The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 71: At What Cost? ()

"Oh... and you can speak comfortably now." Prince Treyton added.

Zariah nodded slowly before she gestured towards the entrance to the Sky Bubble.

"The merman... Kristen, how does he fare?" Zariah asked,

Zariah felt King Askel’s gaze on her as she inquired into the well being of the merman but she did not think much of it.

"Well recovered, thanks to your grace. I prevented him from expressing his gratitude as he would ultimately end up revealing your identity, however I am certain he knows to seek you out at a later time." Prince Treyton said with a small smile.

"The Sky Bubble is vast and sadly we do not have the leisure to take a tour of it, I will summon a portal that leads directly to the palace gates." Prince Treyton added.

Prince Treyton then stretched a hand out and a large whirl appeared, glowing with ancient magic.

Prince Treyton led the way through, King Askel stepped in after and Zariah followed suit and as the surge of magic floated away, as though passing through a barrier, they appeared in a beautiful courtyard filled with water lilies. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Zariah glanced down, she could see coloured fishes skitter past beneath her feet, Zariah guessed there was a thin barrier of spiritual energy serving as a walkway and separating the sea beneath.

"This is the Sea Palace, we will cross the Water Lily yard before we arrive at the main palace. My father is also eager to express his gratitude to Lady Zariah in person." Prince Treyton continued.

"There will be no need for gratitude, I do only what I must, do not dwell on such trivialities." Zariah dismissed with a shake of her head.

"Matters involving your life are not trivialities, Mhíjani. The merman is lucky to have escaped with his life." King Askel interjected in a displeased tone.

"Indeed, King Askel is right. Kristen owe’s a great debt of gratitude to King Askel and Lady Zariah." Prince Treyton agreed without hesitation as he swam ahead of them.

His tail flicked lightly to keep pace with their walking movement and the merfolk that swam past bowed in silent greeting to their prince.

Zariah rolled her eyes in exasperation but did not argue further, indeed the supernatural realm could not be considered a merciful world,

Although it had not been intentional, Kristen’s attack on Zariah was more than enough to earn himself a death sentence,

And if there was anything greater than a death sentence even, considering Zariah was not just a head warrior and mate to King Askel but the Crimson Alpha.

This was precisely one of the reasons Zariah had considered it more suitable to keep her identity a secret, it would be too troublesome.

"As I have said, it is no matter. He is of the royal guard, I see?" Zariah asked, she had recognized the insignia on Kristen’s armour and recalled she had seen it once in the ancient texts.

"He is. Kristen is Chief of Royal Guard, but presently his duty has been withdrawn as punishment for falling to the influence of a demon spirit and attacking you." Prince Treyton replied.

"It was no fault of his. The charmer demon spirit posseses great power, even the greatest of us are susceptible to it’s influence. I do not hold it against him." Zariah pointed out.

"Lady Zariah truly is compassionate and kind, I am in agreement with your thoughts, however this matter is not to be decided by me."

"My father is strict in his methods and never slacks on discipline, especially amongst the battle mers."

"To show intent to harm during a courtesy visit, whether intentionally or otherwise, Father considers Kristen’s actions to be a slight to the honor of the merfolk and thus he must serve due punishment."

"As future heir, it would be inappropriate for me to oppose my father’s decision, especially on account of familial ties with Kristen."

"However if Lady Zariah would be so kind as to relay your thoughts to my father, I believe he would not hesitate to honor them and I myself will be eternally grateful." Prince Treyton suggested.

"His punishment is insignificant when compared to his crime, why should Mhíjani bother?" King Askel asked, clearly already fed up with the topic of conversation.

Prince Treyton nodded slowly, not speaking any further, perhaps for fear of angering King Askel.

However Zariah saw no reasons why she had to withhold her speech on King Askel’s account.

"Because I deem it fit to, King Askel. As Prince Treyton suggested, I will speak of this to the Sea King myself." Zariah decided.

"Beyond that, I have sensed something off with Kristen upon my arrival, I cannot put a finger to it yet but I fear it may very well still be related to the previous incident with the charmer demon spirit." Zariah added,

Prince Treyton froze mid swim and turned to face Zariah, his eyes narrowed in worry.

"Indeed, I have noticed the same. I personally vanquished the charmer demon spirit and I can vouch that there were no residues left behind, yet it seems as though..." Nile trailed off at this point, being unable to explain his thoughts.

Zariah did not need Nile to speak further, the others may not have understood his meaning but Zariah understood it clearly.

Although Zariah was not certain what it meant, she had sensed a strange aura of darkness around the merman Kristen, it was subtle but obvious to Zariah.

"Is it a serious case?! I will summon the Sea Oracle, have him take a look at Kristen." Prince Treyton quickly decided.

"Presently, there is no need for panic, not until we are certain of it. I assume he has felt strange himself but has avoided seeking out the Sea Oracle for reasons best known to him."

"I presume he does not want to raise concerns with the Sea King, especially in such a tense situation and as Chief Royal Guard, he will definitely be invaluable to the Sea Kingdom if a war truly breaks out."

"If you will entrust his welfare to me, send him my way at a later time, I will examine him personally and come up with a diagnosis."

"Nile is spirit guide of Crimson Moon, I assume you are aware this status surpasses that of Sea Oracle. Since he has tended to Kristen once, he will see to it that whatever is wrong is set in place." Zariah offered,

"Kristen is blessed by the Creator to have encountered you Lady Zariah, I will have him go to you as soon as you are finished with my father." Prince Treyton said in a tone of gratitude.

"Truly we will require Kristen’s expertise and mastery of the sea routes if a war breaks out, I fear the Sea Kingdom is too vast and Kristen commands the widest network of scouts."

"If there are any movements at the East Shore, he will be the very first to know of it. We cannot have him out of commission." Prince Treyton said.

"I see the Sea Kingdom is fully prepared for war." King Askel stated.

"We would rather this war does not happen, but we are left with no choice but to prepare for the worst."

"The gateway will only be bare of the mer forces for now as a respect to King Askel, if the battle fairies fail to retreat before the tide change, my father has prepared to dispatch his army all across the Seas and the other Sea lords are ready for battle."

"I will not keep this from you as I consider you dear friends."

"In a few days, I shall lead an army to be stationed at the East Sea myself, my father appoints me Battle Lord and has granted me the tide trident with orders to vanquish the Floral Domain if necessary." Prince Treyton revealed in a grim tone.

"The Sea King intends to flood the Floral Domain?!" Luther whisper yelled in horror.

Zariah’s heart dropped at the words of Prince Treyton.

In the past lifetime, the Sea King had troubled the waters in his grief at Prince Treyton’s death, the Floral Domain had been flooded, thousands had died and not just the Floral Domain was affected.

Zariah had thought changing Prince Treyton’s fate was enough to prevent that future from coming to being, however it seemed nothing had changed at all.

The Sea King still intended to retaliate with the most brutal method possible, by using the power of the sea.

The merfolk had remained quiet and unnoticed on the supernatural realm for far too long, as such, it was inevitable that they were frequently bullied.

Zariah could see the Fairy Queen had grazed the Sea King’s limit and he would not let it go this time,

The Sea King intended to make an example of the Floral Domain to remind the supernatural realm of the power of the Sea Kingdom,

But Zariah could not help but wonder...at what cost?