Rowena and Jess had just made it to their carriage when Gwen caught up, panting.

  “Wena, are you serious? What was that?” the Alavari stammered.

  “What was—Gwen, I don’t really have a choice here,” Rowena whispered.

  “You think tearing apart Lapanterian and Erisdalian relations will resolve this?” Gwen asked.

  Rowena was about to retort when Jess grabbed Gwen’s arm. “Both of you, in the carriage!” The trio bundled. Nary had the door closed when Jess turned to Gwen.

  “Gwen, do you not realize what Lapanteria has done to us? What they have implicitly threatened to do?”

  The Alavaria opened her mouth, closed it and winced. “Okay, it’s bad. It’s really bad, but Wena, you just pissed them off more. How’s that going to help things?”

  Rowena closed her eyes, burying her face in her hands. “I’m not sure.”

  The quiet gasps in the carriage lanced into her heart. Rowena peeked through her fingers, seeing how her friends were staring at her, eyes wide.

  “Wena, you had to have a reason for doing that,” Gwen said, her earlier acerbic tone quashed like a punctured waterskin.

  “I did, but the more I keep thinking about it, the more I am wondering if I said the right thing. Lapanteria—Alastor, I don’t think he understood how serious we take his marriage to Forlana as a threat. So, I decided to say anything and everything I could to make it clear to them that Erisdale would respond strongly. I didn’t want to threaten military action, but I wanted to make it clear our view of what they’ve done, while not saying anything I know my parents wouldn’t approve. That’s why I told him we won’t be honoring the extradition treaty. There are clear terms in there that indicate what occurs if one side breaks it. That’s why I told him what we would consider as a threat because I am almost certain my father and mother would agree with me on that.”

  The princess pressed her shaking hands together. Her thoughts whirling like a storm, flinging out flecks of ideas and concepts that she tried to latch onto but also let go.

  “I need to prevent a war. I need to make it clear that Lapanteria’s threatening it with their bid to possess a claim on Erisdale. I cannot let their challenge go unanswered, but…”

  Rowena looked up at Gwen, unable to hide the cold terror that squeezed her entire core and choked her, like Sylva’s spell so long ago. “Gwen, you’re right. I did escalate the situation! Lapanteria is no longer a cordial neighbours and I don’t know how what to do next! I came here to attend a wedding! Not to negotiate an entire kingdom out of a potential conflict!”

  Jess’ mouth was doing a fantastic imitation of a goldfish. As the carriage trundled on however, she shook her head as if shaking herself awake. “You looked so composed.”

  The princess sighed. “What was I supposed to do? Crumble and ask for mercy?” she asked.

  “Probably not,” Gwen said, massaging the bridge of her nose with her fingers, she slid over to sit next to her friend and wrapped her arms around her arm. “Wena, I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at Forlana and Alastor. I just wanted to know why you did what you did. I can see now you were thinking quickly and just did what you could do.”

  “Is that going to piss Queen Titania off?” Rowena asked.

  “Perhaps, but don’t worry about her. You have enough to be concerned about. I’ll make sure she knows that Lapanteria blindsided everybody,” said Gwen.

  Rowena nodded. “But am I right that she wouldn’t intervene in this? She won’t try to stop Lapanteria from going to war with us?”

  Gwen closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head. “Teutobal and I think that we need ot use our military if it comes to it. However, most in Alavaria, including Queen Titania are strongly against Alavaria going to war for any reason unless it’s our territory at stake. We’re tired, Wena. We are stil in debt and trying to upgrade the infrastructure that we left to rot during those years.”

  “Queen Titania would look to the side if Erisdale is annexed by Lapanteria?” Jess asked, voice rising.

  “She wouldn’t like it. She would harbor you if you are requesting asylum. She’d certainly not stop Frances from fighting on Erisdale’s side, and if Lapanteria tries to annex Erlenberg, she’d go to war, but Erisdale isn’t Alavari territory. Erisdale killed thousands of Alavari in the Great War, and Earl Darius supported experiments on Alavari that lived in Erisdale.”

  Jess shivered at that. Rowena reached out to squeeze her hand. “I’m so glad he’s not around,” Jess muttered.

