It was now the third day since the Northern family had arrived. Today, the matter of her marriage was to be discussed. Last night, Illaria couldn’t sleep, thinking about Prince Lyn’s words. Why would she agree to the marriage? Today was the discussion, and today it would be decided whether she would get married or not. She knew that even if Prince Lyn agreed, she would deny the marriage. Then why had he been so confident yesterday? She lay awake for hours, unable to rest, thinking about his intentions. Eventually sleep blessed her mind, but not for long.
“Princess! Wake up!” Dany called.
Illaria groaned. “What? Why are you waking me even earlier than yesterday?”
“Princess, I need more time to dress you today.”
Illaria cursed her life. More time meant a heavier dress than yesterday. This felt like pure torture.
When Illaria finally saw the dress, she was terrified. It was even grander than the one from the previous day. It was deep red, covered in beautiful golden embroidery—so many patterns, so many flowers stitched across it. Thousands of shiny embellishments had been added to glorify it.
Illaria stared at it and asked, “Just how many beads are stitched onto this?”
Dany replied, “From what I heard, over five thousand. All in pure gold. Even the embroidery has been done with the finest thread.”
Illaria swallowed. “How much does it cost?”
“Twenty thousand southern silver bars.”
She froze. She hadn’t noticed her father had entered the room.
“Father,” Illaria exclaimed, “this is literally two years’ salary of an army chief. How can I wear something so expensive? With this much money, think how many poor people we could feed. Why must we waste money on a dress? I don’t think I can accept this.”
Ryan smiled faintly. “Well, this is my gift to you. You have turned sixteen and never asked for anything. Think of it this way—if you were a regular princess, by now I would have already spent five times this amount on your clothes and jewellery. So in fact, you have saved me money.”
Illaria sighed. “As an emperor, your reasoning is unbeatable. But as a father, your reasoning is terrible. I still don’t think I can—”
Ryan interrupted gently, “This is actually your mother’s dress. When I first met her at a grand banquet, she was wearing this. I still remember—she looked like a shining star that night. I must have been seventeen then, I don’t remember exactly, but I instantly fell for her. Ever since, she treasured this dress. After you were born, she wished to see you wear it on a grand occasion, so she saved it especially for you. I think today is the day you should fulfill her wish.”
Illaria fell silent for a moment, then said softly, “Fine. Since it was my mother's wish, I will wear it. But after today, you will take it back. I still won’t accept it as a gift. It is a precious memory for you both—you deserve to treasure it more than me.”
Ryan nodded. “Fine. I will see you in court. In the end, I will leave the final decision to you and Prince Lyn. I hope you have decided what you want to do.”
Illaria replied quietly, “Yes.”
Dany helped her into her mother’s dress. Special servants were sent to do her hair and makeup. Today, she couldn’t refuse the makeup. Carefully, she hid her sword and the dagger inside her long sleeves. Even though the dress was unbearably heavy, she had to admit—she looked beautiful.
It was finally time to go to the royal court.
On her way, just outside the court hall, she saw her father standing there.
Illaria asked in surprise, “Father, what are you doing here? Why haven’t you gone in yet?”
“Relax. I’m the emperor. I can go in whenever I please. First of all, you look very beautiful today. You are truly a reflection of your mother. I wish she could see you like this” Ryan said calmly, yet Illaria could sense emotion wash over him. He really missed mom.
Ryan instantly collected himself and said, “Illaria, listen to me carefully. Whatever happens today, always remember this — I am first your father, and then the emperor. I want you to choose the right man for yourself. In the court today, the ministers will raise many points, some in favour, some against. I don’t want you to marry under pressure. I don’t want you to use yourself as a diplomatic token. I don’t want to see you compromise for the benefit of our Southern kingdom. I want you to choose what is right for you. Even if the entire court favours the marriage, you do not have to agree to it. I am the emperor, and remember this — I will never allow anyone to play with my child’s life for political gain. Whatever you choose, I will always love you. To me, you are more important than anything else.”
Illaria was deeply moved by his words. He understood her better than anyone. He knew how strongly she lived to serve and protect, and he also knew how selfless she was, even when she didn’t want to marry.
Ryan said softly, “Come, let’s go inside together now. And don’t start arguing. Even if you don’t have the right to walk beside an emperor, you are my daughter. You have every right to walk beside your father.”
