The air around the Faeloria royal palace had shifted. Tension bristled through the corridors like blades of wind. Serenil Aetheryn stood silently in the grand throne hall, flanked by his father King Sylas and a council of advisors. The royal messenger knelt before them, presenting two sealed scrolls from the Mermaid Kingdom of Aegirath and the Vampire Principality of Noctheria.
Both declared war.
Unless…
Faeloria agreed to bind itself in blood and union.
"Two offers of peace through marriage," King Sylas said grimly, holding the missives with barely concealed ire. "And both involve you, my son."
Serenil's stoic expression didn't flinch. "They want alliances."
"Indeed. The merfolk demand your hand in marriage to their princess, Liselotte D'Armoire. The vampires demand the same—your hand to Roanna Briarwyn. Should we decline either, both kingdoms will fall upon us with fang and tide."
Serenil gave a small nod, silent as ever, his mind spinning behind emotionless eyes. It was a trap of diplomacy. One wrong word and Faeloria would be at war with two powerful demi-human empires.
That evening, Serenil stood before the arriving carriages at the palace gates. One emerged from the sea—a crystal chariot drawn by water dragons. The other descended from the skies, bathed in twilight shadows, led by a dark pegasus.
From the sea, Liselotte D'Armoire stepped forward. Her light blue-silver hair shimmered like starlit water. Her big eyes sparkled as she waved eagerly, practically bouncing. "Serenil! I'm so happy to meet you! I've heard you're super strong and mysterious!"
From the sky, Roanna Briarwyn followed with grace. Crimson twin-tails flowed behind her, and her mismatched eyes gazed at Serenil with unreadable depth. She bowed lightly, a pleasant smile on her face. "It is my pleasure to meet you, Prince Serenil. I look forward to our union."
Their presence was surreal. A whirlwind of political tension and childlike curiosity blended into a diplomatic storm.