  “He—Oh, Earl Darius. Right, he was your biological father,” said Gwen.

  Rowena nodded before suddenly frowning. “Hold on, Jess. Your mother, countess Janize, was Queen Janize before she abdicated. She abdicated specifically to my father and mother, and noone else.”

  Her girlfriend nodded. “That’s correct, but before you think that means you’re in the clear, I’m going to have to disappoint you. For all intents and purposes, you’re a new dynasty. Even if my mother did abdicate to your parents, and coronate them, Forlana technically does have a claim.”

  “How strong is it?” Rowena asked.

  “It’s actually quite weak, but marrying Alastor has made it threatening. He has royal blood, she’s descended from royalty, so their child will end up having that blood combine,” said Jess.

  “Blood is that important?” Rowena asked.

  Gwen met Rowena’s eye. “Blood is why rediscovering you was such an important victory for your parents, Wena. You are their firstborn child. If you’d had any children, they would have would have a greater claim than your brother’s.” The Alavari’s gaze switched, moving from Jess to Rowena, and back again. “This is why we may have an advantage. You two should not hide that you’re courting.”

  “Excuse me?” Jess squawked.

  “Jess, think about it. You’re a Princess of Erisdale, daughter of House Grey and the youngest legitimate member. Just showing that you’re courting Wena would send Forlana into a panic,” said Gwen.

  Rowena coughed into her fist and shook her head. “Gwen, I appreciate you’re trying to help, but I’m not using Jess to shore up my legitimacy.”

  The Alavari blinked and winced. “Sorry, that was going too far.”

  “It’s alright, we’re… we’re scrambling,” said Rowena, smiling at her friend. She turned her attention back to Jess, who was frowning. When she noticed Rowena, she smiled back.

  “Thanks, Wena. And… no offense taken Gwen. It’s not a bad idea,” she said.

  Rowena nodded. “I’ll call my parents when we get back. Hopefully they have some more.”

  ***

  Alone in her room, the guards outside and Jess cleaning up, Rowena pulled open her hand mirror and thought of the mirror in her parent’s room.

  After a few minutes of focus, a foggy image swam into view, coalescing until she could see her father’s tired visage. He was wearing a nightshirt, his hair a mess and she winced as she realized how late it was in Erisdale.

  “Dad? I’m sorry, but I needed to talk to you now.”

  Martin blinked and rubbed his eyes with his hands. “Rowena? What are you—Huh, okay it must be urgent if you’re calling us at this hour.”

  “I’m afraid so.” Rowena pursed her lips, having rehearsed in her mind what she would say to her parents. Yet, she still coudln’t quite believe what she was planning to say. Still, no point keeping her exhausted father waiting.

  “Dad, I’m recommending the army should go to Level Three Mobilization.”

  Martin’s eyes snapped open. As he smoothed his hair back with his hands, his exhaustion briefly vanished, replaced by a look of calculated urgency. “Level Three—that’s ordering every brigade to their assigned mobilization areas and having them prepare for mobilization or battle. What in Amura and Rathon’s name is going on?”

  Rowena took a breath and braced herself. “Veina, Prince Alastor’s bride-to-be, is Forlana Grey.”

  The King of Erisdale stared at the mirror, eyes wide, one hand holding onto his chin. “Excuse me?” he asked, voice coming out a combination of a hiss and gasp.

  “She’s been hiding in plain sight. During the wedding, they revealed her lineage and who she really was,” said Rowena.

  “What in the shit parade was she doing in Lapanteria?”

  “Securing an alliance, dad. Prince Regent Alastor marries a claimant to the Kingdom of Erisdale. She gets legitimacy through marrying a true royal. He gets—”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “A claim on Erisdale.”

  “Precisely. I’ve tried to make it clear to him this is a bad idea by telling him the extradition treaty is broken, that we see this as an attempt to annex our kingdom, and that we will take whatever action is necessary to protect ourselves. I’m not sure what else to do aside from try to talk to him and demand she renounce her claim. Can you try to reach King Sebastian? You fought alongside him.”

