Though the human country's food security was in a grim state, the king of Aropia's table was an extravagant display, an "all-you-can-eat" tribute to opulence with delicacies from kingdoms across the planet of Pangea.
Roasted dragon wings from the northern Great Alliance, boiled griffin from the theocratic lands of Asperya to the West, and an array of dishes unfathomably expensive lined the table.
For the humans of Aropia, mere survival was a struggle, but for their king, indulgence was the norm.
"Hazel," the king began as the last of the plates were served, his gaze heavy on his daughter. "You said you needed time to think about the marriage. But circumstances no longer allow such luxuries. For Aropia's sake, you must do what needs to be done."
Hazel Cheryat chewed uncomfortably, her eyes focused on the fried lobster on her plate. "But Father, Prince Crimson is a… cruel man. I fear he may not treat me well."
"Dear," her mother intervened, trying to soften the king's firm tone, "your father has thought deeply about this. His decisions, while difficult, are in everyone's best interests."
"But Mother," Hazel's voice wavered as she leaned toward her mother, her only possible ally, "what about my happiness? Can't we find another way?"
The king's hand tightened around his wine goblet, "Enough. No other nation has offered what Drakonia has. They alone are willing to support us with their military might. It is the only way the human kingdom will survive an attack from the other races. It is decided."
Hazel held her breath, fighting back tears, as the reality of her father's words settled in.
Aropia was hanging by a thread, weakened by a faltering economy, internal unrest, and ministers who increasingly distanced themselves from the royal family. Marrying the Drakonian kingdom's prince, Crimson, would secure their support, but the cost was high.
Aropia would be giving up much of its sovereignty to a race who harbored little but disdain for humans. Drakonia, a country of Beast Folk, had long nurtured a deep-seated hatred for humankind and would only enact support policies that reflected the same .
"Yes, Father," Hazel whispered finally, conceding not out of agreement but to avoid a scene.
"Good." The king's stern face softened slightly. "Put on a smile, my dear. The guests from Drakonia will soon arrive. Have a smile waiting for your groom to be."
Conversation shifted to old customs, a favorite topic of her paAlrents, who would always remind Hazel how Aropia, a proud human nation, had kept itself isolated from the Dwarves of Zoalani and other "undesirable" races. This was a topic that Hazel hated , and just like always maintained her silence , keeping her opinions to herself.
At last, a herald announced the arrival of Drakonia's crown prince, Crimson Buhari. This sent a shiver through princess Hazel's body.
The royal family rose, greeting him as he entered the dining room with fake smiles. Prince Crimson was tall, muscular, and proud, his sharp features marred only by an arrogant gleam in his eye.
His large, fluffy animal ears flickered with the sensitivity his face lacked, a contrast that somehow added to his intimidating presence. Hazel's stomach twisted each time he cast a smirk her way.
"If it pleases His Majesty," Crimson said smoothly, his gaze lingering on Hazel as he took a seat by the table, "I would like to show the princess the gifts I've brought. They've been sent to her chambers already."
Hazel's brows shot up. "Gifts?"
"Only the finest jewels from Drakonia," he said with a smirk, "Nothing but the best for my bride."
Her mother nudged her gently. "Go, dear. It would be rude to decline."
She looked to her father, reluctant. "Father?"
The king gave a nod, "Go on child. But don't be long. Our honoured guest should not be left without good company."
With reluctance, Hazel excused herself, motioning for one of her maids to accompany her. She was not so happy with leaving behind an ongoing conversation for which she would be the subject of discussion.
On her way up the winding staircase, she passed Hoglen Dhabiti, one of Aropia's top military commanders. He was an imposing 6 foot figure of a man, rarely seen in the residential quarters, and his presence in the corridor struck her as odd.
"Good day, Princess," Hoglen greeted with a formal bow and a very deep voice.
"Good day, Commander," she replied, glancing at him curiously but too wary of the man to ask questions. Even brief interactions with the imposing Hoglen required an inner stAlrength she seldom mustered.
What she liked about him, though, was that he was one of the few people in the castle that never showed a desire for her body.
In her chambers, Hazel found three large bags overflowing with dazzling jewels, being meticulously arranged by her maids. She gasped at the splendor before her. Blue ascension pearls, gilded sparites—the rarest gems in Pangea, each piece worth more than the annual combined earnings of a small village.
"Oh, Princess, how wonderful these are!" one of the maids sighed, handling a golden sparite with awe.
Hazel felt a spark of wonder, almost tempted by the thought that perhaps Crimson wasn't as cruel as she'd feared.
But the brief fantasy shattered when something cold and metallic whizzed through the air, embedding in the maid's forehead with a cracking thunk.
Another dart struck the other maid's throat, silencing her instantly. Both dropped like stones, their blood splattering across the floor as two masked men stepped into the room.
"You'll be coming with us, human bitch," one of the attackers snarled, reaching out for her.
Hazel's heart froze, and the room spun as she realized it was an ambush. Even the maid who'd followed her had been killed , stabbed right through the gut from behind.
Desperation took hold of the princess, who knew very little of self defence.
She scrambled deeper into her chambers, heading for her hidden dagger that was magically enchanted to poison any living being it stabbed. But she barely made it a few steps before a harsh grip yanked her back by the hair, ripping a scream from her throat.
"Shut up!" her captor hissed, slapping her viciously.
Panic clawed at her as she tasted her blood. Summoning every ounce of courage, she twisted in his grip and bit his hand hard. He cursed, striking her again just as Hoglen burst into the room, his face coloured in fury.
