Chapter 1603: The Peace That Won’t Last ( 1603 )

Marcellus pushed the double doors open, stepping through with Lograc at his side. The two were engrossed in a lighthearted conversation, the relaxed rhythm of their talk reflected in the lazy, rhythmic sway of Lograc’s tail.

Cedric followed behind with Kevira beside him, their shared laughter echoing softly down the corridor. Aelius walked with Heres and Kezzoth, deep in conversation about the upcoming merchant summit and its economic implications.

Then Heres startled, feeling a hand wrap around his arm. He glanced to the side and saw Kliatana smiling up at him.

"A... ah... Kliatana..."

"Dear~"

Kliatana pressed her cheek against his arm, her smile warm and content. Heres rubbed the back of his neck, a faint flush creeping up his face, before he gestured toward her.

"I believe you’ve all met her before, at our wedding. Though allow me the formality. May I present Her Highness, Princess Kliatana de Armand, my wife, and the interim Ruler of Arjam."

Lograc placed his palm over his left chest, his smile warm and proper. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. We have heard much of your grace and strength from Prince Heres."

"Indeed," Kevira added, offering a respectful nod. "It is an honor to finally meet you in person."

Kezzoth smiled. "May your reign over Arjam be long and prosperous."

Kliatana released Heres’s arm and curtsied gracefully, her dress pooling softly around her. Her voice carried the measured, refined cadence of nobility.

"Your Highnesses, the pleasure is mine entirely. I have long heard of the valor of the Beastkin princes, and I must say, the tales do not do you justice. You carry yourselves with a dignity befitting your noble lineage, and it is a privilege to stand in your presence."

She straightened, her smile warm but composed.

"And now, Your Highnesses, I must beg your indulgence and your forgiveness, for I fear I must steal my husband away from this most delightful company. Matters of great import await his attention, and I would be remiss in my duties as his wife and partner were I to allow him to linger overlong in pleasant conversation."

She inclined her head slightly.

"I do hope you shall not think me ungracious for taking my leave with him so soon. Perhaps, should fortune smile upon us, we shall have the pleasure of your company again before the evening’s end."

Lograc chuckled, shaking his head. "By all means, Your Highness. We would not dream of keeping him from you."

Kevira smiled, bowing his head with practiced grace. "Your Highness, I shall not stand between a wife and her husband. Take him, if it pleases you, and may the remainder of my evening be poorer for the loss, but not my manners."

Kezzoth nodded, his voice light. "We’ll see you both at the feast."

Kliatana smiled, curtsied once more, and gently took Heres’s arm, guiding him away.

"Eh? Kliatana? Honey... but it’s..."

Before Heres could continue, Kliatana tugged his arm hard and hissed under her breath.

"Just walk. Or do you want me to cancel my meeting with Emeline? Because I can. Right now. Just say the word and I’ll turn around and pretend I never agreed."

Heres went silent. He glanced over his shoulder at the others as he let himself be dragged along by his wife.

Lograc smiled, watching them go. Kevira chuckled softly. Kezzoth shook his head before turning, and his gaze landed on Marcellus, who was making a face like he’d just bitten into something sour. Cedric rolled his eyes and let out a long exhale. Aelius simply nudged his glasses up.

Lograc glanced at them in confusion.

"What?"

Marcellus narrowed his eyes at them.

"Our father invited everyone to this vacation so we could relax. So we could skip the formalities and the stiff noble talk and just enjoy ourselves for once. And yet here you are, using full court language like we’re at a diplomatic summit."

He paused and made a gagging sound.

"If Javier heard that, I’m sure he’d pull that annoying face of his and start mocking for the whole month."

Lograc pointed at himself, his brow furrowing in genuine confusion.

"How could I not? Heres suddenly introduced his wife with full formal titles. And then Kliatana responded in the same way. What was I supposed to do? Ignore it? It would have been rude not to match their tone..."

Kevira glanced around the hall. He saw his father and mother seated together, the Beastkin delegation and officers talking and dining with Armand officers and Demon Nation officers, the Armand Queens, and the Armand princess and the wives of Marcellus, Cedric, and Aelius scattered among the tables.

"Speaking of Javier... I don’t see him around. Where is he?"

Marcellus’s face turned calm and serious. He started walking, both hands shoved into his pockets, and the others fell into step behind him.

"You all know about the upcoming invasion from the other continent, right?"

Lograc nodded, his face turning serious.

"Father mentioned it at the last council. Our empire has been busy with preparations for months." He paused, his voice level. "But thanks to Armand, we’re not going in blind. Your nation has supplied us with modern weapons and magic weapons. Rifles, rockets, artillery. And defensive magic weapons along our border and at key strategic positions. Without that support, we’d be scrambling to prepare in time."

Cedric crossed his arms while walking.

"Father mentioned that Javier will be going on a mission. I don’t know the full details. We weren’t briefed or told where he’s going or what he’s doing. All I know is that he’s been assigned to something important. And from the way Father spoke about it, it’s not a simple task. That’s probably why he isn’t here."

He paused.

"Perhaps he’s using what little time he has to prepare for it before he leaves."

Kezzoth let out a weary exhale.

"Looks like this huge war is really coming. One we really can’t avoid."

Aelius nodded, nudging his glasses up.

"Mm. That’s exactly why these vacations are happening. Father wants everyone to have these moments, these peaceful days, before the war begins. Once the invasion starts, days like this won’t come again for a long time."

( End Of Chapter )