  “I’ll try but as you know, Alastor’s been serving as regent for years.”

  “I know, I’m sorry. I’m just desperate for anything at this point,” said Rowena.

  Martin blinked. He studied Rowena for a moment without saying anything, making her freeze. “Father?”

  “Rowena, I know this is an insane responsibility and situation and you’re doing your best to try to negotiate with Alastor. Please keep doing that. You’re right that ideally, we want Forlana to renounce her claim, but if she doesn’t, make it clear we will maintain our sovereignty with military force if necessary. To that end, do whatever you need to do, say whatever you think is right. You have my full support and permission to order anybody or requisition anything.”

  Rowena almost dropped the mirror as her fingers shook. She grabbed onto her wrist to steady herself. “Father, I… are you sure?”

  Martin smiled. “Rowena, your mother and I believe in you. We know you care for our kingdom and our subjects. We know you want to prevent war no matter what. So believe in yourself.”

  “I…thank you, dad,” she stammered.

  “And if you think you can’t stay there any longer, get the hell out of there,” said Martin.

  “Yes, father.” Rowena pursed her lips. “Can you let Frances know I need to talk to her to get the White Order and the Lightning Battalion involved? In the morning? At the 9th hour?”

  “Of course. Do you think I should mobilize further troops past Level 3?” Martin asked.

  “So long as we don’t start actively calling in reservists for the active brigades. If you want to start reactivating some of our reserve brigades, such as our artillery brigades, I think that would be appropriate. My hope is that Alastor will see us mobilizing and see that as signalling how willing we are to fight,” said Rowena

  “It’s a good idea. Where did you get it from?” Martin asked.

  “You actually. You mentioned that sometimes, standing one’s ground can catch someone off guard. From his reaction last night, I don’t think Alastor expects us to resist so strongly. We can’t declare war, but preparing to mobilize might surprise him and at the very least, buy us some time,” said Rowena.

  Her father nodded with understanding, before suddenly grinning and shaking his head. “See, you’re already making me proud.” He looked over her shoulder at probably her mother. “I have to go. Got some urgent orders to draft. Take care, my dear.”

  Rowena nodded, feeling her heart lighten just a little from her father’s confidence in her. “I will. Thank you dad.”

  ***

  Forlana’s eyes fluttered open and she grimaced at the arm around her waist. As gently as she could she lifted her new husband’s arm, wriggled to the edge of the bed and swapped it with her pillow.

  Alastor held onto the pillow, muttering to himself as he dreamt. Shaking her head, Forlana grabbed the anti-abrasion sock to pull over her leg’s stump, before strapping on her wooden prosthetic foot.

  She was soon exiting Alastor’s chambers, with him being none the wiser, shawl wrapped over a simple green gown. After cleaning up in her private bathroom, she strode out from her bedroom, ready to face the day.

  The Lapanterian Royal apartments were split between the King and Queen’s chambers. They had their own bathrooms, bedrooms and even servant wings, but they did share a private dining room which Forlana now sat down in. Servants drew the curtains open to let in fresh sunlight whilst a butler came to take her order.

  Being royalty did have its perks, and Forlana smiled beautifically as Jaimes poured her a glass of water. “I’m feeling a little tired from last night. Tea and something hearty for breakfast, please? No seafood. Some fresh fruit, please.”

  “Certainly, Your Highness.”

  “Thank you, Jaimes. Can you also summon Annie if she’s up? I would like to be briefed.”

  “Certainly, though, if I may be so bold, wouldn’t it be better for chief minister Duanoth to do so?” Jaimes asked.

  Forlana regarded the butler, her lips pursed. He man was experienced, his years reflected in his salt and pepper hair. Forlana liked Jaimes. He was professional, fast and attended to her every need. However, he was also her husband’s man, not hers.

  “Thank you, Jaimes, but I wouldn’t want to disturb the good minister so early in the morning,” Forlana said.

  “Of course,” said Jaimes, he bowed before leaving.

  Forlana sipped her water as the servants brought out hot tea. This was soon followed by a very Lapanterian-style breakfast Namely, beans baked in tomato sauce, thick-cut bacon and a kind of vegetable casserole made from shredded preserved cabbage and carrots. Sweet pastries were set to the side for her to finish after her main course.

