The first real sign that the proposed union of the two kingdoms would not be peaceful came three weeks after construction began on Concordia.
Until then, the arguments had been predictable.
Nobles argued about taxes.
Merchants argued about trade.
Generals argued about command structures.
Architects argued about roads.
And Lisbeth, Io, and Lysandra argued about flowers.
That last argument had somehow lasted four days.
Lexander had learned to stay out of it.
Unfortunately, politics did not offer the same luxury.
The first warning arrived in the form of a rider.
He came through the palace gates shortly after sunrise, covered in dust and carrying a royal seal.
Atreyu was the first to meet him.
The rider dismounted.
“General Atreyu?”
“Yes.”
“I carry a message from King Othmar of Valedorn.”
Atreyu’s expression hardened.
“What kind of message?”
The rider handed him the sealed parchment.
“A formal objection.”
“To what?”
The rider hesitated.
“The marriage.”
Atreyu looked toward the palace.
Then back at the messenger.
“Of course.”
King Othmar had been an ally of Io’s kingdom for years.
At least, that was what the official records said.
The reality was considerably more complicated.
Othmar’s kingdom controlled several important mountain passes.
His army was large.
His treasury was larger.
And his only son, Prince Alden, had spent the last several years being groomed to inherit everything his father possessed.
Including, if Othmar had gotten his way, Io’s kingdom.
The plan had been simple.
Io would marry Alaric.
The two kingdoms would unite.
Alden would become king.
Othmar would remain the power behind the throne.
And eventually, when Alden died, the entire region would fall under Valedorn’s influence.
Io had rejected the proposal.
Not once.
Three times.
The fourth time, she had stopped responding to the letters.
Othmar had never forgiven her.
Now Lexander’s proposal had destroyed years of planning.
And Othmar was furious.
The council chamber was full by midmorning.
Io sat at the head of the table.
Lexander beside her.
Atreyu stood behind them.
Mara was on the opposite side.
Lisbeth had brought documents.
Lysandra had brought absolutely no political documents.
She had brought a wedding schedule.
Lexander noticed.
“Why do you have that?”
“Because we’re already here.”
“We’re discussing an international threat.”
“I know.”
“And you brought the wedding schedule?”
Lysandra nodded.
“The florist needs a decision.”
Lexander stared at her.
“We’re being threatened.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re worried about flowers.”
“They’re important.”
Io covered a smile.
Lexander sighed.
“Fine.”
He turned toward Atreyu.
“What does Othmar want?”
Atreyu placed the letter on the table.
“He demands that Io dissolve the engagement.”
The room went silent.
“He claims the marriage threatens the balance of power in the region.”
Lisbeth frowned.
“That’s not the real reason.”
“No,” Atreyu agreed.
Io looked at the letter.
“He wants control.”
Lexander looked at her.
“Over your kingdom.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Io’s expression hardened.
“He wanted me to marry his son.”
Lysandra’s eyes widened.
“Alden?”
Io nodded.
“You know him?”
“I’ve met him.”
“And?”
Lysandra made a face.
“He’s an idiot.”
Lexander raised an eyebrow.
“That’s diplomatic.”
“I was being generous.”
Mara almost smiled.
Io continued.
“Othmar believed that if I married Alden, Valedorn would eventually absorb my kingdom.”
“And you refused.”
“Repeatedly.”
Lexander nodded.
“Then he sees our marriage as a threat to his plans.”
“Yes.”
Atreyu tapped the letter.
“He has also made a second demand.”
“What?”
“He wants all negotiations concerning the proposed union of our kingdoms suspended.”
Lexander leaned back.
“And if we refuse?”
Atreyu looked at him.
“He has mobilized troops along the northern border.”
The room became very quiet.
Io’s hand tightened around the edge of the table.
“How many?”
“At least ten thousand.”
Lysandra stopped smiling.
“Ten thousand?”
“At least.”
Lexander looked toward the map.
“Are they attacking?”
“Not yet.”
“Then he’s testing us.”
Mara nodded.
“Or waiting.”
“For what?”
“For us to make the first mistake.”
Lexander looked at Io.
She was already thinking.
“What do you want to do?”
Io looked around the table.
“Nothing rash.”
Lysandra nodded.
