Konrik Loren sat with uncertain thoughts. He practiced meditation for over an hour a day, and still, he found no peace. Usually, this amount of reflection brought about a new understanding—a new way to settle his mind to take upon the responsibilities his position required. Yet, the feeling would not come. He remained unsettled with the image of two ladies in his mind.

Konrik Loren could not hurt one of these ladies. He understood how regret could feast upon one's spirit. Loren felt useless in his ability to choose between two women in such obvious need of him. Such an action would wound to his very soul.

I like them both.  He almost moaned within his mind.

The torment only escalated when sitting at a table to plan for the two ladies' arrival. His mother had been adamant about him exploring his feelings to decipher the spirit's call. But, how would Loren balance his attention towards them? One would eventually feel the strain of her energy being torn from his own.  Well, unless she formed a different attachment. 

A small smile formed on his lips.  The spirit moves within me with a sight that only I can gain glimpses of.  I need to meditate on this further to see how far I can push it.

"We should sit Princess Amnicity beside Suzerain Zakarus with Suzera Irina on the other side across from me," Loren dictated.

"No!" Korak Fallyn interjected.

Fallyn's mother and brother stared at her in shock for a moment.

"It is just the two do not really get along. The-there is no need for us to promote such horrible wavelengths during the festivities."  She tried to amend with a little hesitation and flushed cheeks.

"I did not notice any horrible wavelengths between them before," Loren murmured. "Their auras were complementary. Almost like that of Suzera Irina and myself. Perhaps it is wise to see where the spirit settles when we are close."

"Your enlightenment is stronger than your sister's," Lelena sighed, making Fallyn's eyebrows furrow slightly in confusion at her mother's statement.

Loren moved the pins around in front of them.  "How else are we to decide which lady is best for me than by placing them in a trying position? We must burden the repercussions and move forward." 

He observed his sister's face as she stared at the plans before them. The moments of light within her were flickering at a lesser rate since the death of their grandmother. Fallyn did not seem to regard the happiness of others anymore.  She seemed hungry.  For what Loren could not completely decipher.

His sister's gaze turned to him. Loren saw the moment of uncertainty. He saw a flash of her humanity before she concealed it once again. Sometimes he feared the paths before them.

Fallyn rose from the table as their mother continued to observe the plans before them.  Lelena glanced at her daughter and back to the table.   She did not flench when Fallyn slammed the door behind herself.

"She grows darker, Mother," Loren whispered.

"Darkness must come for us to see the stars. To think, we used to leave this to others. We need more vegetables, Hersana."  Lelena turned her eyes to meet those of a young maid.

"Yes, Konra."  The lady bowed, leaving the room.

Lelena took a small piece of apple from a bowl nearby and took a bite.  She considered her son for a moment before speaking.  "So tell me, what have you discovered of these two ladies? You always grow too dim to read during moments of reflection."

Loren took a moment to organize himself while watching his mother return to moving a few pins on the board. The simple, artistic movements astounded him. Would Suzera Irina or Princess Amnicity be so shocking in their small moments?  He wondered suddenly.

"Loren," his mother prompted, turning her eyes slightly from the plans to meet his.

"My options are not the greatest of choices, Mother. With one lady, our auras can combine to either bring destruction or peace," Loren sighed.

"And the other lady?" She prompted gently.

Loren let his fingers softly graze across the pins used to mark the table placements. "Her essence could be destroyed by our relationship if we do not find a balance."

"You require guidance," Lelena whispered.

"I do and have been gaining instruction during meditations.  There is just a fear that it may not be enough.  Something brews, and I cannot place the cause.  I feel that this decision could intertwine with either death or greatness."

"Marriage does have a way of feeling like that."  Lelena nodded, observing the masterpiece of names before her.  "Maybe Suzerain Zakarus could provide such insight." She smiled, fixing the pins on Princess Amnicity's and Suzerain Zakarus's names. "He seems to be a wise and analytical gentleman."

"You are wise. The matters of Vetus and Jude shall be as you wish," Loren murmured, warm admiration beaming from his gaze.

