Dragonvale was a very powerful land ruled by the dusk family from generation to generation. This land may not be large in size but its mineral production makes this land valuable.
Any kingdom wants this land to make profit for them but the Dusk family was not someone you wanna make enemies with. Their dragon blessing made them untouchable. But they had to bow down in front of nature.
It was the time when the dusk family felt helpless. Rain washed their farms and collapsed mineral mines. Crops were destroyed completely. They only had one month's worth of food in their royal storage.
Duke Alaric and Duchess Selene were constantly having meetings with their ministers to resolve this problem as soon as possible. They wouldn't want to see their people starve to death. But they were unable to find any solution for this problem.
One day a letter came from Empire Silverward. They promised to help Dragonvale but with conditions. They didn't write any conditions. They want to have a meeting in Silverward.
Alaric and Selene discussed this letter with their ministers.
"Milord, Silverward is an opportunist kingdom. They are after our mineral mines." The Prime Minister Roland fin of Dragonvale said.
They all were sitting on a round table in a room. Their land map was placed on a table marked with mineral mines.
Alaric dusk was quiet. He was thinking about other ways to save Dragonvale. But he didn't come with anything. "I know Roland, how those people operate but in these circumstances we can't overlook our situation."
"You are right, Milord. We have accepted their aid with minimal losses." Duchess Selene agreed with Alaric dusk.
The day finally came when the dusk family was going to come under a kingdom. Alaric dusk and Selene dusk reached the capital of the Empire with their knights.
Prime minister Vaelor Thane and commander Roderic Vale were waiting at the door of the mansion to welcome them.
Alaric dusk and Selene dusk reached a massive door with their knights in armor. They saw two people standing in front of them.
Vaelor and Roderic bow down in front of them to show them respect. Vaelor bowed as a formal custom. But Roderic, He was looking different like he was waiting to see an undefeatable warrior face to face.
"Welcome duke Alaric dusk and duchess Selene dusk. I am here to receive you on behalf of our emperor. Our lord is waiting for you. Please proceed." Vaelor showed them the way. Roderic was following them from behind.
Alaric and Selene were walking in a corridor. Windows were constructed in the right side so sunlight can shine through the whole corridor but on the left side many paintings were pasted on wall.
"These were our previous Emperors who built this empire." Vaelor said. Then he pointed to one painting. A man in iron armour was standing above the dragon in that painting. "And this painting is really special. He was the first Emperor who built this Empire. The great and hounered…"
Alaric interrupted Vaelor. "I think we don't have to make the emperor wait any longer."
"Yes, you are right. Please come."
After that Vaelor opened the door. Alaric ordered his knights to wait outside. After that they both entered. Vaelor and Roderic were also stopped at the door.
Alaric and Selene entered the room. They saw Emperor Caelum Aurex and Empress Elowen Aurex sitting on the same long sofa. Two maids were preparing tea for them in a corner. They both stood up. The Emperor moves his hand first to shake hands before Alaric. He showed that he genuinely wanted to help Dragonvale.
After a handshake and Empress and Duchess bow down in front of each other to show respect. They all sit down.
"Duke Alaric, I was really moved when you accepted my request." The Emperor said. He was wearing deep silver-white layered with faint steel-blue undertones robe with midnight blue silk innerwear visible at the collar and sleeves. Short imperial mantle resting on the shoulders made of enchanted silver-thread fabric, slightly glowing under light, Wide ceremonial belt of dark leather and silver plates. There was a Long, flowing cloak in pale ash-silver Inside lined with deep royal blue Imperial crest at the center of his cloak and a thin silver circlet, minimal but sharp crown. There were two Rings in his hand, one signet ring (used for decrees) and another ancient ring rumored to resist divine influence.
"It is really generous of you to help Dragonvale in this situation. It is my duty to save my people and feed them properly." Alaric said.
"Ofcourse, ofcourse as a great leader you have to take care of your citizens properly. But you know nothing comes free." Caelum Aurex got serious. Anyone could see through those eyes.
But those eyes couldn't make Alaric dusk flinch and feared even for one second. "I know that's why I am here. So why don't we move to the point, what you want in return."
Caelum Aurex laughed. "Ohh duke Alaric you really think I am that evil. Who is going to take advantage of people who are in the worst situation."