  It was perhaps slightly disappointing that she wasn’t getting something more Erisdalian in style. She’d kill for a roasted dale-brick, or maybe even the poutine that had become more popular of late.

  Even so, it was delicious and she’d soon cleared her plate and was picking out a pastry. A shortbread with cream and a peach on top was her first choice as Annie walked in.

  Her longtime maidservant, now in a court lady’s fine dress curtsied, smiling. “Your Highness, congratulations. Your wedding is the talk of the Sunflower Court.”

  “They’re happy with it I hope?” Forlana asked. Annie was smiling, but her hands were clasped very carefully over her blue dress.

  “Quite a few are a bit relieved. Knowing that their prince is marrying someone of noble blood has made them less apprehensive,” said Annie.

  “Even if I am descended from an illegitimate child?” Forlana asked.

  Annie shook her head. “The warhawks and Alastor’s supporters are glad that they have another bargaining chip against Erisdale.” The blonde woman pursed her lips. “However, there are some who are concerned, not about your marriage precisely, but at Erisdale’s response.”

  Forlana rolled her eyes and took a bite from her pastry. “Princess Forowena’s tantrum was perhaps inevitable. I do think it was unfortunate and somewhat unexpected, but everybody knew that there would be some diplomatic consequences. So long as our long term goals remain on track, it shouldn’t be an issue.”

  Her maidservant blinked. “Your Highness, if I may, why do you see Princess Forowena’s response as a tantrum?”

  Forlana paused before turning to Annie, eyes narrowed. Her maidservant looked strangely worried. “Princess Forowena can’t change anything. My claim to the throne of Erisdale is stronger than it has ever been and now I have the force to back it up when I wish to press it. They can rant or rave all they want, but what can they threaten Lapanteria with?”

  Annie swallowed. “That’s the thing, Your Highness, Erisdale is making moves.”

  “What kind of moves?” a booming voice echoed as Alastor strode in, wearing but trousers, bedshirt and bathrobes wrapped around himself.

  Forlana rose and bowed to him. “Good morning, husband.”

  “Good morning, wife! Just give me some pastries, Jaimes, and coffee,” said Alastor. He kissed Forlana’s cheek as he passed and she did his, though more gently. The prince smirked and sauntered over to the chair across from Forlana and sprawled out across it. “What’s this about Erisdale making moves and why aren’t you getting a report from Chief Minister Duanoth?”

  “I figured I’d rather not wake him, dear husband. Besides, Annie can be trusted. She’s served me for a very long time.”

  The prince looked over Annie, his dark brown eyes searching, wandering over every inch of clothing and skin. “Pretty little thing are you?”

  “Alastor, you do recall our agreement, do you?” Forlana asked in a sing-song voice, her back perfectly straight and her gaze levelled at Alastor.

  “Oh, of course. That is, unless you are interested in some fun time, Annie?” Alastor asked.

  Annie swallowed and tilted her chin up. “I apologize, Your Highness, but I prefer the company of women.”

  “Oh, how unnatural, but you are Erisdalian after all I suppose,” said Alastor. He blew on his cup of coffee, dumped a small pitcher of milk into it, followed by ten sugar cubes, before taking a long draught. “So, what did your lady-in-waiting have to say before I made my entrance. Don’t stop on my account.”

  “Erisdale delivered a statement to our embassy this morning indicating their displeasure with the wedding and for failing to arrest Lady Forowena as per the extradition treaty. They also advised us they see this marriage as a threat to the kingdom and will do whatever they need to do to protect their territory and citizens. King Martin and Ginger also advised us that the kingdom has moved to Level Three mobilization.”

  Forlana flinched, failing to suppress her emotions as she crushed the custard fruit tart that she was taking a bite out of.

  “Level Three mobilization? Are they serious? They—Oh damn, she wasn’t just saying that for effect,” Forlana stammered.

  Alastor, smile gone, arched an eyebrow. “Hold on, Level Three mobilization?” he asked.

