For a week, the Rucreans planned and prepared to travel to Bierze. In Oliver's last life, only a few representatives came to Bierze for the ascension, leaving Piers with a deep grudge. With the new knowledge of what the future could hold for them, they wanted to let their strength be known.

At the same time, Oliver was also preparing to return to the capital. He was practically kept under house arrest during his previous life to ensure he would not attend Piers' ascension. He assumed Piers would bar him again; however, this created the perfect opportunity for him to sneak into the capital. He could sneak into the treasury and find the treaty when the celebration was underway. It was his only window of opportunity. He was grateful for his obsession in his last life because he studied everything about the palace, including its floorplans. 

Oliver was shifting through a stack of papers while leaning against Draco's desk. Aris was standing next to Castor, both tense, while Oliver read the reports.

Oliver sighed. "Your scouts are correct. Everything seems to point towards the troll hoard coming from the Dusk Tundra." He placed the stacks down and looked at them seriously. "You have made adequate preparations; however, I would check your weapons before heading out. Make sure they are strong enough to hold a troll back and heavy enough to knock them away. At the same time, send a troop to survey the Asksno Peaks. Ravagers will probably be watching for our defenses to weaken."

"As you command." They said with a bow.

There was a knock on the door, and they turned their attention in that direction.

"Sirs, Commander Tomin Lamariel of Bierze has arrived. Will you allow him to enter?" The person said from the other side of the closed door.

Oliver paled and dashed towards the windows. Peeking from the side, he saw a large group of Bierze's royal guards. They were dressed in golden armor but shivered under the cold.  Leather and furs would have been the best outfit for the soldiers, but once again, Piers focused on an elaborate show of wealth rather than practicality.  The men shuffled, trying to keep warm. Others had tried to brave a conversation with the Rucrean guards around the palace, but they were greeted with stony silence. 

Oliver's jaw clenched as he held in a curse. He glared coldly at the men outside. He knew they were not here for him, but it made him uneasy. It would complicate his situation if he were seen in Rucrea, especially Tomin. The bastard still held a grudge against him. 

The other men were watching Oliver with a bewildered looks.  They knew he didn't get along with Bierze, but they didn't understand his anxiety. 

"Sirs?" A voice from the hall sounded as the door started to open a little.

Oliver panicked and slipped under Draco's desk. A heavy wood panel covered the front of the desk, so he could not be seen while hiding underneath.  However, it was a small and cramped place. While adjusting, he slammed the top of his head on the sturdy wood.

"Fuck!" He hissed.

"Oli?" Draco asked tentatively, looking under the desk.

Oliver hushed him. "I don't want to be arrested just yet."

The door opened fully, and Draco sat up straight, going into a protective stance.  His eyes darkened, and he held in a low growl from the uninvited people.

Two people walked in, the servant who opened the door and the man Draco recognized as Tomin. 

"Sir Draco, I present Commander Tomin Lamariel." The servant who announced Tomin was obviously not from Rucrea. Although he didn't have guards standing outside his doors, everyone in the palace knew better than to barge into his study. 

Additionally, this servant was unable to recognize Draco as king. 

"I don't believe I allowed you to enter my study yet." Draco's words were heavy with annoyance.

The servant gave a haughty smirk towards Draco and continued to speak. "We understand that you handle the King's schedule, his secretary of sorts. We are the emissaries of Bierze."

He truly believed that his social standing was higher than Draco's. He also failed to realize that Aris and Castor had started to pull at their swords. 

Tomin's greasy voice sounded. "Sir Draco, I come bearing the invitation—"

Draco's red eyes bore into Tomin, stopping his words. "I didn't allow you to speak." Draco's voice was intimidatingly low.

"Sir, I just wish to deliver my King's invitation to his ascension ceremony. He hopes Rucrea's King will attend."

Draco clicked his tongue. "Throw it on the table. We'll see if we can spare your king the time."

"Sir, this is—"

"Please see your way out, Guard Lamariel," Draco interjected again.

Tomin saw red when he was addressed as 'Guard Lamariel.' He turned on his heel with a sneer. But he stopped suddenly. "I do have a question for Rucrea's leaders. Has Lord Oliver Kardos entered your lands?"

The atmosphere turned chilly. "Why would he enter my lands?"

"We visited Wynter before coming here. He seems to be absent, and the soldiers claim he is on an expedition hunting Ravagers."

Draco was silent for a moment. "Then it seems he is hunting Ravagers ."

