The Alliance Marriage Went Wrong

After a long and busy day, Arin Helev was on his way to the mansion of his best friend.

Three days had passed since the wedding of his friend to the Prime Minister's daughter took place and the King hasn't met the newlywed couple apart from the day of the wedding. He knew that he should visit them soon but... he couldn't find the time. And now, he finally managed to visit them.

When he reached the mansion of the Lorin family, it was the Minister of War who first greeted him. Only then did his friend appeared with a not so pleased expression on his face. When the General stood before him, he slightly bowed. "Welcome, Your Majesty."

Arin Helev glanced at his friend, almost amused by his expression. However, he shifted his gaze back to the Minister of War. "I think someone is disappointed, Minister Dilan," he dryly commented and briefly turned back to his friend who turned his head away from him.

The Minister of War, Dilan Lorin laughed. "I beg for your understanding, Your Majesty. My son seems to be quite sensitive today."

"It's fine," the young King jokingly said and seeing his friend who turned around to go back to his chamber, he quickly said, "I will go and meet him, Minister. Don't mind me."

With that said, the Minister of War bowed and the King went after his sulky friend. He followed him to his chamber where he found him sitting on a chair behind the desk... working?

"What are you doing?" he asked him the obvious yet the General was quite calm.

"Working," was the only response of Hanson Lorin.

Arin Helev chuckled, making his friend turned to him, annoyed. "I bet you're busy too, Your Majesty. You should return to the palace."

The King observed his friend and then he placed his palms on the desk. "Be honest with me, Hanson. I know that there is something else. You're not disappointed only because of my late visit."

He knew the General too well. He won't be this upset just because he visited him late. He understood responsibilities too well to be upset over such a matter.

Hanson Lorin put down the scroll and looked up at his friend. "I thought you will already figure out with that intelligent brain of yours," he bluntly replied.

Arin Helev blinked. He had no idea about what his friend was saying. Then the General let out a sigh and rose from his seat. "How can you leave me out on that attack? You know how much I want to teach the Nardodians a lesson," he uttered.

"That happened on the night of your wedding," Arin argued, confused.

"That irritates me even more," Hanson Lorin said. "I really wish for that chance."

The King fought back the strong urge to laugh. "That's just a small attack, Hanson. Why do you even bother?"

Small attack? The General raised a brow.

With his order, his soldiers 'annihilated' and practically wiped out the soldiers from two provinces without any mercy in less than two hours! He called that a small attack?!

Just what other attacks did he had in mind? 

"Don't worry," Arin Helev calmly added with a smile. "You will get plenty of chances on the Nardodians."

Hanson Lorin struggled to maintain his cool. "What happened? You plan another attack?"

The King laughed at the General's question. "Of course not... for now."

"Then?"

"I want King Aryan to be swallowed by the torment of helplessness. I will just play around for a while before the main battle starts," Arin Helev simply said as if he was planning for some blissful activity. A little smile never left his face the whole time he said that!

Even Hanson Lorin, his best friend since childhood was taken aback by his words and behaviour. Since when did his friend become so... cruel?! Then one thing crossed his mind.

"I know that soldiers from the Royal Army didn't participate in that attack," he quickly said and asked, "Was it the doing of the Petrus Army?"

"No."

Then what kind of soldiers will be capable enough to launch such a successful attack? While Hanson Lorin was wondering this, two words were formed in his mind, making his eyes grew wide. "Then..."

Arin Helev smiled and nodded. "That's right. The Enaerions."

The Enaerions. Their existence itself was still a secret to other kingdoms and even to most of the Qalagons. A small group of warriors; the Enaerions only had one purpose - to obey the ruler.

The strength of the Enaerions was 1000 most of the time. There might be times when the strength was below 1000 but never above. It was composed of young and well-trained warriors who lived their life for the ruler. It was without pressure and no one forced them to. However, once someone joined the Enaerions, their life belonged to the ruler and they were bound to serve the ruler with utmost devotion.

Due to the tough training they went through, it was believed that just one Enaerion was capable of taking down 20 soldiers alone. They had one leader who bears the title of 'Master Enaerion' and that person had the responsibility to look after the small army.

Though most Enaerions never lived past their prime, there was a handful who managed to live a long life. Then they were allowed to retire if that's the case but... they had to carry the secret of the Enaerions to their grave.

The Enaerions were often regarded as soldiers of the shadows. No one ever knew their identity. They were warriors who pledged their life to the ruler and no matter what the order was, they do it without asking a question, let alone complain. The order had no limits and it can also be personal. They will obey it as long as it was the order from the ruler and no one else.

"You already take control of the Enaerions?" the General finally asked his friend, confused. He heard that if the ruler was changed, the Enaerions had a choice - to stay or to leave. So, it used to take the new King some time to rearrange and finally had complete control of his personal army.

Arin Helev nodded. "There was no problem to begin with," he said and explained, "None of them wishes to leave."

Hanson Lorin wasn't even surprised anymore. Shouldn't he expect that already?

"You surprised me a lot, Arin," he said when he recalled one thing. "What did King Aryan do to bring out this side of you?"