The secret agreement arc (part 6) (Final part)
Planet Krypton- Central Palace
Princess Maxima marched along the dance floor; her eyes fixated on the one person who stood alone on the dance floor with the most stunned and angered look on his face. As soon as Maxima reached Prince Livius, she stood straight and held her chin up high as she began,
"I will consider your proposition" she told him
He turned around; his angered look immediately changed into a slight smirk on his face.
"After" Maxima stopped him before he even began, "you tell me what this valuable information is you have that can help me with what I want"
Livius eyed her, "I take it Prince Kal-El's sudden proposal pushed you to such a decision?"
"My reasons are my own Livius" she snapped at him, "and if you really want your proposition to be considered, then it's best if you do not question me any further"
Livius took off his smile and changed his expression into a more serious one, "Very well. In one of my ancestor's records it was said that during his time, there were talks that roamed the whole galaxy. A talk of a secret agreement between two powerful planets- an alliance powerful enough to conquer the whole galaxy"
Clark held Diana's hand as they both descended down the ballroom stairs. Thankfully, the guests didn't think of gathering around them by the time they got to the bottom of the stairs that their energy was saved from conversing further with people they didn't really knew. Although instead of a flock of guests congratulating them, a voice of a woman appeared from behind them.
"That was some proposal you did there Small- I mean Prince Kal-El"
They both turned and Clark saw a familiar face of a friend, Lois. He grinned at the sight of her and gave her a hug without hesitation. Lois laughed silently.
"It's not every day I'm hugged by a royal prince," Lois joked, "and a Kryptonian prince at that"
"How have you been?" Clark asked, "Where's Jimmy?"
"Who knows" she shrugged her shoulders, "I haven't seen him since he went out to look for that Kryptonian woman that caught us the night of the Royal Masked ball"
"Kara?"
Lois nodded, "I think so"
"She's my cousin" Clark told her
"Really? I guess it is a small world after all. Although one would like to guess which side of the family she got her scary side from. I can't imagine that from you
Clark laughed. He missed those times when he would spend time with Lois and Jimmy. Even though the three of them differed in a lot of ways, they still managed to find something that made them connect towards one another as friends.
"Listen," Clark began, "I'm really sorry I haven't been able to see you two in a long while. Things have been… hectic"
"I understand," she smiled, "you've been busy. You're not leading a farm boy's life anymore but an Imperial prince. "
"But I'm still me Lois," Clark put his hand on her shoulder, "I'm still that farm boy you met and found. I'm still 'Smallville'"
"Well for a farm boy like you; you sure do have a lot of surprises" she told him, "it wasn't that long ago when you were depressed because the woman you fell for was apparently 'engaged' and here you are, actually engaged to her. What happened?"
Clark blushed and rubbed the back of his neck, "It's a long story"
"Try me" Lois laughed, "But first wouldn't you introduce us?"
She raised her eyebrow to the person next to him. Clark turned and saw that Diana watched them with a smile the whole time. She didn't look at all irritated but Clark saw that Diana was interested with the conversation.
Clark slightly jumped, "I'm sorry," he moved aside and extended his arm to Lois, "Diana this is Lois Lane, a reporter from Earth and a friend of mine" he then turned to Lois, "Lois this is my… fiancée, Princess Diana"
Lois curtsied, "It's an honour to meet you Princess Diana"
Diana bowed her head to her, "Likewise Ms Lane"
"I've heard about you and your planet before and I just want to say that I find your culture fascinating" Lois complimented her
"Thank you" Diana smiled, "I've also heard a lot about Earth from Clark; and I must say… Earth sounds like a fantastic planet to live in"
"Maybe if you get the chance, you can come for a visit"
"Maybe I will. Since we will be married, "she looked up to him, "we will have to get a chance to visit Earth- the place he grew up- someday"
"I hope it's soon" Clark smiled
"Me too"
Lois stared at them for a while and saw that brightness in both of their smiles as they stared at each other. It was the first time Lois saw Clark, since they met, so happy and bright. It was then that Lois finally realized that when Clark arrived in Krypton, he hadn't just found his past… he also found his future. She took a deep breath and said, "Before I forget, congratulations in your engagement. I hope you find happiness in your marriage"
They both replied, "Thank you"
"By the way Lois," Clark began again, "when do you have to return to Earth?"
"Actually our stay was extended for another two weeks," Lois explained, "with sudden news of the prince's return, a lot of the reporters begged to stay for a while more to try and gain… scoops… about you. And I'm sure, after hearing that you're engaged, they will be more fired up to gain more stories about you. Of course, I'm fine with all of it since I already know a lot to write for a whole newspaper issue"
"Do the other reporters know who I am back in Earth?"
