When Rivals Say I Do

Gaea and Kaos

Elliot and Vincent arrived at the palace together. As they headed to the meeting room, they found their fathers already with the queen, deep in discussion.

“Kaos has been sending more soldiers to our border,” Vincent’s father, Colonel General Alexander, explained. “Ever since news of the king’s illness spread, Kaos has become suspicious.”

“We’ve signed a truce with them. They won’t break it. What would the other kingdoms think?” Elliot’s father, Lord Apollo, replied, exhaustion clear on his face.

The queen noticed Elliot and Vincent enter the room. “Your sons are here. Maybe they have better ideas than you old men.” she teased.

Elliot and Vincent bowed respectfully and joined their fathers, taking in the situation.

It was clear their fathers had been arguing for a while. Maps and important documents were spread out across the circular table.

Elliot was thinking about this. A simple marriage between him and Vincent wouldn’t fix the rivalry and opposing views between their families.

Vincent spoke up, “If Kaos is sending more soldiers to the border, we can match them with our own.”

“That would just make things worse,” Elliot remarked.

Kaos knew Gaea was in a fragile state under Queen Charlotte’s rule—an omega on the throne.

Aside from being physically weaker, omegas were often seen as overly emotional, but Elliot believed that was just discrimination. Their suppressants helped them control their hormones. Judging someone based on their biology alone was something Elliot despised.

Still, Elliot couldn’t ignore the fact that some of the queen's decisions were questionable, especially regarding his marriage to Vincent. But he chose to focus on the issue at hand.

“Kaos is a smaller kingdom compared to Gaea. If they attack, we’ll be ready,” Vincent asserted.

Elliot nodded. Vincent was right. “We don’t need to match their soldiers at the border. We just need to stay alert and prepared,” he murmured.

“See? There’s no reason to assume the worst and cut off trade with them,” Lord Apollo sighed.

“It seems a fresh set of eyes made this discussion much easier,” the queen remarked.

Gaea’s territory was rich, with fertile lands and vast forests. Being next to the sea and bordered by mountains made it even more valuable.

Kaos, on the other hand, was unpredictable. Known for its military strength, it had a history of skirmishes with Gaea over the border. Kaos claimed that part of Gaea’s land was rightfully theirs, though they had no documentation to prove it.

“If tensions keep rising, I’ll never forget this day, Leighton,” Alexander taunted.

Elliot wasn’t sure if the remark was directed at him or his father.

The queen looked distressed. It had only been a year since she took the throne, and the weight of keeping Gaea at peace was showing on her face. Kaos was making it harder for her.

She dismissed them with a wave. “I’ll summon you again when needed.”

The four men left the room. Elliot glanced at the queen as she slumped in her chair, sighing. The stress of ruling and the king’s illness were clearly taking their toll on her.

“How’s the king?” Vincent asked his father.

“Sick. The queen is keeping him away from the public,” Alexander replied, running a hand through his silver hair. He stared at his clenched fist. “She wants the people to think everything is fine, but we’re clearly running around like headless chickens.”

Apollo sighed, “I agree with you, Alexander.”

It was rare for their fathers to agree on anything. Elliot couldn’t help but think that maybe the queen hadn’t needed to force the marriage between him and Vincent. Instead, it seemed to be making their fathers question her rule.

Lord Apollo turned to his son. “Are you alright? Is Vincent treating you well?”

Vincent raised an eyebrow at the question, but Apollo ignored him. “Yes, father. I’m fed, clothed, and housed,” Elliot replied sarcastically.

“Your mother misses you. You should visit her sometime,” Apollo said with a warm smile, patting Elliot on the shoulder.

Apollo often treated Elliot with extra care compared to his other children, likely because he was an omega, and his parents worried about how fragile he was.

“I’ll be fine,” Elliot replied. He loved his parents, but sometimes their overprotectiveness was too much.

“He’s right, Lord Apollo. Elliot is adjusting well in the manor,” Vincent added. “I even taught him how to hold a sword.” He said it proudly.

Apollo laughed. “Elliot? With a sword?”

Elliot huffed. Right now, the Leightons and Whitehalls weren’t arguing. In fact, everyone seemed to be having a pleasant conversation. Maybe the queen had been right after all.

Elliot’s mind wandered after the queen’s abrupt dismissal, but she was clearly worn out. Her role had been thrust upon her suddenly, without much preparation.

Gaea needed a strong leader.

“I don’t believe Kaos will risk another war,” Elliot pivoted the conversation.

Alexander replied, “They’re unpredictable, but if they attack, we will be ready.”

“Gaea won’t fall that easily,” Vincent added.

The Whitehalls might rely more on brawn than brains, but they were right. They had been meticulously training Gaea’s army without rest. Elliot had seen it for himself—how dedicated they were.

“What do you think will happen next?” Elliot wondered aloud.

“If Kaos pushes too far, we may have no choice but to act,” Vincent replied. He paused, deep in thought, and added, “They’re smart enough not to escalate unless they know they can win.”

Elliot didn’t know if that comforted him or made him feel worse. His family had been working hard to keep the truce with Kaos by opening trade and sharing resources. They knew that even after the truce, Kaos remained suspicious.

“We can negotiate with them, ask what they want, and why they’re increasing their military presence at the border,” Apollo replied. “There’s no need for hostility.”

Spoken like a true diplomat, Elliot thought. He smiled at his father and replied, “I agree with you, Father. We’ve been in a truce with them for so long; surely we can negotiate again.”

Vincent and his father scoffed.