Inside the meeting hall, the commotion about the pending wedding was still the pressing topic of discussion.
"I already told you, my daughter didn't run away," King Stephan reasoned. "She's missing, and the palace mages are still discreetly looking for her!"
"Hah! Only fools will believe that!" one of the Valcrez Elders snorted.
"I can't believe that we're still wasting our time on this discussion when there's an oncoming threat to our kingdom!" the King of Ebodia roared.
"For goodness sake! My son already left with the bulk of our military power, and here you are taking advantage of our weakened defenses?! You should be assisting our kingdom by now, seeing as we're more than ready to proceed with this alliance. My second daughter is more willing to offer herself as a substitute for her sister should we fail to find my eldest in due time."
