Chapter Seven: Desicions

*The next day*

Sage, was dressed in a loose fitting teal gown with no sleeves. The cutting revealed her collar bones.

She sat by the balcony, as she enjoyed the morning sun light sipping her tea.

-Thud-

"Sage!" A loud voice called out.

Looking undisturbed, Sage asked, "What is it Kaius?"

Kaius Arien Argent, the second born son of the Argent family.

"I came to keep you company. It must be boring staying inside for so long," Kaius huffed as he sat on the window sill.

"Its manageable. I only have to stay in here for five more days," Sage nonchalantly quipped as she stirred her tea.

With a gentle smile, Sage asked, "How's sword practice?"

With an enthusiastic grin, Kiaus recounted how it had been since she fainted.

The morning sun gradually rose to the middle of the sky as the two siblings bonded.

***Training grounds***

Sounds clash together as the Knights practice. By the dummy stands, two new knights could be seen talking.

"Hey James,"

"What?" James blandly responded.

"There is rumour going around these days. Is it true."

"What rumours are you talking about Kevin?" James asked as he sharpened his sword.

Coming closer to James, Kevin whispered, "Lady Argent might be awake--"

"What are you two talking about?" A rough voice questioned.

Both swiftly turned to face the voice as they greeted, "Good day Captain Gage!"

Nodding his head back in greeting, he asked again, "What were you two talking about?"

Cold sweat dropped down their backs. Then they heard a sigh.

A soothing, calm voice rang, "Stop intimidating them. You may go, but don't let me catch you two slacking,"

James and Kevin: "Yes Sir!"

With that, both ran away as if a lion was after them.

'Thank you Captain!' Both thought as they continued running.

Scratching his orange-coloured hair, Gage asked, "Was I scary?"

"With the way you carry yourself, yes."

"You don't have to be so mean, Zephyr,"

With an impassive expression, Zephyr questioned, "Where is Kaius?"

Wiping away his non-existent tears, Gage replied, "Oh, he hasn't been here since morning,"

"I think I know where he is,"

***Sage's room***

"And last month I won the knight battle,"

Sage listened with no impatience on her face as Kiaus kept on and on about the events that transpired from the time she fainted.

-Whish-

"Kiaus!"

Kiaus froze upon hearing his older brothers voice. "Oh-oh,"

"I thought we agreed not to bother Sage!"

"We did, but-"

His sentence was cut off by Zephyr stern glare. Clearing her throat, Sage said, "Well good day to you too elder brother."

Zephyr stern glare quickly morphed into a gentle smile.

"How are you feeling? Did Kiaus bother you?"

With a hurt expression Kiaus complained to Sage, "See, I told he has no trust for me,"

Smiling softly, Sage continued, "So you rather let me stay in my room all alone? At least Kiaus visited, neither you nor Mother or Father visited,"

Zephyr facial expression froze. With her hand in her cheek and one eye opened she continued, "Now you are scolding Kiaus for visiting me? I guess you want me to die alone."

Kiaus held his laughter as he pushed Zephyr away, and hugged his little sister. Saying words like: See only I carere about you, brother is so mean and the like.

Zephyr regained his composure before saying. "Yes, it's our fault. I'm sorry."

Pushing Kiaus away, Sage said, "The past is in the past,"

Kiaus pouted realising the drama was over.

"Why did you not go for training?"

Kiaus' face froze. Mechanically turning his head, he stuttered an answer, "Eh... eh...,"

"You don't even have a responsible excuse,"

"Is seeing my little not a good enough excuse?!"

Both then proceeded to quarrel. Sage watched with a gentle smile on her face, with occasional giggles coming out.

***

A carriage, adorned with intricate designs and a hint of dust from the long journey, rattled along the winding road. The outskirts of the Empire gave way to rolling hills and verdant forests, with the palace's towering spires visible in the distance.

The driver, a grizzled veteran with a keen eye, navigated the carriage through the winding roads, his hands moving with a practiced ease.

Inside the carriage, a lone figure gazed out the window, lost in thought.

