Vol 4: Chapter 30 – Return of the prince

It was a cold and dreary day when Cobal, Mana, Diana and their small caravan of servants drove into Saphestan. The streets reflected the snowy weather by feeling chilly and empty. Cobal shivered in the back of their carriage. Diana insisted they’d travel with their family’s carriage as the announcement they brought to the capital required some manner of decorum. Cobal was just worried they’d attract attention on the road, but nothing happened during their short travel from Ravadier to Saphestan. Cobal spent quite a bit of time with Diana, talking about all sorts of things. They had to work out what they wanted to present to the king after all. The marriage was a sound idea politically, but it would require Cobal to more or less give up his rights to the crown in favor of becoming the new lord of Ravadier. And Diana would be the lady of Ravadier and the one who actually ruled the peninsula, just like she’d done now. Mana thought that Cobal would have to take over as the ruler of Ravadier, especially since he’d be giving up his position as a royal prince, but that wasn’t how it worked. Diana as the heir to Ravadier would continue to rule the place, and when they got a child that became of age, they would take over eventually. They’d settled on a fall wedding, which meant there would be enough time for Cobal and Mana to go visit Severanti and find out what was going on with Abu, Mirgia and the others. Diana would get some time to get her affairs in order. Cobal had asked her if she didn’t mind that they’d get engaged and then he’d immediately run off on another adventure.
She’d just chuckled and said that she was happy he was no longer hiding behind his mother’s skirt. Truthfully, Cobal still hadn’t fully processed the entire idea, but he knew he was in good hands with Diana.
Thinking things over for the hundredth time, the carriage came to a stop in front of the palace gates. A few words were exchanged between the driver and the guard, and they were let into the palace. The head of staff, Malara, was there to personally bring Diana to her rooms. Guthir had stayed in the manor back in Ravadier, his health making a trip during winter a more risky endeavor. Diana leaving with Malara gave Cobal and Mana some room to unwind in Cobal’s chambers. “We’re back,” Cobal said.
“Sure wish we weren’t.”
“Come on, this is my home you know?”
Mana let out a sigh. “I know, but we didn’t leave during the most peaceful discussions and from everything we’ve heard in the past couple of weeks, things have only gotten more tense. I truly hope things can calm down a bit with this marriage proposal.”
“We’ll see.”
“And you?” Mana asked.
“What about me?”
“Will marrying into the Vadier family mean that I’ll have to find some other prince to travel with me as I search for answers?”
“Maybe you and Abu can hit it off, you’re from the same world after all.”
Mana’s face turned stern. “There was something about his attitude that rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I’m not sure we can trust him.”
Cobal shrugged. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. What I’m more curious about is what Miyara said.”
“I know, have you put much thought into it yet?”
Cobal shook his head. “I plan to speak with Nazuren and my father about it, maybe they know more.”
“I’ll go raid the palace library while we’re at it.”
“Any excuse to read some books,” Cobal joked.
“You know me.”
After that the conversation ran quiet again. Mana actually picked up a book that she’d been reading before they left for Ravadier, almost as if to prove Cobal’s point. Cobal went to lie down on his bed, and rather quickly found himself falling asleep.
Not much time had passed when Mana shook him awake. “Come on Cobal, you need to get ready for dinner with the royal family and your future wife, I can’t call myself your friend if I don’t wake you up for it.”
Cobal looked at her, she was already in her nightgown. “Shouldn’t you get ready?”
“Why? I’m not invited.”
“Sometimes I forget you’re not actually family, it feels like you are.”
“I don’t know if I should be weirded out or feel honored.”
“Whichever you prefer. Thanks for waking me up, I’ll go get ready.”
“Good, I’ll go take a nap in my room, if you need me, who am I kidding, you won’t need me, good night.”
Cobal chuckled. “Goodnight.”
