Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 412: The return of the dragon (1)

ORION EDENIAN ERA 03

It is a truth universally acknowledged that great man and powerful men in possession of a good fortune, great power and fame must be in want of a beautiful wife.

It was a lovely evening in Great Renasia. 

Rhyssa is sitting on her throne and she is talking with her handmaiden and her closest friend, almost like a sister, Isabelle.

'Have you heard, Isabelle?' Rhyssa said smiling from ear to ear, wearing a joyful expression, her joy could not be hidden, her excitement revealed.

'Heard what my lady?' Isabelle asked.

'I will meet him in the summer, in a ball at Eden. It would be a joyous occasion.' Isabelle nodded before smiling looking at her Empress. 

She of all people in the castle understands what the empress is talking about.

Isabelle knows that Rhyssa is talking about her first love.

'I have not heard it. Is this news confirmed? Many have said that the Emperor of Eden is not very excited about the prospect of meeting you, my lady. Even more so in the prospect of remarrying' Isabelle said. 

It is common knowledge that the Emperor of Eden is still grieving for his murdered wife. Isabelle thought to himself

Rhyssa did not let that dampen her mood

'It must be on the persuasion of his mother. It is well known that the Emperor of Eden is very susceptible to his mother advice. My mother has told me all about it that the Emperor will attend.' Rhyssa said ignoring the rumors. 

Isabelle frowned slightly

Who is Rhyssa? 

She is the Empress of Great Renasia, her beauty is acknowledged all over the Human Continent, her strength and ability is the battlefield is undeniable! 

Who is fit to stand beside the Dragon than her?

'And?' Isabelle ask

'What does it matter?' she said clearly not understanding why Rhyssa would talk about this matter with her with such enthusiasm.

'Hah, you!' Rhyssa cried impatiently

'What?' Isabelle said.

'There are other men in the ball, great men and great lords from all over the Empire of Eden and even most of the Renasian royalty and nobility will attend.'

'And again I ask? So?'

'Are you intending to annoy me Isabelle? I heard you have ended your relationship with that Knight of the Royal Guard, Sarius or was it Erwin? I could never remember. You always find fault in men, in love. The broken betrothal between you and the young knight of the Sun Guardians really have not made you well. You must know, my mother says that one of the Emperor great friends will attend, a young man of great position in the Imperial Court. It is my wish that you will meet him and try to strike a conversation with him.' 

'What is his name?'

'Lord Kyle of House of Lethe, brother in law of the honorable Duke West, the governor of Venicia, the older brother of the Duchess of Venicia and temporary ruler of Duchy of Althea.'

'Is he marr- '

'Of course he is not. Why would I recommend it if he is married Isabelle? The Emperor friends are known to be Lord Silas of House Perigord, Duke West of the House of Palais, and Lord Kyle of the House of Lethe'

She sighed a bit and then said 

'Lord Silas is known widely for his devious and manipulative mind, seeing plots a thousand miles away, Lord West is known to be brave and honorable, while Lord Kyle is known to be an inquisitive military leader all under the Dragon banner. Lord Kyle Lethe. It is said he is a brave man, a great hero who fought in the Emperor wars and won many great victories in the Conquest of the Emperor.'

'Hmm' Isabelle said. Then she reply

'My heart is not ready to accept new love, and I know what you intend for me by asking me to strike a conversation with him. Love is not that easy, Your Grace.' Isabelle said.

Rhyssa shakes her head and said

'Only a new love would heal a broken heart. I am thinking of matching you with him. Why would you strike down my noble intention?'

'Like your mother tried to match you with the nobility of Renasia a long time ago?' Rhyssa blushes red a bit and then fumbling her words she said

'This is different. It is not I decree you to marry him. See him and see if you could open your heart, Isabelle.'

'Is that his design in joining the Great Ball? To meet girls and marry? I thought this ball is for you and the Emperor to meet?'

'Design! Nonsense! But it is very likely he may fall in love with you and who wouldn't? You have grace, beautiful and full of life.'

'My lady flatters me. I am not that beautiful neither I am full with grace.'

'Hmm, I will not force you. But I feel you would be a good match for him. He is quite young, wonderfully handsome, affable and a man of great influence and positions.'

Rhyssa said telling all this good qualities of the young lord, complimenting him in the hopes that Isabelle would follow her.

'It's better if you worried about your circumstances first, my lady. The dragon is not an easy man to conquer. People said his heart is made of cold ice; his tempers are like hellfire, a very prideful and the most disagreeable man. He is a tyrant they said.' 

'Hmph!' Rhyssa snorted. Then she said

'Tyrants? No tyrants ever gave back so much. What do you know of ruling Isabelle? It takes strong people to rule. He was more. He is like me. He and I. we both have changed the world, exerts our will upon those weaker than us, for them to better themselves. If not for me uniting the tribes, uniting the nobles, would Renasia be as rich as we are now, strong as we are now?'

Isabelle on the other hand could not understand such notions. 

To her, the Emperor of Eden is a rampaging barbarian, leveling cities, sacking towns, burning villages, conquering and annexing the Kingdoms, terrorizing innocent lives. 

It could be said they live in two different worlds. 

Yet it is not any different than her own lady actions, annexing and conquering Tuca, Bardent and Dostov in her ambition of creating a unified continent but it is human nature to be biased to the one we know and love. 

On the matter of the Dragon, Isabelle does not know him and as such could only have the worse estimation of him.

'Maybe so, my lady. Maybe so. But I couldn't accept that.'

'Is that so? I always know that you are stubborn. Maybe more than me and that is hard feat. Anyway tomorrow I will depart to Eden by ships since it is faster that way. If you by any chance, change your mind, then join my entourage. I would welcome you with open arms. I will depart at dawn.'

Saying this, Rhyssa got up from her throne and like always went to the stables to enjoy the evening air.

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