The servant exits the room. Alyssa tucks in her wings, which were out earlier. "We can talk about this later. Right now, change. And don't forget to take a cloak. For some reason, it is considered rude here if you do not wear one." She orders us.

Everybody stays silent and heads to the closet which contains an end number of choices. I pick out a cobalt dress and a midnight blue cloak to wear.

We all change one by one in the changing room. Rachel stands next to Alyssa, adjusting her magenta cloak, and then knocks on the door. "C'mon Pheebs. We are gonna be late."

Phoebe finally comes out with a golden pin in her air and her bright orange dress falling to her feet, matching the dazzling golden cloak.

"You're not gonna change?" She analyses Alyssa's short black dress.

Alyssa spreads her wings and replies, "I don't think there are many options."

Phoebe shakes her head and turns to the door but there is already someone standing near it- Jemime. She looks Phoebe up and down. "Someone is overdressed." She mocks her.

Phoebe glares at her and smiles. "Someone needs a designer."

Jemime moves her cloak and just shows off the white hilt of her sword. "As long as I have my blacksmiths, I am fine."

Phoebe's smile vanishes and she asks, "What are you doing here?"

" 'What are you doing here, my lady?' You need to learn something from your sister." Jemime corrects her and glances towards me. "I am here to personally escort you to the dining hall. I hope all of you are ready." All of us, except Phoebe, nod and follow her as she steps out of the room. Phoebe simply exits the room, ignoring Jemime.

As we are walking, I whisper to Alyssa, "Why are they asking us to eat with them?"

Alyssa replies, "To negotiate. Lord Makonus is a trader. There is no reason for us to dine with his family unless they want something or refuse in this case."

I notice the parchment in Alyssa's hand, that she had later taken back. "Can I see that?" I ask her.

Alyssa hesitates a little but I assure her, "I won't tell anyone. I just want to take a look at these requests." Alyssa hands me the silver paper.

On one side is written something about Alyssa and her duties that she had told the guards about. So, I turn the page on its other side.

I look at the beautiful handwriting on the paper. It reads-

"I, Air Queen Alaena of Clans Oceania and Storm, Lady of Mist, Mistress of Winds and Empress of the Sky, is saddened to announce that Former Mistress of Magic- Lady Angelica has started a rebellion against the rule of elements. She has been using dangerous and vile methods to enforce her rule in Manelysse. She has proclaimed herself as the Empress of Manelysse. All the lords and ladies need to unite in this time of terror."

"Lord Makonus of the Cloud Port, I ask you to do your part if a battle may occur. I ask for your esteemed Cloud Ships to help us in the battle. I request you to give us as many as you can afford. I also ask for your wife- Lady Reyne Letyo-Makonus to urge her mother, Lady Jocasta Letyo of the Flying City, to send us her Wind Warriors who are known for their bravery and talent in aerial combat to fight the false Empress."

"I hope you obligate to those requests because the war is truly here."

A symbol that looks like it represents Air, is stamped as a sign. "There is no specification," I tell Alyssa quietly.

"What do you mean?" She asks, in confusion.

I start to explain, "Nobody is going to listen to you if you straight up ask them to give all of their weapons. You need to specify how many ships you need, how many warriors are to be used. Whoever wrote this doesn't understand a single thing about persuasion."

Alyssa stares at me with pure agony. I understand what she means. "Sorry, I forgot your Queen wrote this."

Alyssa replies, "Yes, she did. Unfortunately, the official drafter of the court is so busy with handling local issues; Queen Alaena has taken this task upon herself."

We reach the dining hall, where the table and food are already set. There is no one in the room except the Makonus family. I notice Rachel's eyes full of hunger. All of us take a seat and start eating. We've been starving so badly that we don't even care how the Lord is looking at us.

"Glad I invited you to dinner. So, let's get down to business, shall we?" He asks.

We slow down and Alyssa speaks up, "Of course. Lady Reyne, any news?"

Lady Reyne takes out a paper and passes it on. "One of her Wind Warriors delivered this. Mother has agreed to spare a few of her Warriors. She was always fond of Adamm after all. I hope a hundred will be enough."

Alyssa reads the paper and says, "That is very kind of her. Her Wing Warriors will definitely help us in battle. Now, for the Cloud Ships..."

Jemime looks at her father to ask for his permission. Lord Makonus lifts his hand to allow her. Jemime clears her throat. "None."

"None? My lady- " Alyssa confirms in shock but Jemime cuts her off, "The Cloud Ships were and are designed for the trade. They are not meant to be destroyed. In battle, however, what is the chance of any of the ships surviving? I have consulted the boat makers, and they have assured me that not one ship will come back to us."

Alyssa gapes at her. "How many ships do you have, my lord?" All the people except Jemime are surprised to see me speak.

Lord Makonus still answers, "Five hundred."

I then turn to Jemime. "How many are currently being used?"

"About a hundred, less than before." She replies.

"How much does it take for these ships to form?" I inquire her.

"One takes six months but we can produce a fifty during that time with multiple craftsmen."

I nod and ask her, "Are they still working on the ships that are yet to be ready?" Jemime nods.

"If you have free four hundred ships and can make hundreds within one year on average. Then surely you can give a hundred ships. You'll still be left with three hundred ships that are not being used and will have four hundred free ships in one year. Who knows that this Angelica person will allow you to trade anymore if she's throwing bombs in your villages? At the end of the day, you want the Queen to win." I explain to them.

Alyssa and Rachel look at me and smile. Phoebe ignores the whole thing and continues eating. Jemime smirks. "You give a good case. But there is a chance of losing even with our ships." She argues.

I turn to Alyssa and ask her, "How many people are fighting with you, and how many are fighting with Angelica?"

"Her numbers are two times as big as ours. But a large part of her army consists of trolls and other untrained creatures who are easily defeated as you saw in the forest. Most of ours consists of trained warriors and we have the power of Air on our side. And she has no ships, especially ones that fly." She tells me.

That last sentence is what I was looking for. "If I am not wrong, your ships will increase the probability of the Queen winning."

Jemime turns to her father and silently communicates with him.

Lord Makonus finally says, "Very well. Seventy ships will be granted."

I ask him with a casual tone, "How about seventy-five, My Lord?" Lord Makonus nods in answer. I look at Alyssa, who is smiling.

The Lord lifts his cup to drink something when we hear the sound of the window breaking. All of us notice the Lord's veins turning a shade of violet.

Jemime instantly stands up and with her cloak, lifts the thing that broke the window.

It's a purple crystal.

*

Hope you liked this chapter! Who do you think threw this purple crystal? Can Caroline and her sisters help the Makonus family or will they harm themselves in the process? Read the next chapter to find out.

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