Cobal sat down at the dinner table, next to Diana. They hadn’t told his parents about the proposal yet, but Cobal suspected that his mother at the very least already knew what was going on. She was a very perceptive woman after all. His entire remaining family was present for the dinner, without any of the members of the council. During the first few courses his parents mostly asked about the things that happened during their stay in Ravadier and Shark Tooth Island. Cobal told them all about the ghostly pirates, the kidnapped villagers and the eventual solution. He told them about Abu and the conversation they had with him. Both his parents and his older brother were shocked that there was another otherworlder so nearby. Cyanna seemed more curious than shocked. Finally, he told them of their intent to travel to Severanti and establish diplomatic relationships with this Abu, as that would benefit them greatly and also help them figure out more about the otherworlders and perhaps a road to where Sapher has gone. Nazuren disapproved of the idea and where Navyr was hesitant, Marin was supportive.
Finally it came to the most important thing he had to share with his family.
“Diana and Guthir informed me during my stay in Ravadier that things in the capital have been getting a bit more unstable. Unrest is growing and I’ve seen some of this unrest in the eastern part of our kingdom for myself, when we traveled through it last year. While trust in the royal family is waning,” he saw that the king wanted to interrupt him but he kept talking, “the trust in the Vadier family is still strong and the Peninsula is currently thriving. Diana and Guthir then came to me with a suggestion. What if I were to marry into the Vadier family, strengthening the bond between our kingdom and the Peninsula, which has long stood on its own while still being a part of the Blueyerd Kingdom. And after some hesitation, I have accepted their proposal.”
The room filled with silence. After what felt like an hour, but what was realistically only a few moments, Diana added. “We were hoping to hold the ceremony in the Peninsula in fall of next year. That would give Cobal and Mana the chance to reunite with their friends in Severanti and talk to Abu, while I can start planning the wedding.”
“This is all very sudden, did the two of you think it through?” Navyr asked. He scratched his chin. “I do think it is a very good idea, but are you sure? You would be giving up any rights to the throne by becoming a member of the Vadier family.”
Cobal nodded. “I don’t mind. Nazuren will be a great king one day and his children will take over when he retires and old man. What is there for me to do but marry into some allied family? I like Diana, we’ve been friends for a long time, and spending my days alongside her doesn’t sound like a bad thing at all.”
“And you, Lady Vadier?”
“If anyone can set this boy straight, it’s me.”
Marin chuckled. “As a proper lady should be.” She stood up and walked over to Diana, before hugging her. “Welcome to our family.”
“Just like that?” Navyr asked.
“What, were you going to object, darling?”
Navyr immediately shrunk in his chair. “No I wasn’t.”
Cobal looked at his siblings.
Nazuren smiled, which was a lot for someone as stoic as him. “I think it’s a very good idea, and I’m happy that you two are both on board for it.”
“I’ve always wanted a sister,” Cyanna added.
“Well, I suppose if no one is opposed,” Diana said with a smile. “I look forward to getting to know all of you a bit better while Cobal goes off on an adventure with his friends.”
“Do I sense some bitterness there, my dear fiance?” Cobal joked.
“You’re both already comfortable in your roles, from the looks of it.”
Marin stood up and hugged both Cobal and Diana. “For what it’s worth I hope you find happiness together. Your father is a stubborn man who refused to give up on me, despite his own parents’ complaints that I wasn’t nobility. Not everyone finds happiness in this way, but that is part of being nobility.”
She turned from Diana to Cobal. “Despite what I just said, you’d better do everything in your power to make her happy or I will personally come over and throw you into the ocean.”
Diana chuckled. “Well, you’re welcome to visit the Peninsula at any time, I’m sure my father would appreciate it too. He doesn’t get to leave very often with his health being what it is.”
“We shall make sure to pay him a proper visit soon as well, and to welcome him into the family,” Navyr said. He looked at his son who nodded. “That would be the least we can do.” He put his hand on Cobal’s shoulder. “Congratulations, brother.”