Illaria smiled and held Ryan’s hand. In her heart, she felt that only he truly understood her. Having him beside her gave her courage.
“Emperor of the South, Ryan Longsword, and Princess of the South, Illaria Longsword, have arrived.”
Illaria walked into the court beside her father. The entire hall stood up. To her left stood the ministers of the South, to her right the ministers of the North. Ahead of her was her father’s royal seat, the Southern throne. Beside it, another chair had been placed to honour the Northern Emperor. Even in his own court, her father had shown such respect.
As she walked forward, she looked ahead and saw Edric and Robert standing there. To her right, she saw Prince Willem, Prince Lyn, and Prince Marcus. She could feel Marcus staring at her again. The dagger hidden in her clothes stirred slightly, but she suppressed its movement.
For a moment, she realized that the entire court was looking at her. She felt a flicker of nervousness.
Her father ascended the steps and took his seat on the throne.
Illaria stepped forward, bent down on one knee, and said, “Princess of the South, Illaria Longsword, greets the great Emperor, Ryan Longsword. May Your Majesty have a long and fulfilling life.”
Ryan replied, “Rise.”
Illaria turned slightly and said, “The Princess also greets the great Northern Emperor, Elmar Neor. The Princess wishes you a long and fulfilling life.”
Elmar Neor nodded in approval.
After greeting both emperors, Illaria went and sat in the seat reserved for her on the left side of the court.
The court discussion began.
Southern and Northern ministers started presenting their arguments, some in favour of the marriage, some against it. Illaria listened patiently to every word. Some ministers spoke about how it was inappropriate for a true-born princess to marry the son of a concubine. Others questioned whether, in case of a war between North and South, she could truly be trusted or whether she might betray her homeland. Their words made her blood boil, but she kept her composure. She knew her turn would come.
Ryan said, “Well, as all of our ministers have already discussed, this marriage has both its advantages and its disadvantages. There is no clear answer as to whether it should take place or not. A marriage is not merely a diplomatic arrangement, it is a sacred bond between two people, a promise to stand by each other. Emperor Elmar, we can take decisions on behalf of our children, but in the end, they are the ones who must live together. So let us ask them to decide for themselves.”
Elmar replied, “Though in our Northern culture parents usually arrange marriages, this situation is different. I understand how deeply Emperor Ryan cares about his daughter’s happiness. I agree with your decision. Whatever they decide should be respected.”
Ryan nodded. “Very well. Prince Lyn, please tell the court your views on this marriage.”
Lyn stepped forward and bowed before the throne. “Prince Lyn greets the Southern Emperor.”
Ryan said, “Prince Lyn, you have heard all the arguments raised in this court. I give you the opportunity to respond to them, and also to tell us whether you accept this marriage or not.”
Lyn took a breath and spoke, “Thank you, Emperor. The court has raised many points, and I would like to address them. First, it is true that I am the son of a concubine, unlike Princess Illaria. I will never become the Northern Emperor. Our statuses do not match. It is also true that I hold no military power, and the chances of that changing in the future are very low. My mother belonged to a small noble family, the House of Ishrak, so I do not have strong backing in the North. In the eyes of the Southern court, this makes me an unsuitable match.
However, I am still a royal prince. So what if I do not command armies like my elder brother, or carry the title of the empress’s son like my younger brother Marcus? The three of us have been close since childhood. Under our father’s guidance, we have grown into capable men. The Northern kingdom functions efficiently because we support one another. A kingdom is not run by military strength alone, but by a balance of power, intelligence, and strategy.
When my elder brother becomes emperor, he will lead the military and be our strength. I will handle intelligence and be our knowledge. Marcus will oversee war strategies and become our tactics. So I do not see myself as an irrelevant prince, as some ministers have said. The reputation I have earned is proof that I take my responsibilities seriously.
I do not need military power to define my worth. Marriage is built on trust. If the South cannot trust us, then it would be better to reject this marriage altogether. As for my status, that depends on how one chooses to see me. I cannot change the fact that some judge me by my birth rather than my abilities.
I also find it surprising that in a kingdom where one man is bound to one woman, I am being called irrelevant. If the princess does not wish to marry the son of a concubine, then so be it. I cannot change her heart. But today, in front of this entire court, I give her my word — if she marries me, she will be my only wife. I will take no concubines and I will not involve myself with any other woman.”
The atmosphere in the court shifted instantly.
