Drayce returned to his bedchamber after meeting his knights. Although he was reading the documented reports related to his kingdom, his attention was not fully on work; half of it was focused on listening to the chamber next to him.
From what he heard so far, Seren had a meal, and she was resting with Dusk keeping her company.
Just then, someone entered Drayce's chamber. It was a person who never had to get permission to do so.
"Seems like the King of Megaris is busy," Arlan commented as he sat comfortably on a chair next to the wooden table filled with stacks of papers and scrolls. At that moment, Drayce was busy going through the various missives sent by the officials from his kingdom, updating him about the current internal situation of Megaris.
"Will that stop Prince of Griven from coming into my chamber and disturbing me?" Drayce commented as he put away a message scroll.
"Well, it seems impossible," Arlan responded with a teasing smile.
Drayce was used to Arlan's behavior and said, "You can proceed with what you are here for."
"Since you already know I am here for something, then why don't you just go through my mind with your devil power to know everything and save me from the trouble of explaining?"
"I don't wander around messy and unkempt places," Drayce replied.
"Good, you would be lost anyway," Arlan commented.
Drayce stopped working and leaned back in the chair. Although Arlan loved to banter around and appeared laidback most of the time, Drayce knew that all his friend's words and actions were never without reason. He was ready to hear his friend who had definitely come to discuss something important.
Arlan finally went straight to the point. "Just like Thevailes, Hatha is on their knees too. After the compensation was made with Griven and Abetha, their economy will be crippled and they won't be able to get up soon."
Drayce nodded lightly. "It won't be for long."
Arlan continued, "Knowing that sly King Samer, Thevailes will try another way. I am sure they want to take over Abetha by all means possible. Occupying the central region of the continent is a necessity for his grand ambition to be realized."
The young king agreed. He had been clashing against Thevailes for a while now, and he knew the unyielding personality of his enemy. "Even though he appears quiet now, he must be executing his plans in the dark, waiting for the appropriate time to strike us back after getting this defeat.".
"What do you think his next move will be? I do not see any movements from them yet but if I am to guess, he will seek help from his mother's side. The Kingdom of Othinia shares a border with Abetha."
Drayce thought for a while and unfolded one of the maps on the table. "But isn't the current Queen of Abetha from the same kingdom?"
"Both the Dowager Queen of Thevailes and Queen Niobe of Abetha are former princesses of the Nefertiti Royal Family and are cousins, but from what I know, they don't get along well. The previous king is Queen Niobe's father who favored her a lot, and that's how Queen Niobe helped King Armen to make his reign stronger. But after the demise of the previous king, because he has no male heir, the one who inherited the throne is his nephew, Ranulf Nefertiti.? King Ranulf is the younger brother of the Dowager Queen of Thevailes and is King Samer's uncle. Now, Thevailes is more favored by Othinia. Once they get full support from Othinia, it is also as good as getting the Kingdom of Mivesea under them as a free side dish which…"
"....will help them attack Abetha through the way of the sea. They must be preparing for a marine battle in addition to a pincer attack on land," Drayce added as he traced the borders of Abetha on the map.
Arlan nodded. "Hmm, at this point, the only kingdom which can help Abetha is Griven. Given the marriage arrangement between my brother and the Second Princess, I think King Armen and my father had this in mind. If we are to add Megaris—"
"Soon," Drayce interrupted him.
"Soon? What do you mean?" Arlan teased, "Do you want to follow my brother's footsteps? Do you plan on marrying a princess of Abetha?"
"Can't I?" Drayce asked.
"Of course you can, but King Armen is left with only one daughter who is not…" Arlan paused, feeling shocked over his own realization. "Wait...are you planning to marry the Third Princess?"
With a casual expression, Drayce folded the map and put it back on the side. "Is there any issue with it?"
Arlan gave it a thought and replied, "No, but I doubt King Armen will agree to it."
"He will." Drayce looked confident.
"It's not like I doubt your confidence but may ask how?"
Drayce lifted a hand. "We have a guest," he informed as his ears caught something.
"Who?" Arlan looked at the door, forgetting what he had just asked Drayce.
"The one from whom you would like to receive affection," Drayce said with a raised brow.
Arlan scoffed. "What is he doing here? Shall I get ready to witness swords getting out of their scabbards?"
"Don't change the subject. Not denying is the same as admission," Drayce said as he referred to the receiving affection part of his previous teasing remark.
"Don't worry; I will share some of his affection with you. If you cannot get the sister, you can get her brother. We three are all handsome men. I don't mind sharing."
"I am content with the sister. You can keep her brother. That way, it will bring Griven and Abetha even closer."
"Who knows, if King Armen refused to give you his daughter, Megaris would still have a chance to strengthen the relationship with Abetha by getting their crown prince. The greatest love story in the history of the continent—starring the most handsome and powerful men of Abetha, Griven and Megaris. The title can be… the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. What do you think?"
"You should stop reading some weird books written by random unknown people."
Arlan smiled teasingly as he winked. "Do you want a copy? You look down on these books because you have not tried reading them. They can help you win over not just the Third Princess but the Crown Prince as well. I can find you the ones with the nicest descriptions with erotic pictures and—"
Drayce frowned. "You can keep it for yourself."
Arlan laughed. "I wonder how the celibate devil who thrives in war and breathes violence took a sudden interest in a real living woman."
Drayce didn't answer.
Just then, a knight knocked and entered the chamber. "Your Majesty, Prince Cian of Abetha seeks an audience with you."
Drayce nodded lightly to permit him.
The knight left, and Arlan spoke, "Keep your temper and sword in check. Don't just bring it out."
"Won't be needed today," Drayce assured.
Soon, Cian entered the chamber, unaware of how he was a part of the banter between these two friends who had turned quiet upon his arrival. He saw Arlan and Drayce both waiting for him inside.
He bowed his head lightly to greet the King of Megaris, and Drayce did the same while he greeted Arlan with a slight nod.
Though Drayce and Cian had fought together with the enemies and even had a long journey together from Thevailes to Abetha, they were neither close nor friendly with each other. There was something in both that kept them wary of each other. On the other hand, Arlan was familiar with them both and felt trapped whenever these two came across each other.