Tristan truly didn’t expect everyone to show up. He was partially worried that maybe one or two of them would think it was a trap and refused attendance. Luckily, all the rulers or their representatives from all seven kingdoms attended this meeting.

As expected, the rulers of Ardustan and Pyralis came in person, as well as the ruler of Cartia. Aquanis sent a representative, which wasn’t surprising. What was surprising was that the queen and king consort of Etheria came in person instead of sending a representative. Not only that, they sent a confirmation of attendance to the meeting before anyone else. The oracle was also present, acting as the representative of Elysara.

Most of the people there gave uneasy stares at Tristan, perhaps because of the false rumors of his death. Most, except for the oracle, who greeted him with a welcoming smile like that of a close family member.

“Greetings to the divine oracle.” Tristan bowed respectfully to her when she noticed his presence. It makes the most sense to acknowledge her first as she ranked the highest in the whole room.

“Greetings, Sword of Terravale,” she said, being the first one to break the awkward silence at the table. “For someone who was believed to be dead, you look quite good.”

Her joke eased the tension as more than a few people chuckled at her words.

Tristan grinned mischievously and replied, “Well, they say death becomes me, but I prefer the look of someone who’s defied it.”

That earned a few more chuckles.

His father, King Estien, cleared his throat. “Since I was the one who called you here, let me start this off by discussing the terms of the Eastern Alliance’s surrender…”

His father started conversing with the leaders of the Southwest Alliance about the outcomes and consequences for Pyralis and Ardustan. Turns out, having four kingdoms arguing over the fate of two other kingdoms were very, very messy.

“It’s impossible to pay all these reparations to four kingdoms!” the king of Pyralis lost his patience and shouted at one point in the discussion.

“What? You want the Northern Alliance to occupy one kingdom while the Southwest Alliance occupies another? Who gave you the right to decide which kingdom gets to occupy who?”

There was a lot of yelling and angry shouting, but after three days of hard conversation, everyone finally came to a compromise by relenting a little. 

In the end, Pyralis and Ardustan agreed to dismantle their army and surrender their weapons. They also agreed to pay some reparation in the form of tributes over the course of a hundred years, the same amount of time that the Eastern Alliance was at war. The Southwest Alliance and the Northern Alliance agreed at a price that was small enough that it was possible for Pyralis and Ardustan to pay off without suffering too much economically. In addition, they also agreed to the establishment of tribunals or courts to address war crimes and atrocities committed by them during the war.

In exchange, the four other kingdoms agreed that they will not take any lands or territories from the two kingdoms, and even leave their governments alone. They will also send provision of aid and assistance to the civilians affected by the conflict.

Then, on the fourth day, they started discussing a possible truce. Turns out, Tristan was right. Everyone was sick and tired of war. Everyone, that is, except for Cartia. Cartia was the only one to vote in favor of continuing the war, probably because they are confident in their weapons’ ability to win the war.

“That is not something to brag about, King of Cartia,” Queen Laurella, the queen of Etheria, sneered at Cartia’s king. For some reason, she seemed somewhat familiar to him, although Tristan couldn’t recall where he could possibly meet the queen of Etheria before. He was also somewhat fond of her, as she was also one of the biggest advocates for peace at this meeting.

The discussion for the truce also dragged on for a bit. At one point, the representative of Aquanis shouted in frustration, “Why don’t we just continue this stupid war and whoever wins gets to decide the consequences of the other four kingdoms?”

To which Rowena responded by shouting, “Shut up!” She was one of the youngest members in the meeting, but her fierce outburst caught everyone’s attention and rendered them silent. “Only a monster would continue this pointless war in hopes of a chance to exploit the losing kingdoms! Can’t you see what’s really at stake? Not wealth or land, but lives!”

That finally shut the bigger complainers up. After that, everyone was more willing to choose peace. Tristan couldn’t help but grin inwardly. Indeed, his sister was not someone to trifle with.

Finally, they managed to settle on some agreeable terms, and then the topic came to how they can maintain this peace, an insurance of some sort. And that’s when, the oracle, who had been one of the calmer members of this meeting and one of the few voices of reason, finally suggested, “What about a royal wedding?”

Everyone’s head swiveled to her. 

“What?” King Estien asked. Everyone took her advice and suggestions more seriously than any other, and the oracle was one of the few reasons why they even managed to come to a compromise in the previous discussion.

