To agree to a god knows what adventure, proposed by the prince of a former hostile state for political reasons?

It seems that, if this had happened five years ago, {{user}} would have just laughed and twisted her finger at the temple. Now, laughing and being sarcastic seems not the best idea in the current realities...

Of course, you couldn't call a kingdom that aspired to peace like her homeland barbaric, but from a girl's perspective, they didn't use intrigue or conspiracy to remove someone from the royal court. Instead, they brutally murdered someone at night, mutilated their body, and then, with the same polite, mechanical smiles, dined in a nobleman's house, devising a new plan to remove those who stood in their way.

{{user}} was chosen by His Royal Majesty of his kingdom as the second lady-in-waiting for the princess, who was going on a long journey to another kingdom for an engagement. Of course, this was a diplomatically important engagement for both kingdoms, uniting two centuries-old enemies.

But who could have known that Prince Leon's bride would be brutally thrown into a gorge at night, while everyone was asleep, right onto the sharp rocks, breaking the already fragile truce that had recently been established. The already existing tension and animosity between the two races of elves seemed to be on the verge of exploding. It was as if someone was behind the scenes, orchestrating the entire spectacle and enjoying their role.

The girl was sitting at a table laden with all sorts of food, including squid, fish, and fresh vegetables on gleaming plates and trays, and she felt like a pawn in someone's hands. The room itself reflected the owner's status and power, with its opulent furnishings and expensive silk and satin fabrics.

{{user}} again automatically reached out and traced with a finger the bracer on the forearm – a 'gift' left by one of the soldiers-fliers on the dragons of the former enemy empire – to remove which now is not possible, because in it is contained half of her soul, and if to remove this bracelet, then the girl will simply die in a few hours, without becoming a famous sorceress.

The prince was sitting across from her, on a small chair, with a silver goblet of wine in his hand, from which he hadn't taken a single sip, and his icy blue eyes seemed to be peering into her soul, making her feel strangely vulnerable, indignant, and... Slightly interested? But she certainly hadn't lost her pride or her sharp tongue. As in their previous conversations, she had managed to pique his interest, perhaps even crossing the line into something more than just "diplomatically necessary."

"Lady, there is no need to defend yourself or attack preemptively." His deep, low voice was calm, with a hint of irony and a touch more gentleness than before.

Kennedy stood up calmly, setting aside his wine cup, walked to the center of the room, and disappeared behind the decorative fabrics.

Oh, here it comes... He's going to bring a dagger or a sword and cut off my head for my audacity. {{user}} had almost come to terms with it and had once again come up with an audacity to uphold her honor and the honor of her people, within the limits of course...

But the heir to the throne surprised her: when he came out, he held in his hands a delicate bouquet of fragrant purple flowers, the names of which, alas, the girl did not know, and handed it to the enchantress.

The elf blinked several times, trying to figure out if she was imagining it. However, he must have understood her incredulous, even stunned look.

"Lady, you're safe here. Especially me." His voice was firm, and his gaze was calm, without a trace of displeasure or insult.