Illaria glanced toward the Northern Emperor. The faint smile he had earlier was gone. His expression had hardened. He did not seem pleased by Lyn’s declaration, yet he remained composed.
Lyn continued, “Emperor, I have said everything I wished to say. I, Prince Lyn Neor, accept this marriage. It would be my honour to marry your daughter.”
Ryan replied, “Prince Lyn, you may step back now.”
“Yes,” Lyn said, bowing once more before returning to stand beside his brothers.
Ryan then turned his gaze toward her.
“Princess Illaria, step forward and share your decision.”
Illaria stepped forward and bowed before her father. She tried to steal one last glance at Prince Lyn. Even now, she could not understand why he had been so confident that she would agree to the marriage. Finally, she turned back toward her father. The gentle smile on his face gave her strength.
Illaria said, “Prince Lyn is indeed an honourable man. I have heard of his achievements from my brother, and after speaking with him yesterday, I can say with certainty that he is a responsible and capable figure. I would like to apologize to Prince Lyn and to the entire Northern Guard on behalf of our Southern ministers for calling him ‘irrelevant.’ If the emperor allows it, I, as the princess of the South, request my father to deliver justice to the prince by punishing all those who dared to tarnish his reputation.”
She could feel the cold gazes of the Southern ministers on her, but they had brought this upon themselves. In the end, Prince Lyn was still the son of the Northern Emperor. Even if Emperor Elmar had remained silent, such words about his son could not go unanswered.
Illaria continued, “As for his birth, it does not matter to me whether he is the son of a concubine or the empress. I look down upon those who judge a man by his origins rather than by his worth. Prince Lyn, you are indeed worthy of your reputation. You would make a perfect match for any woman… but that woman is not me.”
The court erupted into hushed murmurs. Gasps filled the hall as if she had just dropped a thunderbolt. She wondered why they always reacted as though her honesty were some kind of crime.
She bent down on one knee and said firmly, “Your Majesty, I respectfully decline this marriage proposal.”
For a moment, the court fell completely silent.
Then, unexpectedly, the Northern Emperor smiled.
Elmar said, “Ryan, do you mind if I ask your daughter a few questions?”
Ryan replied, “Please, feel free.”
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Elmar turned his gaze toward her. “Princess, tell me — are you afraid of coming to the North? Does the thought of living the rest of your life there trouble you? Do you fear the hardships you may face if you marry Lyn?”
Illaria answered without hesitation, “Northern Emperor, I am a warrior. Fear does not run in my blood. I barely spend time in the palace as it is. I am used to hardship and a busy life. I do not fear suffering.”
Elmar nodded slightly. “Then do you believe that Lyn is not handsome enough for your standards?”
Illaria froze for a second, completely caught off guard.
“No— no,” she said quickly, her face flushing. “That is not what I mean. Looks do not matter to me. And… he does look good, of course.”
Elmar smiled faintly. “Very well. Then tell me this — do you believe that if you marry into our family, you will lose your identity as a Southern princess? Do you think your father, the emperor, would abandon you?”
Illaria felt as if she had stepped into a trap, but she had no choice. She could not question the Northern Emperor. All she could do was answer honestly.
Illaria said, “Whether I lose my identity as the Southern Princess or not depends on the emperor. As an emperor, the South’s security comes first. If he must, he can strip me of my title at any time. But he is also my father, and I am confident that even if one day the Southern Emperor abandons me, my father never will. It is my father’s support that I need, not the emperor’s.”
Elmar nodded slowly. “Proud words indeed. Well, Ryan, you have heard her. Your daughter has made her feelings clear. In her eyes, my son is a worthy match. She does not fear hardship, and she trusts that even if you must stand against her as an emperor, you will always stand by her as a father. What I fail to understand is this — why does your daughter still refuse this marriage?”
He continued, “Lyn is capable. He has even promised that he will not take concubines and that he will allow her to practice her sword. You know very well that only royal princes train at Kelzar. In the entire South, you may find spiritual energy users, but most of them are already married and well into their thirties. The princess is indeed a good match for Lyn, but where will she find such a match in the future? Surely you do not wish to see your daughter marry someone weaker than her. Will the princess protect her husband, or will the husband protect her?”
A few people in the court let out quiet laughs.
Ryan replied sharply, “Elmar, what exactly are you suggesting?”
