Chapter 1
"After this banquet comes your engagement party, Fay." Princess Forsterite could not help but smile just imagining how her younger twin would look on her engagement day. "I cannot wait to witness such a grand celebration."
Princess Fayalite immediately nudged her sister for suddenly acting emotional. She was not used to her being like that, but since it was a rare moment to witness, she could only return a tight hug.
"That is why you should also find yourself a man and be happy," she said. "I still have the list of the kingdom's bachelors that surely fit your taste. I can bring them to you any time."
Princess Forsterite rolled her eyes and made a disgusted face upon hearing that suggestion.
"No, thanks. Anyway, I will go find mother and father since they have been gone for quite too long. It is about time for the accolade," she said, making it an excuse to avoid discussing her status as a single lady despite reaching the right age for marriage.
She was about to head upstairs to the room of her parents, however, her attention was diverted to some faint voices coming from the balcony. She approached the door and since there was no assurance of who the people were on the other side of it, the princess decided to eavesdrop.
"We can no longer ignore this, my king. You know too well that the emperor shows no mercy to anyone, especially if he deems us a threat to his empire," the queen said with her tone of voice laced with pure worries.
"I will send another proposal to Emperor Kaiser," the king replied.
It was obvious in his voice that he, too, was also unsure of what would happen in the future for their kingdom, Oliviland. For so many years, they were not threatened and maintained amicable relationships with their neighbouring kingdoms. However, today was different.
The princess immediately understood what they were talking about. It had something to do with Emperor Kaiser's relentless quest to conquer the entire continent. He was unstoppable, not only because of his well-calculated strategies but because of his strong and numerous loyal soldiers and skilled mages.
Oliviland may have meisters who could summon celestial familiars, however, when it comes to an all-out war, their small kingdom had no chance of winning.
Princess Forsterite clenched her fists before deciding to announce her presence to her parents, opening the door separating them and curtsied.
"Your Majesties, please let me be the one to go and speak with Emperor Kaiser this time," she suggested.
"That is not going to happen!" the queen immediately said. "You are to stay within the kingdom."
"But Mother... What if the emperor changes his mind if I am the one proposing the diplomatic relationship between our kingdom and his empire? Maybe he thinks that we are not sincere enough in such a treaty so if I go, then something will surely happen," the princess insisted.
She knew she could not convince her mother, so she turned to the king.
"Father, please allow me to do this for the kingdom. I did not study for nothing. I studied everything you wanted me to do to protect our kingdom and our people so please..."
"We will discuss this matter with the court. Princess Forsterite, until you hear my next order, you are not to step foot outside the palace," the king said before dismissing the topic.
The three of them headed back to the banquet as if nothing happened. Princess Forsterite did not want to talk about it with her twin sister because she did not want her to worry about anything, especially since there was a wedding scheduled to happen next month.
It took only one meeting for the king and his court to decide what to do next after they received the proposal rejection from Emperor Kaiser. The last one to hear the news was the bride-to-be, Princess Fayalite. When she heard the court's decision, she immediately rushed to her older twin's quarters.
She found her painting near the window underneath the rays of the sun, making her already burning red hair look like it was ablaze.
"Did you truly volunteer?" she asked upon approaching her.
Princess Forsterite continued to paint with a small smile drawn on her lips.
"So... You already heard of it. And to answer your question, yes... I did volunteer to go and present our proposal for a diplomatic relationship with Emperor Kaiser," she replied.
"Have you lost your mind? What if he will only make you his hostage? There are a lot of things he could possibly do so please... Don't go. And haven't you heard? He is a madman who drinks the blood of his enemies!"
"Oh, Fay. This is the reason why I did not want you to know of this matter. However, for your wedding to happen next month, I must do my best to have the emperor agree to our proposal. And it is for the kingdom and for our people. Isn't that what we both wanted?"
Princess Fayalite pursed her lips since her sister was right, but still, she did not want her to leave the kingdom with no assurance that she could return safely. She may even try to go against the king's decision, however, her protest would mean nothing if her twin herself wanted to go.
"If I cannot change your mind, then you must promise me that you will never do something crazy," she said, wrapping her arms around her.
"I promise,” she responded while slowly caressing her twin’s silvery hair.
Before her date of departure, Princess Forsterite made an abrupt suggestion after thinking it over for the past few days. However, as she stood before her father in the throne room, she received a deadly glare from him.
"What insolence are you speaking about?!" His voice was like a roar in that spacious hall.
"No. That is not something I can allow. Sending you away to a foreign country is more than enough. Sending you alone is already out of the question," the queen added.
However, Princess Forsterite stood her ground.
"Your Majesties, going with a lot of people might give the emperor the wrong idea. He might think that we are sending him a threat. If I go alone-"
"Five people. Three knights and two meisters," the king said. "They will only be there to protect you in case the emperor tries to harm you. Would that do?"
Princess Forsterite thought for a while.
"Okay. Five people are good," she agreed before leaving immediately, not wanting them to go back on their words.
The queen leaned back on her seat with all her energy drained just after a 10-minute discussion with the princess.
"I just had no idea where she got that stubbornness of hers," she commented.
The king held her hand and squeezed it. Even with no words coming out of his mouth, the queen could tell that he was trying to comfort her. Yet it worked only a little since her fear and worries still continued to bring her turmoil.
The night before her departure, Princess Forsterite visited her twin sister. It was almost bedtime so she had her sister sit in front of the mirror while she combed her hair that was of the same color as her celestial familiar, the Silver Moon Wolf.
"Are you not truly changing your mind?" Princess Fayalite questioned, looking at her sister through the mirror.
"No," her twin replied. "And I may not be here during your wedding, but it will make no difference. You shall wed Duke Cyrus just as planned and take care of the kingdom."
Princess Fayalite could not find the right words to express how worried she was about her twin sister. Hence, she shifted from her seat, hugged her, and prayed to Goddess Solona that they guide her all throughout her trip.
When it was time to leave the kingdom, the princess was sent off with only a few people aware. This was a precaution the court and the king thought of doing to keep the citizens of Oliviland calm. Besides, it won't do them any good if fear arises in such an already unsure situation.
Stepping out of the walls of the kingdom, the vast desert greeted the princess and her escorts.
"This desert alone is a natural protector of Oliviland from being attacked or conquered by anyone. However, it is different when it comes to the army of Emperor Kaiser,'' Princess Forsterite said in her mind. "I heard he had a mage that could control sand. "
For two weeks, they travelled across the desert before finally reaching the western border of the Athiria Empire, the vast lands under the rule of Emperor Kaiser. Princess Forsterite already expected to see a rather lively atmosphere within the borders, but seeing it in person just stirred the anger within her. Her grip on the reins of her horse tightened.
"Of course, the empire who conquers will continue to live without any worries while another kingdom is fighting for its freedom," the princess commented as they made their way further.
"Your Highness, it will take us another two weeks before we reach the capital city," Avel said.
He was the princess' personal knight ever since they were young so the two grew up together like close siblings.
"I understand. All of you should rest well tonight so we can depart before sunrise tomorrow," the princess replied without sparing him a glance.
"If you need anything, I will just be in the room in front of yours.”
The princess's gaze was locked on the crowded street just outside her room, observing the people coming and going. It frustrated her as she saw no sign of agitation in them, which was the opposite of the people she knew back in Oliviland. This fueled her resolve to make her deal with the emperor a success. Failing was not an option.
Two weeks may seem to be another long trip, however, that was not the case for the first princess. Those two weeks only felt like three days for her, especially when she finally came standing in front of the large gates of the emperor's palace.
