How Long Until The Crown Breaks?

6. "So then, Ella and I maybe have caused a civil war between my people because of our marriage, but don't worry, with Morlagon's help, it will all be sorted out."

"Afterall," Newen drinks his blue wine and then looks back to them with his usual suave and smug attitude, "I have never been invested in my people's wars, politics, and social issues, regarding their hatred for the Rodarians that is."

Ella turns to them with a small smile, "talking with Morlagon would help, that is, involving the Lesothian Provinces who are willing to help out with weapons if it doesn't led up soon enough, I'm tired of waking up to hearing fighting and chaos, it brings...Bad memories."

Newen rubs her arm as Anun says, "that sounds terrible, how long has this conflict been going on?"

"About a year now." Newen says casually, as if it is nothing to him.

With some of them gasping and asking questions, Mashina starts speaking, putting her cup down, already reminiscing on the war she just experienced. "I had just wared with a country of my race, they are called Dorianians, they live in the caves of the crystal mountain. About six months ago, they kept attacking and I had to ask for Morlagon's help."

They all look to her.

She smiles, "no worries, it's all good now, we actually settled our first peace treaty, so now we are starting to get along and realize that we are all considered lower than the Chadludes of our nation."

Anun looks up to her after sucking up a noodle, "my apologies about my people, they can be a bit stuck up naturally."

"It's alright, it's not your fault."

As they continue eating for a bit, Nooun starts to laugh a little.

"What is it big boy." Mashina says, messing with him.

"I find it quite funny how some of us are still getting caught up in wars, wasn't our whole journey those six years mean't to end this?"

As it gets quiet for this question, Dusk answers him saying, "wars happen for many reasons, ours was to protect our nations from invading demons, not to fight off our own demons."

With him saying this so seriously, both Nooun and Newen lose their smiles as Dawn places her fork down, wiping her mouth saying, "so, what's everyone's favorite dish so far?" With bringing up a pretty smile after.

But Dusk could tell she mentioned this purposely as if she doesn't want to continue the conversation about wars, which is understandable during a dinner.

They look to her, with Newen's handman starting to say something, but Newen gestures his finger in a postion for him not to speak. 

Newen turns to his handman with a smirk on his face, "don't say anything just yet, us warriors are speaking, how about you enjoy your food first as we clear ours hm."

Dae-Mi rolls her eyes at Newen.

Lifting up his cup to him, Newen smiles as if they just cheered with their drinks, with Ella leaning to him saying "Why hasn't Morlagon come inside yet, I hope everything is okay?"

"I'm sure he is fine, this palace is quite a walk from the gate." Dusk replies while eating.

"Yeah, but nothing too far" Dae-Mi adds while daintly picking up her food.

Then Dawn turns to face Sovereign Marshogon and Sovereigness Maldu who are on the other side of the dining room, enjoying their food at their own table as Maldu says to them, lifting a brow "Are you warriors alright?"

"Just fine." Newen states proudly.

"I'm enjoying myself, your majesty." Ella says while throwing up the 'ok' sign.

"I'm doing very splendid, thank you." Anun says in a pleasing tone.

"I'm doing good." Dae-Mi says with a big smile.

"The food is very good." Noo-un adds in.

"Everything is well." Dusk says as he finishes his food.

With Dawn wiping her mouth and saying to them, "we are just talking about our lives and how we are doing, I ensure you."

Then Mashina turns her head to them and explains herself, "we were just wondering when Morlagon will come back with Takashi and his men as well."

Marshogon explains as he smiles, with adding laugther in, "he's on his way now, I can see through the window."

They turn their heads towards the sapphire covered windows that are blocked by blue water like curtains.

"Open them up for a moment please." Marshogon says this to his servants.

The servants pull the curtains aside just so they can see outside before closing them again.

"Thank you" Marshogon says while Maldu nods her head at them.

"Let's have some music play while we eat, this is a party after all." Marshogon claps his hands and a group of talented musicians come through and start playing instantly, with him leaning back and relaxing as they play.

Soothing the room entirely, they all take breathers afterwards and finish their food, they all start singing as well.

But this is all done in perfect timing as the stomping sound through the doors is heard after, with faint talking to accompany the sound.

"They're here." Dawn says, putting her cloth down and fixing herself up in a hurried motion, as if she is slightly afraid.

Dusk notices and places his hand on hers, then he starts whispering "Are you okay, sister?"

