Chapter 9

In the grand throne room of Eldoria, the king presided over a gathering of his highest advisors and nobles, the mood tense as they awaited the meeting's purpose. At the table's edge stood the royal advisor from Elkodia, who had personally delivered a letter from the King of Elkodia himself. The Elkodian crest was stamped prominently on the seal, signifying not only its authority but also the deep-rooted alliance the kingdoms had promised each other many years ago.

Clearing his throat, the king addressed the room. "I've called this council to discuss a proposal received from Elkodia," he announced, holding up the letter. "It is not merely a diplomatic dispatch but a significant request from the king himself." He broke the seal and unfolded the letter, his gaze sweeping the room as he read.

Letter from King Alexander III of Elkodia to King Henry of Eldoria

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Your Majesty, King Henry of Eldoria,

In the spirit of our enduring alliance and in remembrance of the times when our lands were divided by conflict, I write to you not only as a fellow sovereign but as a trusted ally. Our two kingdoms have shared a bond forged in both blood and resilience—a promise to forever uphold peace, to protect our peoples, and to stand united against any threat that may arise. It was from the ashes of war, in those days of grief and hardship, that our forefathers swore an oath to unify our realms for the generations to come.

As you may recall, the agreement struck in the aftermath of that war dictated a path toward union: a marriage between the heirs of Eldoria and Elkodia, which would mark the ultimate union of our two realms as one sovereign kingdom. Now, after many years, the time has come for us to fulfill that promise. With this letter, I formally propose the marriage of my son, Prince Alexus, to your daughter, Princess Samantha.

To honor the alliance, Princess Samantha is granted one year to remain in Eldoria before moving to Elkodia. This time will allow her to grow comfortable with the arrangement, experience life as both a princess and future queen, and to come to know my son with familiarity and ease. I believe this period will encourage the respect and understanding that form the foundations of true unity.

However, I must remind you, as per the terms set in that ancient treaty, should this union not take place by the end of that period, Eldoria will legally come under the rule of Elkodia, regardless of circumstance. This clause was established as a guarantee of the alliance, marking that if the union of our kingdoms by marriage fails, the realms will be joined in another manner. It is my sincerest hope, however, that the spirit of the agreement, a union born out of mutual respect, will come to fruition through marriage, as was envisioned by our forefathers.

Upon their marriage, Eldoria and Elkodia will be bound as one, united as a singular kingdom. Our people will stand together, uplifted and protected, for our bond will no longer be of necessity alone but of choice and kinship.

I await your response with the greatest respect and trust, dear friend and ally. May this letter bring our kingdoms closer to the future envisioned by our ancestors, and may this union usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for our people.

With all my respect and allegiance,

King Alexander III of Elkodia

"The King of Elkodia proposes a marriage between his son, Prince Alexus, and my daughter, Princess Samantha," the king continued, his voice even but firm. The proposal was unexpected yet rooted in tradition. Decades ago, the two kingdoms had vowed an alliance through marriage—a pledge made before the prince and princess were born, to ensure lasting peace between their lands. And now, it seemed, Elkodia's king sought to fulfill that promise.

The Elkodian advisor stepped forward, offering a respectful bow. "This proposal is a sincere extension of Elkodia's commitment to the alliance, Your Majesty. The King of Elkodia feels that uniting our families through marriage would be a fitting culmination of the bond we have nurtured over the years."

One of Eldoria's councilors, shifting forward in his seat, raised a question. "Sire, does Prince Alexus himself support this proposal? Has he expressed any particular feelings toward our princess?"

The Elkodian advisor cleared his throat, his tone diplomatic. "Prince Alexus remains unaware of the proposal's content at present. The king believed it best to consult with you first and, with your approval, will discuss it further with his son."

The King of Eldoria nodded thoughtfully. "Our kingdoms have indeed upheld a long alliance, and a union between Samantha and Alexus would strengthen it further." Yet, the king's expression softened as he glanced toward his advisors. "But I must also consider my daughter's wishes in this matter. Samantha's heart is her own, and I won't proceed without her consent."

Another advisor spoke up. "This marriage could bring great benefits to Eldoria, but Princess Samantha's agreement should be prioritized. If she has no inclination toward the prince, we must respect her stance."

The King of Eldoria inclined his head in agreement. "I will speak to my daughter on this matter and seek her thoughts before any decision is made. The bonds of alliance are vital, but my daughter's happiness remains paramount."

The council nodded in agreement, and the king carefully refolded the letter, the proposal weighing heavily on his mind. For while this marriage could fulfill a long-standing promise, he also understood that it must be one freely chosen if it were to bring true peace to both realms.

Lord Thorne, the kingdom's seasoned military leader, broke the silence, his voice laced with indignation. "This is an insult to our kingdom's strength. A marriage to avoid annexation? The insinuation is that we're incapable of defending ourselves! Have we not proven our might on the battlefield time and again? Elkodia's 'friendly' terms imply they believe us incapable of independence."

The queen's sister, Lady Celeste, nodded in agreement, her eyes flashing with disdain. "Indeed, my lord. And what of Princess Samantha's autonomy? To expect her to leave her home, to be bound by a foreign alliance crafted before her birth—it is archaic. We are a proud kingdom, not a bargaining piece."

