20: Meeting for Alliance
It's the day when Arcadia will arrive. It's already the first day of Bluebell, the Pisces's last day was yesterday, however, I understand that we're both busy so Zairo was not able to fulfill his promise of giving me a surprise. I didn't look forward to it that much either after the tragedy that happened in one of the villages of Astrae.
"Greetings to the glistening moonlight of Astrae." They greeted as I arrived
I'm referred to as the glistening moonlight of Astrae as I am a queen regnant, I inherited the throne on my own right. While Katrina is a Queen consort so she did not have a title like me, however, she could have been the Queen Mother for being the Queen dowager and being my 'mother'.
"Good morning, Lord Valdez, Lord Mares, Mr. Marco." I greeted them and they sat
"It's a good thing that you have managed to take a time off your schedules to attend this meeting." I said
"It's an honor to be chosen to attend a meeting for alliance with her majesty, your majesty." Lord Mares said and I took a cup of tea and sip from it silently
I gently placed the cup and it's saucer on the table when I heard the door opening.
"The king of Arcadia has arrived." We all stood up and faced the door
"Greeting to the glistening moonlight of Astrae," Zairo said and bowed along with his knights and council members
"Greetings to the shining sun of Arcadia," I replied and curtsied in return
He stood up and I stood up.
"Please take a seat, your majesty." I said and he sat on the chair across me
"Thank you for your time, your majesty." He replied
"These are three of my kingdom's council members, Lord Parish, Lord Furans and Lord Brochette." He introduced his council member
"These are three of my council members, Lord Valdez, Lord Mares, and Mr. Marco." I introduced them
After the introduction, we started our meeting about alliance and the problems that we are facing. Zairo and I took turns in explaining to our council members the situation of the villages that we had seen and its effects to our respective kingdoms.
"We have been informed that the Arcadia had starting it's innovation and improvement in their technology, so I'd like to ask, if her majesty will allow, that Arcadia and Astrae were to exchange goods, your invention in exchange of our goods." Lord Mares said
"We're very pleased to exchange goods, Lord Mares, as Arcadia is currently having a problem with our crops because of the recent massacre." Zairo said
"The recent massacre really did affect our kingdoms," I agreed
The village that was massacred is no simple village to Astrae, it's the main source of our wool and cotton. It seems that whoever is behind the massacres studied our kingdoms very well to make sure that their attacks affect us greatly and we could not set it aside. As for Arcadia, the village massacred was their main source of wheat and corn.
"I agree with Lord Mares, her majesty had suggested that we form an alliance with Arcadia as they are a greater ally than foe." Lord Valdez said
"I'd like to say the same, Astrae has the goods that are scarce in Arcadia so forming an alliance will be beneficial to both kingdoms." Lord Parish agreed
"Don't be too obvious, Patrice, you're smiling to widely." Zairo said using the communicator
'Sorry, I got too excited, I didn't think it'd be this easy.' I apologized
"Then, shall we now sign the agreement?" Zairo asked
"The decision lies to her majesty," Lord Mares said and looked at me
"What is your decision, your majesty?" Lord Valdez asked
"Does everyone in the room agree? I'd like to hear all your opinions before I say my decision." I said
"At a time where we are facing the same faceless enemy, it's better that we join together in an alliance to defend our kingdoms." Lord Furans said
"They say two head work better than one, what else is stronger than what two kingdoms can do against one enemy. Astrae and Arcadia will make a good team." Lord Brochette agreed
"Mr. Marco, do you have any opinion about the matter?" Zairo asked the only one who belong to the opposing faction in this meeting
I can already hear him complaining in his head about us ganging up on him.
"I see the relevance of the alliance, it is indeed beneficial to both kingdoms." He replied
"Then, it is settled, we'll sign the agreement of alliance, a peace treaty between Arcadia and Astrae." I said and we exchanged our agreement papers
Astrae has a traditional format of how our alliance agreement are written so it had been prepared beforehand, even if I wasn't sure the meeting will go with our favor.
"Our council members will be our witnesses." Zairo said and I nodded
I gave the agreement paper to Lord Valdez first then he gave it to Lord Mares, then to Mr. Marco before handing it to me. I signed it and I gave it to Zairo who gave it to Lord Parish first, then to Lord Furans and lastly to Lord Brochette before Zairo signed it.
"I'm pleased that we have ended the day as allies, Queen Patrice." Zairo said and stood up before offering his hand
"Likewise, King Zachary, I look forward to the prosperity of our kingdoms because of this alliance." I replied and accepted his hand for a handshake
"Please stay for lunch, we had asked the chefs to prepare the best delicacies of Astrae." Lord Mares said and I nodded
"Thank you for your hospitality, your majesty." Lord Furans said
"Let's head to the dining hall." I said and we lead the way to the Dining Hall
I sat on the left side with Lord Valdez, Lord Mares and Mr. Marco respectively while he sat across me with Lord Parish, Lord Brochette and Lord Furans respectively.
We started eating after the servants placed all the food on the table. Eating a meal with seven other people in this table somehow made the feeling of emptiness disappear from my heart, I guess I really should start eating in a smaller table from now on.
"Thank you for this generosity, your majesty." Lord Brochette said
"Oh, this is only appropriate for an allied visitor to be treated with hospitality." I replied
While eating, I noticed that Lord Valdez and Lord Mares got along with Lord Brochette and Lord Parish quite well.
"King Zachary, would you mind me asking a quite personal question?" Mr. Marco suddenly asked
"I'd like to hear your question, Mr. Marco." Zairo replied with a smile
"The Lady Trinity had once told us that you have special feelings for our queen, the Queen Avery, is it true?" I looked at Mr. Marco because of his question
That Trinity Ezra really doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut, she's lucky I'm not stooping down her level and tell everyone about her nasty secret.
I looked at Zairo when I heard him chuckling. He smiled at me before looking at everyone in the table.
"Special feelings you asked, Mr. Marco? I honestly find your queen amusing and admirable." He answered
"Specifically speaking, I am amused with how strong her resolves are, she can rule without a king by her side. I admire how wide her vision is, she sees her subjects as they are, her people, people she must protect." He said and I stopped myself from smiling
I'm not sure if he's still answering the question or he's already indirectly complimenting and boosting my confidence.
"Then, are you perhaps, considering marrying the Queen of Astrae, your majesty?" I looked at Lord Furans because of his question
What? Oh damn, don't tell me they'll mistaken the true purpose of this alliance.
"Our alliance could be the bridge to a deeper connection, King Zachary, and marrying our queen could establish a stable relationship between Arcadia and Astrae." Lord Mares said and Zairo nodded
"That's true however I honestly still have no plans of marriage." He answered
"How about you, Queen Avery, are you considering the idea of marrying the King of Arcadia?" Mr. Marco asked
"I also have no plans of marriage yet, not just because I am still seventeen but also because I still haven't fulfilled my goals." I answered
I think our lives and plan had revolved around this alliance and peace we had always wanted because I honestly don't have any other plans in life apart from improving Astrae's economy and the people's lives.
After the lunch, the Lord Valdez and Lord Mares invited them, after receiving my permission, to tour around the kingdom to see the beauty of Astrae.