She turns to him smiling, "I'm alright Dusk, you don't need to worry about me."

"Are you sure?" He raises a brow, "if it's about-"

"Dusk, stop?"

Speaking louder to where everyone turns to her, hearing her, Dawn just relaxes herself, with her slowly looking around at everyone, with Ella asking her "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine everyone, let's greet Takashi." Smiling again, an obvious nervous smile, they all take notice but stay quiet as the large doors open up.

With Marshogon and Maldu standing up, everyone bows down and the guards along with Marshogon, Maldu, the maids, musicians, and servants shouting "Welcome!"

Morlagon walks through the room with his men smiling as he says "Everyone, Takashi and his men have made it."

He moves over, letting Takashi and his men walk through.

Standing before everyone as they stare to them all, he casually takes off his mask, revealing his strict and striking face and now small stubble like beard growing.

Looking to everyone, Takashi notices Dawn first.

Staring at her beautiful face, she looks back to him as well, then she lets out a real smile.

As they all come up to him, he says to them with bowing first, "sorry that I'm late, I see you've all mostly finished your food already."

Dawn turns around and gestures to a plate across from her. "This one is yours, the servants made sure that the food stayed hot by using a fire crystal."

Takashi nods at her, "thank you for keeping it warm."

Walking before the sovereign and sovereigness and bowing to them. Takashi's golden eyes light up at the sight of Maldu.

"It's been long, your majesty."

Maldu steps down and hugs him, "I'm glad you are doing well, Takashi."

Looking to her face, he smiles, "I wish I was better, your majesty..."

Maldu tilts her head in wonder. 

Then with Noo-un sighing, "there is something else wrong with you?" Saying this and crossing his arms.

Sneaking a look to Morlagon, he then says "It's my country itself, the Emperess is sick and the people are afraid she might die."

"Oh?" Ella adds.

They look to each other as Mashina starts saying "Are you close to her?"

"I am Captain of the Guards at the moment, though I pray to be something more eventually."

He turns from his fellow warriors back to Marshogon and Maldu as he bows and says "I don't want the food to get cold."

Marshogon gestures towards the table, "make yourself at home."

"Thank you, your majesty."

With him sitting down, Morlagon says "I pray you all have kept my food warm as well."

They laugh a little, with Marshogon saying "Of course they have."

Dawn says to Morlagon, "we did yours just like Takashi's."

Takashi thanks Dawn and says "I take my food's warmth seriously, as you should know, us Naminek people are all about spice and heat."

"I'll take that information for granted." Dawn replies.

Dusk smirks at Dawn, and she tells him to stop with mouth movement. Then they all sit down.

Dae-Mi points to Morlagon's plate, "it's not like we attempted to eat it while we waited or anything..."

Her and Anun laugh at this.

Newen says, "the wine is most delicious as well." Ella, Mashina, and Morlagon nod, agreeing with him.

"The wine is very good." Morlagon says this, happily.

.....

It was after they all talked and ate that they managed to catch up on things.

Newen and Ella managed their way to marriage just two years ago after their relationship was confirmed by both the Fodurean court and the Rodarian court. Even though they were destined to marry each other, some of the Rodarians still didn't feel it was right for Ella to be forced to marry a Fodurean prince and others thought it was the best way to mend the feud so that they can keep their hundred of years old tale.

With them still dealing with the civil war of sayings and rumors that is, Newen and Ella are still managing their way calmly together through these times.

Mashina is still the leader of her village and is making laws by setting up a court system for her people to follow, with help and influence from the Lesothians as well.

Noo-un is now Captain of the Guards as well, and so far, he is taking pride in his role as he is soon to be married to Nalayia, a childhood love of his.

Anun is still the prince of Solvie and of the Chadlude's, and a goal of his is to help may the stuck up government of Chadlude more spoken and well mannered towards themselves and other people.

Dae-Mi has become wife to Prince Reyn and now helps make guides and orders with him in South Chino. With her still playing her instrument for the people as well. Just, not so obvious that it is a weapon this time.

Dusk has taken over his postion as Prince of Nokinia and rules well with his parents and Dawn by his side, including his wife, Jemastiut, known as the lovely Jema, who wasn't able to come due to her pregnancy with Dusk's child.

Dawn stays well by her families side as Princess, but she has chosen not to marry and decided to stay focused on helping youth, building up schools and neighborhoods, and studying more on herself.