Lois shook her head, "I don't think so… why?"
Clark took a deep breath, "Because I want to return to Smallville without anyone there knowing of my real identity here… not for a while at least"
"Why not?"
Clark held his grip on Diana's hand but kept his eyes on Lois as he spoke, "The people I knew back in Smallvillle, probably won't see me like they used to before if they knew that I was a prince. I want them to look at me as Clark Kent for a while before they can think of me as the prince of Krypton"
Lois gave him an understanding smile and nodded, "I understand but I can guarantee you that as soon as we go back to Earth, everyone will probably go looking for your identity in Earth and Perry will have to nag me on publishing the story I already have prepared, which contains your identity as Clark Kent"
"I know," he nodded, "I'll try to think of something. I'll use your two weeks delay in returning to Earth to help me. But aside from that, how has your stay been?"
"Very well actually," Lois replied, "your mother – the Queen- feels really grateful for helping you come here that she's been making sure our stay has been well and informative. Actually, me and Jimmy are the only reporters here which gave me a lot of information to write about. Although," Lois turned her head and looked around the room, "my photographer is always missing so I had to take some pictures using my phone"
Her head suddenly stopped when she caught a glimpse of Jimmy from the far back of the room, "Oh wait! I found him!"
She kept her eyes on Jimmy but turned for a while and told Clark and Diana, "Sorry Smallville but I have to go and catch my photographer. By the way, you promised to give me an interview"
"I did?"
"Yes!" she slowly walked away, "but for now, I have to go."
And with that, Lois disappeared among the crowds of guests in the room.
"She seems like a genuinely nice person" Diana commented as they both looked at the crowds of guests in front of them.
"She is. Both her and Jimmy are" Clark replied, "I have to get you three to properly meet one day"
"You see them as valuable friends"
"I owe everything to them, "Clark explained, "if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here right now: I wouldn't have gotten to Krypton, I wouldn't have met my parents, I wouldn't have known who I am and most importantly," he looked at her and so did her, "I wouldn't have met you"
"I take it you believe in fate?"
"That and a small earthquake"
Diana gave off a small laugh as she wrapped her arm around his. She wished then, that those kinds of moments will always be with them forever.
Clark took a deep breath as he and Diana stopped in front of both their parents. The three of them turned around and Clark saw that while both his father and mother showed happiness in their faces but also concern; Diana's mother wasn't at all a bit happy.
Clark and Diana both bowed to their parents.
"Kal-El, Princess Diana," Clark's mother began, "your announcement… was rather… sudden, don't you think?"
"The action wasn't a sudden thought to me because I've thought of it before but yes," Clark replied, "I can understand why it's a sudden shock."
"Are you both sure about this?" Clark's father asked, "I do not disagree with your sudden engagement… it was just too fast."
"Emperor Jor-El, if I may," Diana began, "our decision wasn't a lightning strike of an idea. We both have thought of this and we both have committed ourselves to this decision."
The three still didn't look as if they were persuaded with the thought; especially Diana's mother. Clark was anxious with Queen Hyppolyta and her silence with the subject proved it. Suddenly, he saw her took a deep breath and glared at Diana.
"Diana" she called out, "may I speak to you alone?"
Diana was hesitant at first but she held her chin up high and answered, "Yes mother."
The two left the El family and headed towards the garden.
Diana followed her mother through the garden. She didn't know what to say to her; she waited for her to begin but there was no sound at all.
"Mother" she called out.
She didn't reply. Instead, she turned around and looked at her with a dominant look in her eyes.
"Diana," her chin was held high and her back was straight, "you are my daughter; and I know that you can decide things for yourself and know the consequences. But this sudden engagement-"
"What of it mother?" Diana furrowed her eyebrows, "judging from our current situation, I actually thought that marrying Kal-El is the best idea. Not only is he a man of royal blood but I know him; and more than that, I love him"
"I am not against your marriage-"
"Then what are you against?"
"The fact that you just decided this all on your own!" Hyppolyta's voice rose, "how can you decide something like this without my permission?!"
Diana grew mad at the statement, "Mother! I am not a child anymore! I am a woman capable of making decisions all by myself! I do not need your permission for a personal matter such as this!"
"But you are still my daughter!"
"You gave me permission to choose the man I would marry. Mother I am responsible enough to decide such things for myself!"
