Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 224: The marriage announcement (2)

Lord Helve therefore must have eagerly grasped the opportunity to put relations between the two duchies on a better footing.

Though Arial have always look at him as untrustworthy father in law, he is Helia father, and if by this virtue alone, Arial must show some modicum of respect befitting of the title.

And it helps that Lord Helve shows quite the favorable attitude towards Arial people.

He had heard that Lord Helve gave his envoys a courteous reception when they arrived at his court.

That day after finishing some matters, he rides to the mansion where his mother is residing

The mansion is big and a symbol of prestige for his family if the castle is any indication.

Arial enter and greeted by the room majestic height and the water in the central pool helped to diffuse incoming light and to ventilate the surrounding rooms.

The surrounding rooms are bedroom decorated in Zettelian style. A curtain of Renasian artistry separated the high room from the main reception room.

Beyond lay the large courtyard, the colonnaded garden around which other rooms is grouped including open recesses and the dining room.

The servants can be seen doing their task showering the gardens and sweeping the dust. The bathroom is connected to the main waters.

There is an elaborate fountain in the huge courtyard to display his family wealth to those who came for diplomatic business.

The walls are brightly painted following the style of Renasian house which gives it a unique and exotic feel, and the floors is covered with mosaic.

'Beautiful' he said even though he has been here countless times.

his architect has already been rewarded for creating this mansion but Arial could not help but marvel at it every time he came here.

Because of the axial layout, which created a vista from the entrance passage to the large courtyard, entering visitors would have been dazzled by strong sunlight alternating with deep shadow.

In the summer, it is pleasantly cool and airy. In winter, it will be dark and chilly with oil lamps shedding feeble light.

The windows are glass, expensive but necessary to show off to the other noble house.

This is his parent's mansion though there is another mansion near the border of Arrandy which belongs to him where it is designed with a simpler style where he usually put some dignitaries if they ever need rest.

Arial mansion on the other hand is guarded though not use regularly which is why many dignitaries and nobles of renown may spend their time there if they ask him for permission.

As he walks further inside, he could see Helia is playing with his little sister. That makes him feel happy somehow. He yelled from outside the large courtyard.

'HELIA!'

Helia looked at him in puzzlement and give his sister to Arial mother. Even his mother also looks puzzled at his sudden appearance here in the mansion

'Arial' she said walking calmly while glancing at his mother, to the courtyard.

'Why the yelling?' Arial tries to contain his smile, but he could not as his smile grows wider and he runs to her and hugs her.

Helia blushes a bit as Arial quickly say the news he has been meaning to say.

'We will get married. Your father has approved.' He said with an excited tone, relaying the happy news.

Arial then releases him from his hug and look at her.

And slowly that smiles surfaces. That beautiful smile. Arianna may be the most beautiful woman in the world, but Arial doubt her smiles make him feel like this.

Arial unconsciously smile and Helia hugged him, wrapping her arms around his neck and he spin her around and kiss her cheek.

'Truly?' she asked.

She is starting to get very excited now.

He could feel her heartbeat beating furiously. She touches Arial cheek with love in her eyes, those beautiful, beautiful brown eyes, looking at him.

Arial is trying to choke the feeling of happiness he felt now, he is trembling, but her touch, her touch makes him feel like he his heart is taking over him, like he discovered something he didn't even have a name for.

'Yes.' Arial answered.

She locks eyes with him again, like it was saying something, something that is happy and something that is kind.

And then she kissed his lips, as she hugs him tight, her head leans in to his neck. Then after a while, she released herself

Like she just realizes what she did, she glances at his mother and blush red in her cheeks. And even Arial could not help but blush with her.

In their inebriation of joy, they forgot that his mother is watching. His mother look at him and Helia and chuckles.

She smiles a knowing smile and said

'Ah, young love' There was an awkward silence for a moment before she said

'Then I must get ready.' She said trying to maintain her composure. Then Helia like she was remembering something sighed before she turned to him and said

'The wedding preparation. Call your council, Arial' she said. More like ordered.

Arial was puzzled for a second

'Of course. Butwhy?' he asks

'I need to prepare.' She replies.

She said and then she quickly run inside the open courtyard and tell his mother the happy news.

His mother smiles that motherly smile and Helia giggle in happiness as his mother hug her. Then the woman suddenly getting busy all of a sudden.

'This wedding will be the greatest in ceremony and honor' she promises him

Arial was flustered and puzzled but he couldn't help but smile. After all that have happen finally he will get his happy ending.

Though one thing still is nagging on him, the dragon.

He promises himself and he was determined to fulfill that promise.

After all of this is done, after the weeing, and the signing of the treaty, after he make sure that all the matters here is done, he would venture out to the Land of the Dragons and he would do everything in his power to obtained that heart

It might be a selfish thing to do right now to marry her. he might even die and left Helia a widow but he couldn't let her go like this. when there is still hope.

Maybe hope is the cruel thing.

The moments he spends with her, the smiles and laugh, the kiss and her touch, the playful glance. he knows now.

That he is hopelessly and completely addicted to her. Like a drunk that could not let go the pint bottles, he could not let her go.

Yet at the same time, he also could not tell her the truth.

Arial know her personality.

If he told her about his illness and if she knew that the only cure for this illness is fighting a dragon, Arial knew what she would do.

This woman would follow him into the flames, and if Helia knows, Lisa would know and if Lisa knows Kyle would know

And they. the loyal friends they arethey will follow him and they would probably die following him.

Arial never had the confidence that all thing would just line up for him perfectly.

He is hoping for the best but he is also ready to accept the fact that he might fail. And if he fails, it would be better for him to fail alone.

And this is his quest. Arial will not let them risk their life for him, as he knows they will not let him risk his life if they are in his position.

One of his objectives has already been fulfilled.

The Invasion is averted. In his original timeline, 1017 After Fall is a year of mourning, the Invasion started but in this timeline, something different had happened.

A new path of the future had been created.