Erzsébet stared out the window overlooking the gardens from the library, quelling the rage that had been spurred inside her.
The Baron dared to propose marriage. Again.
She would never be able to tell any Stulikyan why she hated him so much. Perhaps if he and his family hadn't been throwing lavish parties in their Vottague castle while the people of Vira suffered under a plague eleven years ago, Erzsébet would have never been the last remaining survivor of her small village. She wouldn't have dared stalk them all the way north to Tark as a young teenager, hoping to use her growing magical powers to seek vengeance.
The only reason she didn't get revenge then was because Francis stopped her in time. He had spotted the young powerful witch, and whisked her away to be his apprentice instead. With his assistance, Erzsébet worked her way back to Tark, this time onto the throne where the Baron now had to grovel at her feet.
Even now, it still wasn't enough. If Roderich attempted a proposal one more time, she would whisk a large stone from Virside and smash his head with it.
Her malicious thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door, and she turned to see Yao enter the library and approach her.
"Your Majesty," Yao greeted as he bowed, "You have a visitor."
"I am not in the mood," Erzsébet refused, looking back to the window, "Turn them away, tell them to come back some other time."
"This visitor is young, handsome, and of royal birth," Yao added, "He also happens to be semi-nude."
Erzsébet turned back, her eyebrows raising in interest.
"Semi-nude, you say?" she checked, "And of royal birth?"
"Stripped to his underwear, your Majesty," Yao confirmed, "His vassal as well."
"Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?" Erzsébet remarked as she rose from her chair, "Let's see what this is all about."
Yao quickly bowed again, before leading her out of the library. She quietly followed him through the hallways, wondering who this royal visitor could possibly be. She had heard the gossip that the civil war in Prathage was still being resolved, so it was unlikely to be Prince Alfred. It wouldn't be his cousin either, the charming Duke who had once visited Tark a long time ago, just before Ivan learned that Erzsébet existed. It was therefore highly likely to be one of the Ixaidellian princes, although Gilbert was now a King.
Yao entered the throne room before her, and announced her presence to the two visitors. She calmly went straight to the throne, taking her seat before finally looking at the two semi-nude men standing before her.
The elder one was a shorter man with black hair, he was first to step forward and bow to her.
"Your Majesty," the shorter man addressed, "may I present to you His Royal Highness, Prince Ludwig of Ixaidel."
The man backed away as the Prince stepped forward and bowed in turn, allowing Erzsébet to study him. He had blond hair, bright blue eyes, and very well-defined muscles that she could look at all day. Quite the feast for the eyes.
"Your Majesty," Prince Ludwig greeted, "I have been sent by my brother, King Gilbert, to re-open diplomatic relations between Ixaidel and Stulikya. With the civil war approaching an end in Prathage, we felt it was about time to re-establish the communication between our kingdoms that has been lacking over these long years."
"Yes, of course," Erzsébet agreed, "It only makes perfect sense to work on our many forms of relations."
"Please forgive our lack of proper clothing," Prince Ludwig apologized, "My vassal Kiku and I were robbed by bandits as we entered the kingdom."
"Bandits, how awful," Erzsébet remarked, "How absolutely terrifying and smooth and sculpted."
"What?" Ludwig asked.
"What?" Erzsébet also asked, too distracted to remember what they were talking about.
"Could I trouble you for a covering?" Prince Ludwig bashfully requested, "Perhaps a shirt?"
"If you must," Erzsébet allowed.
She slowly turned to address the head servant, so dazed by the Prince's handsome physique that she momentarily forgot the servant's name. Thankfully, the man realized what was going on, and quietly whispered his name to her.
"Yao," Erzsébet called, finally figuring out what to say.
"Your Majesty," Yao replied, standing at attention.
"Please have the servants prepare quarters for Prince Ludwig and his vassal," she ordered, "See to it that they also receive meals and clothing as quickly as possible."
"Of course, your Majesty," Yao said.
"And once that has been done," Erzsébet continued, the plan now spinning in her mind, "you will need to alert the caterer and send out invites for the ball to be hosted in honour of our royal guest."
"That is very kind of you, your Majesty," Prince Ludwig accepted.
The Prince and his vassal bowed to her once more, before Yao led them out of the throne room. Erzsébet watched closely as the Prince left, noting again his fantastic physique and youthful vigour. She would really have to negotiate with Francis on his plans for Ixaidel, as the perfect opportunity for her own success just landed in her lap.
Moments after Ludwig disappeared from sight around the corner into the hallway, Yao came back into the throne room.
"Your Majesty," Yao approached, "what is this about a ball?"
"I want you to organize a ball like this kingdom has never seen before," Erzsébet elaborated, "We are going to sweep this young prince right off his feet."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Yao said, "but I still don't understand."
"For goodness sake, Yao," Erzsébet spelled it out, "Prince Ludwig is rich, and he's built like an ox. I'm going to marry him, and then my financial problems will be solved."
"Oh yes, I figured that out very quickly," Yao clarified, "What I don't understand is how you intend to pay for the party. It pains me to say this, your Majesty, but the Treasury is empty. Quite frankly, you're broke."
"Then go collect more taxes," Erzsébet instructed.
"Your Majesty, that is beyond reasonable," Yao pleaded, "I don't know the last time you were in Ivrark, but the people are starving."
"Do you have no imagination?" Erzsébet scrutinized, "Go tell the villagers that bread is meat, less is more, whatever other expressions there are. Commoners love a good metaphor, just go sell it."
"Bread is meat," Yao muttered to himself as he walked out of the throne room.
Erzsébet glanced out at the empty throne room, her mind spinning with plans. It was common knowledge that King Gilbert still hadn't found himself a queen, and was likely to hand the Ixaidellian crown to his younger brother. If Erzsébet could make herself Queen of both Ixaidel and Stulikya, many of her problems will resolve themselves.
And the best part of all this? She would have bragging rights over Francis.