"Which is why the more disappointed I was when I heard about this sudden decision" Hyppolytta raised her voice
Diana took a step back, her eyes still on her mother's. She took a deep breath and shook her head slowly at her mother.
"Mother," she gave her a disappointed look, "all my life, you told to be responsible; to accept my destiny as the leader of our people. And I accepted it: I threw away the dreams I had of exploring the world in order to help our people. And even though, I didn't see it as a sacrifice, I still couldn't help thinking 'what if?' once in a while. I did my best to become a good leader just like you… perhaps a better one. But… how can you trust me to become a responsible leader if you can't even trust me in this one decision that will truly make me happy?"
"…."
"I love him mother… more than I ever thought I could with anyone" Diana slowly walked away from her mother, "and if you can't accept that… then I guess you still don't see me as the queen you always told me to be… I'm still a princess to you"
Maxima gulped down the entire glass of drink she had on her hand as she looked at the dance floor in front of her- a dance floor filled with dancing couples from all over the galaxy. She had no idea what she was drinking but the taste had its own sweetness and bitterness that strangely enough, joined together and created an addicting mixture. She commanded for the waiter by the table to give her another glass as soon as she finished the last one.
Suddenly, she sensed a presence from behind her. Without turning, she already knew whose presence it was.
"I see your little endeavour to gain the Kryptonian prince went down in drain" a deep voice began
Maxima didn't turn; instead, she continued her drink from her glass, "Was it my fault that he already met someone else?"
"I would've thought your power of persuasion was enough for the Prince;" the voice continued, "since you've used it so many times before"
Maxima finally turned and glared at the broad man with brown hair, "What is it you're getting at father?"
Maxima's father, the King of Almerac, swirled the drink in his glass as he smirked, "I can't help but feel disappointed at this sudden announcement from the Prince," he put down his drink and looked seriously at her, "Maxima, don't you get it? The Prince of Krypton is the most suitable mate for you! His strong royal blood is your compatible!"
"Perhaps I should be the one disappointed at you father" Maxima furrowed her eyebrows. Her father straightened his shoulders, "why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"About the secret agreement made by grandfather and Kal-El's grandfather! The agreement that stated that if a princess and a prince was born from either sides of the two royal families, they were to be engaged" Maxima's head slightly raised, "The fact that a union between our two planets was made before we were even born! An alliance through marriage between me and Kal-El"
Her father didn't say anything at first but soon he replied, "It was an agreement long made between your grandfather and his friend; and an agreement I wasn't sure was still valid. It wasn't exactly written on paper so I couldn't push through with it"
"But you still refused me the right to know this thing!" Maxima argued, "I had the right to know that I was supposed to be the woman beside him on that staircase earlier!"
"When I learned that my heir was a girl, it became a perfect opportunity and I wanted to push through with it but when news spread of the Kryptonian prince's disappearance and presumed death, it all became void." He explained, "And then he suddenly appeared out of nowhere; I didn't know whether to push through with the agreement but when I learned that you were interested in him, I decided to allow you to make your own actions to achieve this." he put his hands on her shoulders, "I wanted you to achieve something on your own."
She shrugged her shoulders so as to keep his hands away from her, "You challenged me; and then you mocked me! What kind of a father does that?!"
"A strong King! Maxima, I wanted you to be responsible! And the only thing I know how was to show you the cruelty of being a royal; a leader. Just because you have money and power doesn't mean that everything will be handed to you. I wanted to show you this."
"You already showed me that! Since I was a child! You ruled not only our planet but me as well! Why do you think I use such cheap tricks against enemies?"
"…."
"If you really want me to be a strong queen father," Maxima continued, "you would allow me to be one; by giving me the chance to make my own decisions. And once I am queen, actions will be made."
The King of Almerac took a deep breath as he looked down on his daughter; his daughter who looked at him with distaste.
He sighed, "Now that you know about the agreement, what will you do?"
Maxima sighed and turned away from her father, "Nothing. There is nothing else I can do about the secret agreement nor the prince's marriage," she took a sip from her glass and continued, "but I have other work to do."
Hey! Due to demands, I finally posted the final arc :) As I said before, things have been really busy but I will definitely try and post at least 1-2 chapters a week. As soon as exams are over, fast updates are definitely back! But thanks for being patient guys!
One thing I can say about this chapter, is that Diana and Maxima are taking matters into their own hands. They're on their road to becoming Queens.
Hoped you liked this chapter and please please leave a review! Thanks :)
End of the secret agreement arc
Coming soon: The wedding the whole galaxy will be talking about; and a visit back to Earth!
Stay tuned! :D