Harkiss frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The fairies are at war. I believe you're all aware of the legend of Lucille, the first Fae?" When everyone nodded, Cage dropped the final bomb on them. "Well, she's the grandmother of Queen Katherine. And I don't think Lucille will want to negotiate."

"We need to negotiate for peace with a fairy?" Rip asked.

Fae, but it didn't make any difference. "No. With her granddaughter."

"This is why you killed Fherras, isn't it?" Harkiss asked, his voice low. "You told him all this and he wouldn't believe you. Wouldn't think magic existed anymore, wouldn't perceive this woman as a threat..."

"To be frank, I didn't even get that far with the explanation before he tried to kill me. Whether he believed me or not or if you believe me... It ultimately makes no difference. The war is coming and it will be devastating for both kingdoms."

"I will gather the armies immediately," the general said. "We can organize a skirmish across the border--"

"No." Cage raised his hands. "We can't do that. It would kill any potential chance for a peace treaty."

"But you said--"

"I said what I think is most likely to happen, but it doesn't mean I won't try to avoid it at all costs."

There was silence for a few moments, the Rip said, "If she knows you, wouldn't she be inclined to listen?"

Cage hoped so too, but he wasn't naive enough to count on it. "It depends on how she thinks our last encounter ended." Even if he could see the curious glances, he didn't elaborate. He couldn't. The thought of Kat still burned holes into him, made him want to curse his fate and the moment Cecille decided he wanted to play with him.

"So what would you have us do?" Harkiss asked.

Cage took this as a very good sign. If he had Harkiss on his side, things would go much smoother. "I need to be crowned to gain legitimacy with the people. I will ask you to summon the Border Barons, General. I will need to discuss with them as well. Meanwhile, Lucius, get the navy back in shape and send scouting ships along the coast of Endir. If they're building a fleet of their own, I need to know. Rip... You already know what you have to do."

The three men bowed their heads, and Cage dismissed them. Lucius and Rip left the room immediately, but General Harkiss lingered.

"Yes, General?"

"Why are you not upset with me?"

"Because I understand why you did what you did and the little fault you have doesn't outweigh your years of experience in actual combat. I might not like it, but I also agree with your assessment of my mother and our tradition for Annorian queens."

"Then what are you planning to do?"

This caught Cage off guard. "Regarding what?"

"The tradition of marrying Annorian queens. You do know they will send you their princess the moment you are crowned, don't you?"

On some level, he'd known, but he hadn't bothered with it. "I don't plan to marry any time soon, and I'll let Annora know that. They can keep their princess until the war is over."

"They won't care about that. Talia won't either. They'll wait for you to secure your position with an heir."

"There's already an heir to the throne, General, and that's Edmund. He's still in the royal line."

Harkiss scrunched his nose in disgust. "Prince Edmund is frail. He will be seen as a liability."

Cage agreed, but he didn't like it. "I have a war to lead. Not exactly the best time to get married."

"You know it doesn't work like that."

Cage narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting? Are you going to push your daughter on me now that Ferdinand is gone?"

Harkiss had the decency to turn crimson at his statement. "Of course not, your Majesty. But maybe you should consider it."

"Lady Madeline actually cared for Ferdinand."

"She is an intelligent woman. She could care for you, too."

It didn't matter. Cage was aware that Harkiss was right, but there was one small thing he was overlooking, mainly because he wasn't aware of it. Cage was already betrothed. And his future bride was the one waging war on their kingdom.

"We'll discuss this after the war."

"This is too dangerous to put off for years. I am well aware that you might not want to settle down, that you like your freedom, but now that you are king..."

Cage winced. Yes, his marvelous reputation. Kat had erased that part of his life as if it had never existed. And now Cecille had mostly erased Kat and he had no idea what to do with himself because it left him completely uninterested in any other woman as well as feeling like an empty vessel.

"You don't have to worry about my reputation, General. I was always careful, so there will be no surprise heirs popping out of the ground. Besides, it has been almost eight years since that part of my life is over."

This seemed to shock the general even more than his magic. "So you are claiming you could be faithful now?"

