THE ENEMY'S BRIDE

THE ALLIANCE PROPOSAL

A meeting was convened in the Royal Court of Valerith to address the lingering issues affecting the kingdom.

Though most matters were considered trivial, the tension in the room said otherwise.

Nobles had gathered from every region, each prepared to report on the state of their lands-trade, security, unrest.

Normally, neither Heliana nor Alaric had any place in such discussions.

But today was different.

The king had made an exception.

For Heliana-because of her unmatched intellect.

For Alaric-because he was the chosen heir.

The heavy doors shut. Silence fell.

Then-

A man stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, esteemed nobles..."

It was the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Rowan Fallon

Calm, experienced and loyal to the crown.

"The primary issue facing Valerith," Rowan Fallon began, "remains the ongoing dispute between our kingdom... and the Viremont Empire."

Murmurs spread across the court.

"The border conflicts have intensified. Skirmishes continue. Trade routes are being disrupted.

His gaze hardened slightly.

"At this rate... war is inevitable."

The room erupted.

Ministers began arguing.

"Strengthen the army!"

"No-cut off their resources!"

"Impose sanctions!"

"Strike first before they do!"

Voices overlapped and there was chaos.

Then-

A single hand rose. Heliana.

And just like that...

Silence.

She stood slowly, her expression calm.

"I propose... an alliance."

The words dropped like a stone into still water.

Shock rippled across the room.

Before anyone could process it-

Alaric laughed. Loud and mocking.

"An alliance?" he sneered. "That's ridiculous."

He turned to the court, shaking his head.

"As expected of my dear sister. Speaking on matters she clearly doesn't understand."

A few nobles chuckled nervously.

"We've tried alliances before," he continued smugly. "They failed."

"And now you suggest we repeat the same mistake?"

He smirked.

"Truly brilliant."

The king nodded slightly in agreement.

"Alaric speaks with reason."

Heliana didn't react immediately.

She simply looked at them.

Unbothered.

Then-

She sighed softly.

"As I was saying... before I was interrupted by a clown."

A few gasps escaped.

Alaric's face darkened instantly.

Heliana continued, her voice steady.

"I am not speaking of a simple alliance."

She stepped forward.

"I am speaking of a binding one."

A pause.

"A truce... sealed by marriage."

The court froze.

Even the king leaned forward slightly.

Heliana's eyes swept across the room.

"An inter-kingdom union."

"A human... and a 'monster.'"

Murmurs rose again-this time quieter, more uncertain.

"History has shown," she continued, "that people are less inclined to destroy what they are connected to."

"A man will hesitate to kill his own blood."

Her gaze sharpened.

"Create that bond... and you create hesitation."

"Hesitation... prevents war."

Silence followed, heavy and thoughtful.

Then-

A staff struck the ground once.The sound echoed through the court as all eyes turned.

Grand Duke Octavian Darius Valemont.

The oldest man in the court. He was

Neutral, Just and Untouchable.

A man whose words carried more weight than most. He rarely spoke.

But when he did-Everyone listened.

"...Interesting," he said slowly.

His aged eyes rested on Heliana.

"Very interesting."

A pause.

"In all my years..."

"I have rarely seen such clarity of thought."

The court held its breath.

Then-

He nodded.

"She speaks with reason."

That was enough. It always was.

The tension in the room shifted.

What was once dismissed...

Was now being considered.

Seriously.

The king's expression darkened slightly.

But even he could not openly oppose the Grand Duke. Not here, not now.

The meeting was adjourned soon after.

Later that evening, by royal command

An official diplomatic communiqué was sent.

(A formal digital message between kingdoms).

It was addressed to the Viremont Empire.

Its contents were clear:

"A proposal for a joint alliance-

One built on peace, unity, and coexistence between humans and monsters.

Sealed... through royal marriage.

And just like that-

Heliana's idea was no longer just a thought.

It had become a decision. One that would bind her fate...

---

It had been late when she first brought it up.

The place corridors were quiet, lit only by dim lanterns casting long shadows against the walls. Heliana stood by the open balcony, the cold night air brushing against her skin as she looked over Valerith.

"You can't be serious."

Alaric's voice broke the silence.

She didn't turn immediately. "I am."

He let out a disbelieving laugh as he stepped closer. "An alliance? With viremont? Heliana, that's not diplomacy - that's walking into a legend people use to scare children."

Now she turned, calm as ever.

"Legends are often exaggerated," she said.

"Or they're warnings," he shot back. "No one has been there. No one knows what they are. And your solution is to... What? Offer peace?"

"Yes."

Alaric stared at her, searching for any sign that she was joking. There was none.

".... And you think it will work?" He asked, more quietly now.

Heliana met his gaze, unwavering.

"I don't think," she said. "I analysed."

That made him pause. She stepped closer, her voice steady, almost thoughtful.

"Vermont has existed alongside us for centuries. If they wanted war, they would have started one long ago. Their silence isn't weakness - it's restraint."

Alaric frowned. "Or calculation."

"Exactly," she replied. "Which means they act with purpose. And if they act with purpose, they can be reasoned with."

He crossed his arms. "That's a stretch."

"It isn't," Heliana said. "We have no contact, no trade, no negotiations. That created tension - uncertainty. And uncertainty breeds fear."

She gathered faintly towards the distant horizon.

"Both Kingdoms are waiting for the other to make the first move."

"And you want that to be no?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because the first move sets the tone," she answered without hesitation. "If we approach with hostility, we guarantee hostility in return. But if we offer peace - geninue peace - we force them to respond to it."

Alaric shook his head. "You're assuming they think like us."

"I'm assuming they think,"she corrected. "That's enough."

He went quiet at that. Heliana's expression softened, just slightly.

"A marriage alliance is the strongest form of trust we can offer without war," she continued. "It takes them we are willing to bind our future to theirs,"

".... Or hand them a leverage over us,"

Alaric said.

"That depends on which we send," she replied.

His eyes narrowed. "She didn't look away.

"If it comes that, it has to be someone who can observe, adapt...and influence from within."

Realization dawned on his face.

"No," he said immediately. "Absolutely not."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"You asked if my plan would work," she said softly. "It will - because I've already considered every outcome."

Alaric's jaw tightened. "You're including yourself in those outcomes."

"I always do."

He stared at her, frustration and something deeper flickering in his eyes.

"... This isn't strategy anymore," he said quietly. "It's a gamble."

Heliana shook her head.

"No," she said.

"It's the only move that doesn't end in war."