Pain Teaches Silent Lessons — Arjun Malhotra 292

292/294: The Inevitable War

Kingdom of Velmora

Zander massaged his temples as he went through the growing pile of petitions before him.

“You should’ve anticipated this, especially now that many are eager to pledge their allegiance to you,” Arlan commented, casually picking up the scrolls Zander had tossed aside and reviewing them one by one.

“I did,” Zander replied with a sigh. “I just didn’t expect it this early. I’m still stabilizing our house, and there’s so much left to do. We still need to subdue the houses of Aquyra and Pyrelith. Do they really think I have time to marry right now?”

He frowned, clearly irritated. Both the houses of Zephyros and Terravane had been relentlessly pushing him to marry their princesses.

“Hah! Most men would be thrilled with those offers,” Arlan said with an amused grin.

“Imagine having a harem of beautiful women, and princesses at that. I’d say they’re aiming to secure at least one of their own as your future queen once you establish your rule over the continent.”

“There’s nothing funny about this, Arlan,” Zander muttered.

“Then just accept the Archon of Terravane’s proposal and marry Princess Candice Russo,” Arlan suggested. They’ve been the most loyal and supportive. It’s the perfect alliance. Lady Candice would make an excellent queen.”

((

“Leave Candice out of this, Arlan,” Zander said firmly as he opened another scroll. “We both know her heart already belongs to someone else. I also promised Osman I wouldn’t accept Archon Randal’s offer, and I meant it. Besides, do you really think Candice would agree to that kind of arrangement?”

“I suppose you’re right,” Arlan shrugged.

Just then, Storm, Zander’s gryfalcon, flew in through the window and perched comfortably on the back of his chair. Arlan quickly reached for the message tied to its leg.

“Speaking of Osman, he’s on his way here, leading warriors from Lunaris sent by King Gavriel,” Arlan reported.

Zander smirked. “Look at that man. He couldn’t even wait a month. I thought it would be Lord Uriel, but it seems Osman took his place.”

“That can’t be helped for a man in love,” Arlan said with a light shrug. “But you still need to think of a solution. If you keep ignoring the Archons, unrest will follow.”

He tapped a scroll thoughtfully before continuing, “So how about this? Accept the princesses for now and have them settled in a designated palace. The Rose Palace would be suitable. Give it at least a year before choosing your queen. Or better yet, hold a formal selection after a year. By then, your rule over Velmora should already be secured. What do you think?”

Zander didn’t even bother entertaining the discussion for long.

“Handle it however you see fit, Arlan,” he said flatly. “For now, our priority is to unify Velmora and secure my reign. If I don’t act now, those two houses will continue to challenge us and spread chaos and darkness across the continent.”

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Witchcraft and occult influence were spreading within their ranks, and they had repeatedly attempted to invade other territories like Terravane and Zephyros.

If not for Zander’s intervention, those houses would have already fallen.

Velmora was a vast continent divided into five territories, each ruled by a powerful house.

Artherion held the largest domain, now under Zander’s control after he successfully reclaimed it. Pyrelith and Terravane followed as the next largest, with Zephyros and Aquyra trailing behind.

In the past, each house represented a different element. But now that magic had faded, some continued to pursue it through darker means.

Witchcraft and occult practices had taken root, fueled by darkness. These forces spread chaos across the continent, instilling fear and seeking to dominate the other territories.

Zander refused to allow that.

As long as he lived, he would eliminate every trace of darkness and evil. He wanted peace and order restored to Velmora, even if it meant ruling the entire continent as its king.

He was grateful that his cousin, Althea, now Queen of Lunaris, had been fully supportive of him, along with King Gavriel, who never hesitated to send aid whenever it was needed.

Zander could only hope that, like Gavriel, he would one day unite the houses and bring lasting peace and order to

the continent of Velmora.

“Alright then, I’ll handle everything regarding the maidens to pacify the other houses,” Arlan said with an enthusiastic hum. “I’ll inform them that everything must be fair, so a selection process will be necessary. And of course, we have to make sure you end up with the best queen.”

Zander only shook his head in response.

Just then, the doors to the meeting hall burst open.

A guard rushed in, panting, before bowing quickly. “Armies of Aquyra have been sighted near the borders.”

“War is truly inevitable at this rate,” Arlan murmured.

Zander’s expression darkened. “Call Commander Andrei at once.”

The guard immediately left, while Zander summoned his pageboy to prepare his armor and horse. Then he turned to Arlan and instructed, “I will spend a day in prayer. Inform the prayer warriors to dedicate days of prayer and fasting during this war.”

Arlan nodded and took his leave.

Zander then headed toward his own bedchamber.

Before, they had never prayed, relying only on their own strength and capabilities. But after reading the Law of God and gaining a deeper understanding through Prophet Elior, everything had changed.

He now understood how the enemy, Satan, the fallen angel, had deceived humanity into relying on themselves instead of acknowledging the true Creator of the earth and all living things–the Almighty God, the one true living God.

They had worshipped the moon and other creations instead of the Creator.

The inevitable War

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No wonder everything had been taken from them. It was so they could finally see that without Him, they were nothing.

******

Encampment of Aquyra

Meanwhile, at the encampment of Aquyra, inside Archon Malik’s tent, a soldier escorted in a woman whose face was covered with a veil, leaving only her eyes visible.

“My lord,” she greeted, bowing her head.

“So, you’re here,” Archon Malik said with a mocking grin. “Your father is truly something, isn’t he? Sending his only daughter into this war as assurance of our alliance.”

He stepped closer and reached out to lift her veil, but the woman quickly stepped back and bowed politely.

“Please refrain from disrespecting our customs,” she said calmly. “I am not allowed to remove this veil or be seen until I am wed.”

Archon Malik scoffed, then gestured to the soldier with clear annoyance. “Escort the princess to her tent.”

Outside, the princess’s two maidservants were waiting. Once they had settled into their assigned tent, the princess spoke to her maidservants in a low, steady voice, “Prepare everything as planned. I will end this war once and for

all.”

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