The audience chamber in the Thorne's manor was not designed for comfort. It was a massive circular space with polished granite floors and no tapestries, ensuring every word was magnified.
Seated at a plain obsidian table, with his back perfectly straight, was Nile. The master of the Thorn's ducal family. He was widely believed to be the cruelest man in the five kingdoms. He was lean, dressed entirely in black, and his movement from the inclination of his head to the folding of his hands was terrifyingly economical. He waited in absolute silence.
Prince Alaric, heir to the imperial throne, stood opposite to him. The prince was pale, showing the severe discomfort he felt being alone with this man. Although they were friends and fought in many battles together, he still felt uncomfortable being alone with this man in his home. The purple velvet of his tunic, usually so vibrant, looked dull in the granite room.
Nile finally broke his silence. His voice was low, resonant, entirely devoid of affection.
"Your Highness has come a great distance, which suggests the matter is urgent or merely distasteful. I suspect both."
Prince Alaric swallowed as he placed his hands flat on the cold table.
"It is both, Nile," his voice tight.
"It concerns the Gareth problem."
The Gareth family held the North. They were loyal only by paper and posed a great threat to the imperial city.
"The Gareth Problem," Nile repeated, tilting his head. "A simple fix. A regiment of the Black Night and, I assure you, the problem will cease to exist."
"And then what, be replaced by the northern uprising?" Alaric countered quickly.
"No, my father has determined that blood must secure the North, but not with a blade, with a ring."
Nile's slate-colored eyes, which had been resting on a point above the prince's head, finally dropped to meet Alaric's. There was no surprise in them, only a cool recognition of the absurdity.
"You require a marriage," Nile stated. "With one of the Gareth heiress. A girl raised on resentment, and you propose that I am the one to tame her?"
He paused, and a thin, cruel smile briefly crossed his face.
"Your Highness, my reputation is built on breaking things. You are offering the imperial hand's greatest liability to your most volatile vessel."
"A marriage to me is an act of war, not diplomacy."
Alaric pushed himself straighter, finding a flicker of authority.
"Nile, I need you in order to ascend the throne, and youand i know what will happen in the coming years if you don't marry someone."
The prince leaned in.
"The Gareth family comes from a great lineage. They also rule the entirety of the northern territory. Given your family circumstances, they are the only suitable match for you. And believe me, I am not forcing you, but we both know what will happen if this is not done."
Alaric raised his voice that echoed in the granite room.
"Whether to the Gareth girl or other girl, this must be done."