“A royal marriage,” the oracle affirmed. “For the sake of peace. Is there anything more binding than a marriage?”

There was a moment of silence. Tristan could feel Rowena growing concerned. As a young, unmarried woman of marriageable age, she was likely to be involved in the oracle’s suggestion.

“There is no god or goddess of marriage, so what makes marriages so sacred?” someone asked.

“It is one of the few things that both gods and humans have an unspoken respect toward. Marriage, coming-of-age, birth, and death.” 

“And divorce.” Rowena muttered. 

“Yes,” the oracle amended. “And divorce.”

A hush descended over the meeting again as they took in her advice.

“Terravale and Etheria were the first to declare war on each other,” the oracle pointed out. “Perhaps it is best that a marriage is arranged between the two. Both of you have children of marriage age, no?”

Beside him, Rowena tensed again. She had been right to be concerned earlier.

“It was Etheria who declared war on us first,” King Estien snapped. “They set our palace on fire!”

“No, we didn’t!” the King Consort Lionell of Etheria retorted back to him. “You started the war by deliberately sending us poisoned supplies!”

“That’s a lie!”

“Stop,” the oracle stepped in again. “What happened in the past is in the past. Now, we need to focus on the future. Are you willing to follow my proposal?”

The Etherians and the Terravalens glanced at each other again. They all wore faces of displeasure, but no one spoke out in protest.

“I have a nephew who is next in line to the throne.” Queen Laurella said. “Martieus Euphemia. He is about seventeen years of age, so he hasn’t come of age yet.”

At that, everyone glanced at Rowena, who was looking more and more uncomfortable. Rowena was twenty-three years old. There was an age gap of about six years.

“Don’t you also have a daughter?” Tristan’s mother asked. “I heard that she is about twenty years of age, so it’s a better match age-wise with my son. I heard that she gave up her rights to the throne some time ago, so it should be fine if she comes to Terravale, right?”

At that, everyone turned to look at Tristan. He didn’t like the thought of being married to a complete stranger, but at least it wasn’t one of the girls with their eyes on his position and bloodline. If he had to marry an Etherian girl… he would rather choose Ella. He should have known not to have any hopes or expectations of seeing Ella again. Indeed, it was too unrealistic. Now he was likely about to be married off to the princess of Ella’s kingdom. How ironic.

Speaking of Ella, it had been three months since they parted ways. Spring has turned into summer. She must have arrived in the capital of Elysara by now. Could both of them be in the same city at the same time? Or had she already spoken with the oracle and left? Tristan eyed the oracle, wondering if it was out of place to ask her later.

His mother’s words also hinted that they expected Rowena to stay in Terravale to become the next queen regnant. That meant that Rowena cannot leave Terravale to become queen consort of Etheria. However, since the princess of Etheria has already stepped out of the line to the throne, then it wouldn’t be an issue if she married into the Ethanova family.

The royal couple of Etheria seemed to bristle a little at his mother’s words. 

“You want to send my only child to a place so far away?” Queen Laurella asked. “My daughter is the apple of my eye! Who will protect her in your kingdom? She is so delicate and kind, how can I bear to—”

“Why do you talk like my son will mistreat her or something?”

“Maybe you intend to use her as a political hostage!”

“For gods’ sake, this wasn’t even my idea!”

“Stop,” Tristan was the one who stepped in this time. While he had commented a few things here and there because he had the most war experience, he had rarely taken lead in the conversation as he did now. “The lady in question isn’t even here, so isn’t it rude to discuss her marriage without her consent?”

The royal couple of Etheria blinked at him in surprise. “That… That is true.” King Consort Lionell admitted. “We should discuss this with my daughter first.”

“But this issue has to be resolved soon,” King Estien replied. He glanced at his son, who shrugged.

“Then we have to do this the proper way.” Tristan said. “We’ll send her an offer of engagement, and it’s up to her to decline or accept as she pleases. We can’t possibly force her to marry me.”

“And if she refuses?” Someone asked. 

“Well, there are other options available, aren’t there? No one said it had to be between Terravale and Etheria. I’m sure one of them could work out.”

Everyone looked at each other in agreement. It was wrong to force two people to marry against their will, and a marriage wasn’t something to be taken lightly. Especially a marriage that was supposed to represent peace.

“All right,” Queen Laurella agreed. “I will let my daughter decide her response herself.”

And just like that, the week-long meeting finally came to an end.