He could hear the commotion even from inside the palace gates. Outside, the common people have gathered to send off their princes. The soldiers were all in their positions, to prevent any dissenters from interrupting their departure and to stop the crowd from going into a riot.

Jura met him at the entrance, smiling widely. He was handsomely dressed in warm shades of browns that paired nicely against his tanned skin. Standing side by side, they were like the sun and moon. Even their personalities were a dichotomy.

It's no surprise that no one believed they were blood-related.

"Are you not bringing any knights?" Jura asked. There was no malice in his voice, only genuine curiosity, so he decided to assure his brother's worry, glancing back at his attendants standing by the carriage.

Chelia, his personal maidservant. Toby, the only coachman he trusted. Sherry, his personal cook. Yuka, his steward in charge of the entire team.

And they were all trying not to look like they were eavesdropping on their conversation. Completely unsubtle.

"They are the only protection I need." He said simply.

He pretended not to notice their blushes and preening, heading straight to the carriage. He opened the door, ignoring Toby's squawk and pulled himself into the carriage.

They kept the windows partially opened as they rode out of the city. The people need to see their princes leaving. He bestowed them a half-hearted wave before they vanished out of sight.

"Are you nervous?" Jura asked, settling down opposite him.

He slammed his window shut.

"Do I look like I'm nervous?" He said bluntly.

Jura leaned back in amusement, more than used to his straightforward speech.

"I can never tell what you're feeling half of the time, Lyon." He laughed. "I am presuming that even someone as unflappable as yourself would be nervous to marry Minerva Orland."

Something in his expression must have shown his agitation, because the smile slid straight off Jura's face.

"Lyon... I haven't apologized to you yet." He said remorsefully. "I should have discussed this issue with you first, but Grandmother sent the letter before I could."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Oniisama." Lyon said quietly. "We all have to make sacrifices in war. I should be grateful that I'm being sent off to marry instead of an execution."

"This is a sacrifice I'm not willing to pay." Jura said softly.

The deadly chill in his brother's voice was even colder than his magic, sending a shiver down his back. He widened his eyes in surprise, not quite sure how to respond.

"Once I become King, I'll find a way to bring you home." Jura promised.

"Even if you have to defy Grandmother?" He asked.

Jura was always accommodating to their grandmother's selfishness, allowing most of her thoughtless demands to slide. He preferred to defer to Ooba, mindful of her seniority and status. She might be old, but she's still Queen Dowager.

"You're my little brother." Jura said simply.

There's an itch at the back of his throat, building into an unbearable sting. He swallowed down the lump of ball that suddenly choked his voice.

"Not that little anymore." He whispered.

Jura chuckled, the warm sound washing away his anxiety like an ocean wave.

"Obviously not." A grin broke across Jura's face. "It has been many years since I needed to change your diapers."

Blushing hard, Lyon tossed a ball of ice at his head.

"You're fidgeting, Princess." Yukino muttered. Her lady-in-waiting inched closer, an arm brushing against hers in comfort.

She couldn't help but desperately grasp onto Yukino's warmth greedily. Instead of being in the front with her father and the rest of the welcoming committee, she was ordered to stay away, placed with her knights in a corner.

Obviously, this infuriated her. If she has to put up with this sham of a marriage, does she not deserve to meet her future husband face to face?

The dot in the distance was growing larger as the horses trotted up the gates.

"I wonder if he's like Prince Jura." Sting said, a little too loudly, judging from the disapproving stares they were getting around them. "Man, that guy is strong, but he's a stick in the mud. Can you imagine our princess being married to such a dull guy?"

"Sting!" Yukino scowled fiercely. She was too far away to hit him, but Rogue had already rammed an elbow into the blonde's rib. "Thanks, Rogue."

"I'm sure that our princess will be able to build a successful rapport with Prince Lyon." Rogue said diplomatically.

Minerva does not want to build a rapport of any sort. She does not want a husband. She does not want to marry at all. Her father was definitely cooking up some nefarious scheme to sabotage this peace conference and take over Lamia Scale. This marriage was a... a complete travesty!

The carriage slowed to a stop. Sting struggled to look over her shoulder.

Out of everyone, she was perhaps the only one to understand her father best. Jiemma was clearly hoping for her to marry Prince Jura instead, using the wedding to take down Lamia Scale's next King and conquer the country in one swoop. In the end, she was just a tool for him to use.

Lamia Scale was a land of resources, and Jiemma has been hungering to take over the other nation for years.

She has to stop this wedding.

Jura stepped out of the carriage first. Despite herself, she leaned forward in curiosity so she could get a better look at her prospective husband.

The first thing she noticed was the silver hair. She had actually thought that it was a shade of platinum blond burnished from the sunlight, but it was a completely pale silver colour when she took a second look.

Prince Lyon was also much younger than she expected.

Everyone in Sabertooth knew about the age gap between the two brothers, as the former King took another wife many years after the death of his first Queen, but Prince Lyon barely looked any older than her.

"He's very pretty to look at." Sting whistled. "At least you don't have to put up with an ugly face during your bedding."

This time, Minerva slammed her heel down on top of his foot. She felt a burst of satisfaction as he let out a muffled yowl behind her. Rogue sighed in exasperation.

She turned her attention back to Prince Lyon. He was standing two steps behind his elder brother as King Jiemma greeted them, his expressionless face—a very pretty face, she conceded—an empty canvas. As if feeling her eyes on him, he suddenly looked up. From this distance, she could not make out the colour of his eyes, but they met her gaze so unexpectedly that she startled.

By the time she regained her composure, he had already looked away.

"Your Highness?" Yukino whispered, nudging her gently. "It's time to move."

The two princes were following King Jiemma into the palace, and Prince Lyon was lost amongst the procession behind them.