Elmar answered calmly, “The princess is only sixteen, but she is already of marrying age. She has no real reason to refuse this proposal, and yet she does. I believe she simply needs more time to spend with Prince Lyn and think carefully. There is no need to reach a decision today. Decisions should anyways be questioned multiple times over before they are finalized. We are here for four more days. Let us give the princess time. A day before we depart, she can give us her final answer.”
The Southern trade minister stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I agree with the Northern Emperor. There is no need to decide today. This is a great opportunity for the princess. We should not rush such an important matter.”
The Southern finance minister followed, “I agree as well. Perhaps the princess has not had enough time to think everything through.”
“Yes, let the decision be postponed.”
“She should have more time.”
“There is no need to decide today.”
Voices echoed across the court.
Illaria felt her chest tighten. She did not know whether to laugh at her own helplessness or burn with anger. Her father had clearly said the decision was hers, yet now the entire court was pressuring her to reconsider. After she had spoken up for Prince Lyn and asked for punishment of those who insulted him, the ministers had turned against her instead. Now everyone acted as if she were a fool for refusing such a perfect match.
Ryan raised his hand. “Enough. I have heard all of you. Illaria, you may take a few more days. Three days from now, I will ask you again. There is no pressure. You may still refuse, but I want you to consider it once more.”
Illaria could not blame her father. The pressure from the court was immense, and she herself had admitted that Prince Lyn was capable. But a burning question was rising inside her, one that stirred memories she did not wish to revisit. She could not stay in the court any longer.
“Father,” she said quietly, “I am not feeling well. I wish to return to my room. Please excuse me.”
Ryan nodded, though concern was clear in his eyes.
Illaria turned and walked out of the hall. The moment she was beyond their watchful gazes, she broke into a run toward her chambers.
Dany rushed to her side. “Princess! What happened? Why are you so upset?”
“Nothing,” Illaria said sharply. “Help me out of this dress. Send it back to father. Bring something lighter for me to change into. Remove all this jewellery from my head. Leave only one brooch to hold my hair in a bun.”
“But princess—”
“Do I need to repeat myself?” Illaria snapped. “Be quick. And after that, leave me alone. No one is allowed to visit me for the rest of the day. Even if father comes later, tell him I want to be alone.”
Dany lowered her head. “Yes, princess.”
The sky had already turned dark, and Illaria sat alone in her room, staring at the ceiling. She had finally managed to calm herself down.
“In the end, whatever they say, no one can force me.” She said to herself.
Yet her mind was still restless. She needed to leave this room, even if only for a little while. Her father had grounded her for the week, but staying inside felt suffocating.
“If I jump out of the window, will anyone notice? No… There are no guards nearby. No one will disturb me tonight. Father must have come to see me, but Dany probably turned him away. It’s already deep into the night. I can sneak out for some time. Father, I’m sorry for disobeying you, but I really need to breathe. I just need to be with my sword.”
She hid two pillows beneath her blanket and climbed out through the window, landing softly on the ground below. The clothes were bothersome, but manageable. Her sword, Eleos, was secured at her waist, and the mysterious dagger still lay hidden within her robes.
The guards were already half-asleep, making it easy to slip past them. “I really need to tell my brother one day that these idiots are not fit for night patrol. Anyone could slit our throats and they would still be snoring.”
She quietly climbed over the palace wall and walked for nearly twenty minutes before reaching her destination.
It was a place she had discovered as a child — a wide plateau nearly nine hundred meters high. In the distance, she could see the waterfall cascading down, feeding a river that twisted across the Southern lands. The sound of falling water mixed with the chirping of crickets. There was calm, but not silence. Under the star-filled sky, everything looked even more beautiful.
She stood near the edge of the ridge, taking it all in, then closed her eyes and tried to steady her thoughts.
“Bam!”
Illaria spun around as Eleos clashed against another sword.
Her guard had been down since she arrived, but the moment she sensed someone behind her, her instincts reacted. There was no killing intent — yet someone was there. And now her blade was locked against a very familiar one.
Iceblade. Prince Marcus’s sword.
Marcus said lightly, “Princess, wandering out so late at night with your guard down. I thought you were more careful than this. How disappointing.”
Illaria withdrew her sword and sheathed it. “What are you doing here? Haven’t you been grounded?”
Marcus grinned. “Being grounded is boring. No thrill at all. Sneaking out at night is much more fun. And besides, you’re grounded too, yet here you are.”
