The presence of the First Ramayan Grand Prince during the Masihian banquet garnered every guests’ attention. Many tried to converse with him after his introduction during the banquet but the Masihian King kept him occupied and finally whisked him away after arriving at a decision. Many of them stayed the next day, hoping to have a glimpse of the said handsome prince, perhaps initiate a conversation and yet, they were disappointed to know that he immediately went home. Even the renowned Akashiya Trading’s owner was nowhere to be found.

  It felt like an illusion, many of the attendees remarked.

  The prince fbbergasted them with his grand introduction and yet left immediately like a passing storm. One thing they knew now was: The ever elusive race of immortals had finally made their move. Not just secretly but in the open. Others won’t believe such development, believing everything that happened in the banquet as a rumor, until another astonishing news shook Grantierra.

  Not even the Great Temple of Ena anticipated such.

  The following week, Her Imperial Highness visited Masih, like she did during Stavros’s conflict with the Great Temple of Ena, and signed the alliance treaty prepared by Karel. Only a day ter, the said alliance was finally publicized.

  First was Astadvran, then Stavros and now Masih. The empire had already secured one of each part of the Grantierran Continent and even owned an isnd among the Southern Isnds. The alliances posed no threats as per what they agreed upon and it greatly helped them expand the mercantile businesses across the world, especially with how withdrawn the immortals were prior to the change of ruling monarch in the empire.

  On the negative side of the successful partnership, the persecution of the immortal races became more prevalent in pces where the temple had influence over. In the three aforementioned kingdoms, however, immortal races and Louvikas were still well-received whenever they sought refuge.

  Also, with Masih’s alliance, the Astadvrani King finally consented to the building of the Gateway in his kingdom. Many opposed his decision as the seafaring business might go bankrupt as Weissdel was one of the biggest trading ports in Grantierra. He reassured though that the Gateway still had a limit of usage to calm down the masses.

  With all these occurrences sweeping Grantierra off one after another within just a decade, many wondered what would happen in the City of Ena in the following months. There were already rumors of chaos erupting in the temple once the alliance treaties were publicized.

  The results of their inaction became worse than before as more and more people began to lose their faith in them. It started with the ban on magic usage, albeit now it became acceptable, many were still secretly opposed to it. They might not be openly hostile to the temple but they still lingered in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

  The incident of the illegal auction in Stavros also fueled the discontent among their believers, and following Masih’s leap of faith, it only served as another reason for people to break away. Obviously, some still clung to their faith, while others already gave up on visiting the temple as they’re not what they preach. Either way, there were believers throughout the continent. What’s a minority to them?

  On the other hand, Shirazi, still under terrible conditions as a result of the economic sabotage, also reached out to the empire in the hopes of gaining their favor. Her Imperial Highness attended to the matter herself alongside her Ryhtier Kaho and not even half an hour into the meeting, the discussion spiraled down.

  “I think this discussion is going nowhere,” Her Imperial Highness remarked as she slowly rose from her seat.

  “You forcefully took Dahar from us!”

  She csped her hands in front of her, crimson eyes looking down on them. “What befallen you was the consequences of your actions.”

  “You’re the petty ones!”

  Amidst their verbal argument, an arrow shot out, lodging on the princess’ shoulder, dug in and nearly grazed the bone.

  Everyone stared in shock, only then they moved when Lady Kaho fussed over the princess.

  The Royal Advisor turned towards the knights in horror. Even the King paled as he realized their predicament.

  “What the hell are you doing? Who shot the arrow?”

  One of the knights held onto a bow with trembling hands. “Your Majesty, we are—”

  Her Imperial Highness ughed wickedly. She removed the arrowhead lodged in her shoulder with ease and the wound immediately healed.

  “Pray to your God to save you from your predicament.” She flicked her wrist and a portal appeared. “But I doubt he would do such a thing.”

  Silence descended in the room as the Ramayans disappeared beyond the portal. Now, the Shirazian Royalty really didn’t have a choice but to strive on their own.

  After the meeting turned into confrontation, the empire painted the Kingdom of Shirazi as the vilins. Her Imperial Highness attended for the sake of peace talks and yet they attacked her even before they could discuss their agenda, even highlighting how Shirazi reached out first and only for them to attack their guests during their supposed discussion.

  Her Imperial Highness’s attendance already spoke enough that she’s serious about the matters and yet they dared do something outrageous. During her interview with the Deoryan Press—which also had branches and published news in the allied nations—she was willing to develop Dahar as a rge trading port and cim rights to do business with Grantierra, even with the Gateway construction in Masih.

  Due to the failed discussion, however, they arrived at a stalemate. Her Imperial Highness announced that she could wait and come up with possible solutions to the problem. After all, what’s a few years to an already long-lived Ramayan like her?

