Chapter 317 - False Engagement

"Your Highness?"

Fredek called as he entered the huge bedchamber. At the far side of the room was a huge poster bed where the occupant was basked in the shadows. It's been two hours since the king had collapsed due to his heartbreak and was put there to rest. As soon as Alistair of Ritz woke up, he had called for his right-hand man.

The second in command entered the room carefully without making noise. He was worried to disturb the other even if he knew the king was already awake and a small sound wouldn't matter.

"Fredek, you already know why I called you, don't you?"

A slender hand emerged from the shadow to move the curtain of the poster bed to the side as the figure on the bed shifted. The shadow then retreated and the moonlight illuminated the beautiful, otherworldly visage of the king.

Fredek raised his head and dared to look at his liege with a serious expression. Of course, he had known what his king wanted. He had already known since they found out that the princess, Alinea was in the other world.

"Yes, Your Highness," he answered respectfully.

Alistair studied him with his pair of amethyst orbs for a while before lifting his hand again to beckon him. "Come here."

Without further ado, Fredek respectfully bowed before crossing the room to stand by the king's bed. He bent on one knee as soon as she did and bowed his head.

Alistair reached out a hand and placed it on top of Fredek's head. Light appeared at the tips of his fingers and seals formed above the latter's head. "I am bestowing you a part of my strength. Use this well to guard this country built by my eldest child in my absence."

There was no question that Alistair trusted Fredek a lot. Even if he only blessed with a small part of his power, it was strong enough to annihilate half a nation all by himself.

"I will take care of Ritz while you are gone, Your Highness. I will give my life to guard it."

That's right. Alistiar would go on a journey – a journey that was long overdue. Alinea had been gone a dozen days, and he missed her terribly. However, learning about the truth shocked him to the core, and he was overcome with grief and remorse.

He caused his own daughter's demise, time and time again.

His greatest fear of making her suffer came true. He had broken his promise not only to his wife but to his child as well. He failed them yet again. However, he knew he couldn't go on wallowing in his guilt. There was still so much that he had to do.

In this lifetime, there was a huge possibility of them to finally break the curse that had controlled their lives for thousands of years. He wouldn't let this precious chance go even if it meant facing the wrath of his daughter. It didn't matter if he was hated. They could break the curse. It's his greatest wish and his gift to his child.

"I have to leave now," Alistair announced and he got off the bed.   

He crossed the room to go to the boudoir where a small golden chest was. He opened the lid and retrieved a bracelet there adorned with five precious stones. From the onlookers, it would appear to be a small trinket. However, its significance was great.

Each of the stones with different colors were mementos from Alinea's fallen comrades' weapons. When Alistair and his men found the shallow grave that Ali had made at the edge of the forest, he had their body transferred to Ritz for proper burial. He even had a statue of all five warriors with Alinea in the city center. Nonetheless, he took one stone each from their weapons and had an artisan fashion them to a bracelet.

Alistair placed the bejeweled golden chain in the pocket of his chiton and strode further across the room towards the door with Fredek trailing after him.

"Please, let me send you off, Your Highness."

"I'll be fine," Alistair answered him as he continued to walk out of the room then down the corridor.

"But Your Majesty, it's easier if I take you there," Fredek insisted, and the king agreed finally.

Alistair didn't want to be sent off. But he realized that indeed, it's easier for him to go to the portal with Fredek, as he didn't have any control with the wind as he did before when Stribog's powers were still with him.

"Fine," Alistair accepted, and soon, he and the other one were flying towards the portal.

When they reached the place, Fredek placed the king back on his feet gently. "We have arrived."

True enough, the portal which was invisible most of the time was now so vivid.  

"How long ago did Ivan leave?" Alistair asked.

"About two hours before you woke up, Your Highness," Fredek answered, not surprised that the king knew the Emperor of Kres already went ahead.

"I see,"Alistair murmured as he stared at the portal and sighed. "I'll be leaving now then," he added as he stepped into the warped gateway that would lead him to the other side.

========

Tokyo….

"So? Until when are we going to wait for those two?" Ivan of Kres asked followed by a huge yawn.

The red-head lounged lazily at the receiving room while he nursed a warm cup of sake. He's been drinking for a couple of hours now with Kazehaya Gin who was busy with his laptop. It's nearly dinner time but the couple, Ryuu and Ara still hadn't emerged from their room.

True to their words, the girls, delivered Ivan at the Cedar Palace two hours ago, looking like a different man. He totally looked like how modern men looked on earth. Gone were his heavy armor and weapons. In their stead, he wore casual and even fashionable clothing for young men these days. He wore a white sweater, a pair of simple dark blue jeans, and boots. With his height, well-toned body, and demigod handsome looks, he could even pass for an international model.

Rin and Midori even joked about signing him up at a modeling agency, but Gin didn't think it's needed as Ivan couldn't stay long. He's an emperor after all. He could only stay on Earth for a week at most.

"Just drink. I don't think they'd come out so soon," Gin answered with a knowing grin.

As soon as he arrived there earlier, the servants had informed him with grins on their faces that the Young Master and the Young Lady had made up and were now busy with each other. After the scene they did at the archery dojo, the two had retreated to their temporary chamber and had been staying there since.

"Do arguments in this world last so long?" Ivan asked; a frown marred his brow.

Gin almost snorted at the question but held himself back since he had this nagging feeling that this giant of a descendant was truly clueless about what was going on. To test his theory, he cleared his throat and asked.

"Ivan, haven't you had any woman before?"

Ivan looked incredulous before laughing. "Of course," he answered easily. "I have a mistress in Kres, who takes care of my needs," he added meaningfully which confused Gin.

"But weren't you engaged to Ara?"

"Ara?"

Gin palmed his face, forgetting Ara's other name. "Alinea I mean," he explained, and understanding dawned on Ivan's face.

"Yes, but it's just a temporary engagement," he said. "We couldn't find grandpa, and it's Gedian law that female royalty should be at least engaged when she turns eighteen."

Oh…

Gin nodded, finally understanding what happened. Ivan was used as a scarecrow by his twin to fend off unwanted suitors. There was neither marriage nor feelings developed aside from the platonic one that was planned from the start.

"And you were alright with that?"

Ivan sat straighter and shrugged. "I didn't mind. I like Ali as a sister."

Oh well…

Gin was now confused about why Ivan didn't guess what Ara and Ryuu were doing in their room. He was thinking that maybe Ivan was not that smart when they both felt an aura, and the two of them sat up in alert.

Ivan grinned, while Gin facepalmed.

"Ah that Ritz. He's finally coming, huh?"

Gin stood up and fixed his colorful necktie. He's wearing a white business suit with a rainbow colored tie today. However, unlike Ivan, he was nervous – so nervous that his stomach started churning. It was as if he was suddenly sentenced to stay in prison and was anxious.

"Well, should we go pick up my brother then?"