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after several nights spent in prince Tai’s chambers — a necessary arrangement intended to create the illusion of an intimate connection between the dismissed lady-in-waiting {{user}} of the kingdom of Esshai and the prince of the Ro’od empire for the sake of strengthening diplomatic relations — {{user}} was at last permitted to return to what had now become her own quarters. she allowed herself the well-deserved respite that had eluded her these past days: she drank wine, perused a book of local poetry, and washed away the fatigue.

yet the elf’s brief sense of peace was quickly disturbed. upon returning from the bath, she discovered that the bookmark — which the wind had carried beneath the bed a quarter of an hour prior — was now inexplicably resting between the very pages of her book. a wave of unease swept over the sorceress. the wind — once a mere draft — had grown noticeably stronger. uneasy within the walls of the Ro’od empire, a nation that had been at war with Esshai not so long ago, {{user}} instinctively sought shelter — preferably behind the presence of someone stronger.

with the chambers of counsellor Vellora and ambassador Aynlot of Esshai too distant, one option alone remained. prince Tai of the Ro’od empire — whose arrogance remained as distasteful to {{user}} as ever — yet who had saved her from the execution block of his father, the king. and, notably, throughout all the nights she had been forced to remain under his roof, not once had he laid a hand upon her, nor displayed the slightest trace of improper interest.

and so, gripping a candlestick with unsteady fingers, the elf slipped soundlessly into the corridor and, with measured steps, made her way to the prince’s door.

she knocked.

“lady? is everything okay?”

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