Chapter 33: The Letter
"Aiden send people to find Volca and Fiona. Trick them into out trap," she ordered. She didn't wish to leave the hall herself to not cause any distractions for Huo during his important day. Aqua had already prepared to take off any moment, apparating to the Beast Clan's border.
Aiden came back half an hour later. "You were right, the borders are spied by the emperor. They are finding a reason to attack,"
"I knew it,"
"If we do this, we will be offending the heavens, do you want to really do this?" he asked her.
"Who said we are doing it?"
"Then?" Aiden asked.
"Leak the information to king and make him order Fiona and Volca put the protection charm and formation around the castle and the borders," Milan told her cousin while Aqua sat with her arms folded.
The maids had served the meal. Aqua and Milan had their fill calmly remembering to keep their heads covered. She took her wine and toasted it to the new king while he did the same back. Dritan left the platform and walked out with few guards. A few minutes later, Volca came running into the hall with her mother on her heels. They took the order from Dritan and left the castle quietly. Aiden had his men follow them quietly until they finished their assigned work.
The gift ceremony began, and everybody started presenting their gifts to the new king. Milan stood up and held the gift following her sister to the stage. They bowed to Huo'er and handed him what her father had given her to present him. Everyone noticed the slight difference seen in Huo'er as the lady approached him.
'Could it be King's woman?' everyone wondered.
And at that time, a pegion entred the hall. Dritan was given a piece of letter attached at the bird's leg. He read them and looked at Huo'er and Aqua.
By late in the evening, the ceremony ended and everyone dispersed. Dritan walked towards his son. "Emperor Tai is holding a conference in his palace, next month, it's a trap," he said. He then looked at Aqua. "The royal families of all the Realms are requested to attend the conference, Emperor Tai has decided to announce his son's engagement with crown princess of Water Realm,"
"What?" Aqua said unaware that there were still a few people left to leave the hall. Milan held on to her arms asking her to calm down.
"Milan, did pa mention this?"
"No," she replied to her elder sister. Aqua then looked at Huo.
"It's a trap set for me, he knows I will have to go there and cause trouble,'
"Then don't, I will find a way,"
"Tai already had taken two things that belonged to me once, I won't let him take away anything anymore," Dritan looked at his son. "His son is the worst man who could exist like his father,"
"Your highness no, it's clearly dangerous, "
"But you cannot come there, it would become a disaster,"
"What do you want me to do? Send you the betrothal presents?" Huo raised his voice.
"Hey, I am telling you I can handle this,"
"Aqua, listen to me," Huo said.
"No you listen to me," Aqua said angrily. Dritan stood silently between the lovers spat. "I can face it, I can handle it, everybody know how not an easy going person i am, something about us must have leaked and I know exactly who had done it,"
"You mean Volca don't you?" Huo asked her.
"And Fiona,"
"How can you be so sure about this?" Huo looked at her not agreeing with her. "She loves me, would she just let me be murdered?"
"Fine trust her, don't trust me, believe her all you want, because she 'loves you', but give me one reason why she shouldn't be held suspicious. Where was she when you were being crowned? Call Aiden and ask him from where she got her, asking her to report to His Highness," she said pointing at Dritan. "Trust her all you want, but don't come at the gathering, am begging you,"
"Aqua you must leave immediately, before he sends people to water realm, It would go hard for King Aenon to cover his family for long, " Huo advised her holding his tongue, avoiding the topic.
"That's right, I am already prepared to go, you take care, don't let the emotions reign over you, remember what shifu had taught us," Aqua said.
"I know," he said holding her hands. "Don't worry,"