“Good.”
Atreyu looked surprised.
“You agree?”
Lysandra shrugged.
“I may enjoy wedding planning, but I’m not stupid.”
Lexander smiled.
“Good to know.”
Outside the palace, another kind of battle was already underway.
The political factions within both kingdoms had begun organizing.
In Lexander’s kingdom, the old nobility divided into three camps.
The first supported the union.
They believed a stronger combined kingdom would make them wealthier and safer.
The second opposed it.
They feared losing their titles and influence.
The third did not care about the union itself.
They cared about who would control the new government.
That group was the most dangerous.
In Io’s kingdom, the divisions were even sharper.
Some nobles wanted Io to remain sovereign.
Others wanted the marriage to create a single monarchy.
A few quietly supported Othmar.
And there was a growing group of merchants who supported Concordia because they saw the new city as the greatest economic opportunity in generations.
The result was a political landscape in which everyone claimed to support peace while quietly preparing for the possibility of war.
Construction of Concordia continued.
The political crisis didn’t stop it.
If anything, it accelerated it.
Atreyu ordered additional defenses around the construction site.
Mara organized patrols along the river.
Engineers began reinforcing the foundations of the future city walls.
Workers continued laying the first major roads.
The central avenue was taking shape.
Lexander visited the site with Io one afternoon.
The city was beginning to look less like an empty valley and more like a settlement.
Temporary wooden structures had appeared everywhere.
Stone foundations marked future buildings.
The river had been partially redirected to make room for the first bridge.
Lexander stopped beside the bridge construction.
“How long?”
The engineer looked at him.
“For the first bridge?”
“Yes.”
“Six months.”
Lexander frowned.
“That long?”
“It’s a large bridge.”
Io smiled.
“You wanted it large.”
“I know.”
The engineer pointed farther down the river.
“The second bridge will take longer.”
“How much longer?”
“A year.”
Lexander sighed.
“Fine.”
Io nudged him.
“You wanted a great city.”
“I know.”
“Great cities take time.”
“I know.”
“Then stop complaining.”
“I am allowed to complain.”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“I find it charming.”
He looked at her.
“You’re lucky you’re marrying me.”
“I know.”
They continued walking.
Lysandra had insisted that the central square be enormous.
Lisbeth had insisted that the public library be one of the largest buildings outside the palace.
Io had insisted that the city contain schools.
Lexander had insisted that the military district not dominate the skyline.
The architects had complained about all of them.
Thor had suggested building a giant statue of herself.
That suggestion had been rejected unanimously.
She was still campaigning.
The wedding preparations continued despite the political crisis.
The guest list was revised.
Again.
Then again.
Then again.
Lisbeth had begun keeping three copies.
One for the palace.
One for the diplomatic office.
And one hidden in her room because she no longer trusted anyone.
Io had finally chosen her dress.
Lysandra immediately wanted to change the embroidery.
Io refused.
They compromised.
The embroidery stayed.
But Lysandra selected the fabric for the ceremonial cloak.
Lexander had been forbidden from seeing either.
He was told that it was tradition.
He suspected it was simply because they wanted to keep him away from the discussion.
The cake had become another battlefield.
Thor wanted chocolate.
Lisbeth wanted vanilla.
Lysandra wanted something involving fruit.
Io wanted something simple.
Lexander wanted whatever required the least discussion.
He lost.
The cake became three layers.
Nobody asked him.
The political situation deteriorated further.
King Othmar sent another message.
This one was not polite.
He accused Io of betraying her kingdom.
He accused Lexander of manipulating her.
He claimed the marriage was an attempt to create an empire.
And he demanded that Concordia’s construction stop immediately.
Lexander read the letter twice.
Then he handed it to Io.
She read it.
Her expression didn’t change.
“He’s afraid.”
Lexander nodded.
“He should be.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“He’s afraid because Concordia changes everything.”
She pointed toward the window.
“If our kingdoms become united, Valedorn loses its leverage.”
“And Alden loses his chance at your throne.”
“Yes.”
Lexander’s expression hardened.
“I don’t like him.”
Io smiled faintly.
“You’ve never met him.”
“I’ve heard enough.”
“You might actually like him.”
“No.”
She laughed.
