Chapter 4

It was a refreshing afternoon for the royal couple of the Eastern continent. Queen Yuka, as she poured tea for her dearest husband was smiling blissfully while King Yukihira sat there, looking like an idiot as he stared lovingly at her.

They were in one of the parlor rooms in the second floor of the palace where the garden can be seen below and the wonderful view of mountains and nature makes a beautiful backdrop for them. It was such a lovely and refreshing place to be which is why the couple always had tea there as they spent some time to relax and be with each other.

That afternoon was just another of the great times they were having. As much as they could, both of them were trying to free their minds from the stress of their works. Well this was a promise they had to one another; that they will live healthily and continue living happily. Providentially, they have been able to keep this promise ever since considering that they were an optimistic and healthy people in body, mind and heart to begin with. However, as the tension arising among the continents is getting worse through the years, King Izumi Yukihira has become less healthy than he was.

"Drink this tea Yuki, it's going to help your health." Yuka said and smiled

Yukihira sipped from the cup. "It's bitter." He complained while sticking his tongue out

"Still, you should drink it."

"But it's bitteeerr. I don't like it!" the King immaturely refused

"Yuki... drink it."

"Yada!"

"Yuki…"

"Yada yada!"

"I will hate you."

As if he didn't say anything, Azumi immediately drank his tea.

"Oh! Yuka! This is delicious. I'll drink ten cups of this a day!" he grinned while looking green

She giggled pleasantly.

Then someone knocked on the door.

"Your majesty," It was the King's valet, Misaki

The couple looked at him as he bowed before them.

"There is a letter from the North."

Yuka looked at her husband, trying to see what his expression was. Just then she saw how his face shifted from just her loving partner to also that of the King. This alerted her.

"Misaki-san, this is still the time for the King's recuperation is it?" she voiced out

"Ah, yes it is. I apologize my queen." Misaki bowed his head

Azumi, recognizing Yuka's tone, held her hand and looked at her but she was stubbornly looking away. He smiled.

"I'm alright Yuka. I have rested enough." He whispered just for her to hear "This is probably urgent. You know that Misaki has never interrupted any of my schedules before. Please go easy on him and let me check that letter he's got okay?" he stood up

She glanced at him, seeing his idiotic wide smile.

"I've got nine more cups of that tea to drink later!" he winked at his wife

Yuka can't help it. She smiled back. Then he kissed her cheek as he went away with his royal valet.

.

.

.

"Sire, this is the letter we just received from the North."

The royal envoy handed the sealed letter to the King. Izumi took it, worry written on his face while Misaki, his majesty's personal valet and also the royal adviser began accounting the current reports.

"It seems your majesty, that there's been a misconception on our intention of dispatching one of our troops across the Northern border."

Izumi listened.

"There was arson in one of the villages in the North. Fortunately, though a lot were injured, nobody died. However they are all homeless for the time being thus they were vacated to live in the nearest village until after their King allows them to return. The reason why I am speaking of this event is because coincidentally, the village that was burnt down… was where our troop was headed."

The king's eyes widened.

"When our troop has gotten to the area, they were shocked to see the desolate and burnt village. Although they were fazed and confused what was going on, they have decided to stay and search if there were anyone who needed help and also because they wanted to know from the Northern troop what ever happened. But when the Northern army arrived at the place, they were surprised to see our men, which means that they have certainly not expected the presence of the Eastern army in the place and in that situation."

"Though it was such a foreboding scenario, thankfully the leader of the Northern troop, despite being absolutely baffled by the circumstance and suspicious enough towards our troop, he was discreet enough to converse first about the situation than to engage in unnecessary bloodbath. Needless to say, we have become the main suspects for the crime committed in that village so they have come to the decision to keep our men in their territory for the time being and no objections were made by our side to prove their innocence and intention. So now it can be said that our troop is just under the provision of the North and they are not kept as prisoners."

The king sighed at relief but he look alarmed again when Misaki started to look troubled.

"This incident could have been easily resolved if we show the Northern King the sealed message we received last month about them needing our assistance for a possible skirmish in that area. We can easily prove to them that our intention was to help. And if there was anything suspicious, it was the letter that we received."

Azumi nodded approvingly.

"So we just have to send that letter to them correct?"

"Yes. But your majesty, there is something more."

The King nodded and Misaki continued.

"Just after a day that our men was kept under inspection, the neighboring village where the victims were sent… was set in fire again."

"What?!" Izumi finally placed the letter on the tea table, fearing that he might crumple it too much with his shivering clenched hands.

"It was set in fire again. This time, a family of six people died."

The King felt his heart break. This was the kind of news he hated most.

"But someone was caught."

"That's certainly the culprit! From which nation was he?" Izumi asked fervently

"From…" Misaki hesitated. "the Eastern."

"NO!" the king stood up "THAT CANNOT BE! WHO COULD DO SUCH…? WHO IS IT?! TELL ME MISAKI!"