"I see. It's just... He is quick to anger and unusually violent. He tends to act rashly and offends others easily. Still, my King cares for his safety. He hopes Lord Oliver doesn't bring you trouble in Rucrea."

"Why would the young Belelot care for a fiance he discarded?" Draco asked.

"Discarded? You're mistaken, Sir Draco. My King wanted to teach him a lesson in humility. Their reconciliation is inevitable, and Lord Oliver will become Bierze's Royal Consort."

A loud bang was heard from Draco's desk, causing the men to jump.

Before Tomin could inquire, he was frozen by Draco's terrible glare. "Perhaps you should confirm the thoughts of Lord Oliver before declaring such a thing."

"A simple command from our King will make it so. That is the luxury of power." Tomin's voice trembled, but it was obvious that he believed these words.

"Piers Belelot would force a marriage simply because he is King? What a pathetic King." Aris said coldly.

"How dare you!" Tomin yelled.

Draco growled when he saw Tomin's hand on his hilt.  "Take out that sword, and I will gift your severed head to your petty king."

"You threaten a messenger?"

Draco stood, walked around the desk, and picked up the invitation with disinterest. "Why should I worry about some little guard with a big mouth and bigger ego?"

"You go too far!"

Draco tossed the invitation back down and glowered. "Leave Rucrea now."

Tomin turned with a huff and took off.  The servant quickly ran after him with a pale face. Aris closed the door after them, and they all turned towards the desk.

Oliver was repetitively knocking his head against the desk in frustration. A long thread of curses accompanied the light thuds. 

"Maybe you shouldn't go back," Draco said gently.

Oliver sighed. "I finally found a clue... I have to go back."

"Do you think he will force you to his coronation?"

Oliver was silent for a moment. "I wasn't allowed before... but things are different now."

"You showed disinterest this time." Draco acknowledge. "And a petty man will never allow that. You suddenly became unattainable, so now he will try to force you to submit.  Oli, he's dangerous."

"I know," Oliver said. "I know more than anyone what he is capable of... I want to search for the treaty, but I may call for a retreat instead.  I will pick up my family and lead them back to Rucrea immediately."

Several days later, Oliver and Draco led two dozen Rucrean soldiers toward Wynter.  The Rucreans were anticipating their arrival, wondering how Oliver would be received in his home.  They were not disappointed when they heard the Wynter men call out 'Boss' cheerfully when he arrived.

However, Oliver was suppressing a wry smile.  He had seen that several garden areas had changed to accommodate a child. Suddenly a small girl came running from behind the trees.  Her hair was in braids, and she wore a thick white fur cape.  Her red eyes glimmered when she rushed towards them with her arms out.

"Brother!"  She cried out, and she jumped into Draco's arms. 

He laughed happily and hugged her carefully. "Were you good, Cora?"

"I was the perfect guest!"  She giggled with a toothy grin.

He set her down and examined her. They were not gone for too long, but he still missed her. He gave the cheek a light pinch. "I missed you, little one."

"Me too, brother." She grabbed his hand happily and then faltered. Her tiny finger ran over his branded mark on the back of his hand. She gasped. "You got married?"

Oliver's ears turned pink as he turned away to watch Timothy's approach.

However, his attention was torn away when he felt the small child hug his waist. "You're my brother too?"

Oliver looked down, and his smile turned gentle. "That's right," he said quietly.

She smiled proudly. "I knew it! I knew it was going to happen!"

Oliver chuckled and patted her head.

"Lord Oliver." Timothy bowed as he approached their group.

"How has Wynter faired?" Oliver asked as Draco picked up Cora again.

"Safe, my Lord.  We have caught several groups of Ravagers sneaking south, but we have eradicated those we have caught. And thanks to your preparations, the villages have emerged from winter with little to no loss."

Timothy handed over the papers he was holding onto.  Oliver flipped through them and sighed. "We'll have to prepare better time." He said as he read the number of people who died this winter. Although the number was unusually low, Oliver always wanted to save as many people as possible.

"Of course, my Lord."

Oliver nodded toward the Rucreans. "Draco and his men will stay here tonight, and then we will leave for the capital in the morning."

Timothy paled. "How did you know?"

"Know what?" Oliver was concerned about Timothy's reaction.

Timothy took a thick envelope from Sarah and handed it to Oliver. "Commander Tomin stopped by and gave this to us.  You have been summoned to the palace for Crown Prince Piers' ascension ceremony."

Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Summoned?"

He opened the envelope and found the gaudy invitation with his name carefully written. He clicked his tongue and gave the invitation back to Sarah.

"This is inconvenient." He grumbled discontentedly.  

Initially, he had hoped to sneak into the treasury while this ceremony was underway. But then he changed his mind and wanted to bring his family out of the capital. However, being summoned created a complication. He could decline an invitation, but he will be hunted down if he refuses a summons. 

Draco grumbled behind him. "I don't like it, Oli."

Oliver reached out and ran his hand over the white runes on Draco's hand. "The plan will be the same. I will meet my family and convince them to leave with me. I will not stay longer than I have to."

This series of events was too unfamiliar.

"However, Wynter may be threatened," Oliver murmured. 

"Rucrea will help protect Wynter. We just need you to get them out of the capital." Draco assured him.

Oliver intertwined his fingers with Draco's and nodded.  This time he refused to leave his family behind in the capital. Piers and Ewen were unpredictable and could seek their death once again. 

They started to walk back into the manor, and Timothy shifted uncomfortably. He glanced at Draco and coughed lightly. "Lord... Your parents have sent you several letters while you were gone."

Oliver felt his anxiety surge. "Are they okay?"

"They are. However..." he hesitated and looked at Draco again. "You have received a few proposals."

Oliver stumbled over his feet. "What?"

"From the Tannor, Wills, and Hutchinson houses."

Oliver sighed. "You replied as I have requested?"

Timothy nodded. "Yes. I have declined them. However, there was one where I wanted to wait—"

Oliver's angry scoff cut off his words.

Timothy was a little embarrassed. "My Lord, I didn't know how it would affect your future if I declined a letter from General Imran Tuah. He suggested a marriage between you and his nephew."

Draco stopped in his tracks. "Savvi! That snake!"

"The answer will be the same for Uncle Imran." Oliver turned to give Draco a gentle smile. 

"Well, you can tell him that directly. He should be traveling to Bierze now."

Oliver only laughed it off and had Timothy help the visitors into the spare rooms. He and Draco made their way to the study, where Oliver started to flip through the documents and catch up on the things that occurred while he was away.

Draco watched him closely and sighed. "What will you do if Piers tries to force you to marry him?"

Oliver paused his reading and looked up at Draco. "I would refuse him."

Draco let a low growl rumble in his throat. "I don't like that bastard King trying to take what's mine. 

Oliver stood up and slowly walked around the desk. He faced Draco with a fierce gaze. He pushed Draco back until the back of his legs hit the desk. He placed his hands on the desk on either side of Draco, pinning him in place.

His violet eyes burned. "Am I that easily conquered?"

"If you were, the war wouldn't have lasted thirty years," Draco answered with a long exhale. 

Oliver leaned in; his lips hovered just above Draco's. "Let's say that Piers takes me. Do you think I will give up like before?"

Draco's eyes darkened. "If he dares try, I will find him and rip him the shreds. I will—"

Oliver stopped his words with a rough kiss. Oliver nipped his lip before he pulled away. "I know what you will do. I know you will search for me tirelessly. I know you will find every opportunity to find me. But I didn't ask what you would do... If I am taken, do you think I will give up like before? Do you think I will beg for Wysteria's Dream and death?"

Draco licked his bleeding lip. "No," he murmured. 

Oliver leaned forward and nuzzled into the crook of his neck. 

"This old ghost will not submit to just anyone," Oliver reassured him. 

Draco smiled. "I know."

Oliver pinched Draco's chin and gave him a mischievous look. "Good. Now, come bathe with me."

He pulled Draco out of the study, ignoring the papers scattered on the floor and desk.

Oliver lay silently in Draco's arms while in the tub. The warm water embraced them, and they didn't bother saying a word, allowing their embrace to soothe their souls. Both men were anxious about the possible events at the ascension ceremony. They were both unsure how to handle the change of events and hated that unknown threats were emerging.

The next morning, Draco and Oliver mounted their Glacier Tundra stallions and headed south.

Draco's two dozen men, including Castor and Aris, followed them. Accompanying them were the people of Wynter, including Ian, Mark, Sal, James, Max, Morris, and Sarah. One group was dressed in black, while the other was in white and silver. Although they were opposites, the two groups of soldiers were harmonious, especially the two men leading them.

They traveled swiftly, and after many days of travel, Oliver and Draco broke through the treeline and gazed upon the walls of Bierze's capital.