"Hey, Liam. Why are we coming to the Aethoria Empire?" A man also covered in a cloak asked as he hang head first with his upper boy in the carriage and his lower body ontop of the carriage.

Gold-colured eyes peeped out of the cloak. "Be patient. You'll know when we arrive,"

The man's voice was deep and soothing, but it caused a chill to run up the hanging mans spine.

The hanging man's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze fixed on Liam's cloaked figure. "You're enjoying this, aren't you? Keeping me in the dark, I mean." His voice was laced with a hint of sarcasm and a touch of unease.

Liam's response was a low, enigmatic chuckle. "Let's just say, our destination requires a certain... secrecy. You'll understand soon enough."

The carriage hit a bump, causing the hanging man to grimace as his body jolted. "Easy for you to say, Liam. You're not the one who has to sit on the roof of the carriage, dealing with harsh winds and bumpy roads."

"You could simply enter the carriage Rain," Liam quipped as his golden eyes looked forward.

Shivering, Rain quickly added, "Its fine up here,"

Then he sat back up on the carriage roof top as he held his chest and whispered, "I would like to see the next day,"

**An hour later**

The carriage finally arrived in the palace. Groaning, Rain lept off the roof of the carriage as he rubbed his aching bum.

The carriage door opened, as Liam tall figure came out. He removed the hood of the cloak from his head.

This caused the sunlight to hit his Prussian blue-coloured hair.

Liam's striking features and Prussian blue hair seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, drawing the attention of the palace guards and servants.

His piercing golden eyes scanned the surroundings, his gaze lingering on the intricate architecture and lush gardens.

Rain, still rubbing his sore bottom, looked around with his eyes wide in wonder. "By the gods, Liam... This place is incredible!"

"Stop acting childish,"

Rain pouted as he made fun of Liam behind his back.

As they stepped onto the palace grounds, a dignified figure emerged from the entrance, flanked by two imposing guards. "Welcome, Your Royal Highness, Alexander Liam Zenith. His Imperial Majesty has been expecting you."

Liam's expression remained serene, but a hint of amusement played on his lips as he acknowledged the dignitary's greeting. "Duke Martin, always a pleasure. I see you've been well."

Rain's eyes widened further, his whisper barely audible. "Your Royal Highness?! Alexander Liam Zenith?! Liam, you're a Prince?!"

Liam's gaze flicked to Rain, a subtle warning in his eyes. "Later, Rain."

Duke Martin's expression turned serious. "Indeed, Your Royal Highness. The Emperor awaits your presence. Shall we proceed?"

With a brief nod, they marched on.

"I thought you were some rich noble," Rain whispered.

"I never said anything, so you jumping to conclusions is your fault," looking around he continued. "Plus I hired you, knowing you knew nothing,"

Liam's subtle smile hinted at a larger story, his eyes gleaming with a knowing intensity. "Appearances can be deceiving."

As they walked, the palace's opulent decorations and intricate tapestries seemed to whisper secrets of their own. Rain's curiosity was palpable, his eyes darting between Liam and the grand surroundings.

Duke Martin led them to a grand throne room, where the Emperor sat, his presence commanding attention. "Ah, Prince Alexander Liam Zenith. Welcome. I trust your journey was... enlightening?"

"It truly was Emperor Argent,"

Emperor Argent's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing. "I'm glad to hear that, Prince Alexander. I trust you've come to a realization about your..."

Liam's expression remained calm, but a hint of tension seemed to simmer beneath the surface. "Indeed, Your Majesty. I've come to an understanding."

The Emperor's gaze lingered on Liam, as if searching for any sign of deception. "Very well. I suppose you're aware of the decision your father, Emperor Zenith, made?"

Rain's eyes widened, his curiosity piqued. "Decision? What decision?"

Liam's gaze flicked to Rain, a subtle warning to remain silent. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'm aware."

"So what is your stand in the upcoming war?"

Rain's eyes widened in terror and disbelief.

Remaing silent for a while, Liam finally spoke, "I hope my people will not suffer any longer during and after the war,"

Laughing brightly, The Emperor promised, "You have my word,"