“Why?”
“Because he’s trying to steal my woman.”
“Fair.”
The factions began making their positions public.
Lord Verrick, one of Lexander’s strongest political opponents, gave a speech declaring that the union would destroy traditional noble privileges.
“We cannot allow the ancient structures of our kingdom to be erased by an untested alliance!”
His speech attracted several hundred supporters.
Meanwhile, Lady Seraphine, one of Io’s most influential nobles, announced her support for the union.
“Our kingdoms have spent generations treating one another as rivals. The proposed marriage gives us an opportunity to change that.”
Merchants applauded.
Farmers were divided.
Soldiers mostly supported the union.
The nobility remained uncertain.
And Othmar watched.
One evening, Lexander found Io alone in the library.
She was surrounded by books.
“You’re working late.”
“So are you.”
“I was looking for you.”
She looked up.
“Why?”
“I wanted to ask something.”
“What?”
“Are you afraid?”
Io was silent.
“Yes.”
Lexander sat beside her.
“Of Othmar?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then what?”
Io closed the book.
“I’m afraid of what happens if we fail.”
He took her hand.
“We won’t.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“But I can promise that I won’t abandon you.”
Io looked at him.
“And I won’t abandon you.”
He kissed her forehead.
“Then we’ll figure out the rest.”
She smiled.
The following morning, Atreyu brought better news.
“Othmar hasn’t moved his army.”
Lexander looked up.
“Why?”
“Because several of his own nobles are refusing to support him.”
Io smiled.
“Which ones?”
“Three major houses.”
“Good.”
Atreyu nodded.
“They don’t want war.”
“Neither do we.”
Mara entered.
“There is more.”
“What?”
“Othmar’s son has left the capital.”
Lexander frowned.
“Alaric?”
“Yes.”
“Where is he going?”
Mara looked toward Io.
“Here.”
Silence.
Io’s expression hardened.
“Why?”
“No one knows.”
Lexander stood.
“Atreyu.”
“Yes?”
“Double the guard.”
Atreyu nodded.
“Mara?”
“Already done.”
Lysandra appeared in the doorway.
“What happened?”
Lexander looked at her.
“Alden is coming.”
She immediately sighed.
“Wonderful.”
Io closed her book.
“Let him come.”
Lexander looked at her.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
She stood.
“If he wants to speak, I’ll hear him.”
“And if he threatens you?”
Io smiled.
“Then he’ll learn why I refused to marry him.”
Lysandra grinned.
“I like her.”
Lexander smiled.
“I do too.”
Construction continued.
The central avenue reached the first district.
The foundations of the palace began to rise.
The first bridge crossed the river.
Markets were being planned.
Homes were being surveyed.
A university site had been selected.
The city walls were beginning to take shape.
And every stone placed in Concordia seemed to make Othmar angrier.
Because every stone represented something he could no longer control.
A future he could not dictate.
A kingdom he could not absorb.
A marriage he could not prevent.
And a new city that threatened to become the political heart of the region.
Lexander stood on the unfinished palace foundations that evening.
Io joined him.
The sunset stretched across the valley.
Workers were still moving below them.
“You know,” Lexander said, “when I proposed, I thought the hardest part would be convincing you.”
Io smiled.
“You weren’t worried about that.”
“No.”
“What were you worried about?”
He looked at her.
“Whether you’d say yes.”
She leaned against him.
“And now?”
“Now I’m worried about everything else.”
Io laughed.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“It means you’re taking it seriously.”
He looked across the growing city.
“Do you still want this?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
“Even with Othmar?”
“Yes.”
“Even with the factions?”
“Yes.”
“Even with the wedding planning?”
She laughed.
“Especially that.”
Lexander smiled.
He looked toward the first bridge.
Then the roads.
Then the foundations of the palace.
Concordia was no longer just an idea.
It was becoming real.
And somewhere beyond the northern mountains, an angry king was preparing to challenge everything they were building.
Lexander took Io’s hand.
“Then let’s finish it.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Together.”
Below them, another stone was set into place.
Then another.
Then another.
One stone at a time.
One decision at a time.
One problem at a time.
Concordia was rising.
And with it, whether they wanted it or not, a new kingdom was beginning to take shape.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter