Arriving back home, it was the first time that Dermitos had no energy or the mood to have any kind of fun. Well... not too much fun, not the usual amount he had when returning to the Capital. He was only ready to have a quick little escapade with Meishan before turning in for the night. By the following morning, he was, unlike most times, up and ready, washing himself before the sun rose from the east. The moment the sunlight filtered through the city, he was already meeting with Xendar. The two of them were on high alert, ready for any underhanded methods and devious pns his brother might have in store for them.

  But nothing came throughout breakfast... or lunch. Only the summer sun was shining on them, and once again, it had shown its strength as the city became a furnace by midday, every street baking under the sun, making Dermitos a tad more irritated than he had been in the morning.

  “Why do I have to wear this again?” He compined, half-wrestling with the ceremonial colr that choked his neck, walking with his friend. Just a moment before, they received the news that the Naulin delegation had arrived in the city about an hour ago. “I look like a golden peacock that is sweating buckets... Haah... I hate dressing up... I like it when it's time to get naked. That's more natural than this bullshit.”

  “You do look like an idiot,” Xendar agreed, adjusting his own uniform, which was way too elegant for his taste. Not to mention the boot that was way too slippery while taking his usual, big steps towards the main building. “But at least you are matching how you really are.”

  “Thank you for the encouragement, my loyal friend,” Dermitos muttered, gring at him. "I knew I could count on your encouragement."

  "You look perfect," Meishan stated, walking behind them, brushing invisible dust from her idol's shoulder with rapt attention, though her expression was anything but calm... “Young Master, please, remember to smile. You must make a good impression on your future partner.”

  “Smile?" He grunted, "I am being tossed into the pond as bait. And you are my future partner, my MeiMei, my little Meishan. I told you many times!”

  "Let's head into the welcoming chamber." Xendar cut in, before Meishan could encourage him further or form an answer while blushing from ear to ear, “They’re already gathering. We’re due in the reception hall, and if we arrive te, Sentios is going to have a new way to attack us.”

  “Yeah, we don't need that,” Dermitos sighed, nodding his head towards the door to their left, “Let’s go meet my future leash.”

  The immacute reception hall of the Imperial Pace was already prepared, cleaned, and decorated, and right now it gleamed like a shrine erected on the altar of perfection. There were hundreds of candles burning, releasing a sweet, cleansing scent, while massive, imperial banners hung alongside the walls, with the Naulin's own white banners featuring a gleaming, purple eye in their center. The courtiers stood in two neat rows, muttering with anticipation as this event was to be... monumental. Just after the trio had entered the room, Dermitos almost scolded his brother, hearing that the herald had already begun speaking. If they had dallied even for a moment ter, they would have arrived te... damn. The bastard!

  “Announcing Her Highness, Anya Naulin, representative of the Naulin line and envoy of the Kingdom of Ten,” the young man decred as the imperial troops pushed the heavy doors open, standing at attention, saluting with their spears while the guests entered the pace.

  Watching the Kingdom of Ten's delegation walk in, heads held high, most of them having white or very light-colored hair, looked like they were from a different world, carrying the unique appearance of the Naulin bloodline. The only thing they were missing was the purple eyes... Except for one. In the midst of them was a young woman, dressed in a flowing white dress that matched her silvery hair, which was pulled back into a high ponytail. Her eyes were just like on the banners, violet and vibrant, sweeping across the chamber, clearly not in the best of moods, but she tried to hide it. When she noticed Dermitos, the faintest of smiles appeared on her lips, but there was nothing warm in it... at all.

  "Huh," Dermitos whispered to Xendar, "As far as I can see... She doesn’t want to be here... Good. Neither do I."

  Yet, Xendar had no answer to him... He was... lost. Lost in her beauty, almost forgetting to breathe.

