never gave words that were pleasing to the ears of others.

''He has practiced with many weapons if you want to know, Klein,'' Alexander defended. Tiago smiled in thanks for that. Then Alexander went to the table full of piles of arrows. Gave them to Klein. ''How about if you give an illustration of what proper archery looks like, hm?''

However, it would be a shame for Klein if he did not accept the challenge. He roughly took the arrow and picked up the bow next to him. Set up a stance to be ready to aim at the target.

Srttttt!

The arrow shot out. But it was in the wrong spot, aka missed. Tiago now had a reason to laugh.

''You are indeed a loud-mouthed prince,'' Tiago taunted. ''I bet you've never even killed a single human being on this earth.'' He gave his bow to the servant. Then the prince's personal servant deftly picked it up.

''The answer is easy. I can't kill a living being. I am a gentle prince. Loving and forgiving too.''

Alexander chuckled at that nonsense. ''Do you believe that, little brother?''

''Not at all,''

The two Agnar princes laughed. Meanwhile Klein could only swallow the bitterness of being bullied without Leonard to defend him.

''It's fine if you two don't believe me. But don't be surprised if I become the prince who kills the most in the future,'' Klein said seriously.

"A person can talk a big game and have high expectations. But someone has to be aware of the risk of falling for their own words. And that will make that person realize that he can only be in a fairly low position in all aspects. Which will make him think a bit realistically,'' Tiago said. ''Before that happens, you shouldn't forget about you currently being zero among all of us. You haven't killed a single human on this earth, Klein.''

''Unless you set a trap. Gather a lot of humans. Hundreds or even thousands. Make it easy for you to shoot them. Eliminate them- like a mosquito trapped in a cage,'' said Alexander who did not take his eyes off Klein. ''That will make it easier for you.''

Deep in his mind, Klein had just imagined what Alexander was saying. Then he made a small noise that the two Agnar princes did not notice.