A Tale of Strategies For the Throne

It was already evening, the sunlight had weakened a lot, and it was no longer as hot as it was at noon. The breeze carrying the coolness of the pool water swept through the courtyard, causing the olive branches and leaves in the courtyard to sway slightly.

Garlan is sitting in a pavilion under the shade of a tree. His soft and fluffy forehead covers his forehead. The hair on both sides is braided into small braids and tied back. The talisman guarded by Shamash on his forehead is bright red. .

The young man's face was as clean and clear as the emerald green olive branches and leaves behind him, his eyebrows were slightly curved, and his smile was like light.

Opada stood in front of Garlan, looking at the young man's smiling face without blinking.

The people of Tasda have not been established for a long time, and they do not advocate culture and art, so even Opada, who is an upper-class member of Tasda, does not have much cultural attainments. Aaron Landis, on the other hand, is an ancient country with a long history and civilization, and art is popular. He was worried at first, not knowing what to say to his sweetheart, for fear that the other party would think he was rude and uncultured.

But after having more contact with Garlan, he no longer had this worry. Garlan was completely different from those Aaron Landis people who regarded themselves as highly self-conscious and civilized. He would neither put on airs nor act deliberately when dealing with Opada. Accommodation is very common and casual.

But this kind of ordinaryness and casualness is what makes Opada feel most comfortable.

Every time she meets Garlan, Opada is the happiest time.

"There are many mountains in the north of Tastad, and most of the high mountains are covered with ice and snow."

"Snow? Because it's warm here no matter what time, so I haven't seen snow yet, only pictures."

"Then just look at yourself."

Opada chuckled.

"Garlan, your skin color is the same color as snow."

"I've seen oil paintings, and the snow is much whiter than mine."

If the skin color is really the same as snow, then the person is almost dying.

Garlan, who never understood the so-called atmosphere, thought to himself.

"Really?" The big Opada scratched his head, "But I just think you are... whiter than snow."

He originally wanted to say, 'You are prettier than Xue,' but Garlan's female officer suddenly came over with tea and made him choke.

The female officer lowered her eyes, with a calm expression on her face. After putting down her tea, she turned and left.

Opada didn't know if it was his misunderstanding. It seemed that every time he wanted to get closer to Garlan at a critical moment, he would be interrupted by this female officer.

In the past three days, although I met Garlan every day and the relationship gradually became closer, there was always a circle of people around me. Especially the ghost of Heimos, who is always present almost every time. Even if he is absent occasionally, he will appear soon.

Opada was very depressed about this.

In fact, he wanted to speak out several times, but he didn't know why he couldn't succeed every time due to various accidents or "unintentional" obstruction by others.

He will return to Tastar in a few days, and before that, he must express his feelings to Garlan no matter what.

"Speaking of snow, we actually have a tradition in Tasda that after children reach the age of seven, they have to go to the mountains and snow to train to develop their tough character."

"Won't you get frostbite?"

"For Tasta children who are strong enough, there is no danger. We Tasta people are very cold-resistant, and..."

Opada was still talking when he suddenly heard a loud roar coming from outside.

The roar was so loud that it made people feel as if the earth was shaking.

Before he could react, Garlan, who was sitting, had already stood up and walked down the stone steps of the pavilion.

When he stood at the entrance of the pavilion and took a look, his eyes immediately straightened.

I saw a huge male lion standing on the green grass in the courtyard. The thick mane of the huge head was blowing like waves in the wind, and the long brown hair extended to the back and abdomen.

It stood there with a majestic posture and a proud look.

Its huge eyes are like coals of fire, and the wind blowing through its mane creates waves, making it even more majestic.

When it raised its head high, Garlan standing in front of it was even half a head shorter than it.

The majestic body made the young man look even more slender, as if it could easily bite the young man's throat as long as it lowered its head.

At first glance, it gives people an extremely dangerous feeling.

But the young man who seemed to be in danger stretched out his hands and hugged the lion's neck without caring.

His arms were buried in the long mane of the big lion, and the golden hair became brighter among the brown hair.

The big lion lowered his head, sniffed the young man hugging him, and rubbed the young man's face with the tip of his wet nose. The tickling feeling made Garlan, who was hugging the big lion, laugh. He buried his face in the mane, rubbed it, and rubbed it with his hands.

The big lion made a purring sound from its throat, which was the sound it made to express pleasure.

Garlan was masturbating happily when he suddenly caught sight of Opada coming down from the pavilion, landing on one knee and bowing in his direction.

He turned around in shock and looked at each other.

"Opada? What are you..."

After bowing on one knee, Opada stood up. His eyes were fixed on the huge lion, his eyes full of reverence.

"The lion is the battle partner of Assur, the god of war, and the incarnation of Assur."

He said in a respectful tone, "For us Tasda people, the lion is the symbol of Assyria and the sacred animal we revere."

He looked at the boy who was accompanied by a lion.

"The first time we met, you looked at me while riding a lion..."

At that time, that condescending glance was like a sharp sword that pierced his chest at once.

The blond boy looked down at him, like an unattainable god descending into the world.

That scene seemed to be burned deeply into his memory with a hot iron.

