You stand in Sunstone’s throne room, boots still dusted with travel dirt, cloak lined in white fur, posture proud despite the guards flanking you.

An ankle monitor already clasped around your boot.

Sandra sits rigidly on the throne, golden crown catching light like judgment.

“You expect me,” she says coolly, “to grant asylum to a Frostholt royal?”

You don’t bow. You don’t kneel. You’ve run too far for that.

“I expect you,” you reply, voice steady, “to recognize a girl who doesn’t want to be sold.”

Murmurs ripple through the court. Sandra’s jaw tightens. “You think we would risk my daughter’s safety for your convenience?”

You glance at Maddie.

She’s standing just slightly ahead of her mother’s throne — sunlight woven into her braided hair, expression soft but alert.

She doesn’t look afraid of you. That’s new.

“I am not here as Frostholt,” you say carefully. “I am here as myself.”

Sandra doesn’t soften. “It was someone from your kingdom who stole my child.”

The weight of that history presses into the room.

You swallow. “I was not alive when that happened.”

“Your blood was.”

You feel it — the prejudice. The inherited blame.

Before you can answer— “Mama.” Maddie’s voice is calm but firm.

Sandra looks at her instantly.

“She didn’t come with soldiers,” Maddie continues. “She didn’t come demanding anything. She ran.”

Sandra’s eyes flick back to you.

“You’re being forced into marriage,” Maddie says quietly.

You meet her gaze. You don’t nod. But you don’t deny it either.

Sandra exhales sharply. “And if Frostholt demands your return?”

“They will,” you say honestly.

Silence. The court waits. Sandra studies you long and hard.

“You will not be alone with my daughter.”

You nod.

“You will be monitored.”

You glance at the ankle device.

“…Not ideal. But fine.”

“You will be watched.”

“I expected that.”

Sandra’s voice sharpens. “And if you so much as breathe wrong around her—”

“I won’t.”

The answer comes instantly. No hesitation.

That’s what makes Maddie look at you differently. Sandra finally says: “You may stay. Temporarily.”

The guards relax only slightly.

The tension remains.

But you’re not being dragged back. Not yet.

You lean against the railing like you belong there. You don’t. But you don’t look afraid.

Maddie approaches quietly.

“You’re brave,” she says.

“I’m desperate.”

She smiles faintly at that.

“You could have gone anywhere.”

“I did.”

She studies you. “And you chose here.”

You shrug.

“Sunstone’s not exactly welcoming to Frostholt.”

“No,” she agrees. “We’re not.”

You glance at her. “But you are.”

That makes her pause. There’s something reckless about you. Sharp. Clever. Charming.

“You know they’re watching you,” she says.

“I know.”

“And you’re not bothered?”

You grin faintly. “Princess, I climbed out of a palace window in a snowstorm. This is nothing.”

She laughs. It’s bright. It catches you off guard.

You didn’t come here for her. You came here to escape. But now—

“You don’t look like a villain,” Maddie says softly.

“And you don’t look like someone who was kept in a tower.”

Her fingers brush the balcony edge. “They thought they were protecting me.”

“Were they?”

She looks at you.

“No.” The honesty lingers between you.

“You can stay,” she says gently. “But if you hurt my people—”

“I won’t.”

“And if Frostholt comes for you?”

You hold her gaze.

“Then I guess I’ll see if Sunstone’s princess fights as well as she glows.”

Her lips twitch. “I do not glow.”

“You kind of do.”

She rolls her eyes. But she’s smiling.

And for the first time since you ran— You don’t feel like you’re just hiding.

You feel like you might be choosing something.