  The Great Temple of Ena, on the other hand, was furious upon knowing the news and demanded compensation from the empire after the news reached their ears.

  Once again, Her Imperial Highness was one step ahead of them. In the newspapers where they actively battled against each other with wits, she finally dropped the bomb on their heads—Her Imperial Highness sent a letter containing trade and peace talks to the Enaryan Pontiff a few years back and received no answer. And she reiterated that even before they cim that not a letter arrived, maybe they should rummage through the Pontiff’s belongings since the letter was indestructible.

  Chaos ensued once again.

  While they dealt internally with the indestructible letter and the Pontiff, The Great Temple of Ena still demanded expnation for their actions, and the Masihian King immediately told the world of what happened.

  Again, another pile of incompetence and neglect was on them.

  Stavros also sent their regards and congratutions to Masih, a subtle mockery to the temple. After all, Duke Streya was a straightforward man and loved provoking people if he knew he’s in the right.

  Amidst the ongoing chaos, Imperial Princess Belle convened with Karel once again, discussing what they should do with the Port City of Dahar.

  Karel suggested rebuilding Dahar to their likeness, disguising the supposed compensation they’re asking for as reparations. Additionally, in exchange of that, they would request open trading to the Shimhazrilian Deserts even with the new alliance.

  The st resort would be war. And even if they did engage in war, it’s clearly a victory for the empire.

  A finger rhythmically tapped onto the wooden desk. “We can flood them.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “It would make an abundant oasis if we do that.”

  Wide crimson eyes looked at him, rage thrumming in them. “Then, we just need to bury them beneath the sands.”

  “Aunt,” Karel called sternly, “I don’t mind you showing your other sides to me, as you’ve seen mine, but I still think you should restrain yourself.”

  Her Imperial Highness harrumphed and leaned back on her chair.

  Karel heard stories about her during the reign of Chang. She addressed a lot of problems in the kingdom which earned her royal rank despite not hailing from the main royal family. She also managed to avenge her family who died by the hand of murderers with the support of Queen Chang. Even singlehandedly raised her own younger brother by herself while serving the royal family at the same time.

  Among them five, even Eliwood the former prince and youngest brother of King Ling, feared her to an extent.

  “We will stall for now, aunt. We’ll wait for the temple’s actions.”

  A few moments of silence passed until the princess sighed. “I will heed your suggestion this time.”

  Karel turned to Kaho. “Please restrain her this time.”

  “She’s my master, Your Highness.”

  “At least, she listens to you.” He stood up. “We’ll convene again once the temple makes their move. For now, it’s a stalemate. I’d also like to focus more on my current duties.”

  Her Imperial Highness nodded. “I understand.”

  After Masih’s little spat with the temple, another uneventful three months passed by. There’s still no movement from the Great Temple of Ena. Come the seventh month after the publicized alliance, only then the news circuted: The Pontiff stepped down and appointed one of the high-ranking cardinals to succeed him. After that, he secluded himself.

  According to the rumors from the temple’s servants themselves, the Pontiff’s health had been declining and the news about the empire’s movements only resulted in his weakened state. The officials of the temple, however, only publicized his declining health due to old age but none of what the rumors had said.

  The Ramayan Emperor, on the other hand, didn’t comment on the achievements by the Shadows, nor personally engaged with the current predicaments in Grantierra. He heard of what happened but chose not to do anything and instead praised them for their efforts to expand the influence of the empire. He also wished not to overstep their duties as per what the former Crown Princess of Ling had given them prior to her death. They’re imperials just as he was, and still, they’re a family who stuck closer due to unfortunate events.

  With Her Imperial Highness in the helm, Emperor Chen knew it would go smoothly, knowing the Imperial Princess remained steadfast and handled everything meticulously. He trusted them the most as they would never put him or the empire in peril.

  The tenth month of the current year eventually came and Karel remained shackled to his duty. Even though stationed in Mapiya Isnd, he had no choice but to fulfill his role. Kani also attended to his businesses, either swamped with paperwork or spending time outside his office.

  In the privacy of their home, only then they’d manage to discuss anything unreted to business. They still shared the same bed despite having their own rooms and Karel noticed Kani seemed to sleep better with him around. He didn’t have the heart to take that away from him. His thoughts often wandered, thinking about his master’s familial dynamics and it broke his heart to know he had gone through such.

  Karel let his fingers lightly touch his silky tresses, thinking about his own family.

  Princess Toinette, the only royal princess and first degree cousin of King Ling, was never an imposing figure. She appeared meek, but her smiles definitely put the sun to shame. He remembered how fond his father was whenever he told him how he fell in love with his mother. It’s the warm, genuine smile directed at him first. Curiosity piqued, followed by fondness of her unusually kind nature until it eventually blossomed to something else.

  Karel exhaled as memories slowly resurfaced.

