Chapter 209: Secret Meeting
While King Yuraon took much-needed rest, fueled by additional cups of herbal tea and a sprinkle of Aideen’s magic, Stanis stood guard next to the door of his room. Meanwhile, another secret meeting unfolded in the quiet confines of the castle’s reading room.
Tillian, Aideen, and Prince Leif convened under the cloak of night to address the urgent matter brought to light by the shocking news within the Crown Prince’s message.
The looming specter of inevitable war demanded swift action, with the North being just as crucial to the unfolding events as Geraldion itself.
"They’ve been preparing for this for quite some time," Tillian began in a hushed yet serious tone. "The Black Flame Guild detected unusual activity several months ago. My scouts observed the royal army recruiting mercenaries, while secret delegations from Anathaen continued to cross the border almost every week."
He crossed his strong arms in front of his chest, allowing his words to sink in as he mulled over the rest before continuing,
"Delaying my own attack seemed reasonable, so my preparations were not rushed. The reason being—once the war with Lafad started, I would have had an advantage because most of Geraldion’s resources would be directed towards fighting off Lafad. I didn’t expect it to escalate this quickly, though. And now that Princess Melania is dead, her brother Kassian will undoubtedly take immediate action. He might be young, but despite the rumors, he is no weakling."
Everyone was still reeling from the shock of how the royal family had used the innocent princess in their cruel game of politics. However, Yanad’s direct involvement and his attempt to warn the North as well clearly indicated one thing—despite being next in line for the Emperor’s crown, he didn’t want any part of it. He was seeking help while also providing clues for their next moves.
Aideen adjusted the red scarf around Taru’s neck and lightly patted him on the head. The sleeping baby dragon’s forehead sparkled as his snowflake reacted to the princess’ touch.
"Even though the Ruan family’s goal is to defeat Lafad’s army and unite its land with Geraldion to create an empire, if we join forces with Lafad and Davoor, we might stand a good chance at defeating even an army as powerful as Anathaen’s," Aideen proposed.