"Then do what you want?" duchess Selene said.
"Duchess Selene, as you know, the Aurex family and the Dusk family never had a good relationship and we want to change this thing." Empress Elowen Aurex said. A beautiful lady in the whole empire wearing a gown which looks like soft moonlight silver fading into pearl white and golden necklace in neck with golden earrings with red emeralds.
"And how are you gonna do that?" Selene said, a beauty who was born in history said. She was outshining Elowen by her beauty and her pink gown with sparkling little diamonds and a diamond necklace in neck with white silver earrings with green emeralds.
"By an arranged marriage between your son Edric and our daughter Noelle." Elowen said.
"This is a very big decision to take. Shouldn't you ask your daughter first." Selene replied. She knew that this was not going to be a simple marriage. They had ulterior motives behind this.
"You don't have to worry about her approval duchess Selene. She is the princess of Silverward, she will do anything that can help to grow this kingdom. I just wanna know your answer." Emperor Caelum said.
Selene went quiet for a second then she replied. "I may have power but in my family my husband is the one who has authority to make decisions. And even in this situation his decision will be the last decision." She looked towards Alaric dusk.
This was not a simple decision to make for Alaric. Either he had to sacrifice his kingdom or his son. As a wise leader and master of Dragonvale he made his decision.
"My son Edric is a very strong warrior, both physically and emotionally. He also respects me and his mother and obeys our every decision. He is proud of my family. But my citizens are also my children and I can't abandon them in critical situations. So for them I accept your condition. When Edric becomes an adult he will marry your daughter Noelle." Alaric told them his decision. He didn't want to do that but he was compelled. "(Finally after this citizens of Dragonvale can eat food properly.)"
"That was great duke Alaric." Caelum Aurex was laughing and Elowen Aurex was smiling. Both of them congratulate Alaric and Selene. "I never thought you would easily agree on this condition. But that was great. Now I can tell you the rest of the conditions."
"(there are more.)" both Alaric and Selene said.
"First is already approved. Now let's move on to the second one, which is that your family and your kingdom's lord children should study in the Empire academy as they become twelve years old. So both nations can improve. Third one and last condition is you will only trade with Silverward. You can't sell your minerals to other nations. Of course prices should be the same and will rise according to inflation." Then he took a little break. "So do you agree with my conditions?"
Alaric didn't say anything, he was quite thinking deeply about this situation. Everyone was looking at him.
"I know this is a tough decision but I'll make it simple for you. The empire will provide supply till your nation rebuilds again and becomes stable." Emperor Caelum tried to pressure Alaric.
Finally Alaric spoke. "Fine, I accept your every condition."
"That is a good decision, Duke Alaric." Caelum said. He gave his maid a signal. She moved forward with some papers.
Caelum took papers. The maid went to where she was standing.
"Now let's sign these papers so things should go properly." Caelum Aurex said.
Alaric read all the papers then signed them. After that they stood up shaked hands. Caelum asked them to stay till dinner but Alaric refused as now his kingdom needed him more.
They sit in their carriage. Caelum and Elowen were looking at them from the window. Finally Alaric dusk and Selene dusk leave the mansion.
Emperor Caelum Aurex sat on the sofa. Elowen signal maids to leave the room.
"It was done more smoothly than it seems." Caelum then removed his ring that can nullify any magic. "If she raged out back then this would be nothing in front of her power." Caelum Aurex was constantly grabbing his head because of a headache.
Elowen moved and sat on the sofa. She picked his crown and placed it on the table, then she told him to lay down and put his head on her lap. Caelum did as she said.
"But I am still confused as to why she was listening to his husband. He is nothing in front of her and gained this position because he married her. Still he was ruling on Dragonvale instead of her." Caelum Aurex said.
Elowen smiled. She was moving her hand gently in his hair. Then she leaned forward near his face. "It's because she loved him, Like i do to you"
"But still…." Caelum was trying to say something but his lips were sealed by his wife's lips.
In the Alaric carriage. Alaric was laying down on Selene laps. He was sleeping because he didn't sleep for days. Selene was looking at the sunset from the carriage window.