  He grew up in a loving family, born with a silver spoon to which he had trouble understanding people with experiences worse than him. And when the war came, out of the royal and ducal heirs, only Karel terribly changed.

  His father died while fulfilling his duty and his mother died by the orders of the opposition. He was left to his uncles, and the royal couple also took care of him to the point he was appointed as a Rhytier of Crown Princess Ling. In the end, they had lost many loved ones, including one of the people he cherished the most—Elise.

  Karel kept on asking himself, why would such a thing happen?

  Why should there be a war to be fought when they could live in peace?

  Why did it end up this way?

  Softly sighing, those crimson eyes stared at the brunet sleeping peacefully beside him.

  His mother would have adored Kani. He would definitely take him on an excursion, perhaps, even to Kuju just to shop for clothes. She would have spoiled rotten Kani, showering him familial love he’s supposed to have.

  And that would remain as a what-if.

  Karel scooted closer, caressing his master’s face before withdrawing. He closed his eyes and let himself succumb to sleep.

  If only…

  Tedious days followed and neither of them could even compin.

  Even the twins dragged them to bed, hoping they could rest with them. There was even a night Haliff and Hariff dragged them to their bedroom, Karel noticing the built nest and invited the two of them. Inviting them over showed their trust to the two men. Kani also noticed it but said nothing, indulging them until he’s the first one to succumb to slumber.

  They giggled and Karel fondly looked at them. “You two should sleep too.”

  “Will you be beside us when we wake up?”

  Karel nodded, pulling their shared bnket over them. “Yes. Goodnight, Hariff, Haliff.”

  “Goodnight, Karel.”

  This particur morning, however, Karel seemed anxious. He snapped two buttons off his shirt, the poor buttons cracked and rolled onto the floor. It opted him to change into another shirt, mindful of his strength as he thought of whatever was happening. He never was an anxious man and had always been confident when it came to dealing matters, even when he’s at the disadvantageous side. Well, if you had an extensive experience right under your belt, it’s something to boast about. Yet, the anxiety coiling in his gut said otherwise. Something was brewing. Not a rge scale but a predicament he should face nonetheless. Time and time again, it showed that chaos followed his trails.

  It was proven the moment they exited the mansion in the morning to go to the town proper. The footman arrived in a disheveled state. Breathless, he heaved deep breaths as Kani steadied him.

  “What happened?”

  Said footman wheezed then stood to his stature. “A fight broke out in town and there were people injured.”

  Karel’s eyebrow slightly twitched. Anyone hated disputes, unless one wasn’t in the right mind and being dragged in the midst of it was what Karel hated most. He couldn’t do anything, after all, he’s still one of the lords of the isnd.

  Arriving in the town proper, both groups were still going at it. The chaos evolved when some more men arrived and joined in the fray. Screams and yells filled the surroundings and the bystanders couldn’t do anything but watch, afraid to be caught up in it.

  The others saw the two masters approach and they slowly backed away as they moved forward.

  “Hey, stop it already!” Some of the women shouted, also fearing for their lives as the masters arrived.

  “This goddamn asshole doesn’t know how to do his shit!”

  “What do you mean? Huh?”

  “Incompetent asshole!”

  “Says the goddamned zy—”

  “I think you all wanted to be thrown to the sea,” said a grave voice and the crowd turned silent at the familiar voice.

  The fighting men stopped and turned to the masters’ direction. Recognizing them, they let go of each other and meekly bowed their heads before Karel.

  Kani stayed silent throughout the situation but disappointment clearly painted his face.

  “I will understand if you’re displeased about the dispcement but you’ve also agreed to it once you signed up for this. And yet, here you are wasting your time on useless things instead of being productive. As if you’re forgetting that you,” stressing the word ‘you’ to address all of them, “cannot live if you don’t work.”

  Kani sighed, sneaking a hand onto his companion’s back, patting it lightly. The soft, concerned touch grounded him and he also heaved a deep breath. He’s not one to lose temper but useless things often do.

  “The next time this happens, I really won’t hesitate to throw all of you to the ocean.”

  Kani patted his back twice then walked forward, addressing the situation as Karel turned away.

  They heeded Kani’s words, profusely apologizing for their behavior. The master sternly warned them, like Karel did, and some of them were still gring at the other party involved in the fight. He observed them until they broke away from each other, tending to their injuries.

  “When these brawls and disagreements happen, we will find more injured people.”

  “The brawl about nonsensical things.” Karel groused, still unimpressed by the locals’ explosive behavior. “Instead of using their energy for their livelihood, they instead engage in such activities.”

  “I think we might need a healer. Not just for this case but for the future too.” Kani roamed his eyes around. The women patched up their husbands, brothers and sons. “A town should have a physician or two.”

  With those words, Karel already had someone in mind.