"Now this news of unrest brings to light even more the need for good tidings in the kingdom. An alliance!" He said, clapping his hands together gleefully. He looked between Niall and Setia.Setia flushed as the gaze of everyone in the room turned to her. They were examining the closeness of her to Prince Niall, thinking about their encounters until now.

"We need news of this alliance to be solidified. Once it is done, it may quell some of these rebel groups. Now, I believe it is time to forgo the pretenses. We know we brought you here under an offer of marriage to the kingdom." The king continued heavily. Setia sweat, she was here being treated as if she were property to be bartered and sold. Which, I suppose in this culture, she was.

"I agree, an alliance between our people would be beneficial to all of us." Setia said. She knew that this marriage was going to be a key part to play in completing her mission.

"Your majesty, I need to speak." Elarion's voice rang out. Oh no, Setia clutched the edges of her seat again. The king inclined his head to the general.

"You may speak." He motioned with his hand. Elarion rose to his feet and took in a deep breath. His eyes were resolute, his face in a stoic line.

"If it would be sufficient for the masses, I would like to put my name forward for this alliance. I would like to marry the Lady Setia." He said. Setia gasped and heard a few men around the table intake breath. The king sputtered, looking between Elarion and Setia. Then he looked to Niall, who was staring with his mouth agape.

"Son, what say you?" The king demanded of the prince. He shook his head.

"I would like to marry the princess myself, father." The prince said firmly. Elarion frowned. The room was pin drop silent. Then the king threw his head back in a roar of laughter. Some men around the table nervously followed suit. Setia chewed her lower lip.

"My dear, it seems you have quite the conundrum. Who will it be?" He asked her. Her jaw dropped. He was letting her choose? She stammered and sputtered.

"U-Umm, I don't know, your majesty. I don't know either well enough to decide." Answering honestly. She didn't know who she should pick right this minute; she needed to talk to Eli, and think about this.

"Well, we must decide soon. You have three days to make your choice." He said firmly. Setia swallowed and nodded. Three days?! That was no time at all. But his word was law here. A commotion could be heard outside, then the doors to the war room burst open. A guard stood there holding a dishevelled looking Lina in his arm.

"Found this one lurking about outside, she says the prince invited her." The room turned to Niall, who was still seated, looking at a loss.

"I did not invite her. She was simply lurking about looking for me. Show her out." The prince dismissed with a wave. The guard nodded and dragged the grunting girl with him. She glared at Setia on her way out. Setia sighed. She was so tired of this.

"With that, our business for the day concludes. Setia, remember, three days." The king said. Setia nodded, rising from her chair and curtsying again before the king as he rose. He swept regally from the room. Setia cringed as she realized both men were staring intensely at her. And they had an audience.

"Setia, I—"

"My lady," they both spoke at once.

"Okay, one at a time. It has been a trying day already." She breathed. She opened her eyes and said firmly.

"I will spend time with Niall now, Elarion, find me later?" She said. Elarion's face was a mask, but he nodded his head and exited the room. Setia turned to face Niall, who was looking earnest and shocked still.

"Shall we go somewhere more comfortable?" He said, holding his arm out to her. She looped her arm through his and nodded.

They found themselves in his suites, which were more elaborate than hers. He had multiple rooms, a whole sitting area! She gazed in wonder about the rooms. He laughed at her awe and leaned against the wall. Where her room was all golds and browns, his room was black and dark red. Velvet drapes, satin sheets. It was a man's wonder.

"Are your rooms to your liking?" He asked, with an amused smirk on his full lips.

"They are, but I'm not used to such finery." She admitted.

"An odd princess, not used to finery," He mused.

She spun around and then sighed, sinking into the soft, plush couch in the sitting room. He sat on the couch a few feet away from her. They piled the table with cakes, cookies, sandwiches, and tea. She put a thanks up to the gods of this world for magic and servants, and bit into a delicious piece of coffee cake. She groaned and closed her eyes. When she opened them, he was staring at her lips hungrily. He flushed and coughed, looking away.

"So, about everything that happened today..." he began, leaning forward in his seat. "How do you feel?" He placed a hand on her knee, that was draped in cloth from a long midnight blue satin dress she was wearing. She felt its warmth on her thigh.

"I'm a little overwhelmed. I wasn't expecting that today." She said. He rose for a moment to walk over to a cabinet at the side of the room. He opened it and pulled out a bottle and two crystal goblets.

"I believe the situation calls for it." He mused, lifting the bottle. Setia smiled and nodded. He found a corkscrew and opened the bottle, pouring them each a glass. Setia took a grateful sip to calm her nerves. He placed his on the table.

"Mmm, ambrosia!" She called with glee. He smiled, remembering her fondness for the drink at the party. A deep swallow calmed her nerves. She drained the glass quickly. She needed it."Oh boy, pace yourself, Princess." He said and refilled her glass with a laugh. She giggled and placed the glass on the table.

"So, I wasn't expecting that today. Two proposals." She said wistfully. Niall's face was in a serious line.

"I was surprised by Elarion's stance. I wasn't aware you two had grown so close." He said, his expression guarded. Setia sighed and nodded.

"We connect well. It is probably natural, being two soldiers." She mused. Niall's face fell slightly. He was not a soldier. "I also connect with you." She finished.

"I'm glad you do. I think you did great in there today." He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "You would make an excellent queen."

Setia blushed. She felt the heat rising in her face.

"What makes you say that?" She asked. He smiled.

"The way you care for the people, sending your men along. The way you spoke your voice without hesitation." His gaze lingered on her face.

"You flatter me." She said shyly. He chuckled and placed his hand beneath her chin, tilting her head up to face him. His piercing green eyes stared at her lips.

"It's not flattery when its true." His lips quirked in a smile, and his head descended to meet hers, and his lips softly brushed over hers.

The electricity sizzled between them. She sighed into the kiss and ran her hands up his arms, over his shoulders. He pulled her into the circle of his arms on the couch and leaned her back against the cushions, deepening the kiss. He kissed her with hunger, passion, and longing. Something about him spoke to her soul, as if they had known each other for millennia.

It could be easy being with him. She could get used to living in the palace, attending council meetings, running the household here. Training with the soldiers. It would be a good life, and it would prevent the war.

He brushed her hair to the side, over her shoulder, and feathered kisses down the side of her neck. She tilted her head and let out a small moan of pleasure. His kisses were light, like a butterfly's wings. His hands trailed down her sides, over her hips. He gripped her waist and pulled her firmly against him. She could feel the hard line of his body and was half straddling his lap.

"Wait," she gasped. "What about Lina?" She placed her hands on his chest, pushing him away a little so she could look at his face. His eyes were lidded with passion. He stared into her eyes."Lina knows I must do what is best for the kingdom." He said solidly. Setia groaned and crossed her arms over her chest.

"She is a menace and wants me gone. You need to make how you feel clear to her, because it's going to affect all of us." Setia said. Niall bit his lip and nodded.

"She is not the one I want." He whispered, trailing his finger down Setia's cheek. Setia bit her lower lip.

"It looks like we both have a decision ahead of us." She sighed. He rubbed her back.