"So what's your decision, Crown Prince Elvin?"
As both sides reconvened in the royal meeting chamber, Asmodea cut to the heart of the matter. Despite the hateful glares from Malphas, she remained unperturbed. His fury was palpable as his suggestion of leading the negotiation had fallen flat.
He doesn't even know how to hide his displeasure, and his ambition was the Ministry of Diplomacy. Truly ironic, she sighed.
At the far side, Nefarion and Veloria watched from behind a curtain, carefully studying Emberlain Convoy's reaction.
Emberlain's growing interference in the Realm of Harmony posed a huge nuisance for them. They hoped Zerath's ridiculous marriage proposal would push them towards the lesser evil - sign the formal treaty instead of committing to an interracial union.
Veloria cast a squinted gaze at Zerath who faced the human princes, her thoughts drifting back to before.
"Make King Rosrell sign the treaty?" Veloria questioned Zerath's intentions. "Let's assume for a moment that you actually succeed. Then what? Will you divorce Princess Clairette since her use is over?"
She had expected disturbance in his eyes, even a momentary flicker, but found none.
"There's no merit in divorcing her. She'll be useful in keeping the Human Realm at bay forever. What if tomorrow they start something new that we don't approve of? A relationship with the Human Realm works in our favor, not against us."
"Oh? And how far have you thought about this? If her merit is only in using her, then does it mean you'll agree to a second marriage with a demoness?"
Zerath stared but remained silent.
"Because who'll lead Rudaheim after you? You can use and play with that human princess all you want. But there's no way a veil-born would ever be allowed to be born, much less take the throne in the future. In which case, marrying a demoness would continue our pure demon bloodline of succession."
"I won't marry another woman, Your Majesty."
"Hah!" Balam exclaimed. "This proves everything, isn't it? This is not some sly chess game my lord is playing, but he has truly fallen for her!"
"No, Sir Balam. As a principle, I simply oppose multiple marriages and wives. I've always looked up to Father because he only stayed loyal to Her Majesty. I cannot and won't betray my personal principles to serve politics."
"You're the Crown Prince, not some mere commoner demon. Your principles cannot outweigh Rudaheim's welfare! If you don't marry a demoness and bear a child from her, then who'll succeed you?"
He smiled ever-so-faintly. "I'll adopt just like Father adopted me."
Veloria trembled, casting him a hateful gaze. "How dare you mock our pain! Do you think we wanted to adopt an outsider? If only…" her hand reached to touch her belly, mistiness welling in her eyes.
"We were forced to take you in! Adoption cannot be set as precedent!"
Even at this present moment, Veloria faintly trembled within her shawl. The subject of Zerath adopting an heir had sparked a heated debate until Nefarion intervened. Though Balam, Malphas and Orobas had clearly voiced their opposition, Asmodea was in favor along with Doloros, Gressil - and even Draconis maintaining neutrality over this matter. To Nefarion though, it was a straightforward rejection despite the divided Order. Yet, he chose to wait.
If marriage was the ultimate tactic to force Emberlain into a treaty, he didn't mind holding patience until Emberlain's intentions surfaced.
On the other side, though impassive outwardly, an altogether different storm raged in Elvin's heart. To be forced to swallow the bitter pill of Clairette's slap was beyond his tolerance.
Considering Elvin's disturbed state of mind, Xaviston had urged requesting time from the demons and consulting Rosrell, but Elvin had bluntly refused. Though diplomatic discussions had become secondary for him mentally at this moment, he refused to lose face before his archenemy. He cast a dark glance at his sister, fingers clenching in silence. His diplomatic smile then returned, as if he was back in his game.
Meanwhile Zerath scrutinized every minute change in Elvin's expression. His gaze drifted to Vivia, who was subtly caressing her wrist. That small action didn't go unnoticed before his eyes locked on her cheek. Though her swaying hair fluttered across it, it failed to completely hide the flaring reddish mark on her skin.
It took every last strand of his patience to neither react nor respond, but his hand tucked in his overcoat trembled with distress, veins bulging on his knuckles. A grave challenge to not flip out and punch Elvin dead center in his face loomed before him like a bait.
He slapped her…
The only tiny relief was seeing how Elvin's cheek that rested in his palm bore a similar red mark. That was enough to convey to Zerath how Vivia hadn't cowered from taking revenge. Her determination to face him head on pleased him to no end, yet it wasn't nearly enough to douse the ire of injustice she had faced.
"Crown Prince Elvin, have you come to a decision?" Asmodea's question shattered everyone's trance.
Vivia's composure, though intact, apprehension played hard like hard drumbeats in her chest. Yet simultaneously, hope had taken flight within her. Acting as the sacrificial pawn was the best strategy she concluded to help Zerath's plan come to fruition. A plan that she executed flawlessly and made Elvin walk right into the pit she wanted.
But a complete certainty eluded her too. In the face of a human and demon's marriage, a sin in both realms, the formal treaty looked more tempting and safe. They would certainly be bound by an annoying neutrality, but it would seem far less of a compromise than committing a supposed blasphemy with this union.
On the other hand, Zerath's hopes for their engagement grew firmer. Knowing that Elvin wouldn't compromise on giving up the Realm of Harmony as it was too valuable to relinquish for his own interests and abandon his hope of becoming independent from Rudaheim - Clairette would be a small sacrifice for his larger goals.
The past was different, Zerath thought.
The former kings on both sides had been too short-sighted and rigid to view politics beyond hatred. But times change, and so does the necessity of looking at things through a lens other than simple racial resentment. Diplomacy called for all kinds of compromises.
Elvin looked ready to give his response - when Aeren quietly raised his hand.
Asmodea blinked. "Prince Aeren?"
"I'd like to say something."
From the moment the Convoy had stepped foot in Rudaheim, Aeren had hardly contributed to the conversation. His sudden involvement at this juncture puzzled everyone present.
"Aeren?" Elvin's eyes narrowed, displeased by his interference.
"Before we come to any decision, I'd like to propose a suggestion."
Zerath held his gaze, long and hard. "Please go ahead."
"The underlying problem with the Realm of Harmony's treaty is the lack of trust. So what if we build that trust through the presence of an envoy in both realms?"
Beneath her fan, Asmodea showed no change in her stance. "You mean…like an exchange of representatives?"
"Yes. One of Rudaheim's trusted envoys will live in Emberlain, and an envoy from our side will live in Rudaheim. Naturally, both realms will honor the envoy's safety and communication. We may not trust each other, but we surely trust our own people, don't we? The envoy will see for themselves that no malicious intentions are harbored towards the Realm of Harmony by either kingdom."
"Then why not enter into a treaty? That's all the trust we need."
"We simply wish for the Realm of Harmony to be free from politics, Lady Asmodea. Like its name suggests, it has been a symbol of harmony for centuries and beyond. Harmony and freedom mustn't be chained to a treaty."
His piercing gaze then settled on Zerath. "As for the marriage alliance, first of all - neither your Order will agree to it nor our Senate. The resentment runs so deep that such an alliance will be considered as a betrayal. Secondly, we'll have no face left to show Lady Melissa's family."
Silence.
"Let me remind everyone here that she belongs to one of the Great Three Families in the Human Realm. It was Lady Melissa's ancestor, who escaped with the ancestor of one of your Great Three five hundred years ago."