The Calmness before the Storm

Alexander’s Balcony, Francia

Eidrin and Romero had now returned to Francia. They reunited with Alexander and told him everything that had happened.

Alexander: So, Merlin was your brother all along?

Eidrin: Yeah. I never even imagined in my dreams that our reunion would be this dramatic. I still can’t believe I wounded my own brother during that fight.

Alexander: Let it go. Be happy that you finally reunited with him. But… why didn’t you tell us that you had a brother?

Romero: What do you mean by “a brother”? He just told me he has a total of four younger brothers.

Alexander: What?! Eidrin, I didn’t know you were keeping secrets from us.

Eidrin: I mean, knowing my past isn’t important. What I was is irrelevant. What matters is what I am now — and you both know me better than anyone. There’s no one else in this world who knows me more than you two.

Alexander: Yeah, that’s true. Anyway, Merlin turned out to be your brother, and Marina is his sister. So what about arranging her marriage with Romero now? I don’t think he can deny your proposal anymore.

Eidrin: Yeah, I was thinking the same.

Romero: Hey, wait a minute! I said I love her, but I’m still not ready to marry her yet.

Eidrin and Alexander (both shocked): What?!

Romero: Yeah, it’s true that I love her and agreed to send the marriage proposal, but… you two are like my own brothers — the people closest to me. Even though we’re all the same age, I consider myself inferior to both of you in terms of power and authority.

Eidrin: So…?

Romero: I’ve been thinking — what if I decide that I’ll only marry after you two marry?

Alexander: What? I don’t think I’ll marry anytime soon. I just became king, so I have a lot of duties to handle first. And I haven’t found a girl I can truly love. I don’t even think there’s someone out there who could love me like that.

Eidrin: Same here. I don’t think I’ll marry in my entire life. I’m not interested in romance. I have goals that are far more important than that — and I could die trying to achieve them. I don’t want to ruin a girl’s life when my path is only that of a warrior.

Alexander: What? What kind of goals?

Romero (laughing): Hey, don’t say that. I know there’s a girl who loves you.

Eidrin: Hey, stop that!

Alexander (confused): Really? Who is it?

Romero: That girl is Ale—

Eidrin quickly grabbed Romero’s arm to stop him.

Eidrin: Xander, he’s just joking. Romero, stop playing around.

Just then, Alexia arrived.

Alexia: Oh, you three are here — just as I expected. Big brother, Father is calling you. Everyone has assembled in the court.

Alexander: Tell him I’ll be there right away.

Alexia: Okay. Eidrin, Romero — how was your journey?

Romero: Oh… it’s a long story. We’ll share it with you when we get some free time.

Alexia: So, were you able to make the princess fall for you?

Romero (smiling): Of course! Which girl wouldn’t fall for me?

Alexia: Oh, I see. Eidrin, why are you so quiet? I want to talk to you.

Eidrin: Okay.

Eidrin and Alexia walked away together.

Romero: Xander, can I say something?

Alexander: Yeah.

Romero: Don’t take it the wrong way — and don’t shout at me if you don’t like it — but don’t you think Eidrin and Alexia look good together?

Alexander: What?!

Romero: I mean, I think they’re perfect for each other. Would you be okay with Eidrin becoming your brother-in-law?

Alexander: What can I say? I like the idea too, but it’s not my choice. The choice is theirs. Eidrin already said he isn’t interested in any relationship, and I don’t know if Alexia loves someone else or not.

Romero: Oh, I see...

(Romero thought: Things are going just how I like.)

Meanwhile, in the corridor

Alexia: So… did you bring something for me this time?

Eidrin: Of course.

Eidrin handed her an expensive necklace.

Eidrin (smiling): I brought it from Groacia.

Alexia (happily): Oh, I love it! Thank you so much. But… I have another wish.

Eidrin: What is it?

Alexia (smiling): Will you put it on me yourself?

That evening passed like that.

Eidrin: Wh—what?! Oh, wait! I just remembered something important. See you later!

Eidrin quickly excused himself and left.

Later that night — a luxurious room in the palace

The young nobles of the royal family were partying, drinking, and laughing. Music filled the air as dancers entertained them. Only the youths were there — no elders.
Alexander wasn’t present, busy with his duties. Eidrin and Romero also stayed away, uninterested in the nobles’ shallow festivities.

