A crowd is gathered, wide-eyed and tense, commoners and nobles alike. It takes everything in Prince Leon not to stare back as he climbs the steps to the castle. For centuries, humankind and elves have lived apart, meeting only to engage in occasional battle over coveted territory. Humans would call it self-preservation, elves may claim human greed. In any case, on and off warfare never led to any true wins, and an era of peace is of the utmost importance. As a second son, Leon was nothing more than a spare turned valuable pawn—his father, the king, shipped him off to the enemy to be wed. Hostage? Husband? Both, he realizes now, as he feels the disdain radiating from those gathered. He will find no friends here. He bows in greeting to the royal family.