CHAPTER 3: THE LADY'S EXPECTED TERMS

DIARA'S POV

I was woken up by someone shaking me.

"Dia, wake up. We have arrived.", I could hear Dill say.

"I'm awake. Stop shaking me.", I replied.

Dill went down before me and I followed after.

In front of me, was a huge castle.

This must be the palace.

I haven't been here since my coming-of-age ceremony.

A butler walked up to us and bowed.

"General Reinhardt, Lady Ivy, Lord Eiris, please follow me. His Majesty has been waiting, " he said, guiding us to the palace hall.

The walk there was quiet.

After a few minutes, we arrived in front of a large door.

The butler knocked, "You Majesty, they have arrived.", he said.

"Let them in.", a voice inside answered.

The butler opened the door and motioned for us to go inside.

As we went inside, I saw many people already inside the hall.

'Mother and Father must be in the crowd.', I thought.

As we reached the throne, I kneeled before the emperor and the empress beside him.

"I kneel before the sun and moon of the Empire.", I said as I kneeled.

"No need to be so formal General Reinhardt. After all, you have contributed so much to our Empire.", the Emperor said.

I stood up and looked around for mother and father.

"Ah! Lady Ivy, Lord Eiris! I thank you for going all the way to the battlefield on my behalf.", I heard the Emperor say.

Oh right, they were here. 

Why do I keep forgetting?

"It is our honor, Your Majesty.", the jerk man replied.

"Brother Vier is right Your Majesty!", Dill said joyfully.

The Emperor laughed at her joyfulness, and so did the Empress.

I couldn't help but crack a smile.

I looked at the jerk man but he was already looking at me with a smile.

What's he smiling for? Probably because of Dill.

I didn't give it a thought and looked away.

"I saw how he looked at you just now. I think you just captured his heart.", Dill whispered to me in her sheepish voice.

I pushed her away a little.

"Surely you're jesting. We have only met yesterday.", I said, unbothered.

She didn't answer but gave me her sheepish look.

I ignored her and returned my focus to the Emperor who was speaking.

"Now, General Reinhardt. I suppose you already know that every truce has its terms.", he stated.

Here it is. 

The terms of the truce.

"Yes, Your Majesty.", I responded.

"Hm. Well, the Emperor of Ashman and I, have come to terms with that one of our loyal subjects will be the bridge of this truce. Now, I do not want to be unfair to you and your family as you are one of my loyal subjects, and my niece. I will let you decide for yourself in this matter. However, Lord Eiris here has already agreed to the terms of this truce.", the Emperor stated.

My head turned to look at the jerk man as fast as lightning when I heard the last sentence.

What!? 

He agreed!?

But in the book, he was against it until a few years later! That's why the war kept on going for a few years!

Why did he agree already!?

He smiled at me and I could just feel goosebumps from that smile.

What changed!?

"...May I know what the terms are, Your Majesty?", I asked even though I already knew the answer.

"...It is the marriage between you two, General Reinhardt.", the Emperor answered.

"..."

The Emperor sighed. 

"If you do not wish to marry him, I will pick another to marry him, Diara.", he said.

"...I agree to marry him, Your Majesty.", I said.

I know I'm doomed, but if I don't do this, Dill will be the one to suffer.

"Really!?", someone excitedly said.

I looked at who it was and now I am more confused.

It was the jerk man.

Why is he excited?

I heard Dill chuckle.

The Emperor was surprised but he laughed.

"I see. Lord Eiris seems to be excited about this arrangement. I wonder if you are interested in my niece?", the Emperor said jokingly.

The people inside the hall also laughed at his joke.

I saw the jerk man scratch the back of his neck as he smiled.

No way!

I looked at Dill.

'Is he for real?', I mouthed.

She nodded as she smirked.

"Since there are no objections to this matter, this discussion is dismissed.", the Emperor stated.

The people began to go out one by one, but we were still inside the hall.

"We shall discuss more in private, my dear niece, lord Eiris.", the Emperor said before he went out of the hall with the Empress.

"Dia!"

As I was processing, I heard someone call for me.

I was snapped back into reality as someone embraced me.

"Mother"

I returned her embrace.

"Dia, why did you agree to the terms? Are you sure about this?", mother said with a worried look.

I smiled at her.

"Yes, mother. I'm sure of this. Please do not worry about me.", I said.

She sighed, "Why are you so much like your father?", she said.

"Now, now, don't involve me in this.", a voice behind my mother said.

"Father", I said and shook hands with him.

"Well done, Dia.", he said as he smiled.

How lucky I am in this life.

So much different from my first life.

"Greetings, Duke and Duchess Reinhardt", Dill greeted with a smile as she approached us.

"Ah, greetings, Lady Ivy.", my mother responded with a smile too.

"Please just call me by my name. After all, we are going to be a family soon.", she said.

"Ah yes, you're right. Then, I'll call you Elianna from now on.", mother said.

"Ahem", the jerk man interrupted before Dill could reply to my mother.

"Greetings, Duke and Duchess Reinhardt.", he greeted.

"Hm. Greetings.", my father responded.

"May I talk to Lady Reinhardt for a while?", he asked.

"Brother Vier you can't just cut me off!", Dill uttered.

He ignored her and looked at me.

I sighed and nodded.

"Mother, Father, you go home first. I will ride my horse home.", I said to them.

They nodded and went out of the hall.

"Then I'll leave too. You two talk.", Dill said and looked at me sheepishly.

"..."

-Silence-