  “Your Imperial Majesty,” Anya bowed low before Aerthus VIII, as the convoy stopped before the Emperor, sitting on an elevated dias. The Naulins parted to let her walk to the front and introduce herself, following all the noble protocols, present in both countries: “The Kingdom of Ten extends its gratitude for your generous welcome and hopes this future union may open the door to a sting peace between our powers.”

  "So do I," Carthus inclined his head in greeting, “Peace is always welcome... though rarely comes freely.”

  "We are well aware of that," Anya’s gaze flickered, before she smiled again, making Xendar's heart hurt a little while he watched her, “Even then..." She paused for a moment, "Even then may we both profit from it,” she added, looking towards the two princes... When her eyes finally met Dermitos, she spoke again. “So you are Prince Dermitos,” she decred, still smiling. “I expected… someone older.”

  “Older?” he raised an eyebrow. “I assure you, Your Highness, I’ve aged terribly. I just can't help it; my gift is to always look dashing and young. Also, I am surprised you can tell us apart.” He added, pointing towards Sentios at the other side of the stairs.

  "The look in your eyes is different," Anya continued, remaining perfectly composed, “No offense meant, of course. It’s only that one hears tales of conquest both externally and internally... On both kinds of battlefields. So one expects someone with... ample experience to achieve such feats as you did.”

  "Heh," Dermitos’s grin sharpened. “Ah, my fame reaches as far as the Kingdom of Ten, eh?” he gnced at Sentios momentarily, "How gratified I am then."

  For those who knew nothing about politics, it would be nothing but a pleasant exchange... But those who had been politicians for decades could tell that this marriage was going to be anything but normal. If it even happens. But there was one man present who missed it all.

  Standing slightly behind Dermitos, Xendar couldn’t tear his gaze away from Anya the moment she stepped into the chamber. For the first time in years, or maybe ever, he felt his heartbeat stumble. He didn't even feel something like this, not when he was in the mouth of a demon, doing his best to keep it from chomping down and killing him. For Xendar... She wasn’t just beautiful; she was the reincarnation of the Goddess Nilier, the embodiment of earthly beauty itself, walking on two legs... Then... He realized where his thoughts had gone and hated himself for it, straightening instantly and forcing his face to remain bnk.

  She was the future wife of his Emperor, his best friend. No. He couldn't do that to him... to himself.

  Of course, Anya noticed the gre, and only for just a moment, her mask softened, but not because she was fttered... but simply because of curiosity. For a probable escape route from this marriage that she clearly hadn't had an inkling of... at all? Nobody could say it for sure... Then it was gone.

  But some had caught it, like Meishan, standing beside Xendar, who noticed the split-second shift in her eyes too. The moment it happened, her jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing coldly. The polite bow she gave the princess barely concealed her hostility by then... So that’s how it is, her expression seemed to say. Already looking at other men when the perfect prince is before her? Whore.

  “Your Highness,” Dermitos said lightly, “Perhaps after the formalities, I might offer you a tour of the pace gardens. They’re very… serene.” He offered, knowing he had to py his part.

  “How generous,” Anya replied with the same smile, “I’d be delighted to see where the Empire buries its weeds.”

  Hearing it, Xendar almost snorted, turning it into a cough, trying to suppress his ugh. Once again, Meishan shot him a gre that could melt steel; however, Dermitos only ughed, genuinely impressed by the comeback. She was good... However, he disliked such partners when it came to matters of love.

  “Then I’ll show you the whole garden,” he answered smoothly. “Who knows? You might find the soil to your liking.”

  Hearing the back and forth, even Sentios, standing near the Emperor, looked irritated; he had expected a quiet, pliant bride, not this firebrand sparring verbally with his brother before half the court. This was... not in the books, and for sure, this was not what he had hoped for. As for the Emperor, Carthus watched them both, saying nothing. He was well aware of all the little pys Sentios was drawing and all the subordinates Dermitos was collecting within the army. He was also well aware of what that dastardly Rudrick of Naulin was pying on the other side. Rudrick... The King of Naulins, and also the leader of the Kingdom of Ten, even if the other nine kingdoms would tell you they are a union and not one entity... Everyone knew who was holding the true power within their ranks.