"We are still trying to negotiate with the North to let us see the man. But it seems that they have been ordered to cut off our communication and was said to wait for the royalties' decision. And that letter you have right now has been sent by their King to discuss this incident."

The King, hearing all of this just concluded one thing.

"A conspiracy…" he muttered weakly

"Yes… I believe that may be the case your majesty. Although the North has been a friend and ally for years, with all the disputes occurring in all the nations lately, it is safe to assume that we might have fallen in a distrustful impression to their continent."

Izumi's head throbbed and he staggered back to the seat near him as Misaki immediately went to his side.

"Sire!"

He sat down and brushed off his valet's support.

"I'm fine. I just need to sit down."

The royal valet hesitated.

"It's alright really. This just…worries me. But I'll manage. I'm going to read this letter now so please leave me for the moment."

Misaki took a silent deep breath, bowed and exited from the room.

Izumi feeling shocked and dejected from this problem stared out the window. His thoughts made him wander off, trying to recount what Misaki has reported. He closed his eyes and tried to visualize each scenario and breaking down every time he was reminded of that family who died.

When he reflected on how that family got killed because of somebody's evil scheme, he feels so much rage against these evildoers. However instead of being consumed by his fury, a determination and will to resolve this crime lit inside him. He'd make sure to capture the person creating this ploy and have him repent for what he has done.

Determined on this, Izumi opened the letter sent by the Northern King, his old friend and it goes like this:

My old friend,

I trust that you have heard of the incident that has happened here in our side. But first and foremost I want you to know that I trust you and I believe that whatever has happened was not done under your orders.

Izumi smiled at this, relieve and glad to know that his friend still trusts him.

Although of course I could not just tell the people around here that you certainly cannot do these crimes, I have decided to keep my bias to myself. So if you ever hear of rumors saying that the "Northern King is very furious and is suspicious of the Eastern leaders", don't take it to heart old friend. I am just acting as to how they expect of me.

Now let us get down to business. Your army is still kept under our watch. Aside from piercing glares and hurtful rumors that your men get from my people, they are still safe and unharmed here. I assure you that. I have spoke n with your troop leader and he has told me of a letter that was sent to you a month ago bearing the Northern seal. It was said that we requested for your assistance for a possible skirmish but I am certain that we haven't sent such notice to your side. With that, I want you to send that letter back so my men could inspect on that.

To be frank with you Izumi, my friend, the prime minister and the leaders here are all tensed and wary of any attacks done to our side knowing how a war is rumored to be planned across the nations. If you still haven't heard anything about it, the South Western and the South Eastern continents have actually been in a cold relationship for some time now and it was said that in just a snap they might engage in battle. Also, the North Western continent which has been a neutral side for so long is said to have been arguing with the Western side about borders and land properties which might result to a heated war as well. So then, my people on this side has become cautious and even distrustful of any misdeed that happens and now that this event has occurred against your side, we are really in danger of becoming enemies. But of course I cannot have that and that is why I am doing my best here to resolve these problems and also why I am sending you this letter.

The thing that I would want to convey here is if we could carry out our plans a little earlier. You remember? That "promise" we had together with our wives?

Izumi's mouth fell open at this.

Okay, old man don't overreact just yet.

The king closed his mouth and squinted at the letter, suspicious that his friend can actually see his reactions.

My wife was the one who presented this idea. I just want you to know that. But of course I think it's really a brilliant idea to do "that" during these ominous days because first, it would certainly help resolve this problem between our sides, second, it can make these paranoid leaders here to trust you back and we can create a stronger alliance together. This would certainly spite the person who's pulling the strings and destroying our nations' relationship. And finally, this joyous occasion might bring hope back to other Kingdoms and may divert the disputes into a celebration instead. Don't you think it's a good idea?

Well I have to end my letter right here. I hope to get your reply back as soon as possible. It's been tough to all of us these days but let's carry on and continue serving our people! My wife sends her regards to you and your wife.

I shall await your response old friend!

Izumi closed the letter and found himself smiling. Though he was troubled by the information about the menacing affairs between the other nations, hope filled him as well. He looked into the bright side of things that despite of the trouble between the North, his friend still remains his friend and that he trusts him. Also, the promise they had, although he's still a bit hesitant about it, it's true that it may be the best solution to the problems arising now.

Someone knocked on the door and he bid him or her to go in. It was the Queen.

He smiled widely and stood up from his seat but he felt the throb in his head again. Dismissing the pain, he walked towards the Queen and hugged her tight.

"Yuki… you seem cold to me. Are you alright?" Yuka asked

He looked at his wife wearing his idiotic smile again and said,

"I'm fine."

But the Queen knew he wasn't. And she was right because when he stepped back from her, his eyes abruptly shut close and he collapsed.

To be continued

Well I hope you guys liked it! R&R :D