Pops returned before dinner, and found Dominic working in his room, with documents left sitting on the table in the main room.
He moved them to the back of the table and set an empty vase on them so that they didn’t blow around when he opened the window later, and then called for Dominic as the maid came in with the dinner cart.
"Give me five minutes, I’m just finishing up a couple of rifles for the Forge’s supply here, and then I will be out."
Pops chuckled. The boy was excused from all his duties for the duration of the courtship trials, but he was still turning out weapons for his work quota.
Dominic finished enchanting a pair of rifles for the forge, uncommon grade Ogre Hunting Rifles using level 10 oil. Having a stockpile of them here would be good for the Palace, in case someone damaged another rifle.
But mostly, it helped Dominic feel grounded while his mind reeled from the new information that was finally sinking in.
The maid uncovered the dishes, starting with a tomato soup and fresh bread, then both a steak and a lobster tail, a plate with very decorative vegetables, and one more dish that Dominic assumed was dessert left covered on the tray.
"I can’t tell if we’re being spoiled or about to be told bad news." Pops joked.
As the Forge Master, he ate well, but both steak and lobster in one meal was rather extravagant, as both took careful preparation to not come out wrong. They weren’t dishes that were easy to make for hundreds.
The maid chuckled. "They’re being served throughout the whole wing of the Palace. I don’t know what the occasion is, but the kitchen has been working hard today."
"Well, at least it’s not just us. Perhaps they made a breakthrough, and they’re going to make an announcement tonight? You should probably get ready for an emergency meeting after dinner." Pops informed Dominic.
"That’s not a bad idea. Worst-case scenario, I’m just getting an extra shower for the day."
The dessert was a decadent chocolate cake, and Pops snorted in amusement when he saw it.
"Oh, they one hundred percent have bad news for us. No way does this not signal bad news."
Dominic scooped up a bit of cake and shrugged. "Well, at least the bad news came with cake this time. It came with an emergency deployment order and no dinner last time."
Dominic showered and changed as soon as they finished eating, and came out of his room to see a pair of Royal Guards and a maid waiting for him.
"Advisor, there is a meeting." The Maid informed him nervously.
"Of course. That was somewhat expected. Let’s go."
The walk through the halls was quiet, but they didn’t lead Dominic to the Princess’ suite. Instead, they led him to the throne room directly.
The King was already seated on the throne, and one side of the room was lined with Dagos flags and dignitaries. That was not at all what Dominic was expecting when he was called.
Perhaps this was the official armistice signing?
He took his spot along the wall, but noticed that a pair of Royal Guards were stationed at his shoulders, as if already expecting trouble.
Pops was right, this was definitely going to be bad news, and not a simple armistice signing.
Dominic remained silent as the Royals and Nobles entered the throne room, with Princesses Alexis and Josephine standing in front of him, next to the red carpeted walkway.
Once everyone was in place, one final group from Dagos entered.
A tall, dark-haired Prince, accompanied by four nobles and twenty Dagos Royal Guards, strutted down the aisle as if this were their own palace.
"Cygnia." The Prince announced with the smallest of nods in acknowledgement that he was facing the King.
"Prince Kaizon. I trust that you are prepared to sign the armistice?" King Cygnia asked.
"I am. On two conditions. If you want my armies to cease their inexorable advance across your pathetic nation, you will expel every Wavemates refugee from your territory, and gift me two Princesses to use as my personal slaves.
The twins would be fine." He demanded.
There were murmurs of discontent from the Cygnia side. Did this Prince actually think that his side was winning the war?
"You think you are in a position to demand two of my daughters as slaves? Perhaps your losses have not been significant enough?" The King asked sarcastically.
"Pathetic peasants and a traitor Duke? Hardly a loss to the might of Dagos. Three hundred thousand soldiers are prepared to cross the border tonight if you do not meet our demands."
"I see that you have not yet seen sense. You may return to your armies, Prince of Dagos."
The Prince smirked, and turned his back on the King.
Then, he drew his blade and lunged directly for Princess Alexis.
A flick of his hand, and Dominic brought up an Area Barrier, while Princess Alexis smiled at the Prince.
"Still too slow and too weak. Just like your armies. Now, run away, little boy. Let the adults take care of politics if you don’t know your place." She taunted.
The Royal Guard had rushed to surround the Dagos delegation, and everyone had weapons drawn.
"ENOUGH! The Dagos delegation will leave unharmed." The King announced.
"See, even your King knows his nation won’t survive insulting me. Best keep your bags packed, Princess. It’s a long trip to your new home."
The Royal Guard parted as Prince Kaizon departed, followed by the dignitaries sent by Dagos, who were all entirely too smug for Dominic’s liking.
Dominic finally noticed that there were two hands on his shoulders, keeping him from moving forward. Surely, they hadn’t expected him to actually let the Dagos scum take Princess Alexis if the King had allowed it?
No, they hadn’t expected him to let it pass. That’s why there were two guards on him.
"Princess, should we return to battle? Or do we have duties here in the Palace?" Dominic asked.
Alexis winked at him, and Josephine laughed quietly.
"Father was right. This isn’t going to end without more bloodshed. Dagos aren’t willing to accept that they’ve lost, even with so much territory in our hands." Alexis whispered.