Lelena smiled, staring at the names before her. She would let the other elements do as they wished. Her mother was many things that contradicted Lelena's own spirit. But, the woman had been thorough in teaching her about politics.

What teachings has she given Fallyn?  Lelena frowned at the thought, willing it away as memories began to surface.

She could still recall the first lesson.  Her young hand shook while holding a bow, starring down at a fight between two bears.  The young Lelena had to choose which bear was weaker and kill it with her bow.  Like the great Konri Ender before them, Lelena must show strength when confronted by foes.  She must display wisdom in her choice.

Those poor bears.  Lelena thought, clenching her eyes shut.

The konra remained unsure of her choice as a young Korak. She found some comfort in the smaller bear being let free into the forest. It soothed her soul to know that life could still move forward after death even if the destruction worked for her political gain.

Lelena's thoughts varied from her mother's pursuit of power. She did not see her title as Konra as subservient to that of Queen.  Lelena served as a monarch of Preena,  The title needed to be granted that power did not matter to her as long as her people remained her own.  Queen is simply a word.  Konra indicated that she came from the lineage of the second son, not the lesser one.  

The bears had taught her patience and the need to display wisdom.  Loren could learn to possess these attributes without killing someone.  Perhaps she should observe these ladies like she did those bears.  Well, maybe not exactly like that.    

It is not like I could shoot the one I do not like.  Lelena let a small chuckle out at the thought.  

She understood their political position and would be wise in her actions.  There would be no deaths—just a strict judgment of their character.

These ladies would be wise to pack their dresses with the greatest of care.  I will not be weak.

***

Suzera Irina took such advice many miles away while watching the carriages being packed for their journey. She knew Shaed's eyes were upon her. For the past two weeks, Irina could always feel when even glanced at her.

"Suzera Irina," Shaed called to her. "We need to discuss your protection."

"Koman Sutter, I thought you learned this Suzera does not need protection," Irina responded over her shoulder. "Especially yours," she muttered before adding in a louder voice. "Should you not be more concerned about the hidden mole or your warriors' training?"

Maybe this is the reason they had barely spoken for the past two weeks. Every moment his eyes were upon her, tension began somewhere in Irina's shoulders before cutting her heart's ability to pump blood properly. Irina's thought processes would dull, making her responses curt and unvaried.

It did not seem Shaed fared any better. Irina would make sure that she never ventured there with him again. Well, sword fight with him again. Those simple body movements, fueled by whisky, had brought on too many emotions she thought were beyond the scope of her current existence.

"Just because you beat me in one little sword fight does not mean you do not need protection. I also have beaten you plenty of times before," he whispered, from only a step behind her.

Irina rolled her shoulders.  Soft prickles were beginning to form on her skin.

"So, are you going to protect me?" Irina responded, turning sharply to look at him.

Shaed stared at Irina. He had debated this question for many days when Zakarus broached the subject. Suzerain Abran had made it clear that if Shaed did not accompany his troops to the border, it would be a sign of his poor leadership and inability to handle his new responsibilities. 

"No," Shaed responded.  He pressed his lips together on seeing the confusion in her gaze.  "My responsibility is securing the border with our new troops," he sighed.

Irina nodded.  "That is the Koman's duty."

"A great Koman's duty," Zakarus announced, clapping Shaed's back with a small squeeze. "Keep our men safe."

"Not myself?" Shaed smirked.

"You will be safe," Zakarus assured Shaed, who let a low breath release slowly.

"Are you scared?" Irina whispered.

Shaed's eyes sharply turned to Irina.  "Someone has to fear for me."

Shaed's practiced bow and retreat unsettled Irina. She knew gentlemen did not speak in such a way, nor should a lady leave her jaw in such a slacked position. But, the words Shaed wanted were unable to be produced anymore. Their roles had changed too much.

Irina refused to meet Zakarus's eyes. Instead, she returned to observing the carriage. Inside those trunks were gowns, jewelry, and shoes made for a lady. She chose to be a lady.