  Still... for now, he was willing to py along. Even if it were war, what comes out of it... at least it would be the perfect proving ground for his children.

  When the reception was finally adjourned, Dermitos and Xendar stepped out onto the terrace overlooking the gardens below while Anya and her delegation were shown to their private courtyard.

  “Well,” Xendar muttered. “She hates you.”

  “Oh, without question,” Dermitos grunted, loosening his colr. “But I like her. She’s got cws... Too bad I am not a submissive little boy, or I would indeed take her as a concubine.”

  “That’s… not the point,” Xendar muttered, pursing his lips.

  “Isn’t it? I am to live with her for the rest of my life. I think it is about it... Heh... Besides…” he gnced sideways, catching the faint red on Xendar’s ears, “you like her too. You little bastard!”

  “What?!” Xendar stiffened. “Don’t be ridiculous! Are you drunk?! Again?!”

  “I saw your face, XenXen.” He grinned, beginning to tease him, "Oh man... You fell for her!"

  “Don’t call me that!”

  "Oh? You didn't rebuke it? Interesting!" Dermitos smirked. “Don’t worry, I don’t bme you... She’s magnificent. Great hips, perky breasts, and she can twist her bottom as she walks. Yum.”

  "Disgusting."

  "What? Are you into boys?" Dermitos gasped, making Xendar snort again.

  "I meant you, you fuckhead!"

  "Well, yeah, I am. Some girls love it." He nodded, keeping up his grin. "And I like THOSE girls... But... her? Nah. We aren't compatible. Plus, you do realize something, my friend… No? There’s something strange about this arrangement."

  "You mean?" Xendar asked, trying to calm down, "Besides that, Sentios's hand is in it for sure."

  "Mhm... I think she’s the bait, but I’m not sure what trap I’m supposed to step into...”

  "You mean, your brother's trap... no?"

  "Whatever he has, I don't think the Naulins would be foolish enough not to see or discover. No... They are just using him, in my opinion. Something else is at py here."

  “Then what do we do?” Xendar asked quietly, leaning against the marble railing.

  "Mhmhm..." Dermitos’s smile returned, zy-looking, but the more it was like that, the more it became dangerous. “Simple. If they meant to use her to bind me...” he looked up at the pace spires, glinting in the sun, “...then I’ll make sure she binds herself to someone else instead. Let someone else put his feet into the bear trap aimed at me.”

  "Who? Sentios?"

  "Huh?" Dermitos grimaced, looking at him like he asked if he was a boy or a girl. "You, you idiot. I can tell you want her. Have a go at it! Conquer her!"

  "..."

  "Come on!" Dermitos giggled, elbowing him, "Conquer the tiger... stick it in the crazy, you will love it!"

  "What the hell are you on about?!" Xendar yelled, almost jumping a meter in pce, turning bright red, "Did you lose your mind?!"

  "No, I am just about to find it." Dermitos continued, "It's perfect... The Naulins want a marriage, okay. What if we make it happen, but not to the right people? I don't care for her at all. And as a future Emperor, I could refuse it."

  "Isn't that what Sentios wants?" Xendar asked, rubbing his face, "So this thing falls through and he can bme you for it?"

  "Probably. But..." Dermitos smiled, leaning closer to Xendar. "What if this falls through because of the girl?" He whispered, "Then we have a proper way to bme the Naulins for the issues while showing how magnanimous we are for not pursuing it... I will even allow it!"

  "I don't get it..." Xendar whispered, making Dermitos stretch, his brain working in overdrive.

  "Me neither. I mean, not yet. But... I have a spark. Let me think about it... In the meantime, brush your teeth, XenXen. You need to up your lip service to conquer a girl like her!"