Negotiations

Liana reappeared on the deck of the Adventura. Sailors and soldiers looked at her in shock.

"Where is my father?"

No one answered her. She groaned in frustration.

"I am Princess Liliana Davine of Salencia. Now, could anyone kindly point me in the direction of my father, the King?"

A sailor stepped forward.

"Many apologies, Princess. My name is Darrow Coombs. I am the first mate of the Adventura. Your father is in his cabin. Allow me to escort you."

Liana nodded and followed him back to the king's cabin. Coombs knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty? There's someone here to see you."

"Who?"

"Me, Father."

"Ahh, Liana! Come in, dear, come in."

She thanked the first mate and opened the door. Walking in, she shut it behind her.

"Father."

She bowed low in respect.

"Oh, stand, child. My daughter, how fares everything?"

"Vander and Preston know everything. The mages will have been told by now and are probably riled up. You should turn this ship around."

"Why do you say that? I have already set sail as you can tell."

"Because, do you want to have to watch your soldiers died as they fight with the mages? Because that's what will happen, Father. Do you want to risk Mother losing you? because that could happen. People will die if you land on Sonic. Both our own men, and the mages." Her voice softened and quieted down. "Are you willing to risk it all for the glory and recognition?"

Her father looked at her and sighed.

"No, I suppose not."

He left the cabin and walked out onto the main deck.

"Turn this ship around! Set sail for Helissus!"

Liana breathed a sigh of relief. King Russell turned to her.

"What happened to my headstrong, ambitious girl? You've mellowed quite a bit."

"Oh," she began. "I still want a great many things, Father. But during the last war, I watched the mages die, one after the other, on either side of me. Some of them I had know for years. It deeply saddened me."

She took a deep, shuddering breath and let it out.

"War changes people. You should know that well, Father."

"Yes," he said sadly. "I do. Vurstan refuses to call an end to the war until Salencia admits what it did. I don't even know what happened to anger Vurstan!"

Liana winced, and her father noticed it.

"What, daughter?"

"I know."

"You do?!"

"Yes, but only because... I caused it."

The king groaned as Liana told him what she had done.

"I hated not being as recognized and praised as Harmon and Vander. But of course, they're sons. I was the girl, the one to be married off for prospects, alliances, tactical purposes. That's not what I wanted from my life. So, I did something about it. I admit it wasn't a good thing, but I was hurting. I didn't care about the repercussions back then."

"Liana..."

"I'm sorry, Father. But if Prince Leo hasn't mentioned anything to his father, then he's just as much to blame for the whole situation. He could've told the truth a long time ago, but he didn't. Whether it was to save me from ruination, I don't know. But he hasn't spoken up."

She hung her head.

"Tomorrow, I'll go and formally apologize to King Erik. Hopefully, that'll end the war."

Without another word, she teleported back to the Salencian palace.

"How did it go?" Harmon asked.

"I got him to turn around. They're on their way home as we speak."

Harmon breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank the gods."

"One one condition," she continued.

"What?"

"That I end the war with Vurstan."

"How?"

"By making up for the past. Plus, a generous gift might not hurt my chances either."

"Good luck, Liana. I've heard that King Erik is very stubborn."

"Oh, I know. He's just as stubborn as Preston is. That's why I failed with Sonic. Let's hope I don't make the same mistakes in Vurstan."

She left her brother's room and headed to her own for the night.

~~~

The next morning, she dressed into a dress befitting her station. It was golden yellow with silver lacing. A citrine jewel hung at her neck. A silver tiara rested upon her head.

Liana went and big goodbye to her brother and parents (her father had arrived in the capital, Dressna, late last night). Then, she teleported to Vurstan's capital city, Quennia. Liana walked up to the palace gates.

"I am Princess Liliana Davine of Salencia. I'd like to speak with His Majesty, King Erik."

The guards looked to one another and then let her in. She walked up to the front door and was admitted by a butler. Liana followed him to the throne room. The doors opened to reveal the king and his court.

Liana walked forward, through the various Vurstanian nobles, toward the thrones on which King Erik, Queen Freya, and Crown Prince Leo sat. Her eyes met Leo's, and his widened in shock. She curtsied low and waited to be allowed to stand.

"Rise."

She stood, but kept her head respectfully lowered.

"Who are you, and why have you come here and interrupted my court?" King Erik asked.

"I am terribly sorry about the interruption, Your Majesty," she began. Liana raised her head. "My name is Princess Liliana Davine of Salencia. I have come here today to seek an end to our war."

Murmurs coursed through the Vurstanian nobles.

"You wish to end this war? Then tell me what Salencia has done to cause this war."

Fake confusion flowed across her features.

"DO you yourself not know, Your Majesty?"

Her eyes flicked up to see fear on the Crown Prince's. King Erik caught her look.

"No, My son refuses to tell me what caused him to want conflict with your kingdom."

"It's really a small trifle, Your Majesty. I'm terribly sorry it has gone on this long."

"And what is this small trifle that has caused years of war?"

She swallowed, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Liana opened her eyes and spoke.

"I beat Crown Prince Leo in a sparring. I was what, sixteen? His Highness was eighteen."

She watched Leo stared right at her, wonder and confusion filling his face. Cries of shock filled the room.

"Please, let me elaborate, Your Majesty."

"Do," he gritted out.

"I asked to spar with His Highness. It was a private affair, just us royal children were present. From what I understand, Crown Prince Leo didn't want to have the dishonor of beating a girl so easily, so he was kind and let me win. After that, I suppose word got out and Salencian like to exaggerate because well, I'm Salencian. But the truth of the matter is that His Highness was kind enough to care about my reputation."

"Hmm, and if I ask King Russell, he will second this?"

"Yes."

"Very well. Tell your father that I am open to negotiating peace agreements."

Liana bowed low.

"Of course, Your Majesty. Thank you for your kindness."

She stood back up.

"I come with a small peace offering from Salencia."

King Erik eyed her warily. "Do you really think I can be bought so easily?"

Liana knew she was treading a very thin line now.

"It's not buying since you have already agreed to peace negotiations. Should I have offered it in the beginning, then it could've been considered buying you out, Your Majesty."

The king laughed.

"You have learned well, Princess. I can see why your family boasts of your successes and accomplishments."

Liana blushed.

"You flatter me. I have merely stated the truth."

"Of course, of course. Now, what is this gift you speak of?"

Liana brought out a small, wrapped present from the folds of her dress's sleeves. She walked forward and presented it to King Erik.

"Please, open it."

He took the gift from her and unwrapped it to reveal a small, crystal dove, Vurstan's national animal.

"It's very beautiful."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I do hope you come to treasure it, and Salencia's friendship for years to come."

The king nodded and thought for a moment.

"I'd like to settle negotiations now."

"If that is what you wish, Your Majesty, how could I refuse?"

"Here is my negotiation:"

Liana held her breath. Crown Prince Leo turned to look at his father, waiting for whatever he was going to say. The rest of the court was silent.

"I will agree to peace... if and only if, our kingdoms become united as one."

"How do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"I will pull my men from battle, if you ally Salencia with Vurstan through a marriage to Leo."