Opada suddenly smiled and said, "At that time, I thought I saw the incarnation of Assur in the human world."

He took a step forward.

The heat surging out of his chest was like a flame, burning so hard that his blood seemed to boil.

He stretched out his hand and looked at Garlan with deep emotions surging in his eyes.

At this moment, he had many things to say to the young man who had stolen his heart.

"Garlan, the prince of Aaron Landis, I..."

"Lord Opada, you'd better not come close."

A deep voice suddenly broke in from the side, interrupting Opada's words.

Garlan, who was listening to Opada, turned his head and saw Heimos, dressed in black, walking in from the courtyard gate. He stared deeply at Opada and continued talking as he walked. .

"The 'Holy Beast' doesn't like to be approached by people other than Garlan. If you get close and get bitten to death, Aaron Landis won't be able to explain it to Tasda."

The words that were about to burst out of his mouth were blocked, and Opada was choked until his neck turned a little red.

Damn it, it’s you again!

He stared at Heimos, who would hinder him at critical moments every time, and his heart was full of resentment.

His eyes were like daggers, and Heymos's eyes were equally sharp.

The eyes of the two people collided in the air, as if invisible sparks were flying.

On the side, Garlan saw Opada fixating Heimos anxiously as soon as Heimos came in, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Even though Heimos rejected her so harshly, she still couldn't forget it. Opada was so infatuated.

But Heimos was right.

"Opada, Heimos is right. You'd better stand farther away. If Nerga bites you if you don't like it, you'll be in trouble."

Even though he was around, Nega usually wouldn't hurt anyone casually.

But don’t be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of the eventuality. He tried his best to save Opada's life, but he was bitten in the palace before he even left. What's going on?

So it's better to keep Opada and Nerga at a safe distance.

Because Nerga must have been sticking to Garlan every step of the way, so Opada kept a safe distance from Nerga, and naturally she also kept a safe distance from him.

Since Tapti was called by King Camos last time and told her about this matter and asked her to guard Garlan and guard against Opada, the female official has already formed a relationship with Prince Heimos, whom she had not dealt with before. became a united front.

As soon as Opada comes, she will immediately send someone to notify Prince Heimos, so Heimos will appear soon after Opada comes.

well done.

At this moment, the female official expressed her sincere admiration for Heimos' behavior in bringing Nerga here.

…………

At the dinner, Opada was depressed.

He was going to return home in another day, but he still didn't find a chance to give the sapphire to Garlan.

no.

He thought fiercely.

Even if he wants to sneak into Garlan's palace tonight, he must express his feelings.

In fact, he had also thought about this idea a few days ago, and later found that whether it was where he lived or near Garlan's palace, there were especially many patrols at night. As the son of General Tasda, he had to worry about the two countries. We must have good relations with each other and cannot cause trouble in the palace.

But tonight is the last chance. If he misses tonight, he will never have another chance. He has to be wild no matter what!

Just when Opada was feeling angry in his heart, King Camos, who was sitting at the table, looked extremely happy.

This Tastar bastard is finally getting out.

Thinking of this, King Camos felt extremely comfortable.

As King Aaron Landis, he was also the elder of the other party, so it was hard for him to beat him up. God knows how many times he had torn this little bastard apart in his mind.

Get out!

Get as far away as possible, as far away from Garlan as possible!

Although he still kept a smile on his face, King Kamos looked at Opada with the word 'get out' in his eyes.

On the other side, Heimos lowered his head and ate, his expression indifferent, and he seemed to have no emotion, but it could still be seen from the slightly raised corners of his eyes that he was in a pretty good mood at the moment.

These past few days have really given him a terrible headache. He feels that it is even more tiring than when he was in the Northland, fighting without sleep for days and nights.

A tiger stood nearby and stared at him, barely drooling.

But the little white deer that was being stared at was completely unaware of the tiger's greedy gaze, and would jump up and down in front of the tiger's eyes from time to time, making the tiger's eyes turn red.

It made him wish he could grab the ignorant little white deer by the ears, drag it away from the tiger's sight, and hide it tightly in the house.

As he thought, he glanced at Garlan beside him from the corner of his eye.

The young man raised his eyes just in time to meet Heimos's eyes, then tilted his head and gave him a bright smile.

……never mind.

The fruit wine spreads a sweet taste in your mouth.

Heimos was in a much better mood.

Anyway, that guy is leaving tomorrow.

Just when Heimos had just relaxed, Garlan suddenly stood up and spoke to King Kamos.

"Brother Wang, can you agree to my request?"

"Okay, tell me."

King Camos, who was in a happy mood, smiled gently at Garlan and answered simply.

This is almost a habit. Anyway, he has never refused his little brother's request over the years.

"Brother Wang, please allow me to follow the Tastar delegation to Tastar."

Garlan looked at Kamos brightly.

"I'm very interested in the country of Tastar and would like to see it with my own eyes."

Click.

King Camos still kept a smile on his face, but there was an extremely weak cracking sound in front of him, and the malachite wine glass in his hand cracked several cracks.

The female official standing next to Garlan showed a look of astonishment.

