Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1409 Tale of Two Princesses

"Ariselle, we've reached Stoneheart. This isn't Blood Elf land any longer."

Delphine's tone sliced sharply into the carriage's confines. "In this place, you stand for the honor of our whole kind. You can't just blurt out whatever pops into your head."

She halted briefly, adjusting the folds of her gown, her face firm and unyielding. "Every statement demands careful thought. That remark you let slip? It might have sparked a major diplomatic mess. Make sure it doesn't repeat."

Ariselle remained youthful, just entering adulthood, and clueless about the twists of royal intrigue. The blame didn't fall solely on her. Yet Prince Delphine carried the heavy responsibility of this journey. Her role involved preparing them, steering the pair of young nobles through the treacherous web of international relations.

"Our first stop will be the Blood Elf embassy," Delphine directed, her voice easing a bit. "You'll clean up and get properly attired. Following that, join me at the citadel to offer respects to His Majesty, Orion."

Her gaze held deep significance as she regarded them. "Once done, you'll find ample opportunity to explore Stoneheart City."

Delphine understood the customs well. In Stoneheart, the initial step upon arrival meant requesting a meeting with Orion. If the Demigod chose to meet them was a separate issue, yet the attempt must occur.

Lilith, though, would undoubtedly receive them. This concerned a marital bond linking their races—a vital issue of national defense. If Ariselle and the Giant Prince could truly connect was yet uncertain, but a clear outcome would emerge, regardless.

"Oh... alright, Auntie. As you wish."

Within the carriage, Ariselle along with her sibling, Elyndar, offered a casual acknowledgment. Their focus had already wandered to the panes, drawn irresistibly to the wild, energetic throng of the urban avenues beyond.

Delphine let out a deep, fatigued exhale. All she could do was hope her guileless niece possessed a destiny still worth redeeming.

As Delphine's vehicle moved toward the Blood Elf embassy, a separate procession—from Marina City—entered through Stoneheart's grand portals.

In contrast to the tense Blood Elf Prince, Maroth, the leading heir of the Sea Drakes, radiated delight. His cheer proved contagious, lifting the spirits of the young lady at his side, the Twelfth Princess, Lola.

"Brother, we've made it at last! Stoneheart!" Lola exclaimed brightly. "It's every bit as buzzing as before."

She shifted excitedly in her spot. "After we're settled, promise you'll get me some sweets. I'm craving the largest lollipop available this time! Plus, we must visit the Coliseum for the fights. Oh! And... yes, take me to visit my friend too!"

Both served as young royals, each craving the thrill of the metropolis. Yet their situations differed vastly.

While Ariselle faced scolding on restraint and propriety, Lola thrust her head from the carriage opening right after crossing the barriers, her covering billowing while she eagerly absorbed views of each vendor cart and entertainer on the paths.

"Sure, sure, absolutely," Maroth replied with eager bobs of his head, yielding to each desire. "Anything for you, Lola. I'll ensure it all comes true."

His leniency boosted Lola's bliss even more, her joyful cries echoing like tinkling chimes straight to their lodging.

Lola's position varied from Ariselle's. Lilith had taken the initiative to contact the Sea Drakes, proposing the encounter to seal their partnership. Lola and Kronos shared an existing friendship; their link held firm roots. Maroth's broad smile stemmed from the Horde's eager pursuit of their pact.

Ariselle, conversely, came as an offering from the Blood Elves. If she and Pallas could even stand one another stayed unknown.

One arrived as a welcomed visitor, the other as an aspiring suitor. One tie felt secure, the other unpredictable. The atmospheres in their transports mirrored those truths exactly.

Regarding the potential husbands, Kronos still journeyed, hurrying toward the city. Pallas, meanwhile, endured in the citadel's practice area, under Lilith's direct oversight.

From the moment Lilith discovered Orion's intentions for Pallas, she had set aside daily hours to monitor his battle drills. Right now, Pallas found himself encircled by over ten succubus killers, crying out in agony as they struck from every dark corner.

High overhead in the city, within the palace's quiet expanse, Orion stirred and opened his eyes.

He shifted to spot Elara resting on his shoulder. Much like her early childhood days, the girl adored scaling up to perch there. Orion let out a soft laugh, extending a hand to carefully lower her and seat her on the throne next to his.

"Elara," he murmured with affection. "Is there something you require?"

Elara proved a sharp young one; she seldom approached without reason. Except perhaps after long separations, when she simply longed for his company.

"Little brother seems so miserable," she remarked, her wide, pure eyes fluttering. "Mother's supervised his sessions nonstop for three full days."

She referred to Pallas, yet her stare fixed on Orion without wavering. The plea in her expression rang out boldly: Why does he claim every bit of focus? And me?

Orion grasped the signal right away. He extended his arm, tousling her locks with his broad palm. "Pallas faces his initial real challenge shortly," he clarified gravely. "Your mother frets over his well-being, so she's ramping up the pressure. It's essential."

Although Elara joined the family through adoption, the years of nurturing had built ties as strong as kin. Orion withheld no secrets from her. Actually, he harbored ambitions for her too.

"Elara, you've matured," Orion stated, his voice turning from parental to commanding. "Will you help shoulder my load? Are you prepared to broaden the Horde's reach?"

Elara's gaze sparkled with excitement. She bobbed her head with vigor.

"I'm organizing a strike on a foreign realm," Orion pressed on. "We'll smash every foe in that domain. Do you wish to aid the Horde's triumph?"

"I do!"

On this occasion, she offered more than a nod. Her response cut sharp and firm.

"With a fresh realm to conquer, you must commit fully," Orion cautioned. "Train your elite guards rigorously. War isn't child's play. Blood spills. Lives end."

At that instant, Orion sealed his choice. Elara would command the front lines into Eldoria's world. As an Archlord already, her power and wits stood prepared. Positioning her as the top leader of the assault would hone her resolve—and push her boundaries.

"Hear this promise," Orion appended, dangling the incentive. "A third of every land we seize there becomes your own domain. Elara, this forms the base for your queenship. The scale of your realm... that hinges on how you fare."

Orion grinned. No snare for a rival, but a beacon for his daughter.

Elara's eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity.

Smack!

"No fears, Papa! I won't disappoint you!"

She delivered a resounding peck to Orion's face, then flickered away via instant relocation spell.

"Anubis! Head to the training area! Immediately!"

Orion shook his head, a amused smirk playing on his lips as Elara's commands to her followers resounded through the palace corridors.

Far northward, in Blackstone City.

Buried inside Moonshadow Valley's army camp, Dirtclaw and Gustalon positioned themselves at the plaza's heart, poised in anticipation.

"Man," Dirtclaw grumbled, scuffing the ground with his foot. "The Insectoids to the north have turned weak. They crumble before I wrap up even one bout."