Chapter 3: 3

Misfortune would soon befall the kingdom in the form of an unexpected arrival of the imperial army. As if they’d sailed in along with the northern wind, the imperial army’s descent upon the capital continued at an alarming pace from that day forward.

Lulled by a false sense of security offered by Voltern’s protection, the kingdom’s mainland forces had grown lax and unorganized, and they helplessly crumbled in the face of the imperial army’s swift approach. Furthermore, unlike the heavy snowfall that blanketed the Voltern region where Irene protected the borders, there wasn’t even a light dusting that could so much as impede the imperial army’s march. There was nothing capable of standing in the imperial army’s way, and the enemy forces reached the kingdom’s capital in an instant.

“Prince Hayden!”

From where he stood surrounded by a small crowd, Theorin’s third prince, Hayden, quickly raised his head upon hearing a familiar voice. “What of His Majesty? Have you located him?” he hurriedly asked.

“N-not yet…” Helink, Hayden’s aide apologetically stuttered.

Hayden had returned to the capital after the Knights of Ventus that Irene sent rescued him from the pylon that he’d been imprisoned in at the imperial academy.

After being rescued from his imprisonment in a pylon at the imperial academy by the Knights of Ventus sent by Irene, Hayden had returned to the capital only to learn of disastrous news. Not only was the royal capital on the verge of falling to the imperial army, his father, the King of Theorin, had disappeared after leaving behind a letter. “Blast it!” Hayden shouted, as he agitatedly stomped his foot on the floor.

“The whereabouts of His Majesty is critical too, but more importantly, it seems that the imperial army will succeed in breaching the outer fortress soon.”

“What in tarnation! How can our defense be this poor?”

“What shall we do? Should the outer fortress be breached, it’ll be a simple matter to capture the royal castle. If things continue like this…”

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“We can’t allow them to seize Theorin like this. We can’t,” Hayden muttered repeatedly, as he chewed on his lip. As fear of the country being overtaken by the empire clouded his thoughts, one person came to mind. ‘Irene M. Voltern…’ Hayden gritted his teeth when he realized that the goal he’d almost achieved was yet again hindered by unanticipated circumstances. With a heavy sigh, he said, “It can’t be helped. Hang up the white flag. Our priority is to protect the country first.”

“As you command.” The expression on Helink’s face was somber, as he bowed and set off to carry out the orders he’d received. In the king’s absence, the orders of the only legitimate successor, Hayden, were absolute and must be obeyed. A white flag was soon hung atop the royal castle to signal the kingdom’s swift surrender.

As a consequence of admitting defeat, Theorin was granted the opportunity to negotiate the terms of their surrender to the Empire. A chaotic round of negotiations soon commenced, until eventually a short recess was called. Eyeing this opportunity, many of the Theorin upper nobility clamored to beseech and sway Hayden in favor of their agendas.

“Prince… No, Your Majesty, we simply cannot afford to meet their demands as is.”

“In this tundra-like land, how much would we really be able to offer to the Empire, Your Majesty?” an old nobleman of portly stature entreated, as he scratched at his cheek.

“We also have to worry about the princess too,” another stout-looking noble added, as he glanced around at the others that had gathered. As if it was all premeditated, nods and murmurs of agreement broke out amongst the crowd. Their eyes glinted and gleamed with their sly intentions.

“Then, what do you suggest?” Hayden asked wearily.

“How about we send her?” a voice piped up from among the crowd.

“Do you have any idea what you’re suggesting?” Hayden snarled, as he slammed his fist against the table in anger. The subject in question hadn’t been named, but the prince easily recognized whom the nobles referred to. Still, despite his adverse reaction to the suggestion, ultimately the prince had no other alternatives to offer. In a weary voice, Hayden declared, “I agree to hand over Irene M. Voltern.”

And thus, a name that should’ve never appeared on the negotiating table was offered up due to the feeble condition of the kingdom. Meanwhile, ignorant of this turn of events, Irene continued to fight fiercely on the borders to faithfully protect her kingdom.

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