Man 1: Giorno, did you hear the news spreading through the palace?

Giorno: What news?

Man 1: Eidrin is the blood brother of Merlin, the prince of Groacia.

Giorno: Yeah, I heard that already.

Man 2: Things are getting out of our hands. That Eidrin is becoming powerful, and his fame is increasing among the citizens. Now he’s the brother of Groacia’s prince, so his political influence is even stronger than ours.

Man 3: Yeah, if we let him keep growing, it’ll cause trouble for us.

Man 1: I’ve also seen him talking to the princess several times. What if they fall for each other?

Man 3: Alexander would surely accept their marriage. Then Eidrin could become one of Francia’s heirs.

Man 2: If that happens, he’ll overthrow us.

Giorno: None of that will happen. I’ll destroy Eidrin — and Alexia will be mine. Then I’ll become the next heir to the throne.

Man 1: What are you saying? What will you do?

Giorno: You’ll see. I’ll create a rift between Alexander and Eidrin — using Merlin.

All: What?!

Man 2: And what about Romero?

Giorno: Who cares about him? He’s nothing without Eidrin.

For many days, everything seemed normal. Eidrin and Romero continued their missions while Alexander focused on becoming a good ruler.

One afternoon

Alexander was sitting alone in his room when Giorno came to see him.
(Giorno is Alexander’s cousin, which is why he calls him “big brother.”)

Giorno: Big brother, why are you sitting here alone?

Alexander: Nothing much, just taking some rest.

Giorno: Oh, I see. Eidrin and Romero aren’t around, so you must be feeling lonely.

Alexander (smiling): Yeah, good guess. Anyway, why did you come here?

Giorno: Nothing special. It’s just been a while since we talked like this.

Alexander: Oh, I see.

Giorno: You know, I’m concerned about something.

Alexander: What is it?

Giorno: That Eidrin… he’s the blood brother of the prince of Groacia, right?

Alexander: Yeah.

Giorno: I fear he might betray us.

Alexander (angrily): Hey, what are you trying to say?

Giorno: You already know that we and Groacia aren’t on good terms. What if Eidrin exposes our nation’s secrets to his brother, and they start a war against us?

Alexander: Giorno, Eidrin isn’t that kind of man.

Giorno: But if he ever has to choose between you and his brother, he’ll definitely choose his brother.

Alexander: No, he won’t. He’s the kind of person who acts by his morals. He won’t just pick sides blindly. He’ll choose only after thinking about which side is right. And even if he chooses his brother over me, I wouldn’t blame him. But I’m sure he’ll never betray me.

Giorno: Okay, big brother. I respect your opinion.

(Giorno thought: It’s not working like I expected. No matter — I’ll use another plan.)

Later that evening

Eidrin and Romero returned from a mission, exhausted.

Romero: Oh man, I’m completely worn out. I need food, now!

Eidrin: Same here. I’m starving. Let’s eat something.

Romero: Let me just change my armor. Wait for me, I’ll be back in a minute — don’t start without me.

Eidrin: Okay.

At that moment, Eidrin was standing in front of Giorno’s room. The door was closed, but inside, Giorno and some of his fellow nobles were gathered.
Giorno knew Eidrin was outside — and he used the opportunity.

Giorno (speaking loudly on purpose so Eidrin could hear): That Eidrin is getting too powerful and becoming a problem for us. If this keeps up, he’ll surpass us in authority.

Man 1: Yeah, that’s not good.

Eidrin (thinking from outside): What are they talking about? Are they planning something against me?

Man 2: We need to do something to him soon.

Giorno: Let me finish — I’ve already planned something.

Man 3: What is it?

Giorno: I bribed a few soldiers to attack Merlin. When Eidrin hears about it, he’ll think Alexander ordered the attack — and that’ll create a rift between them.

Man 2: But do you think a small group of soldiers can really harm a prince in his own country?

Giorno: Of course. We don’t need to attack the prince directly — attacking Groacia will be enough. Their military isn’t strong anyway. If we want, we could even kill Merlin.

Eidrin (thinking): No! Merlin! I have to save him!

To be continue.......