"Prince Nuada, your royal highness." a guard appeared and prostrated beneath their feet, "Your presence is requested by the King, he awaits you in his study."

Nuala sat up from Nuada's arm and exchanged a glance with him.

"Go." she said softly.

Balor had his hands behind him, faced the wall, seemed cogitating.

Nuada walked in and got down on one knee, "Father." respectfully, he said.

Balor turned to face his son. The King began: "Lord Dambervane just left,"

Dambervane… the elf clan on the far side. Nuada mutters to himself in the heart.

"He offered an alignment proposal and requested a marriage for his son, Edward."

"Marriage…"the Prince repeated and sneered, his fists tightened, "They overreach themselves too much."

The King glanced at his son significantly, then agreed: " Indeed...your sister has better choices. What do you think about the alignment?"

"They are not trustworthy, Father. You knew."

"I'd like to hear the reasons." Balor claimed.

"They want to take over. By alliance and marriage with the royalties. A small force with singular lack of success they can't wage war against us. You won't forget what they did last time in our war against the Sons of Adam."

Once again the King seemed cogitating, rubbed his chin with his movable hand.

"Very well then, you have my permission to withdraw." The king announced finally.

The Prince made his obeisance to the King then turned back. But he stopped before he took a step. "Father," he twisted his head but didn't turn around, resembled his father in profile, "no matter what it is that you are doing, there is no use."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, Father." finally, Nuada turned around to face his father. "Quit trying, our bond will only grow."he took a step toward the King with the overwhelming deterrence.

"Nuala needs protection from your battle wounds. She's not the right fit for a warrior." the King explained.

Not a right fit...for...a warrior? The Prince repeated in his heart. A question was followed: "Protection?" Nuada sneered, "You are protecting her by thwarting the safety I provide?"

The King didn't say a word, he knew no better that Nuada was the one who could protect Nuala the best. The irreplaceable protector who always knew where she was, what she wanted, what she felt… More importantly, the King was clear the reason why he tried to cut their link, it was not because of the protection for his daughter, but something else…

"Do not interfere anymore, Father."

That's the last thing the Prince said before he left.

Author's Notes:

This is a short chapter... Next chapter will be longer. Excuse me for the grammar and vocabs...thx again for reading:) Many people might think it's wrong to ship incest, but Nuada and Nuala is different... Cuz old royal families used to marry their siblings just to make the bloodline pure. As Luke who portrays Nuada also says that their incetuous relationship is surely allowed. XD