It was very hard not to burst out in hysterical laughter, but he was king, damn it, and he would at least try to act like one. "The fact that you would throw your daughter at someone who is not is fairly worrisome."

"I am no fool. I am aware of the passions of royalty."

"Well, my passion at this moment is to avoid the destruction of our kingdom, so this conversation ends here." Just the thought of being with another woman except for Kat made him sick.

A fleeting image of a dark cabin, heat, and a soft body flashed before his eyes, and then it was gone, leaving another deep wound in his chest. His entire body tensed with both longing and hatred. Why couldn't he ever be free? 

General Harkiss opened his mouth to argue further, but a glare from Cage silenced him. Even if he'd revealed so much about what had happened, including his magic, he didn't feel he could get into his relationship with Kat with anyone. 

It was still very painful and confusing. Although his feelings were muted, the devotion for her was still there, as was the knowledge that he'd promised to marry her. They hadn't broken up, not really, but he didn't know what that meant either.

"As you wish." The general bowed his head and finally left Cage alone.

He dropped on the nearest armchair, heaving a sigh. The haziness inside his mind and heart would prove to be a problem soon. Cecille thought she was doing him a favor, but he couldn't run a country when he was so confused.

A knock on the door had him straightening into a more dignified position.

"Come in."

Humphrey entered the room, his face a somber mask. "Lord Terrani wishes to speak to you."

Ugh, that again. He stood, making himself presentable. "Let him in."

Surprisingly, the Talian was not joined by his trained assassins this time and Cage was sure it had something to do with being unable to locate Jazz.

"What can I do for you, Lord Terrani?"

The man gave a curt nod. "I wanted to thank you for your generosity, your Majesty, and for allowing us to search the palace. It appears that, indeed, our fugitive is not here."

"Good to know I am not harboring fugitives." Cage forced himself to smile, though all he wanted to do was pass out. He wasn't sure how much more court he could take.

Terrani ignored his quip. "Therefore, given your show of goodwill, the Free City of Napoletta will extend a hand in turn."

Cage merely nodded. "Thank you, Lord Terrani."

"If you truly think war with Endir will be upon us," Terrani continued, not even giving Cage the chance to finish speaking, "we are ready to negotiate an alliance."

He narrowed his eyes at the Talian lord. It suddenly became obvious that the presence of Jazz would have definitely led to a lack of support from Napoletta's side, which was worrisome. Sure, Jazz might not be there now, but Cage needed him to organize and lead the war.

"Are you at liberty to discuss terms now?"

"We require cereal, your Majesty," Terrani said at once. "Lumber and clay. You may, of course, state your own needs."

"War machines."

It was so easy and so obvious, Cage didn't even bother to hide it, just like Terrani hadn't bothered to hide what Talia needed. He'd known. He was well aware of what everyone on that continent needed. Iride was indeed the richest kingdom there in both gold and resources.

"War machines..." Terrani seemed taken aback even if the request was not surprising at all.

"More specifically, plans for updated war machines. We still have our old ones, but I trust Naploetta has greatly improved the designs over thirty years."

"I... I see..."

"And if you wish to discuss a military alliance... Well, I appreciate your support, but it might be a bit too hasty. I am preparing for war, but I hope to avoid it."

Terrani nodded. "Very well. I will present your request to the Governor."

"And I will take care to reinitiate trade for the resources you need. But be wary, Lord Terrani. Before Talian merchants and bankers begin to flood Iride once again, you must be aware that I will do anything necessary to protect my kingdom. So take into consideration that your businesses could be in danger."

Terrani opened his mouth, but he wasn't an idiot. He could tell that Cage wasn't threatening him, but merely stating that Iride could become very unsafe in a short time. So instead of more court pleasantries, he bowed his head and let himself out.

Too bad. If he didn't want to murder his friend, Cage would've really liked the guy.

⚜⚜⚜

Short and sweet and to the point. At least something good happened and Cage has the General on his side. Who is not forcing a marriage down his throat at all. Nope, no siree.

And the Talian assassins are also finally going away. A complete win for Cage in this chapter. I'm sure it will lead to successful peace talks.

Hope you enjoyed and see you next week!