“Go back,” Illaria said. “It’s dangerous. You could get hurt.”
Marcus tilted his head playfully. “Interesting. I heard my elder brother say you were asking about my ‘wound’ yesterday. But you know very well your sword didn’t even touch a hair on me. So what is it? Are you worried about me? Have you taken a liking to me instead of brother Lyn?”
Illaria’s eyes flared. “How shameless. How can you speak like that? Absolutely disgusting.”
Marcus chuckled. “And why not? It’s just the two of us here. No one will ever know this conversation happened.”
Illaria clenched her fists, fury rising in her chest. Why did he speak so casually? And worse — why did he look like he was enjoying every second of this strange exchange?
Illaria said coldly, “Is that how Northern princes speak? I am about to become your sister-in-law and you talk so frivolously.”
Marcus, still smiling, replied, “What a terrible argument, princess. You and I both know you are going to deny this marriage. So you are not about to become my sister-in-law.”
Illaria frowned. “And what makes you so sure? Didn’t you hear everyone’s arguments today? They all think Prince Lyn is the ideal match.”
Marcus scoffed. “They are all stupid idiots. You have already considered the pros and cons and still said no. Father said you have no reason to deny the marriage, but I don’t see any reason for you to accept it either.”
Her heart skipped at his words. Something inside her loosened, though she couldn’t explain why. When it came to feelings, Illaria was terrible at understanding them.
Marcus continued, “Marriage is a lifelong commitment. A happy marriage blossoms from feelings, not perfection. Think of it this way — in your eyes, your elder brother is also a perfect candidate. Does that mean you would marry him? Of course not.”
Illaria snapped, “Can you stop spouting nonsense! Why must you bring my brother into this!”
Marcus raised his hands. “Alright, alright. Relax. You don’t have to shout.”
This man and his nonsense were giving her a headache. He was nothing like Prince Lyn or Willem — no manners, no refinement. Probably because he hardly spent any time in the palace.
Illaria said firmly, “Just go back already. We shouldn’t be talking like this.”
Marcus started, “Well, I didn’t follow you all the way here just to leave, and anyway the view—”
Before he could finish, Illaria drew Eleos. The blade rested against his neck as she stared at him coldly. “Why did you follow me? What is your intention?”
She was the one threatening him, yet he didn’t flinch. Not even a step back. His brown hair fluttered in the night breeze, and when she looked into his black eyes, they were calm — disturbingly calm. A faint smile still lingered on his lips.
Marcus said casually, “I’ve been sneaking out every night since I got grounded. Your night guards are lazy. Today I saw you climb over the palace wall and thought it would be fun to follow.”
Something still felt off, but Illaria said, “We are going back.”
Marcus blinked. “What? Why so early? We just got here.”
“I said we are going back. Don’t argue.”
“No. You go back if you want. I’m not coming.”
“Prince Marcus, please come. If someone finds you missing—”
“No one will. No one cares. My father already knows I like disappearing. He won’t blame your family.”
Illaria clenched her jaw. “I can’t take that risk. If my father finds out I left you unattended, he will be in trouble because of me. And what will you even do by staying here all night?”
Marcus sighed dramatically. “God, Princess, trust your luck a little. No one will find us missing. A lot of people just love their bed and their mama. Sleep is more important than our sorry lives.”
Illaria glared. “Are you even a prince? Can’t you be a little decent?”
Marcus smirked. “Seeing you angry makes me want to annoy you even more.”
Damn this guy.
Illaria took a deep breath. “What do I need to do for you to come back with me?”
Marcus’s eyes lit up. “Now you’re talking. At first, I followed you because I thought you were planning something. But now that we’re here… why not finish what we started?”
Illaria crossed her arms. “And what exactly did we start?”
“Our fight,” Marcus said. “It was interrupted when my father called me back. Now there’s no one to interfere. And don’t think I’ll go easy on you because you’re a girl. You said it yourself — war doesn’t differentiate between men and women. I see you as a warrior. So let’s settle this once and for all.”
He stepped closer, eyes sharp.
“Who is stronger — the only female Auren user of Merwan… or the War Beast of the North?”
The offer was tempting.
Ever since returning from Kelzar, Illaria hadn’t faced an opponent like Marcus. Edric sparred with her, but those were friendly matches. Her elder brother never fought her seriously — he always held back, always let her win.
