Nelliel got back to the palace which was in chaos. As soon as she entered a flurry of maids assisted her back to her room. They bathed her and dressed her up, there wasn't a moment to rest or ask questions. She was rushed off to the dining room.
It was not the first time she ate with her father, but the maid put extra effort into her dress and accessories for some reason. As the door opened she noticed another man sitting with her father. She immediately became hostile but tried her best to hide as she went in and sat down.
"Good evening father, I didn't think we'd have a guest." She said glaring at the man. She didn't bother bowing since in her eyes he was trespassing. There were a few knights in the room with them. Half of them weren't wearing the clover KIngdom armour. Instead, they wore the Spade Kingdom uniform.
"Yes, it was quite unexpected." The king said awkwardly. The man just smiled and took a sip of the wine in front of him. "We were just discussing some conditions since neither of us wants a war." He cleared his throat. The man finally stopped eating and spoke.
"You've grown so much princess Nelliel." He said he looked at her with lecherous eyes. She wanted to kill him. She stayed silent not even looking at the display of dishes in front of her. Her eyes were fixed glaring at the man. "Shall we get down to business then," he said with lightheartedness. though it was their KIngdom that man had the upper hand. he could have his troops storm the kingdom in no time with just a flick of his finger.
"Why are you here?" Nelliel asked bluntly. She didn't want to play whatever game he was playing. If he wanted something he should just get it over with instead of wasting time.
"I came to collect what his highness owes me, my dear," He said with an innocent smile.
"What you asked for is too much. Can't you understand?" The king said, being careful with his words while glancing at Nelliel.
"I don't see the problem. I thought you wanted to have unity with our KIngdom's. This seems like the quickest way." He said thoughtfully.
"But this is not the right way!" The King stopped himself from raising his voice anymore, sighed and turned to Nelliel. "Nelliel, go back for now." He said with a soft voice.
"Why? This concerns her doesn't it?" The man smiled again leaning his head against his hand.
"What does that mea-"
"Go back to your room Nelliel." The KIng interrupted firmly. Nelliel held her breath. She had never seen her father look like that before. It was more than anger, more than anxiety, more than pain. She couldn't understand what could be so sensitive that she couldn't even listen to their conversation. She left the dining room immediately and made a beeline to her room.
It was only after dinner when her father called for her in his study. The news he told her next destroyed her completely. To be able to stop the brewing of the war she had to marry the King of Spade Kingdom. Her father explained the situation as if it was a complicated chess strategy which ended with Clover kingdom ultimately losing everything if it's through people or land.
"But there has to be another way!" Nelliel exclaimed. She remembered the man's eyes examining her like she was a product. She couldn't resign herself to that fate.
"I'm sorry Nelliel if this only I was stronger." He said looking down ashamed. Nelliel couldn't even look at his eyes. Without a word she left his study and sped back. On her way she met the person, she didn't even want to breathe the same air with.
"Your highness, what are you doing out here so late." The man asked with a smile s if he couldn't care less.
"I could ask you the same thing. You shouldn't be wandering on like this, nobody here trusts you." She said. She didn't care about formalities. She just wanted to go back to the sanctuary of her room as soon as possible. However, the man didn't move as if blocking her path.
"Of course I won't do anything since I finally have my prize within reach." He said lifting his hand and combing through her gently. Shocked and disgusted, Nelliel's blood began to boil but she couldn't move. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. Noticing this the man moved his hand away and gave another smile. "Well, I won't keep you. We'll have plenty of time later." He said then excused himself.
Her feet still firmly planted in place, Her hand moved to the strands of hair the man handled. She grabbed a chunk running to her room. She looked through her cupboard and found scissors Mielle forgot to take back after fixing a button a dress. She grabbed the scissors and immediately began cutting away at her hair. SHe didn't care what it looked like, she just needed his presence gone. If he touched her wrist she would have cut them off. Her neck, she would have sliced it clean with a sword. Her face, she would have gone blind scarring it.
When she was done there was a bundle of hair surrounding her. They shimmered from the moonlight. She then heard flapping at her windowsill. There perched a bird with a bright coloured gem around its neck and a note tucked away. Nelliel went to it with caution but it didn't seem dangerous as it patiently waited for her. Though the gem caught her eyes first she checked the note first.
'Valour's heart. Use with caution, it will take a piece of you.' It read. It was too easy and suspicious. As soon as Nelliel took the gem from around the bird's neck it flew away as if it fulfilled its purpose. She took a closer look at the gem. It a dark colour but Nelliel couldn't describe it as one colour. At an angle, it looked navy but then it was an amethyst, while in the light it was a starry crimson. If it was the real deal all her problems were answered. She didn't care about the consequences as long as she could save her Kingdom.