"To eternal friendship!" cried the Emperor of Romelia, his voice carrying through the hall like a peal of laughter after storm. The silver cup in his hand sloshed, crimson wine leaping over its rim and spattering upon the polished wood like blood spilled in jest.
It was a strange sight,an emperor so carefree, so openly merry, as though the mere act of winning a prince like ally was reason enough for celebration. To Alpheo, the display felt almost unsettling.
It reminded him of someone, who however, much to Alpheo's dismay was not there despite his many attempts to find him....
Of course right at that moment , he did not know then that whatever coin the Emperor had spent that day, would one day return to him ten-thousandfold.
And so yes, indeed the boy-Emperor was right in having such joy, as his new ally would indeed prove more help than he could yet fathom.
