Reconciliation

King Hans was scratching his head at the letter that had just arrived through a messenger from the Kingdom of Blau. Apparently, Elios his half brother was seeking an audience with him. It had been five years since he had heard from him and while he was more than happy to receive his half brother back in the Kingdom of Rubicund. Part of him contemplated the underlying reasons his half brother would want to return, since he had abruptly left him. Time had bestowed his half brother the ability to gain wealth and his feats as a merchant of fabric and fine cloth were impressive.

"Everything well with you my King?" asked Queen Elesha as she wrapped her hands from behind around his neck.

"Elios, arrives today in the evening, he comes with the woman whom I had taken as a concubine. I'm not sure how to respond," he added with uncertainty in his tone.

"He is your brother, I'm sure past grievances aside he can still be considered an ally and not a foe."

"I can never tell with him," King Hans replied wearily.

"He is naturally in your favour as he was aligned with the Kingdom of Weiss when he took my concubine," he uttered annoyed with his queen all of a sudden.

"That was not the reason I said what I said, Hans," replied Queen Elesha softly.

"I suppose I can look forward to his appearance at court since we are at peace," said King Hans entwining his fingers with hers.

"It would be nice to meet a close relative of yours. As I only met distant ones at our wedding. Shall I prepare tea in the royal parlour?"

"You, may do as you like my queen."

As preparations were made in haste for the arrival of Prince Elios of the Kingdom of Rubicund. Queen Elesha found herself wondering how to go about this new turn of events as she now only had realised what it meant when her husband had said Elios had aligned himself with The Kingdom of Weiss. Was he still considered a traitor to his country or was he an ally to her kingdom, she was not sure. She hoped to follow her husband's cue in the matter of how she should treat him.

Prince Elios arrived at sunset, and tea was served in the parlour. Queen Elesha accompanied her husband as they both entered the parlour together.

"Your Majesty, may I present my wife Lady Lystra and my son Caldus."

"Pleasure to see you again brother, Lystra and Caldus welcome home," replied King Hans friendly.

"This is Queen Elesha Annette Wright of the Kingdom of Rubicund and former princess of the Kingdom of Weiss."

"I had heard news of your marriage brother and you haven't heartiest congratulations and apologies that it is long overdue," said Prince Elios making a bow towards them both.

"You are in luck you are not considered a traitor in these times brother considering my new marriage," commented King Hans with a warning note in his voice.

"I do beg your forgiveness and your pardon brother as I did what believed was best at that time as well. I fell in love with Lystra and she was being surrounded by an army from Weiss, I acted as soon as I could."

"Under those circumstances my brother you are forgiven and you have my blessings."

"I thank you for mercy, brother I do not take what you have given me lightly," said Prince Elios kneeling on the floor in front of his brother to show his submission.

King Hans took his brother's hand and lifted him up, saying "I hear you have done well for yourself, come let us have something to eat and drink, I know it's only tea time but I'm famished."

"I thought it was only moments ago that you had lunch," commented Queen Elesha. "Nevertheless it is good thing I brought my baker along with me she makes such fine bread and pastries, come let us eat."

The table was filled with all sorts of pastries from sweet and fruity to savoury and salty. Wine and tea was served so the guests had more to taste what was laid out before them.

"This is some fine wine, I missed the wines here, as I think we grow much finer crops than that of Blau" commented Lady Lystra to Queen Elesha.

"I believe I must agree with you, it tastes better her than it does in Weiss."

"Do you miss home, Your Majesty?"

"Not really, I suppose I'm adapting well here."

"That is good to hear Your Majesty."

"Please, Elesha will do just fine we are related through marriage after all."

"If you insist so, Elesha. Caldus, that is enough of sweet bread, you may take more savory buns," ordered Lady Lystra noticing that her son had eaten far too much of the sweet breads.

"Brother I must ask why the sudden visit?"

"Curious as ever, Hans", commented Elios.

"I wanted to set things right between you and I. I was not happy with the way I left Rubicund. I brought you gifts brother for you and your new wife, some of the finest silks and satins for your use."

"Thank you, Elios."

"I must say, if father and mother were still around they would have been very proud and happy for you. Marrying for the sake of peace and uniting the kingdoms, not an easy feat but for my brother Hans, not an impossibility either."

"You sing praises brother, but I have much yet to solve and settle between our kingdoms."

"All in due time brother, at least the war is over and peace reigns."

"Indeed, my brother, we have to thank God for that."