"You would dare lay your hands on Aropia's princess!" he roared, his sword flashing as he lunged at the assailants, "Let me cut them off!"
One of the men brandished a pair of katanas, sneering. "Stand down, soldier. You will be rewarded well in gold if you do."
Hoglen's gaze darkened. "You think I'd sell my honor?" He swung his blade with lethal precision, slicing the man's chest open in a flash.
The other attacker, now wide-eyed, tightened his hold on Hazel.
"Please, help me!" Hazel cried, stumbling as she tried to pull free.
"Don't worry, Princess, I have this under control" Hoglen growled, moving forward fast and delivering a bone-crushing blow to her captor's face, his mask clattering to the floor, revealing him to be human.
Hoglen's blade pressed against the man's throat.
"Talk. Who hired you? How many of you are there?"
The man spat defiantly, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction. "It won't matter. By now, the king and queen are already dead. You and the bitch are fucked."
Hoglen's face hardened even more as he swiftly dispatched the man's head from its neck. He turned to Hazel, whose hands shook uncontrollably as she clung to him.
"What do we do now?" she asked, her voice coming as more of a frightened whisper.
"We leave. We go south. The region is largely remote and autonomous from the central government. No one can do anything to you there. Your father gave me this command ,princess."
"No!" Hazel clutched his arm, her voice tight with despair. "We can't leave my paAlrents behind. They might still be alive!"
Hoglen took a steadying breath. "Princess, I have a feeling those assassins spoke the truth… your paAlrents are already gone. The beast folk probably have something to do with this."
Hazel's heart seized, she shook her head, her eyes trembling. "There are guards—loyal, well-trained—"
"Then ask yourself why they're not here," he replied with an edge of iron, "Now, go. Take whatever you can carry, change into commoner clothes, and do not close any doors behind you. You have ten minutes."
Shaken and with fresh tears stinging her eyes, Hazel nodded, hastily gathering a few jewels and throwing on a simple gown.
When she emerged, Hoglen was waiting, his hand firmly gripping his sword as he cursed beneath his breath, "Traitors. I'll see every last one of them dead."
2
Alren Revya looked at the two people in front of him with a keen eye.
The large bonfire in front of them cracked noisily as the hares kept roasting above it. One of Alren's men approached the fire and with his sword turned one of the hares over so that the other side could as well start cooking.
"Thank you Margon," Alren thanked the soldier.
"So how long did you say you've been here ?" Hoglen asked as Hazel pulled the blanket around her tighter to keep away the cold. Hoglen just had a vest but barely noticed the cold.
"A year , I think ," Alren answered , his eyes still locked on Hoglen .
"Thank you for taking us in last night , chief ,"Hazel was still struggling with the assassination of her paAlrents.
When they left the capital and fled south , news had reached them on their way that the ministers had assumed control of the government and were working with the Drakonians. Even a fool could tell that this had been a well orchestrated plan to overthrow the government .
What baffled Hazel though , was the fact that information of the attack was kept secret until the very moment that the plan was carried out. It was most definitely an inside job that had the support of a powerful third party.
Given that prince Crimson had caused Hazel to be absent when her paAlrents were murdered and the fact that his presence at the dinner table wasn't even being acknowledged by the ministers who had assumed power , it was not difficult to piece out the puzzle.
"You're welcome princess ,"Alren smiled at her , a complete contrast to the look he had been giving Hoglen.
"I am still shocked , how were you able to turn this place around?" Hoglen asked , his eyes doing a sweep of the beautiful villa backyard that they were in.
His question was indeed a valid one. The south of Aropia , unlike the other regions , was largely autonomous and chaotic. Many people feared putting up their businesses around this region despite how lucrative the fishing industry could have been. They did this to avoid the regular raids usually carried out by bandits and pirates who came by sea.
This reality had left the south sparsely populated with the few inhabitants unable to leave living in constant fear and abject poverty. The central government , seeing as how it already had its hands full with the larger national crisis , had seemingly decided to give up on the South.
"It's a good question ," Alren started , standing up from the log he had been sitting on.
"When I got here , this place was no more than a nomadic zone where the only feasible economic activity was livestock pastoralism. The people kept moving and relocating , not because of the weather , but because the security here was so poor that staying in one place for more than a week was considered reckless," Alren was reminded of how hard he'd worked to bring stability to the place.
"And yet what we found was a thriving town that even had a fortified wall around it . The only way I see this happening in the space of one year is if you had outside help from a foreign country ," Hoglen continued , his eyes following Alren .
"Did you?" Hazel gasped , her mind starting to label Alren as a traitor to the country as well.
Alren sighed .
"If that were the case , then your father wouldn't have sent you to me now would he?" He was a little disappointed at them.
"I suppose you're right. So was it my father who helped you rebuild this place then? Seems you two knew each other , albeit secretly," Hazel continued.
"Yes , no matter what the condition the country was in , rebuilding a small village is still an easy task for the king ," Hoglen agreed with Hazel.
Alren was not the kind of person who would go bragging about his accomplishments in pursuit of fame. Telling Hazel and Hoglen that he was the one who has single handedly built Haven town would have served him no purpose. On the contrary , it would only have attracted obligations he knew he wasn't ready for just yet.
"You two nobles clearly know nothing.The chief built this place on his own without help from anybody," Margon corrected , feeling angry that Hoglen was giving the king the glory and praise that was meant for his chief.
Alren gave him an irritated look that disappeared before Hoglen and Hazel could catch it.