Ziu was fretting in the palace waiting for his father's audience. With the failure he had faced because of Rhys, he didn't even want to see his face. However, ever since Ziu had come, Rhys had been on guard. He was not going in front of him but had sent his spies to be around him all the time.

The King was having a meeting with the representative of the Human World, Niiya. A large portion of the ocean was allotted to them to dump the wastes but it seemed things were getting out of control and their wastes were now breaching that area. After prolonged conversations and meeting none of the parties were coming to an agreement.

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When Niiya left the place for the fifth time, he encountered Ziu on the way. Ziu was surprised to see him and bowed slightly, but Niiya's rotten mood overpowered his reasoning and he didn't acknowledge Ziu. Not that Ziu was offended, but he had to know what transpired between his father and Niiya.

Ziu went to his father once the meeting was over.

"Father," Ziu bowed respectfully and the King nodded slightly. His anger was clear on his face.

"Would you like to tell me what happened?"

The King opened his mouth and then closed it. He pursed his lips and turned away. With the wave of his hand, he asked everyone else to go out of the room. When everyone had left, clasping his hands on the back, he said, "We are having problems with the Human World." In the next half an hour, he voiced his concern.

After listening to his father Ziu rose from his place. He went to the table on the corner of the room and poured knuckle length's wine for himself. He took a sip, swirled it around his mouth and gulped it. A smile wormed on his face. He said, "Father, I think you are right. Let's not yield to their demands so easily. After all, the ocean is not their dumping ground. They can use their lands for that."

"Exactly! That's what I told Niiya," said the King excited that at least this son was with him.

Ziu nodded. "You should maintain your stance and in fact I will also go and talk to Niiya. He is a friend and I am sure he would understand."

The King was pleasantly surprised. He went to Ziu and patted his shoulders. With a gleam in his eyes, he said, "That would be nice Ziu. I am happy that you are taking so much interest in this kingdom's affairs."

"Come on father, this is nothing. I just wish to help you in any way I can," Ziu smiled. "I will go in a week's time. Please don't worry."

"Okay," the King relaxed. He paused for a moment and then asked, "How come you are here? I hope everything is okay in the Wizard Kingdom."

Ziu circled his father and walked past. He shook his head. He walked to the sofa where he was sitting and sat down. "No father, things aren't that good. Adrianna is making it difficult for many other worlds to live in properly. Other than the Werewolf realm, she is planning to wage wars against several other kingdoms. She is planning to rule the world!"

"What?" the King was shocked. His eyes bulged and his mouth dropped. "What the hell are you saying? This can't be possible!" He went to sit right in front of Ziu and watched him sipping wine quietly. "I didn't know that Adrianna had become so greedy just after ascending the throne! She is just a few months on the throne and her desires are insatiable now?" The King was fretting by the end of it. He had just finished a meeting with Niiya in which he had declined giving the Humans more space and now this.

Ziu pursed his lips and turned his gaze to the window. The water outside was flowing calmly. He could see various fishes and serpents swimming around the gardens his father had so beautifully created within the depths of the ocean. "You can't imagine her gluttony… Well, I am keeping an eye on her. However, in case something happens, I want to be the first one who will strike rather than her attacking us."

The King stared at his son. "That is right Ziu!" His son was the cleverest of his descendants and knew what he was doing. "Let me know what all help you would be needing."

"Sure father!" Ziu couldn't believe that his father would be convinced so soon. Perhaps he was getting older.

"I will also send my spies in other worlds to see what they are doing or what is happening."

Ziu didn't expect this. He promptly added. "No father. That won't be necessary. I have done the needful. Just relax and leave it to me."

The King sighed. He nodded with a slight doubt in his mind.

"In my opinion you should start gathering forces of our world and also other worlds in the ocean, especially those who can shape shift," suggested Ziu.

"Okay, I will start doing this soon."

Ziu flashed his teeth in appreciation. He gulped down the remaining wine. They talked about the plans in detail and then Ziu left. He was now waiting for the right time to attack Adrianna, but first he had to meet Niiya.

---

In the Royal Palace, Adrianna's morning sickness was increasing. Her nausea would extend until afternoon. Whatever she would eat, she would vomit it. She had become weaker. Dmitri was extremely worried. The palace cooks had cooked exotic dishes that they had learnt from various realms, but she couldn't digest anything.

She didn't know what to eat and would keep lying in the bed after attending the noble court. Dmitri called Cora, who ordered very simple dishes for her. One day in the afternoon, when Adrianna had retched and retched after eating the morning breakfast, the servant had come with almond cream soup. He was standing next to Adrianna to give it to her as Cora watched them from the corner of the bed.

Adrianna was so repulsed by its smell that in anger she removed the soup bowl from front of her. The bowl flew in the air and landed on the floor. Cora was shocked, but understood Adrianna's condition.

The servant was so scared that he immediately started collecting the pieces. In his confusion, he cut his hand, which started bleeding. He didn't bother about it and when he collected them all, he looked up. To his horror, he found Adrianna looking at him with a murderous glint in her eyes. Scared, he left the room as soon as possible.

Adrianna couldn't believe herself!