Chapter Fifteen: Decisions

Chapter Fifteen: Decisions

"You heard me," I confirmed meeting my father's eyes.

I saw determination, doubtfulness, protectiveness but most of all fear. For him or for me I couldn't tell. I was about to speak again when Alias came beside me and squeezed my hand.

"Your majesty, your highness," he addressed to my parents. "I know you have doubts of my dedication and loyalty to your daughter but I assure you that my actions were clearly for her safety," he paused for a second before continuing.

"Your daughter and I have grown up since the age of six. You took me under as a son, but Trinity already has two brothers. For the sake of your daughter let her live her own life," he said shaken by his words.

"Oh, Alias," I said cupping his face in my hands. " My wings are the problem."

"No, the wings make you unique which is why my heart only belongs to you," he insisted as we both stood up.

My mother was whispering something to my father when I turned my attention back to them. They exchanged a smile before my father approached us. My body told me to step in from of Alias but my brain told me to reach out my hand. My father's hand tightly gripped mine as he lead me facing opposite of Alias. He placed his hand into his.

"You have our blessing," he announced stepping back.

I looked to my mother tear-stricken; she nodded her head in approval. I embraced my father feeling my tears soak into his shirt.

"Father," I choked out not knowing what to say. I could tell he felt strange but he then wrapped his arms around. I felt safe and. happy.

^Next Day^

I walked slowly down the hall nodding my head to the passing servants who bowed when they saw me. I was taking my time as royal meetings always discussed the country's supplies and relations with other nations. I didn't want to hear all that boring stuff. My mind was on other things like the conversation I had with my father the previous night.

^Flashback^

"Are you going to leave? Is that why you gave us the blessing because you were going to.."

"No, you've got it all wrong and I have you to thank."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. When the earth shook and threatened your mother her life I realized that I was the one who wanted to protect her, make her happy."

"What about Hitomi?"

"I guess she'll always be a part of my heart but I think your mother completes all of it."

"Are you still mad at me? Or was it Alias?"

"Both, you for fighting that Zaibach soldier by yourself and Alias for invading your privacy."

"Alias was trying to save my life when I had the vision that I had to fight Thomas.

"I believe you but I think your brothers will protest.

"It will take time you know."

"Just like how it will take time for you to actually marry Alias. Are you certain?"

"Father! I'm not a little girl anymore."

"You will always be my little girl."

I suppose Hitomi will invariably be part of our lives. She has shaped our generation to become what we are now. I am grateful to her because if she hadn't left Gaea my father would have never met my mother. Alexis wouldn't be here either if she didn't meet Koji. I wish her the best of luck with him.

"Now this incident with the attack from Zaibach, I'm going to leave this to my son, Marcas," my father notified as I entered from the left side of where the thrones were.

"My lord, I must object!" one of his advisors spoke up.

"Marcas is the heir to the throne, he must be able to make decisions such as these," my father answered back.

I curiously peered from my spot behind the curtains. My father and mother sat on their thrones with Merle and Folken standing on either side of them. Marcas was standing in front of them speaking to the prisoners including Thomas. Merle's ear twitched and she turned around. She raised her eyebrows and jerked her head in Marcas' direction.

"Take them to the dungeon where they belong," Marcas decided.

"If I might say something brother," I asked stepping out for the whole audience to see me.

Every single head turned to see who would dare defy the heir to the throne. Some gasped, some whispered when they laid their eyes on me. I held my head up high as I approached my brother and curtsied to my family. My parents looked at me with pride, Folken looked shocked and Marcas was definitely taken by my appearance. I had chosen to wear a lilac silk dress with my hair down pinned with flowers at each side. I had added some colour to my cheeks, lips and eyelids. I wanted my brother to see me as a woman not his little sister.

"I don't see what there is to say," Marcas said dryly.

"They kidnapped the queen and Lady Vanessa not to mention endanger your life and .."

I averted my eyes to scan the audience and searched for a certain pair of eyes. I locked onto a pair of green eyes as I listened to my brother drone on. The corners of my mouth lifted into a big smile.

"Why throw them in prison when you can help them?" I questioned.

"Get to the point sister," Marcas said impatiently.

"Well we all want peace so why don't we send them back to their country to make amends?" I implied.

Silence filled the room as the lords held their breath for Marcas' answer.

"What would that accomplish?" he asked.

"Zaibach's people are still effected by the Great War. We send them back to rebuild Zaibach with our help our course," I explained my plans to send supplies with the soldiers where they could provide shelter and food for the people while they start to reconstruct the ruined land.

"Thus combining a friendship with Zaibach," my father said.

"And preventing any future conflict," I finished his sentence. I glanced over at Marcas but he still looked uncertain.

"If you feel unsure we can always send one of our men to escort them and give daily reports," I soothed.

He looked at my father who simply shrugged. He finally faces Thomas and his men and spoke in his royal voice.

"You'll return to Zaibach where you will be monitored by one of our men to make sure you are restoring your country to goodness."

Thomas bowed his head lower to show he accepted his condition.

"You're lucky I have a sister to show you some mercy," he warned.

"That doesn't make you a tyrant ruler. A benevolent ruler must make decisions based on what he believes is best for his country. For his mind to be changed by a member of the court or royal family means he listens to others. Mercy was only something that every ruler takes into consideration which is why you will make a benevolent ruler brother," I gave my long speech while starring into Alias' eyes. He was the only thing that stopped my knees from shaking.

"I believe that is all that needs to be discussed, you are dismissed," my father publicized.

One by one the members of the court filed out with the Zaibach soldiers. It left only my family.

"Why did you do it?" Marcas asked curiously.

"I had to get you to respect me as a woman," I said.

"You will grow up to be a graceful and intelligent woman," Folken concluded.

"Good," I smirked as I slowly put a hand on each of their shoulders. "I getting married .. to.. Alias,"

I left my brothers gaping at my back.

"What! When did this happen?" Marcas demanded.

"Father? Mother? What made you arrange this marriage?" Folken echoed his brother's anger.

Vanessa stuck her head through the big doors as I joined her outside.

"What's their problem?" she asked confused.

I laughed out loud at the expression of her face.

"I just spilled the news," I told her before leaving her to thump on Marcas' back.