Two days later. When they reached Dragonvale. Their prime minister Roland fin and commander Jake lans were waiting for them in front of the mansion gate.
Alaric and Selene moved out of the carriage.
"Welcome back, Milord and Milady." Both Roland and Jake greeted them.
"Milord, someone is waiting for you inside your office." Roland said.
Alaric and Selene were going towards the office with Roland and Jake.
"Who is it?" Alaric asked.
"I am sorry milord but he said i shouldn't tell you his name." Roland replied.
Servants opened the office door. Alaric entered the room and saw his childhood friend, a landlord of his nation, sitting there on a chair with her wife on another chair. They lived on the east side of the mountains. That's why they were unaffected by the flood. They were drinking tea and constantly arguing about something. Alaric saw his massive office was filled with boxes.
"Arkon." Alaric said.
Arkon and Evela both got quiet and stood up from their chairs. They both bowed down in front of duke Alaric and Selene.
"How many times have I told you not to do it?" Alaric said.
"And how many times I told you that now you are the duke of Dragonvale. So every single one has to bow in front of you and the Duchess. If they don't then they have to face me." Arkon said.
Alaric moved to hug his best friend but Arkon punched him in his face. Surprisingly no one got angry or shocked. Everyone was laughing, even Duchess Selene.
"That was a hard one. You really grow stronger." Alaric stood up from the ground. "But can I ask why I got this?"
"Are you really asking me that? You were in trouble, but you didn't tell me." Arkon said.
"Well… you know?"
"Yes, I am listening. Is it because I am just a landlord." Arkon said.
"No, that's not what I mean. You know this catastrophe is too big for us to handle. That's why I don't wanna make you sad." Alaric replied.
"You little piece of sh…" Arkon was about to say but Evela stopped him.
"Watch your tone dear. You are standing in front of Duchess Selene." Evela said.
Arkon leaned to the left and said sorry to Selene standing behind Alaric.
"Leave this thing and tell me. Why are they here and what is in these boxes?" Alaric asked Arkon in confusion.
"I am here to help you, my friend." Arkon opened one box. There were fruits in those boxes. "If you open that box there are medicines. I know these are not enough for our people but that's the best I can do my friend."
Alaric didn't say anything, he just hugged his best friend. "And that's enough my friend."
"If your union is completed. can we talk because Sir Arkon wants to know what happened in the Empire." Selene said.
After that they had a long meeting the whole night after dinner. Roland, Jake and Arkon supported Alaric's decision in this meeting.
The next day Alaric sent a letter to all of his kingdom's landlords to inform them.
'Empire Silverward is decided to send aid to Dragonvale in upcoming days. And the most important thing is that from now on Dragonvale is a part of Silverward. We agreed on Emperor Caelum Aurex conditions. First Edric and Noelle marriage, second from now on every landlord's and dusk family child will study in Empire's academy. Third, Dragonvale will only trade with Silverward at full prices.'
Back to present
Rowan dusk was just born. The whole kingdom was notified and told them to celebrate the birth of the third son of Selene dusk. They sent a letter to inform Emperor Caelum Aurex about this news.
Alaric sent letters to Edric and Lucy to inform them about their little brother. They were in their room in the Academy of the Empire.
"Ohhh look at him duchess, his looks are gone on you." A maid said that she was holding Rowan.
"Let…me see my son." Selene was laying down on bed. Her voice was low but clear. Her whole body was covered in sweat, hair was messy. She was covered by white sheet till chest. Many pillows were set to support her neck and back.
The maid gave Selene her child. She looked at him. "my son." She kissed him. Tears came out from her eyes. "Ohhh dear, I was dying to see your face. Now look at you, you are more handsome than your father."
Giggles
"Our young lord charmed our lady." Some maids were smiling. They were enjoying this moment because Selene never treated them as servants. She always thought of them as her little daughters.
"Milady, you need to rest, let me take young lord." Head maid Gable said.
"A little bit more Gable. My eyes are still not satisfied with his face. I don't know why but my heart is saying if I leave these little hands they will leave me behind." Selene said.
Gable ordered his maids to set the bed properly for the young lord beside the duchess without disturbing them.
"What you want to say dear, with those lovely eyes." Selene touched Rowan's cheek with her finger.
To be continued…