"I hope I am not being too bold to persume that your__personal attendance speaks for glad tidings" Aki asked, his voice a charming polite mask.

..

"Your exposition piqued my interest, your highness, if I am to be honest," Yeran admitted.

"After much consideration, I have realized that it is for the best of both our proposals."

"What might be the conditions you have, Prince Yeran," Aki tilted his head, the black veil of the hat swaying with motion.

"I like working with intelligent people, yes, I do, have my conditions, Prince Aki, and they are easy to be agreed with,"

"Do say, neither of us have the luxury of time for beating around the bush,"

"I want Terra!"

If Ruth had not known Aki better than he knew of himself, he would have missed the slight shake on his shoulder blades and knew he either suppressed a laugh, or straightened an itch. Considering Prince Yeran's proposal, he was confident enough to bet on the first.

"That is a bold request, Prince Yeran, You have dreams much vaster for your age,"

"I am but a simple man Prince Aki, I see something I want, I take it, however means necessary. For too long I have seen the Council of Royalty oppress my kingdom just for the reason of it being the smallest, people looking down on us following their lead, never mind that our militia is no less stronger than theirs. That our coffers are just as heavy. It needs to be stopped, I will bring them all under my heel if that is what needs to be done, or die trying."

Yeran was...passionate, if nothing else.

"That is not a simple request to be fulfilled," Aki said, lacing his fingers together from where his elbows rested on the table.

"I said simple to be agreed on, not simple to be achieved."

"Hmm...." Aki hummed.

"However, I fail to see how this alliance would benefit us, if you are to be building an empire, would it not go against the very notion of what we fight for? Freeing our people? it would simply transfer from one tyrant to another,"

"I'm insulted," Yeran pressed a hand over his heart in a dramatically exaggeration.

Ruth's let his brow rise, slowly and his twin's intuition let him suspect that Aki did the same.

"If you are done, Prince Yeran, explain how Delhevia will be dealt with, in this... grand scheme of yours?" Ruth asked, sharing a glance with his brother.

Aki's face may be covered, but they wouldn't be twins if they couldn't have an inkling of what the other was thinking.

"Delhevia, would be the only independent kingdom in the continent of Terra."

The continent of Terra that Yeran spoke of, is the biggest civilized continent in their world, not considering the south pole where it was too cold for habitation. Terra is consisted of five countries, named, Delhevia, ruled by Yor Dilherra, Aved, with king Herus Avos, Vasras, lead by King Fewley, Ruwanyen with its King Rawul and finally, the kingdom Neraf, of Queen Calix.

Though Aved, with its least land mass, was usually considered the weakest and as such is scorned by all else but the Queen Calix, is not in fact inadequate than any of said kingdoms.

But, rumors driven into the people's minds as facts were not easy to be discarded and as such Aved was always looked down upon, be it by the monarchs, nobles or the civilians.

The rage in Prince Yeran's voice can easily be understood. King Herus Avos was a passive ruler, just as all in his line were, indifferent to the treatement of outsiders. Yeran, it seems, is an exception, with the fire dancing upon his very soul.

"And what of Naraf? Queen Calix has always been a just ruler, I see no reason of raising blades against her" Aki mused, almost dispassionately.

"Naraf is part of the continent in name only, I have no grievance with them. Queen Calix may be given the choice of ruling as a Regent on behalf of Aved, stay completely out of this dispute and continue as of now, or," Yeran stopped, straightening in his chair to grin menacingly.

"_ die in the war I'm about to call,"

Ruth blinked. 'Wow! He sure is confident,'

"What you say, Prince Ruth, is that you will be satisfied with Aved, Ruwanyen and Vasras, if both us and Queen Calix were to agree with your...proposition?" Aki inquired after a moment of consideration.

"My concern lies mainly on my kingdoms reputation, Prince Aki, what I am interested in, is to not be known the weakest anymore."

Aki nodded.

"And we can be assured that you will place no ill will on civilians?"

"Anyone who oppose me will die, all that who join me will have prosperity, and freedom. Needless bloodshed is not one of my preferences." Yeran agreed.

"I know of your reputation Prince Aki, you and I, we have a lot that can be achieved together,"

Aki's fingers twitched. Ruth's world narrowed into pinpoints. His hand tightening in his sword and a full glare focused straight on Yeran, enough to melt his head off if possible.

"My brother, is not a weapon, Prince Yeran, it is better to be known from the beginning, so that there will be no misunderstandings later on," Ruth snarled, eyes narrowing.

Zeke shifted, placing a hand on his own sword in response.

"Ruth," Aki's voice barely penetrated through the red haze his mind had sunk into.

A warm hand tugged his own, pulling him out of his mind, into the present and he pulled back from where he was ready to vault over the table and strangle Yeran. Pulled back to Aki's side, squeezing his shoulder in comfort.

"Forgive me, Prince Ruth, of course that was not what I implied. I simply mean that Prince Aki is welcome to help me in any means of his willing,"

Yeran was giving them a certain look that Ruth was not certain he particularly liked. It felt like an ascertain, reminding too much of how Yor looked at them.

He frowned, not answering.

"Minor details could be straightened out when the need arise, Prince Yeran, no need to concern over everything at once." Aki said, mediating, but the sharp edge to his words were unmistakable.

...

Hola,

Yep, Yep, I know, author is disappearing, but author is a bit busy these days my darlings.

Of course author hasn't forgotten the story, author is trying to straighten out the story line from where it had gone off the rails and cover the plot holes with fake tops.

He he...

Enjoy the chap,

See ya,

Soon, hopefully,

Arkhane.

Aki

The hat was something like this, no, it is not see through, I mean, it is, but no one can see his face, he can see outside.