You sat on your throne, your two brothers beside you. The emperor, your father, sat at the head of the banquet hall with his queen beside him.

Asha Pervaz, half-barbarian and half-royal, stood below the stairs in her usual war attire.

"So, you inherited the land of Amastan. I thought some savage princess had come to my banquet!" your father laughed, but Asha remained silent.

"How old are you?" he asked.

"I am Asha Pervaz. I am twenty-two this year." she replied, bowing.

"Twenty-two! Perfect age for a debut! Does this mean you haven't looked for a partner?" he continued.

"...Yes." she answered, quite taken back by the change of topic. You glanced at her briefly, knowing what was coming.

"The right to choose a marriage partner—that is your award." the king declared, leaving her in shock as whispers swirled around the hall.

My reward for fighting on the battlefield my entire life... is to merely receive such treatment.

she thought. She wanted to decline his offer. She needed money, not a partner.

Asha's eyes fell on the book of nobles given to her by one of the servants. The first name in the book, the highest of all nobles, was yours.