Lord Asher, the royal advisor, leaned forward, fingers steepled. "Yet, Elkodia is our largest ally. The war that nearly destroyed us all forged this agreement, and Alexander knows the price we paid in that conflict. But Lady Celeste is correct; the terms are harsh, and it's no small thing for the princess to marry, let alone live in a foreign land."

Lord Thorne's hand came down on the table with a heavy thud. "What price, then, do we place on our pride? I refuse to see our kingdom's freedom traded away as if we're defenseless."

The room broke into murmurs, each voice contributing to the growing debate. Just as the tension reached its peak, Queen Isolde rose from her seat, silencing the council. Her gaze swept across the room, a calm authority silencing the murmurs.

"We all know what's at stake," she said firmly, her voice commanding yet measured. "You forget, my lords and ladies, this alliance was forged for a reason. The price of breaking it is far higher than our pride. We could face ruin and loss beyond measure, with our people paying the cost."

The council sat in stunned silence, each member turning their thoughts over as they faced the gravity of her words. Queen Isolde's expression softened but remained resolute. "We have no choice. This union will keep our kingdom safe, our people protected. We must set aside personal feelings, pride, and even heartache. Eldoria's survival demands it."

Lord Thorne clenched his jaw, but he nodded reluctantly, understanding the weight of her words. Lady Celeste looked away, her hands balled tightly in her lap.

Queen Isolde returned to her seat, the decision clear. Eldoria would honor the agreement.

The queen's voice, calm yet unwavering, echoed through the council chambers. "Our council, this matter is not to be taken lightly. The letter was brought to us by Prince Alexus himself. He was sent not only to deliver this message but to begin forging a bond with our princess, Samantha. I have sent them on a tour around Eldoria today, to join in the festival's festivities. With any fortune, love will blossom between them."

She paused, her gaze meeting each council member, a reminder of their duty not only to the kingdom but to its future. "As members of the council, we must think about what is best for Eldoria, above personal pride or misgivings. And as a mother…" Her voice softened, revealing a rare moment of vulnerability before she steadied herself once more. "As a mother, I have considered what is best for my daughter. This marriage, though binding, may offer her a chance for happiness, as well as security for our people."

The council members exchanged glances, the weight of the queen's words settling over them. Lord Thorne still wore a frown, though his resistance had softened. Lady Celeste, conflicted, held her peace, yet the reluctance in her eyes was clear.

Finally, Lord Asher nodded in solemn agreement. "Your Majesty speaks wisely. For the good of Eldoria, we must all place our hopes in this union."

The queen inclined her head, a slight smile of gratitude passing her lips. She understood their doubts, yet her duty to her kingdom and daughter outweighed them all.

The king rose, his voice firm and final. "Council, we have reached an agreement. The marriage between Prince Alexus and Princess Samantha will take place in the coming year." His gaze swept across the room, capturing the attention of every council member. "This alliance will seal the future of our kingdom."

He nodded, signaling that the council was dismissed. "You may now take your leave."

As the council members exited the throne room, discussions sparked immediately in the grand hall. Lord Thorne, his face stern, muttered to those near him, "A forced alliance undermines our kingdom's strength. This marriage isn't necessary to secure Eldoria's future."

Lady Caleste, the queen's sister, voiced her own discontent. "I understand tradition, but what if Samantha's happiness is sacrificed? Such decisions are not so lightly made."

Others, however, expressed cautious optimism. Lord Harland, a longstanding advisor, remarked, "This union could bring peace for generations. Elkodia is powerful. We may benefit more than we lose."

The council members' voices filled the hall, some passionately debating the implications of the marriage, others quietly contemplating. Yet, amidst the divided opinions, the queen's words resonated—this was not just a strategic decision, but one for the good of Eldoria's future.

After the council meeting, the king signaled to his advisor to follow him to the library. Walking through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, their footsteps echoed in the stillness, each man lost in his own thoughts. The weight of the decision they had just finalized hung heavily between them.

Upon entering the library, King Henry closed the door behind them and moved toward a shelf lined with ancient tomes. The royal advisor watched him carefully, knowing that the king's mind was still occupied with the implications of the alliance.

The king broke the silence, his voice low. "Do you think we've done the right thing, Asher?" His gaze lingered on the rows of books that had witnessed the history of Eldoria—its triumphs, its mistakes.

Royal Advisor Asher approached him, placing a hand on one of the older volumes. "Your Majesty, securing our kingdom's future was never going to come without sacrifice. This alliance may be the best way to ensure peace and stability for generations."

King Henry nodded, but his face betrayed lingering doubts. "If only we could be certain it would bring peace… and not resentment." He glanced at the sealed letter from King Alexander of Elkodia, lying on a nearby table. "But I worry for Samantha's happiness in all this."

"Her happiness is paramount," Asher agreed, his tone thoughtful. "Perhaps this year with Prince Alexus will allow her to choose this path willingly, rather than feeling forced into it."

The king exhaled, his expression softening. "Then we must do all we can to give them the chance to find a bond. Let us see how the year unfolds."

He placed the letter back on the table, signaling the end of their private conversation.