Chapter 53: Be Careful Of What You Wish For

Chapter 53: Be Careful Of What You Wish ForOn the central region of the continent...

While Oriana was facing new difficulties, Arlan joined his friend on a sea voyage towards another kingdom, the Kingdom of Abetha.

The Kingdom of Griven is one of the seven major powers controlling the known continent. It has the militant kingdom, Megaris, as its neighbor in the north, while to its west, separated by the Grand River, was the nation with the most fertile lands in the continent, Abetha.

The purpose of Arlan’s trip was to attend his younger brother’s wedding. Second Prince Lenard Cromwell of Griven was marrying Princess Meira Ilven of Abetha, Queen Seren’s older half-sister, and their ceremony of union was in the royal palace of the bride’s homeland.

Arlan had personal misgivings about his betrothal, but that was not the case for Lenard. The Second Prince gladly accepted the marriage arrangement of his parents. There was no real pressure, since he had no greed to sit on the throne, and his bride happened to be one of the fairest maiden he had seen in his life. They met a number of times before confirming their engagement. Lenard was satisfied with having Meira as a wife.

About a week later, the royal ship of Megaris was warmly welcomed by Crown Prince Cian Ilven of Abetha upon their arrival in the port city of Baycall in Southern Abetha. Queen Seren and her older half-brother looked nothing in common—wherein Seren was a ginger with purple eyes, Cian was a young man in his early twenties with brownish blond hair and eyes the color of sapphire. He had a steady disposition, reserved even, but extremely doting towards his own family. However, for this very reason, the easygoing Arlan and aloof Cian often would not meet eye to eye.

Days flashed by quickly, and soon, Arlan and company were brought to the Royal Palace of Abetha. There were separate arrangements made for the royalty of Megaris and the royalty of Griven.

At this moment, Cian personally escorted Arlan to the guest palace for the family of the groom.

"So Prince Cian," Arlan started, wanting to break the silence between them, "how does it feel that all your younger siblings are now married?"

The First and Third Princesses of Abetha were married off to the Kingdoms of Mivesea and Megaris respectively, and now, the Second Princess would soon be marrying a groom from Griven.

Cian merely glanced at him, his expression unbothered. "The same as you, I guess, Prince Arlan. Your older sister and younger brother found their partners."

A safe reply, as expected of the Crown Prince of Abetha.

Cian continued, "Are you attending the ceremony and the banquet without a lady companion? Is your betrothed yet to be found? Do you want me to recommend a noble lady so you won’t need to attend alone?"

"Prince Cian." Arlan looked at the sapphire blue-eyed prince with a smile. "You should be glad that my betrothed is yet to be found, or else, I might stay too long in the execution grounds and miss my little brother’s wedding."

"I guess I can expect nothing less from you. But I cannot wait to hear good news and sincerely congratulate you once you find your betrothed."

"Shouldn’t it be me congratulating you? I heard some interesting rumors lately," Arlan shot back with a smirk. "Seems your future wife is about to be chosen."

"You should not trust the rumors, Prince Arlan."

"I heard that this particular princess of Othinia is the most desirable young lady among all the princesses in the continent."

"If you find her desirable, then why don’t you ask her hand in marriage yourself?"

"Why would I settle from some well-behaved little lass and live a boring, predictable married life?"

"So would you like someone who can turn your life into hell, Prince Arlan."

"Hmm, maybe it would be more fun that way."

"For a man to desire a wife who can turn his life into hell, Prince Arlan, you are certainly the first," Cian smirked. "Be careful what you wish for. It might come true."

Just then they reached the chamber arranged for Arlan. "We are here," Cian disturbed his thoughts. "Please rest well, Prince Arlan."

Arlan nodded and entered the chamber as servants opened the door for him, Cian’s last words reminding him of a certain someone who was not well-behaved at all.

Upon entering his bedchamber, Arlan dismissed his knights and attendants. Arlan freshened up on his own, intending to rest after.

With the groom and their mother yet to arrive due to circumstances, Arlan was the only one dwelling at the guest mansion.

’I’m bored...Why did I arrive so early?’

With his outgoing personality, Arlan invited himself over to where Drayce and his wife were staying. The Queen’s residence back when she’s the Third Princess of Abetha was a tower near the palace walls. It was the farthest building from the main palace, but thanks to its location, it was also the most peaceful.

The Megaris Royal couple was eating their morning meal at the tower garden. Not only Arlan, but also the elf, Yorian, joined their meal.

While chatting, their conversation shifted towards politics, more specifically the next destination of the royalty of Megaris after they leave Abetha.

It was the kingdom alliance summit happening in the Kingdom of Mivesea.

"...This time, Samer Vailes will be attending the summit for the first time since he rose as the new King of Thevailes."

"That is within expectations."

"Will be fun to meet our enemy face to face after so long."

"As long as he behaves."

"Summit? What is it?" Seren asked. Though she was of royal birth, before her marriage, she had never been exposed to politics or issues of governance.

"Mostly deciding the general direction of development between kingdoms, a means to show off the achievement of the reigning monarch, and forming or strengthening alliances between nations, those kinds of affairs," Drayce answered. "However, this is an assembly meant only for kings or heads of nations, and it only happens once every three years or when one of the participating kingdoms crowns a new ruler."

They talked more so Seren could understand everything.