Her Terms are Acceptable

Shrugging, you say, "Very well then. I swear to help you reclaim your father's lands and crown. I swear that either I or my heir will guarantee his half-siblings right to his or her inheritance. You will have my support if your country is being invaded by a foreign power."

"Then under those terms, I accept your offer." She looks straight into your eyes.

"Wonderful. I will have the paper works ready for signing. Our forces will catch your half-siblings off guard. Come to think of it, what do you want to do with any we capture?"

"Bring them to me. I shall have their heads." She says coldly. You heatedly counter, "They are your half-siblings."

"They are my blood, yes." She spits at those words, "But I feel no sort of familial attachment to them. All they've done is scorn me and mocked me. They've scorn and mocked each other." She hisses as her frown goes from indifference to clear and present anger. "My half-sisters were no different. They used to throw mud at me. Once they tried to have someone do something deplorable to me! I-I hate them!" She violently slides all her belongings off her table. "Was it my fault father favored me over them?!"

Your eyes soften at her words. As does Eliza's. "Okay, okay. You can have their heads if we capture them alive." This was how they did it anyway. Killing them also solves the problem of a future war.

Helga closes her eyes and takes several deep breaths. She steps up to you, "Keep your word, good King. I have placed so much trust in you. Betray it," Her voice suddenly got cold and the room started to feel a little chilly, "and I will make you pay. Do not push your luck with me. Ever. I have been betrayed before by someone I thought I could trust and rely upon. I will not tolerate another especially from someone I am about to give my purity to. Do not let my outward appearance let you think I am a docile creature. I will take matters into my own hands if need be. Am I understood?" This beautiful princess is frightful, assertive, decisive and cold. Sort of like two other women you know. Definitely someone you wanted to cross.

You smile warmly at her. It was sincere, honest which held no trace of malice and deceit. Rarely has Helga seen a smile like that. It made her face feel warm. "I promise you. I will not betray you and your trust. But I will insist our child spend time with their half-siblings."

"Why ever for?" She questions.

"I don't want my children to grow up embittered by one another. I want to grow up as brothers and sisters should. I want to forge bonds and not be like you and your half-siblings who only see each other as obstacles to a throne." It was the truth.

"Very well." She says rolling her eyes. She suddenly grabs your head firmly and plants a fierce kiss on your lips. Her own are soft yet have the same cold that seems to be the very essence of her existence. It is a strange sensation but no less pleasant. You soon return the kiss. Your kisses are warm, soft and gentle but still passionate. You feel her vice-like grip on your head loosen. Then her hands rest on your shoulders.

She breaks the kiss long after. "Sealed with a kiss, as is custom. Do not dishonor our pact." she say, again slipping into a most formidable demeanor. Though her face is tad bit flushed.

She looks thoughtful for a moment, "So when will your forces to ready to fight?"

"The fleet should be when given the order."

"And the ground troops?"

"On the way here as we speak. The snow will delay them a bit. They are moving through Schlestein and Lenmeckburg."

"My dispossession has left me with little but the support of relatives like my greatgranduncle. Most of my mother's family is gone. I have little to bring but my claim. Until you came, I had no support. One of my brother's mother is from Schlestein. They may decide to lend their support."

"I hope they remain neutral but if they choose to fight against us, we can split the land between the two of us. The northern half of Schlestein's population is Dayn. The southern is Almain."

"You sound like you actually want them to cause trouble."

"Not at all. I'd rather not risk them depleting our manpower."

You take your leave and ask if Eliza wants to go with you. Eliza declines. She wants to talk with Helga. You find Helga's greatgranduncle Anton waiting not too far from her door.

"Sho, what do you make of her?" the little greatgranduncle asks.

"Well, she is a very impressive girl" you say with a healthy amount of respect for Helga.

Anton's eyes brighten and widen at the word 'Impressive'. "Doesh that mean you have agreed to a match?" The little old man inches closer to better here your answer.

You smile a little cheeky, "A match? No." The old man seems downcasted and disappointed. "I... I shee. A pity then."

"Don't be saddened, Count Anton. We've come to an arrangement. I'm going to help her win her crown."

And again, Anton's eyes widen and brighten. "Truly?" He almost seems to be out of breathe and couldn't bring himself to speak.

"Yes, truly."

"How wonderful! Jusht wonderful!" he cries ecstatic. He does a little half-dance of joy in front of you before offering to shake your hand. "Yesh! Thish ish a magnificent development. You will make her very happy. Very happy and far away from here!" he says, still emphatically shaking your hand. You pull your hand free and wipe it on your robe before walking away from the eccentric little man. It must run in the family.