Morlagon is here as the Prince of Lesothia, being in league with his people and all their power.

And then there is Takashi, now Captain of the Guards who over the three years had to fight his way to the postion. It was only made easy by the Emperess herself who fawned over him, so...Pretty Privilege.

Other than this, they dance this night and continue to party, with Marshogon making sure they had their place to stay while here in the Province of the Lion, at the sovereign and sovereignesss seat in Lesothia.

....

During the dance, Dawn says to her handmaiden, "I'm going to go tinkle, I'll be back out." The maiden nods as Dawn walks down the hallway, nodding to people as she makes it to a large room that is separeated by dark blue glass to seperate the men and women's rooms.

With men and women who watch over the rooms making sure Dawn gets there safetly. 

But as she is about to walk in, she hears a deep and raspy voice call her, "Dawn..."

Turning around instantly, Dawn eyes get wide as she sees Takashi casually standing there.

"Thanks for not making supper awkward." He states.

Dawn walks down the stone stairs to stand before him, looking up to him with a growing smile.

"My pleasure, Takashi" She bows her head and looks back to him, "it's not big deal."

Takashi then adds, "I saw your face when I mentioned the Emperess."

Dawn loses her smile as Takashi continues saying "I don't know whether or not we still have feelings for each other, but for your peace of mind and to remind myself daily, she is not my lover, and honestly...Even if she did try me again like she has, I'll just keep pushing the offer away."

Serious as ever saying this, Dawn stutters her words out, but she clears her throat and says "I-I didn't mean it like that, I wasn't even thinking about us like that...I just-I was wondering how the people are taking you, you know...After you murdered the Emperor? She is his wife, right?"

Takashi chuckles as he looks around, then looking back into Dawn's eyes, he replies "She is not his wife, she is his younger sister, only six years older than me, younger."

Letting people pass them, with the both of them nodding to the guests as they continue talking again, "being made her husband was an offer I refused is what I'm saying, but...She has a daugther...And when she turns fifteen, I'll be able to marry her by Naminek law. I don't want that at all...So...That has been stressing me just a little...I just need someone to talk to about it, and I will tell Morlagon this."

Trying to gather his words the best way he can, Dawn can tell that Takashi is seriously bothered by this offer.

She holds his hands, "hey, it's going to be okay, that's years from now right? How old is her daugther?"

"She is ten. I remember meeting her when I first arrived back on the land."

Dawn's eyebrows raise, "she's just a child and they are talking about her marrying you? A twenty eight year old??"

"What about in Nokinia?"

"It's eighteen...For commoner marriage, but for us royals, it can also be fifteen."

"And nobody has taken you for marriage yet?" Sounding surprised, Dawn starts looking down and around before looking back to Takashi, "My family wants me to marry into the Arcilian family, the ravegers of the Areanean nations, they want it to be a negotiation for peace but...I do not want to marry into their family." Hearing the strictness in her tone of voice, Takashi can tell that the idea bothers her.

"Hey Dawn...They haven't taken you there yet?"

"But they will soon..."

"No." Saying this harshly, he steps back, then, calming himself as some people around notice.

He bows to them to assure that everything is alright before saying to Dawn, "that's terrible, do you even know who they are planning to marry you too in their family?"

"Yes...Their oldest son."

Clearly mad about this as she can read it in his eyes, she says to him to calm him, "hey Takashi, I'll be fine."

"Dusk looks happy" He adds, "but yet they are just going to take you and force you to marry ravegers, ravegers that act animalistic. They have no boundaries in everything that they do."

"Dusk is the son, he goes first in line, and I get married off as the daughter, that's just how it is."

While saying this, Takashi almost looks teary eyed as he looks away, then into Dawn's eyes, "Takashi, I'll be okay, I will handle this."

Then down the hall comes Morlagon and his three handmen, "would you like to talk, Takashi?"

Dawn comes out from around the wall to where Morlagon can see the both of them, "oh Dawn, is everything alright?"

"Just using the tolietroom."

He nods as Dawn nods to them and walks into the room with the women. 

With Takashi watching her go, he drops his shoulders a little before picking himself and saying to Morlagon, "show me where we could talk privately."

And by saying this, Takashi's men make their way to him, "sorry that we lost you sir." One of the men say. 

"It's fine," Takashi turns to Morlagon, "I'll follow you."

Morlagon nods and his men lead the way.