Well, when I'm wearing the articles in those trunks.  Irina thought, her heart raced suddenly at the thought.

"Koman Sutter," Irina called, turning abruptly.

Irina watched Shaed stop to turn with the same unanticipated precision. She smirked at his refusal to bow.

"Please do not let your emotions run away with your sensitive soul," Irina quipped. "There is no need to throw yourself on another gentleman's sword simply because you were defeated in a duel by a lady."

"Is that an order from my Suzera?" Shaed smirked.

Irina inclined her head slightly before returning her focus to the future. There would now be no regrets.

Zakarus tried to convince himself of the same. He consoled himself with the knowledge that once Irina crossed the border, she would focus on Konrik Loren. Irina's ability to leave Shaed on this side of the line made him envious.  She did not falter between emotion and duty.

In a matter of hours, they would cross the border into Vetus. It seemed all of Zakarus's problems were in Vetus.  Princess Amnicity continued to leave him frustrated and stagnant in his plans.

Some different approaches could be taken to secure Vetus.  It would be too simple to rely on one plan. Princess Amnicity could provide some--

His father's deep voice interrupted Zakarus's thoughts.  "She just needs distance."

Zakarus turned to see his father walking down the steps towards him. His excitement for this interaction remained as minimal as Abran's perceived empathy.

"Avoidance is your favorite tactic," Zakarus sighed.

Abran shrugged and made a sound similar to a snort.  "Their time has passed, and like everything else, it is for the best."

"Are you talking with seers now?" Zakarus snorted.

"No, just a bit of faith in a plan," his father acknowledged. "Though, only a little. My patience will not last forever."

Zakarus nodded his head with a tad more severity than required.

"You prefer to be ominous," Zakarus sighed.

"One day, my son, you will understand the importance of opportunity. It does not simply come and go like a fancy. Sometimes there is only one chance. If you cannot secure your opportunity, I must secure mine," Abran divulged with an air of wisdom that embedded fear into his son.

"You plan to attack Vetus," he whispered.

"There is a village on the cusp of secession due to their treatment. They could be our reason for war," Abran responded with a shrug.

Zakarus shook his head while crossing his arms.  "What would Jude gain?"

"Did you not learn about what we gain from a war in your lessons? Should your tutors be punished for their failure?" Abran snorted.

"Please tell me there is at least a river that has access to the sea for improved trade," his son hissed.

"The fine wines of Henta will always be a lucrative trade."  Abran smirked, clasping his son's shoulder.

"If we took Henta, Vetus would then have only one outlet to the sea.  It would be easier to control them," Zakarus responded with a small narrowing of his eyes as he concentrated on the horses in front of him.

"So your tutors were of use," Abran laughed, shaking his son's shoulder slightly.

Zakarus turned to him.  "You trust Shaed with such responsibilities?"

Abran stared at Zakarus for a moment before smiling.  "Safe journeys, my son." Abran departed to make his farewells to Irina.

Zakarus observed the stiffness that accompanied an interaction between his father and cousin. What else could change with a new war?

If they began their pursuits in Henta, then a full region of Vetus could be conquered. Unfortunately, the time it took to subjugate the land would be substantially longer than marrying an impulsive princess. The lady found interesting ways to make herself ridiculous. Well, charmingly ridiculous. Granted, Zakarus instigated the behavior to the best of his ability. She had made it too easy with her haughty decorum.

Such a woman allowed Zakarus to not think of finances.  The cost of their ceremony would probably be the same as a war. Unfortunately for Zakarus, such thoughts did not matter right now.  There were too many chances for failure.

Shaed's soldiers were not seasoned enough for the feat his father foreshadowed. There might be a few who could be useful if things turned ugly.  But, they would--no. Zakarus did not wish to spend time reflecting upon the Hentian border and condemning conjectures.

Zakarus's eyes turned back towards the carriage, and he returned to his sanguine thoughts about a princess.

***

Thanks again for reading!  I hope y'all enjoyed it :)