Wasn’t this the perfect chance to test the true strength of a Northern prince? After all, if her elder brother had lost to Prince Willem, she should at least win this.
Illaria said, “Prince Marcus, your offer is tempting, but I can’t fight with you because—”
Marcus cut her off. “Because I’m a Northern prince, my safety is your first priority, I can get hurt, and blah blah blah.”
Illaria frowned. “If you already understand that, then why did you even ask in the first place?”
Marcus smirked. “Princess, what do you take me for? Do you really think you can hurt me that easily? There is a reason I’m called the War Beast. I think you are just scared of losing. After all, five more minutes that day and you would have lost your head.”
Wasn’t he boasting a little too much? He might be strong, but she wasn’t weak either. No, wait. He is provoking me on purpose. Don’t fall for it.
Illaria said coldly, “Think whatever you want. I can’t let my sword cut you. Stay here if you wish. I’m going back and telling father that you are out here. He will handle the matter.”
Marcus’s eyes widened slightly. “Princess, but you will get punished if you tell him that!”
Illaria shrugged. “Then let it be so. I did sneak out when I wasn’t supposed to. What will happen? A hundred whips? No worries, they will heal in time. Getting punished is better than arguing with a maniac.” She turned and started walking away. If he wasn’t a prince, she would have beaten him up by now and dragged him back.
Marcus called after her, “Fine! Alright! I don’t want to see a lady get beaten because of me. I’ll come back. But I don’t think I’ll meet you again after this, so give me my dagger back first and then we’ll go.”
Illaria froze when he mentioned the dagger.
It was still hidden inside her clothes. She could feel its cold metal body resisting, as if trying to break free. She wanted to ask him how he had acquired something so magnificent at such a young age, but after the way he had been talking, she knew he wouldn’t tell her. With all her tools and books taken away, she hadn’t even been able to properly examine it yet. The mystery of its formation still remained unsolved.
She didn’t want to lose it.
Illaria lied, “Come back right now. I’ll send it to you later. I don’t have it with me.”
As soon as she said this, she saw Marcus lower his gaze. The smile on his face widened. Something was wrong.
Marcus said slowly, “Oh? You don’t have it with you right now?”
Illaria replied, “Yes. I don’t.”
Marcus raised his hand, and suddenly a pink flame lit up in his palm. The dagger became restless against her body.
Marcus said calmly, “Princess, if you don’t have it, then why are your clothes glowing in the dark?” She looked at her sleeve. It was glowing. Marcus increased the intensity of the flame, and the dagger finally broke free from her sleeve. She reacted instantly, catching it with her left hand and suppressing its movement.
Marcus chuckled. “Well, well, Princess. That is my dagger. Now hand over what belongs to me.”
Illaria didn’t know what had gotten into her, but she refused. Illaria said stubbornly, “I’m not giving it back. You threw it at me and I caught it. You shouldn’t have thrown it if it was so precious. Finders keepers.” She could feel her ears turn red. What a terrible argument. Even she knew how childish it sounded.
Marcus laughed softly. “My lady, I’m afraid that is something I can’t allow. Even if you caught it, it is still mine. The fact that I let you keep it for two days already is a big deal. If it had been someone else… well, you don’t want to know what I would have done by now.”
Illaria crossed her arms. “I’m still not giving it back.”
Marcus sighed. “I can take it back by force, but that would just be bullying my possible sister-in-law. So let me make you a deal. We duel.”
Illaria looked at him sharply. Marcus continued, “If you win, you keep the dagger. I’ll even tell you how I acquired it. If I win, you return it peacefully and sneak out again tomorrow night.”
Illaria asked, “And if I refuse?”
Marcus shrugged. “Then I’ll take it back right now. And even if I don’t, I’ll go to your father first thing in the morning and make you hand it over.”
Illaria knew if he went to her father, she would be forced to return it. But if she fought him and won, the dagger would remain hers.
She hesitated. “If we fight, we’ll get hurt. What if someone asks about our injuries?”
Marcus replied easily, “I’ll say I fell down the stairs. I already have plenty of injuries, no one will notice. You can make up an excuse too.”
Illaria thought for a moment. It was a fair deal. No one was around. And she would get to keep the dagger — and enjoy a real fight.
Illaria said firmly, “Fine. Deal accepted. Don’t go back on your word. If I break a few bones, that won’t be my fault.”