Emperor Casimir regarded the dragons flying above. He looked to Duke Orlock. His head councilor. His court wizard. It would be easy, Orlock had said. The dungeon core is an anomaly, a child. She knew nothing of war, claimed Orlock.

Casimir had dragon slayers, but against 10000 dragons and Marferik the Dread, what good were they? He had a choice to make. He could attack, maybe even win. But at a cost, so great songs will be sung about his stupidity for ages to come.

Or he could parley. He could bend his head in acknowledgement to a toddler and her supporters. A toddler, if the rumors were correct, that was actually a baby, in fact.

But there was a third option that even Casimir shuddered to consider. An underhanded one that could potentially deliver him victory and safe him from eternal shame. But his name would be dragged through the mud. A shame of a different kind will mar his soul for all the eternity.

Does he invoke the God from the other world? This Hades who was described by Casimir’s grandfather Vasil as underhanded and always double-crossing?

What would the toddler demand of him if he lost? Worse yet, if he lost without fighting? More land? More people? Gold? Theanore the nymph had plenty of all three. Or would she demand him abdicating from his throne?

Or would it be something childish as a hug and eternal friendship between them? The Emperor snorted. Maybe, but her minders would not let her suggest it. He thought about what Hades would want to ferry the child’s soul to the Underworld.

His soul. That was what Hades had asked of Emperor Vasil. So, Casimir was going to lose either way. Now he needed to decide how he could lose. Or…he could lie. There was no official declaration of war, and simply a token force was stationed at the border.

Emperor Casimir could lie to the toddler that he was making routine inspections on his borders. Even if the girl refused to get the dragons away from the borders after Casimir went home with his tail between his legs, he had one more card to play.

He had a son. Cassius was just six years of age. Close enough to the dungeon core’s age for a marriage to not be unthinkable. Casimir could demand Theanore’s hand for his son. There were rumors that she had a merman pet, but surely the boy would realize that his beloved’s safety is more important than his pride or love. And he had something for him too. A punishment for Orlock for failing to predict the outcome of the war he had advocated for.

Orlock had a daughter. A darling girl who was four-years-old. She even looked a bit like the dungeon core. Same eyes, but the hair was silver blonde, rather than strawberry blonde. Emperor Casimir called Duke Orlock to himself.

“Nariel, this war you wanted is not going anywhere.” Said Casimir. He watched Nariel Orlock squirm before him. A dragon roared in the distance. They couldn’t waste time.

“You have a daughter; I have a son.” Said Casimir. He watched a smile bloom on Nariel’s face.

“You honor me, Your Imperial Majesty.” Said the Duke, bowing low with a flourish. Casimir smiled viciously.

“Then you agree that the best way to end this war is before it begins?” Asked Emperor Casimir. Duke Orlock raised his head to look at him.

“Your Imperial Majesty?”

“My son will marry the dungeon core, Theanore the nymph, thus securing her land and bringing it back to my possession. Bloodlessly. Your daughter will marry Duke Marinus. The marriage will be equal, a Duke’s daughter for a Duke.” Said Emperor Casimir with a cruel smile on his lips.

“You want my daughter to marry a beast?!” Screamed Nariel. The Emperor raised his hand high.

“I want your daughter to do her duty to the Empire and help unite it again. Dear friend.” Said Emperor Casimir, softening his tone. “The two abominations won’t live forever. Accidents happen. Even with life-extending rings, they are not immortal. And if my spies are correct, they don’t even wear them. Write the letter. The weddings will happen by the end of the week, if the dungeon core agrees.”

Emperor Casimir took a rolled parchment and a quill and an ink pot and handed them to Duke Orlock.

“Write, I will dictate.” Said the Emperor. He didn’t miss the vailed look of anger on the duke’s face. He needed to watch him. Didn’t the man have a son? A perfect replacement, if not as court wizard, then as duke Orlock.

Dear Theanore the nymph,

I wish to join our houses. I hear you are spoken for, but you must agree that our situation is dire. Furthermore, I cannot allow for you to keep my land. But I cannot bring my sword down on my own people either.

I have a son, Cassius. He is a six-year-old darling boy. He will treat you right and protect you. Think on it. You will go from a princess to a future Empress. The Empire is vast. We can protect the manifestation of your dungeon core status, whatever it is.

As for your intended, duke Marinus, my dear friend Duke Nariel Orlock has suggested that his daughter would be a good match for him.

Nariel Orlock gripped the quill hard at that. Not only, would he be forced to part with his daughter, but she would be told that he submitted to the whole charade? He looked at Emperor Casimir pleadingly. If he at least got to scratch this part out. If he only did this thing in defense of his treasure.

“Keep writing, Nariel.” Said Emperor Casimir without mercy.

Dear Eliza is four years of age, much closer to the duke’s age than you are. Her beauty is already sung of. She is kind and with a gentle heart. I hope the two of you can be close as sisters.

Of course, you will be expected to come live in the palace and be educated in Imperial politics. You will be able to visit your dungeon grounds as often as you wish, but most of your time will be devoted to lessons.

Consider this border misunderstanding cleared on my end, dear Princess. If you agree, then your wedding, as well as the duke’s, will be held on the Bonfire day, the most holy day in January.

Consider all this carefully,

Emperor Casimir von Eomis, The Father of the Empire, The Falcon, the one who dances with fire. Eleventh of my name.

“Now send it to the dungeon core.” Said Casimir. Duke Orlock stormed from the clearing, searching for a mana crystal. Which was to be expected, all of his mana was used to keep the dragons at bay.