Year 1531 A.F. | Late Mid-Autumn
Eastmarch → Imperial Capital
Part One: The Weight of Alliances
(Private chambers, Eastmarch Hold)
The banquet had ended hours ago.
Eastmarch Hold was quieter now, its corridors lit only by wall lamps and the soft glow of hearthfires. The laughter of nobles had faded into distant echoes, leaving behind the more dangerous aftermath: reflection.
Princess Valeria Solvanyr-Valcaryn, 41, sat at a round oak table in her private solar. The years had refined her beauty rather than dulled it—lines of experience at her eyes, posture of authority earned rather than inherited.
Across from her sat Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr, 22, his posture formal but not stiff.
Beside him, Lady Aralyn, hands folded, eyes sharp, listening.
Princess Valeria
"You handled tonight well, Lucien. Better than I did at your age."
Lucien allowed himself a small smile.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"I had better examples. You, for one."
Valeria waved that away gently.
Princess Valeria
"Flattery is useful in court, but honesty is more valuable here. Sit. Both of you."
They did.
The door was closed. Guards dismissed.
This was family—and politics.
....
On the Marriage Proposal
Princess Valeria leaned forward.
Princess Valeria
"The marriage proposal discussed during the High Convocation, as your father would call it—was never only about bloodlines."
Lucien nodded.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"The merchant coalition. The southern trade families."
Lady Aralyn spoke softly, precise.
Lady Aralyn
"And the fallen houses seeking restoration through proximity."
Valeria's lips curved slightly.
Princess Valeria
"Exactly. The merchants want stability. The fallen nobility want relevance. Marriage gives them both hope—real or imagined."
Lucien exhaled.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"And the Empire wants control."
Princess Valeria
"No. The Empire wants balance. Control is what happens when balance fails."
She turned her gaze to Aralyn.
Princess Valeria
"You noticed the wives tonight. Cassivar's, Morvain's widows, the lesser merchant ladies from the River League."
Lady Aralyn
"They were watching Lucien more than the Duke."
Valeria nodded.
Princess Valeria
"Because the future is watching the future."
....
Fallen Nobility & Merchant Influence
Lucien frowned slightly.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"Some of them smiled too easily."
Princess Valeria
"That is desperation. Fallen houses smile because they have nothing left to lose."
She paused.
Princess Valeria
"Do not underestimate them."
Lady Aralyn
"They want legitimacy without loyalty."
Princess Valeria
"Precisely."
Lucien leaned back.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"So what do you advise?"
Valeria's voice softened—not weaker, just warmer.
Princess Valeria
"Delay. Observe. Let them reveal themselves. A crown prince does not rush marriage unless war or extinction demands it."
She smiled faintly.
Princess Valeria
"You are neither desperate nor alone."
Lucien met her eyes.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"Thank you… Aunt."
Valeria stood.
Princess Valeria
"Now go. You have a journey ahead of you. And you"—she looked at Aralyn—"keep him human."
Lady Aralyn smiled.
Lady Aralyn
"I intend to."
....
Part Two: The Road Home
(Eastmarch Roads → Imperial Capital)
The imperial carriage rolled steadily along the stone road, the rhythm of hooves and wheels blending with autumn wind.
Lucien had removed his formal cloak.
Aralyn had loosened her hair.
No guards inside. No titles spoken.
Just two people.
Lucien laughed—genuinely—for the first time that day.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"Did you see Duke Ironfold's face when the wine ran out?"
Lady Aralyn burst out laughing.
Lady Aralyn
"He looked like someone had declared war on his cellar."
Lucien leaned back, relaxed.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"I swear, half of nobility would collapse without wine and gossip."
Aralyn grinned.
Lady Aralyn
"Only half? Optimistic."
They laughed again.
....
No Politics. Just Living.
Lucien stared out the window.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"Do you ever think about what life would be like without… all this?"
Aralyn considered.
Lady Aralyn
"Sometimes. Then I remember I'd still argue with you, just over smaller things."
Lucien smirked.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"You argue with me?"
Lady Aralyn
"Constantly. You're just too polite to notice."
They laughed again—harder this time.
....
Shared Memories.
Lucien stretched.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"Darius would've loved tonight."
Lady Aralyn
"He would've challenged Caelum to a spar mid-banquet."
Lucien chuckled.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"And lost."
Lady Aralyn
"And laughed anyway."
Silence followed—not awkward. Comfortable.
Lucien spoke quietly.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"Thank you. For staying."
Aralyn tilted her head.
Lady Aralyn
"I wasn't going anywhere."
....
The Journey Continues
They talked of small things:
Lucien complaining about academy drills
Aralyn mocking court etiquette lessons
Stories of Cassian's latest tantrum
Memories of younger days before responsibility hardened them
At one point, Lucien laughed so hard he had to wipe his eyes.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"If Father could see us now…"
Lady Aralyn
"He'd remind you that emperors still need joy."
Lucien smiled—soft, genuine.
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"I'm glad you're here, Aralyn."
She didn't tease him this time.
Lady Aralyn
"So am I."