In short, the whole Royal castle of Northcrest was in chaos. And at the moment the members of the Regalhelm family couldn't find any visible solutions for any of these.
On the stage, Kruel and Evillene took their seats beside Zachary and Abrielle. They were of the same status and any lesser place than that would have been an insult to them. Both the dragon king and queen were dissatisfied about it but they couldn't do anything.
Many ministers and Nobel walked towards Zivan and Samuel to ask what was going on and why the Witch-king was there. Everything was in a panic.
"Zivan, Where is your elder brother?" all the other ministers were asking subtlely but lord Gracia who held the high position in the kingdom could ask directly without any hesitation. He has noticed that something was wrong from the moment he has entered Northcrest.
The sudden visit of the south and king Zachary welcoming them like loser king was more than evident. Plus even at a grave moment like this Donovan was still missing.
"Brother will be here soon," Zivan replied in vogue words.
"How long is this soon? And what's with the Kruel's sudden visit?" Lord Gracia asked.
The Grand Duke and other ministers have Also started to encircle him for answers.
"Yes prince Zivan, were you aware of his visit? How could you let this man enter our kingdom and sit him with all the respect," grand duke spoke up. Zivan could feel a headache coming overhearing their question.
"Everything is under control, you guys don't have to worry," before Zivan could come up with anything, Samuel came to his rescue. In the group of Regalhelm children, Donovan and Samuel share the same temper, and thus no one dares to talk back at them. Even though Samuel was just a teenager his aura was very powerful and can't be ignored or taken lightly. Samuel's cold eyes swept on everyone standing with a cold glint in them.
Most of them instantly shut their mouth but there were still some who were desperate to show their power.
"Prince Samuel, you are still young and don't understand the gravity of the situation. Where is prince Donovan, asked them to come and give us an explanation," grand duke spoke with authority.
Samuel looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Yes I'm not old enough to handle these matters, but you guys are. So behave like an adult and instead of trying to confront my second brother and asking about my eldest brother, behind whom you guys want to hide, you should go back and get ready for any adverse situation," the boy dark eyes which were similar to Zachary held anger in them, he shared most of his facial features with his mother but he wasn't not least gentle as Abrielle was. All the higher-ups who were trying to show their authority shut their mouths instantly.
How could a young kid like him be scolding them like that?
"Everyone please take a seat first," Zivan added. All of them left with sour faces and took their seats.
After everything settled down on stage, the public on the ground started to raise their voices. By now everyone has already found out that the person sitting on the stage with their king was the Witch-king. The man for whom every dragon has the fire of rage burning in their heart. If they could and given a chance they will do everything in their hand to skin Kruel alive. And this man was just right there, sitting in front of their eyes, unarmed and unprotected.
How could they keep quiet in such an atmosphere?
To take the situation under control Zivan went to the stage and stood in front of the crowd.
"Calm down everyone," Zivan has a type of serenity in his voice. All the people calmed down listening to his voice.
"I know you guys have many questions but before you attack me with those questions and skin me alive...cough. I have amazing news," Zivan joked.
"This year's summer festival is even more special than any other year. Do you guys know why?" Zivan asked, looking at the crowd. His voice reached to the far end till the last person standing.
"What is the special occasion, second prince? As far as I can see I think we are in deep trouble," one of the ministers who was sitting on the side couldn't control his urge to speak asked. His voice was neither low nor high as he glared sideways in the direction of Kruel and his mother. He wanted to say more but he didn't have that many guts.
All the other higher-ups were also concerned and afraid.
"Huh, well it is a special day because the king of the South, king Azazel himself is here with the proposal of a peace treaty between North and South," Zivan said and again the whole crowd broke into the discussion.
Behind him, Kruel narrowed his eyes hearing that but he didn't object.
Zivan smiled at the crowd.
"Yes, you guys heard me right. Our both kingdoms are going to sign a peace treaty," Zivan added.
All the people standing down were first astonished but soon they started to cheer.
There were some noises of protests too but they were not very loud.
Zivan made a few more hopeful sentences and then the official function started.
Different groups came ahead and played various types of performances for king and queen and all other estimated guests.
The common women who had made gifts from handicrafts presented them to the Royal family as a token of love and respect. Abrielle and Zachary accepted every gift with smiles on their faces and happiness in their heart.
The time passed and soon it was time for the celebration of flowers.
As per the custom of the summer festival, King Zachary also made ornaments from the flowers for Abrielle and he was going to give them to Abrielle and then after that ceremony, the big feast will officially start.
Zachary and Abrielle stood up and stood in front of the crowd. A maid came with all the flower ornaments which Zachary had made for his wife. Abrielle loved red roses so all the ornaments were made in a combination of red and white flowers.
There was a garland, a red bracelet and one necklace.
Zachary first took the set of bracelets and helped Abrielle wear them. The whole crowd cheered them loudly.
"Thank you my dear wife for making my life full of happiness and love," Zachary confessed. Then he took the necklace and put it on her.
"Thank you forgive me gift of such lovely children. Even though two of them can not be considered as lovely," he added. Abrielle smiled with tears in her eyes.
At last, Zachary took the garland and held it in front of her.
"You are my only queen and you will be forever," he gently put it on her head. Abrielle was wearing the white gown and with all flower jewellery on, she looked just beautiful.
Both husband and wife looked at each other. Years have been passed since they married and throw out this year Abrielle has stood with Zachary with support and unconditional love.
And in return, Zachary has given her respect and a place that cannot be replaced.
It wasn't an easy decision when he decided to marry her but after she came into his life everything became easy. The understanding and trust she showed in their relationship were unparalleled. She turned the situationally forced relationship into something so beautiful that he could never imagine.
He was in her debt for the rest of his life and another. Zachary slowly bent down and capture her lips ever so gently. It wasn't a kiss of lust but pure respect and love.
Abrielle closed her eyes and received his love. She was blessed to get the man she wanted. Back then when she chose to marry Zachary everyone had opposed the idea, she was the darling princess of the small kingdom under the north, cherished and loved since she was a child, a woman who was desired by many men. But the one in her heart was only Zachary. There weren't any disputes between Kingdoms at that time and everything was peaceful. She could get anyone she wanted but she chose the broken man, the man who didn't want her but had just agreed to marry for the sake of his people and his small son who was no more than a year old.
But she insisted and married him, she wasn't afraid of his indifference and kept doing her duties as his wife, as the mother of his children and as the queen of this kingdom. And as years passed the cold glacier of his heart finally melted and then their love flourished and she gave birth to his three more children, completing the family of six.
And now she was the only one, the true queen of his heart and this land.