CHAPTER 451: NEGOTIATIONS

Abrielle left the courtroom following Aurelius and Emperor Silvanius. She was still bewildered by what had just happened. There was this silence echoed between them that made it hard to breathe.

They arrived at the emperor’s study. "Tell me more about your condition, Princess Abrielle," Silvanius mentioned as soon as the door closed behind them.

Abrielle glanced at Aurelius who gave her an approving nod. The emperor took his seat before he offered for them to sit.

When Abrielle first saw the emperor she was surprised at his appearance. If she didn’t know for a fact he was Aurelius’s father, she would have mistaken him for the crown prince’s brother compared to the empress who sat by his side. They didn’t look like husband and wife, more like mother and son.

She knew this was tied to the mysterious origins of the Caephyr family, which made them one of the strongest mages; they literally can slow down their ageing. Silvanius was roughly the same age as Kaiden, or even older, but he didn’t look it.

After they were all seated, a few seconds passed, and they only looked at each other, as if their thoughts were heavy. Abrielle knew something was off about the court session. She wanted to ask about it, but from the gaze passing between Aurelius and his father, she had a gut feeling they were determined to put her in the dark for now.

’Bethany,’ it was not the first time she heard the name. A scholar had also mentioned it before.

’ Focus on your task and don’t let your thoughts stray,’ she cautioned herself, trying to get her thoughts together. She had a very calm exterior but deep down she was scared. This was her last straw of hope

"I am ready when you are, Princess Abrielle." The emperor’s voice spoke drawing her back. She nodded, her lips slightly parted.

"My condition is simple." She started. The emperor’s gaze narrowed as he listened carefully to what she said. Despite his appearance, his wisdom was far advanced.

"The marriage alliance will be sealed on the condition that you assist us in healing Cedric. Cedric is currently battling with something I have little knowledge of and most of the healers or seers say it is a curse. We believe you are the only one who can help." She explained, despite having the look of being in a place of negotiation Abrielle was aware of her cards

Emperor Silvanius was the one with the majority of negotiation power. Abrielle was at his mercy because he could decide not to help, and they would have nothing to use against him. Cedric’s condition is fragile; he might die soon, and a dead man has no power to lead an army.

Silvanius smirked at her, "You know I am the one at an advantage here. Why should I bother helping?" He asked her. It was a trick question. She wasn’t scared away by it either.

"We both know Heliosa has been trying for generations to establish ties with Draconia. Although Draconia isn’t called an empire. It has similar power and strength to it making it no inferior to this empire. Draconia is the only known threat to you." She answered based on the knowledge she had. Silvanius’s smile grew.

Her stomach clenched. She had prepared for rejection, but not this. Not him treating Cedric like a pawn

"They might be a threat, but Draconia is also scared of us. That’s why no one has crossed the ocean." The emperor replied. Aurelius smirked curious where this battle of words was going to end.

"Not yet, Draconia isn’t interested yet. Recently, Draconia won another war, giving them over 80 per cent control of the Tharexia, slightly bigger than Heliosa, and if the next ruler wills it, to conquer the remaining 20 percent will be child’s play. With control over the entire continent, it will be only a matter of time before their ships hit the shores of this continent."

The study went silent; this was a silent fear no one on the continent of Zeravon spoke of after Cedric won the last war in less than a month, thanks to Abrielle’s secret help. When it came to war, Draconia was never shy of it.

"If Lucian wants, he might expand, and Draconia isn’t shy of a long, raging war," Abrielle said. She has passed her message and established the reason why Silvanius needed an established tie with Draconia. If his daughter is the queen or empress of Draconia, it will increase their influence and reduce the chance of a prolonged war.

When two elephants fight, the ants suffer. Silvanius lightly tapped his fingers on the table thinking. His gaze was unreadable. "I can also decide to give Cedric to Lucien as a diplomatic gift." He mentioned. Abrielle was expecting this

The emperor knew his card and wasn’t going to let her slide easily. "But we know you won’t sacrifice the only chance you have to build a strong tie with Draconia one that won’t fail so easily. Lucien won’t want a marriage with Heliosa because he knows the baggage that comes with it." She stated her claims.

"What will be your choice, your majesty, to seize this opportunity or not?" Her stomach churned, and she was nervous about what his next answer would be.

Silvanius laughed, his eyes sparkled. Abrielle was stunned by this unpredictable expression. "You have a way with words princess. You hid your desperation perfectly."

The nobles are split, some want him dead, others think he could be our shield.

******

Abrielle was not expecting the emperor to agree so easily. She finally had a smile on her face at the slight hope that Cedric’s condition would improve...

The door was pushed open, and she stepped into the room with the emperor and some of his aides, among whom was the scholar she had met in the library of Archivum sapientiae. She was hopeful that if the emperor could slow down his own time, he would be able to find a solution.

Before they left the palace, the first healer Aurelius consulted for Cedric was brought before him to explain the situation, giving him a rough idea of the situation.

As soon as the emperor stepped into the room he felt the shift that made his skin crawl. He glanced at Aurelius, wondering if he felt the same darkness. Aurelius’s calm expression said it all.

"This will be a bit of a challenge. What your husband suffers from isn’t of the human understanding. It is something beyond us." He said. Abrielle was baffled.

The emperor had not even had a close look at Cedric and was speaking in puzzles that made her scared. It was just a simple wound from Lucian’s sword.