Sinthia and The Demon Duke of DeSidea: 22

Sinthia was the first one to arrive at the front of the palace that morning. The Emperor and Crown Prince would arrive in the afternoon, so she had decided to come down earlier to see if her assistance was needed anywhere. “Where is His Majesty?”  She had asked a passing aide. “He is finishing some last-minute paperwork in his office.”

”Is everything ready to receive His Imperial Majesty and HIs Imperial Highness?”

”Yes, everything is prepared.”

”May I have the Itinerary and the planned menus, please?”

”Certainly, Your Royal Highness.” The aide bowed before heading inside. As she waited, she thought of how busy it would be today.

In this world, there were ten major human kingdoms. Well, it was inaccurate to call them all Kingdoms as some of them were Empires, but they were typically referred to as Kingdoms altogether. Not all the Kingdoms had equal power, however. The Kingdom of Ophelia had been a small, poor kingdom before Sinthia’s great-grandfather had tirelessly worked to set it on the right path. Since then, each heir of the Kingdom had done a magnificent job of raising Ophelia’s power. On the other hand, the Nova Empire was and had been a leading power in the continent of Eltrea for many years. They were geographically, politically and militarily above the other kingdoms, their only equal being the Ira Empire. As such, their decision to visit the Ophelian Kingdom meant a great many things.

Firstly, it meant that the Nova Empire finally acknowledged that the Kingdom of Ophelia had potential to become a valued ally. Although human kingdoms did not go to war frequently, there was always tensions between some because of a myriad of reasons. For a long time, Ophelia had been a member of the biggest ten kingdoms only in name, but through three generations of tireless work, it was finally powerful enough to be recognized.

Secondly, it meant that this was a golden opportunity to show the Ophelian Kingdom on the world stage in a great way. Ophelia had very many things to offer, and with the Nova Empire acknowledging them, then the other kingdoms could also strive for connections. 

Thirdly, it meant that the Ira Empire was growing to an uncomfortable degree. No matter how great the Ophelian Kingdom was, having an Emperor travel all the way here for a festival simply didn’t make sense. However, if there was a threat to the balance of power, then even the Emperor would recruit allies. From what Sinthia had heard, the Emperor and her father had been acquaintances at one point when her father studied abroad for a short time. Perhaps they had been on very good terms, and the Emperor wanted to personally bring him on board. Although Sinthia felt that there were deeper reasons she simply couldn’t see right now, she also understood that to a degree, it was not her immediate concern.

Why?

Because she would soon marry into the DeSidea household and begin her business ventures! 

The DeSidea Household was a very special case. There were rules that they and the rest of the Kingdoms had to follow. For one, the heir of the DeSidea household could not marry into another household and forfeit being the heir. Because the DeSidea household descended from the Great Demon King’s son, it absolutely could not be dissolved. If they were dissolved, so would the agreement between the Great Demon King and the continent. War would erupt yet again.

Sinthia also had rules that she had to follow as an heir of her Kingdom. She was to marry a man whose family did not have enough political power to disrupt her family’s reign. With Kairn being powerful enough to throw the world into turmoil, he was most definitely not acceptable. Both human and demon parties also agreed that no children from the DeSidea household would marry into a royal family and have a right to the throne of a human kingdom. No matter how passive the demons were, humans would not be pleased with being ruled by one.

So the only remaining way anyone could be happy was if Sinthia gave up her right to inherit her father’s throne. It was no longer a decision that only affected her and her kingdom, but the whole continent and the future peace between two races. After all, once one was selected to marry the household of DeSidea, then they could not refuse. Her refusal could condemn the Ophelian Kingdom to be ostracized by the othe kingdoms at best, and a devastating war at worst. Sinthia sighed, these thoughts clouding her expression. She was never meant to marry Kairn. It was only because of someone’s meddling that she was caught in such a complicated web. If only Sinthia of Ophelia had been more aware of the danger around her.

“My, if it isn’t Sinthia.” She heard a light, pretty voice say from beside her. A disgustingly pretty voice. Sinthia’s mood became very dark as she slowly turned to come face to face with her oldest sister, Emilia. Sinthia gave an empty smile in return. “Emilia.”

”How are you feeling? We haven’t been able to talk at all since you woke up from your tragic accident.”

”Perfectly fine. Why, it feels like many things have become clear since then.” Sinthia replied, brightening her smile significantly. “And what have you been up to? You and your siblings?”

Emilia’ eyebrow twitched ever so slightly. “Well, because we will soon be celebrating your marriage we have been making many arrangements. Both to send you off in a grand way and for the next heir.”

This made Sinthia chuckle. “Is that so?”

”Why, yes it is. Mother has been working very hard because of that.”

”Because of the new heir, correct?” Sinthia pressed. She knew damn well the Duchess wasn’t working on her upcoming marriage. “Well, considering the fact that you will not have a wedding, she has had to dedicate her time to other things.”

Sinthia feigned shock. “I won’t have a wedding? What in the world are you talking about?” Emilia’s brow furrowed very slightly at that exclamation. Historically, the marriage of a princess to the Duke of DeSidea was never celebrated. After all, the bride-to-be was often called “The Sacrifice” because of the way she was handed over in an almost ritualistic way to ensure the continuation of peace. It was never an occasion to celebrate, and often the parents of the princess would wear black to mourn the loss of their daughter.

”I apologize, Sinthia. I don’t follow.”

”Of course I will have a wedding! After all, there’s nothing as special to a woman as her wedding day. Isn’t that correct, dear Emilia?” The smile that accompanied that statement was syrupy, but the true meaning behind it was anything but.