Wielder Of Time

A/N: I got invested in playing Crazy Craft yesterday and forgot to post. Sorry bout that.

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Duke Everard leaned forward, his fingers steepled atop the polished wooden table. His sharp gaze swept across the room before he spoke, his voice carrying the weight of a man well-versed in political dealings.

"As we all know, the Isles of Azeroth seek an alliance with the Asterios Empire." His words were measured, calculated. "And while that desire is well-established, I believe it is necessary to clarify why such an alliance is not only beneficial—but necessary."

He paused, allowing the statement to settle before continuing.

"The world is changing. The balance of power is shifting, and with it, the way nations interact. Trade routes grow more dangerous, piracy continues to rise, and hostile forces seek to challenge long-standing powers. The Isles have always been a force to be reckoned with at sea, but alone, even we have our limitations. Meanwhile, the Asterios Empire, despite its unmatched strength, lacks complete dominance over the Azure Sea. An alliance between our two nations would rectify this."

Khione listened intently, shifting her gaze between the Duke and Bella. Though Everard's words carried a sense of urgency, she could tell he was being selective with his reasoning. There were undoubtedly deeper motivations at play—ones he had no intention of revealing so easily.

Bella remained silent for a moment, her expression unreadable as she carefully weighed his words. Then, with an almost casual tone, she posed the question that cut straight to the heart of the matter.

"And why," she asked, her eyes meeting his evenly, "should the Asterios Empire ally itself with the Isles of Azeroth?"

A flicker of something crossed the Duke's face—perhaps amusement, perhaps approval. It was a reasonable question, one he had surely anticipated.

"The answer is simple," he said. "The Isles of Azeroth possess the most formidable naval force in the world, surpassing even that of the Asterios Empire. Our fleet is unmatched in both strategy and execution. Should the Empire agree to an alliance, your merchant ships would enjoy unparalleled protection throughout the Azure Sea and beyond. Piracy would be stamped out more effectively, ensuring the prosperity of both our nations."

Khione caught a faint shift in Bella's posture—subtle, but telling. She wasn't entirely convinced.

"And in the event of war?" Bella asked, pressing the matter further.

The Duke didn't hesitate. "The Isles would stand beside the Empire as allies. With our navy securing the waters, the Empire could focus its might on land-based campaigns without fear of losing control over maritime routes. A military alliance between our two nations would be near unbreakable."

Khione's eyes flickered to Prince Cassian. His expression had hardened, his lips pressed into a firm line. He hadn't spoken yet, but his irritation was evident—especially at Bella's questioning. To him, it likely felt like she was belittling the strength of his homeland.

Seraphine, on the other hand, looked utterly unbothered. She rested her chin on her palm, her gaze distant, as if she had little interest in the conversation. If anything, she seemed moments away from nodding off.

Turning her focus back to the discussion, Khione observed as Bella considered the Duke's words.

"There is truth in what you say," Bella admitted. "A stronger naval presence would certainly bolster trade and secure important routes. However, alliances are not built on strength alone. There are political factors at play that could just as easily make such a partnership difficult."

The Duke nodded, acknowledging the point. "Of course. Political stability—or instability—is always a determining factor."

With that, the conversation shifted toward recent political events in both nations.

Duke Everard spoke of rising tensions with neighboring island factions that had historically refused to align with the Isles. Their hostility had increased over the past few years, making diplomacy nearly impossible.

Bella, in turn, brought up the growing concerns surrounding the Empire's expanding influence. While the Asterios Empire was undoubtedly the strongest nation, its power made it a target for coalitions that sought to challenge its authority. Forming an alliance with the Isles could be seen as an aggressive move by other nations, potentially escalating tensions rather than easing them.

The two of them debated these points with unwavering composure, each offering counterpoints and possible solutions.

Throughout the discussion, Khione continued to observe. The Duke was a seasoned politician, but Bella was equally sharp, questioning each of his statements without outright rejecting them. It was a delicate dance—one that required patience and precision.

Eventually, the Duke turned his attention to her.

"And what of you, Lady Briston?" he asked. "Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"

Khione blinked, caught off guard for a split second before composing herself.

"I believe that political challenges should not be the sole deciding factor in whether an alliance is formed," she said. "While they should be considered, they should not outweigh the potential benefits of cooperation. If both nations stand to gain, then they should work toward overcoming any obstacles that arise."

The Duke listened, his expression unreadable. "A fair perspective," he said simply, offering little indication of whether he agreed or not.

He then turned to the Prince.

"And you, Your Highness? What are your thoughts?"

Cassian exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated by how much had been questioned already.

"The Isles have nothing to prove," he stated, his voice even. "Our strength speaks for itself. If the Empire fails to see the value in this alliance, then perhaps they are the ones who should reconsider their position."

His words were blunt, but not entirely unexpected. He was young, still gaining experience in matters of diplomacy. His pride in his homeland was evident—perhaps even admirable—but diplomacy required more than just confidence.

Bella, ever composed, didn't react to his words beyond a slight quirk of her brow. "An alliance is not a matter of who is superior, but of mutual benefit," she said evenly. "I do not question the Isles' strength. I question whether both nations will truly commit to ensuring the alliance is upheld should external factors threaten it."

The meeting continued for another hour, the discussion shifting from military strategy to trade agreements and future cooperation. Bella and the Duke remained the primary voices, but occasionally, Khione and Cassian were asked for their opinions.

By the time they reached the meeting's end, there were no final agreements—only the foundation of what could be built upon. The true negotiations were only just beginning.