  Forlana hid her surprise by cleaning up her hands and studiously not looking at her husband. That he didn’t know Erisdale’s mobilization system astounded her. Instead, she glanced at Annie and made a near-imperceptible nod.

  Her lady-in-waiting took a breath. “King Martin and Queen Ginger’s Erisdale restructured their military after the Great War. It now has fifteen combat “brigades” between one-thousand to two-thousand strong, interspersed throughout the kingdom. These are made up of permanent, full-time soldiers.”

  “So like our Royal Regiments,” said Alastor. “How is this unusual?” the prince asked.

  Forlana swallowed tart into her mouth. “The composition of Erisdale’s brigades are different. Lapanteria’s Royal Regiments are part of a single army, the Grand Legion of Lapanteria and generally are concentrated in our core provinces. Erisdale’s brigades are dispersed throughout the kingdom, with every one of them equipped with horses that can carry the entire brigade, assigned mages, horse-drawn artillery, and logistics personnel, means that they can operate independently.”

  Alastor drummed his fingers on the table. “Huh, they’re all modelled on the Lightning Battalion’s original mobility tactics.”

  Forlana nodded, glad her husband was following and yet, still baffled as to why he didn’t know this in the first place. She glanced at Annie, who said, “The brigades can concentrate at a point to form an army, or they can mobilize according to four different mobilization levels.”

  “Mobilization levels? This is quite complicated isn’t it?” Alastor muttered.

  Annie swallowed. “If Erisdale fully mobilizes, that is, mobiliation Level One, the brigades absorb reservists at their staging areas and begin conducting bombat operations. They quadruple in size as musketeers and light infantry combine. What was a small brigade becomes a very large brigade with all supporting components.”

  Alastor had been half paying attention as he ate his breakfast, but as he listened, he suddenly looked up. “Isn’t that 60,000 troops?”

  Forlana nodded. “And that’s their immediate reserves tied to the brigades. Erisdale has equipment and reservists to reactivate a number of brigades. Fifteen more to make their army—”

  “You’re telling me Erisdale can mobilize 120,000 soldiers?”

  “With contingencies for a long war,” said Annie.

  The prince glanced between the two women. “You must have your numbers wrong. They couldn’t mobilize more than two armies of less than twenty-thousand during the war.”

  Forlana let out a sigh. “It’s been sixteen years since the war and back then, the nobles divided up the forces amidst their own levies, many of which were held back. Martin and Ginger have done away with that. The army is under centralized command, like ours, but to an even more extreme state. It’s why we never attempted to raise a rebel army to take the throne. To do so would wipe us out.”

  Alastor wiped his lips and threw his handkerchief on the floor, his eyes blazing with fury. “How the hell did they justify it? Even monarchs have certain limits to their power. Their nobles would riot.”

  Forlana froze, her stomach suddenly churning as she realized something deeply uncomfortable.

  “I don’t know,” she said, her eyes briefly downcast. Taking a breath, she met Alastor’s eyes. “In any case, Level Three Mobilization means that their brigades have moved to set staging areas, prepared to either receive an attack from Erisdale’s enemies or to absorb reservists. Equipment is to be checked, reservist lists to be updated and confirmed and all leave is cancelled. It’s the preparatory step to Level Two, all active brigades absorb their assigned reservists and consolidate, followed by Level One, all brigades to be reactivated and begin conducting combat operations. This is a signal to us. They will fight and are prepared to do so.”

  Alastor braced himself against the table, brow furrowed. “Which means it’s now our move.”

  Forlana forced herself to take a sip of tea, but the hot liquid brought her no relief. “Precisely, husband.”

  ***

  Author's Note: There may be a delay for the next chapter as I'm so behind on edits on book 4 I really need to devote some serious time to it or else I will not be able to publish it before March of 2026

  The slightly annoying matter is the series is finished, but editing is such a chore that it takes three times as long as writing. A lot of it is the drudgery of reviewing the line by line and ensuring that everything sounds right. You wouldn't actually notice it... until you do notice it and well, if I'm going to put something up for publishing, I want to make sure it's a good product

  I am deeply sorry about the delay. I am constantly working on it, it's just taking time.