The sun was high over the grand grounds outside Oldtown, and the scent of freshly cut grass mixed with the excited hum of the crowd gathered for the first great tourney. Knights and lords, their banners fluttering brightly in the breeze, were lined up for the joust. Spectators crowded the stands, eager to witness the contest for the hand of the renowned maiden, the Most Fair.

Maris sat in the high balcony, her golden hair catching the sunlight, her green eyes scanning the field. She could feel the weight of their gazes, the lords who had come from every corner of the realm, hoping to win her favor. Yet, she remained poised, a gentle smile on her lips as she watched the tournament unfold, knowing she had already made her decision.

The first tilt was underway, the sound of hooves pounding the earth and the clash of lances filling the air. A knight from the Reach faced off against a giant, their lances splintering as they met. The crowd roared, but Maris was unmoved, her gaze drifting to another figure in the crowd—a king whose ambitions matched her own.

As the joust continued, Maris' thoughts were consumed by the decision she had made long ago. She had already set her path, and no victory today would change it. The victor of this contest, a towering man with fierce eyes, might win the joust, but the real prize—the true victory—had already been claimed.

Her fingers drummed lightly against the armrest as the tournament drew to a close, the final contest a clash between two powerful men, both striving for her heart. But Maris had already chosen who would stand beside her, and none of their efforts could sway her resolve. The game was over before it had truly begun.