The hand of Heimos, who was eating, was also stunned at this moment.

"Garlan..."

King Camos kept a smile on his face, but if you stood close and looked carefully, you could see that the corners of his mouth were twitching uncontrollably.

He suppressed the anger boiling in his heart as much as possible and continued to talk to Garlan gently.

"Why do you suddenly want to go to Tastar?"

"Because I have heard Opada talk a lot about Tasda these days, I really want to see that wonderful country with my own eyes."

Garlan said, "Anyway, brother Wang, aren't you planning to send an envoy to Tasda recently? That's just right, just let me go as the envoy."

"No, Garlan, the journey is too far and too dangerous for you..."

"There will be no danger!"

Opada, who had been excited ever since Garlan's words came out, stood up abruptly, slapping her chest and swearing.

"I swear to the God of War Ashur, I will definitely protect Prince Gallan! No one can harm the prince's hair until my life returns to the throne of the God of War!"

"King Camos, please feel free to hand over Prince Gallan to me!"

It's okay if he didn't say it, but when he said it, King Camos' face darkened instantly.

‘Please feel free to leave Prince Garlan to me. ’

Why does this sentence sound so awkward to him?

Pooh!

You little bastard of Tastar, you are delusional!

"Your Highness Garlan, the returning army accompanied by your guardian knight Kaihos is still on the way."

Just as King Camos's face was distorting, Shemuer next to him spoke.

He looked at Garlan expressionlessly and said in a deep voice: "If you want to go out, someone must be by your side to protect you, but I'm afraid Caihos will not be able to return to the royal city tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Highness, without Lord Caihos guarding you, what if you encounter danger on the road?"

The female official also persuaded in a low voice.

"Even if Kehos is not here, wouldn't it be enough to have the Guards to protect me?"

I don’t know why, but the always obedient and sensible little prince was unexpectedly stubborn about his mission to Tastar this time.

Garlan raised his head and looked at King Camos with expectant eyes.

"Brother Wang, you just promised me."

There was a somewhat aggrieved look in his golden eyes.

"You promised me that you would keep your word if you tell me?"

Seeing the aggrieved expression on his younger brother's face, King Camos became anxious and immediately coaxed him without even thinking.

"Of course not. I will never go back on what I promised you."

He said confidently.

Xie Muer lowered his head: "..."

Female officer Tapti held her forehead: "..."

Heimos took a hard bite of the sauced meat with an expressionless expression: "………………"

This King Camos who dotes on his younger brother without any principles is really——

As soon as King Camos, who was patronizing his brother, finished speaking, he also reacted and immediately regretted it.

But the words had already been spoken, and it was in front of the Tasda delegation, so it was hard for him to go back on his word.

Just as he was sitting there with a dark face and said nothing, a voice sounded in the quiet hall.

"In that case, I will also go on a mission to Tastar State together."

Heimos, who had just finished eating the sauce and was slowly wiping the sauce on his fingers with a wet wipe, said this.

"well?"

Before anyone else could react, Garlan next to him had already turned his head and looked at Heimos in astonishment.

He said, "Heimos, why don't you go with us?"

He shook his head and refused without thinking.

Heimos turned his head to look at Garlan, raised the corners of his lips, and suddenly smiled.

The handsome young man naturally has a very good-looking smile, and his golden-red eyes appear a bit slender because they are slightly curved and the corners of his eyes are slightly raised.

However, it was this smile that made Garlan's heart tremble inexplicably.

He couldn't explain why, but he felt a chill coming from his back.

After Heimos smiled at him, he turned his head and looked at King Camos.

"I will go on a mission to Tastar State together."

He said.

Of course King Camos nodded decisively.

"That's it."

…

After the banquet, Heimos and Garlan left the table and walked side by side on the gravel path in the courtyard.

Garlan looked up at the people beside him. The moonlight fell on the brown cheek, making Heimos' slightly pursed lips look sharper.

Thinking of Heymos' smile that sent chills down his spine not long ago, even though Garlan was dull, he could feel it.

He asked: "Aren't you happy?"

Huymos looked sideways at him.

"Why don't you let me go with you?"

He was in a bad mood because Garlan had just flatly refused. He stared at Garlan, with a hint of danger in his brows and eyes.

"Do you think I'm in the way?"

"No, I don't think so. I'm doing it for your own good."

"ah?"

Gallan hesitated for a moment and whispered, "I told you not to be angry."

"I'm worried that after you go to Tasda... then... doesn't Opada like you? His status is so high in Tasda. What if he detains you in Tasda and won't let you come back? manage?"

"Although it sounds a bit ridiculous, the country of Tasda can really do such a thing. You know, more than sixty years ago, their king once had an affair with another country in order to rob a beautiful woman named Helen. Ten years of fighting.”

"If you were detained in Tastar by Opada, Aaron Landis would definitely send troops to rescue you. Wouldn't that lead to a fight?"

Garlan thought again.

"So, you'd better not go."

he persuaded.

"Otherwise, once something happens, you will be treated like Helen, the beauty who caused the war between the two countries."

Heimos: "..."

The author has something to say: Beauty is a curse, Heimos.