Marry Me

"I've been considering it for some time, actually. One option is to open our borders. The other is to become a vassal of the Empire."

Rhea stared at Ahren, her eyes wide with surprise. She had already been turning over how to persuade him of this very thing, and the course he had settled on was identical to the conclusion she herself had reached after her long debate with the ruler of Nortia.

"You've been thinking about this for some time?"

"Yes. But the opposition was fierce. If I'd brought it into the open, opinion would have split so violently the kingdom might have torn itself in two."

Rhea let out a quiet sigh. She hadn't known Ahren was already wrestling with this at this point in time.

"And now the ones who opposed it have all been swept away by this affair."

The two of them looked at each other in silence. The same thought crossed both their minds. Had those who opposed it truly done so for the good of the kingdom?

"The current Emperor has shifted his strategy of conquest from annexation to a system of vassal states. A vassal kingdom is guaranteed at least a measure of autonomy."

"Our kingdom is small, and we have no specialty goods the Empire would covet. Their pressure on us would be negligible."

"Zephyros may be a small desert kingdom, but it has something special. We are rooted in one of the four ancient kingdoms that once ruled this continent."

"If we offer to become a vassal state, the Emperor will welcome us with open arms."

Brother and sister volleyed the points back and forth, then looked at each other and smiled.

"Brother. I'll go to the Empire."

There was someone Rhea had to meet, no matter what.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Northeast. Fourth Prince Carion.

He was the son of Nella, ruler of Nortia.

Your Majesty. I will save your son. I swear it.

Keeping that woman's son alive mattered even more than stopping First Prince Enoch from taking the throne.

Six months later, Rhea set out as the representative of Zephyros's diplomatic envoy, her companions at her side.

"Fifteen of you? I've only got three large rooms left. What do you mean to do? You could squeeze in, I suppose."

"Every other inn in town is full. Something going on?"

"The arena's opening soon. Isn't that why you're here?"

"Ah, the arena. We're just passing through on our way to Elios."

"Just passing through, then. You've picked a bad time."

"So it seems. We'll take the rooms anyway. How much for a night, meals and horse feed included?"

"Fifteen silver."

"We'll pay in advance. Thirteen silver. We'll be leaving first thing in the morning."

The innkeeper scratched his head, smacked his lips, and gave in.

"Fine. Have it your way."

As they had done at every stop so far, the rest of the party stood around blankly while Rhea haggled.

After they had settled their belongings in the rooms, Rhea spoke to Kasim.

"I'm going to look around for a bit. Get some rest."

"L-Leader. Going off alone again…"

"Don't worry. This city's safe enough."

Kasim reached after her retreating figure, then let his hand fall without a word. He had come along as her escort and guardian, yet somehow he was the one being protected.

No matter how he turned it over, he couldn't make sense of it. How did a princess who had barely ever set foot outside the royal palace know the geography of the continent so thoroughly? How did she deal with locals without the slightest trace of awkwardness?

He found himself recalling the conversation he had had with the king before they departed.

Kasim's firm resolve was put to the test sooner than he expected.

"She's gone!"

The next morning, Penny came screaming, clutching the letter Rhea had left behind.

Your Highneeeess!

He clutched the letter in trembling hands and roared the words only in his mind.

Standing atop a rise, Rhea looked down across the endless plains. For the first time since her return, she was truly alone.

The days when she had not dared let her guard down for even a moment, just to stay alive, came flooding back — and the ease that had loosened her heart snapped taut once more.

The reason she was moving alone was speed. She had obtained crucial information at a marketplace.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Northeast is in Poema right now!

Zephyros's intelligence network had been unable to pinpoint his exact whereabouts, so she had planned to go to Poema — the nearest territory under northeastern jurisdiction — and search from there. And now, by sheer luck, he was already there.

She had never once laid eyes on the man himself: the Fourth Prince, Commander-in-Chief of the Northeast.

It doesn't matter what kind of man you are.

All that mattered to Rhea was that he was Nella's son. If it meant preventing his death, she was prepared to stake her own life without hesitation.

If I can repay the debt I owe her with this one life of mine, that's a bargain.

After five days of travel, she arrived at the garrison in Poema. She sent her spirit ahead to scout; the garrison's security was tight.

Rhea wanted to meet the Fourth Prince unofficially. Requesting an audience without revealing her identity would get her nowhere.

I'll have to sneak in, then. I'm counting on you.

She whispered to her spirit. As if in answer, a breeze tickled the nape of her neck. Rhea smiled and took a step forward. The spirit would show her a path that would keep her from prying eyes.

The office within the garrison residence at Poema.

A man with pitch-black hair sat reclined in his chair, one leg propped on the desk, reading the imperial edict the Emperor's envoy had delivered.

A faint sneer touched his impassive silver-grey eyes. As if the Emperor actually wanted to see his son.

To the Emperor, his five sons were instruments for displaying the solidity of imperial power — interchangeable parts, to be swapped out whenever convenient. Carion had been out of sight for too long. This was nothing more than an attempt to keep him from slipping beyond the Emperor's control.

He flicked his fingers.

Whoosh—

The imperial edict sailed through the air and fluttered to the floor. Orbin, the intelligence officer, picked it up and spoke.

"Your Highness. You've already ignored two imperial summons. Next time it won't be an envoy who comes — it'll be the hunting dogs. You need to go this time."

Carion, Fourth Prince of the Tera Empire and Commander-in-Chief of the Northeast, spent the entire year touring his garrisons, overseeing the annexed territories and vassal states of the region. He had left the capital six years ago upon becoming Commander-in-Chief, and for the past several years, whenever the Emperor summoned him, he had manufactured some excuse and sent the envoy packing.

"It's noisy outside."

Carion turned his gaze to his adjutant, Cedric.

"Find out what's going on."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Cedric left. Not long after, the commotion outside grew louder. Someone seemed to shout, "This way!" and the sound of several people running down the corridor echoed through the walls.

"Your Highness. You should cancel the next tour, and—"

Orbin was still speaking when the door burst open. Someone slipped inside and shut it behind them. A hood was pulled down so low that their face was hidden.

Orbin's face twisted into a scowl as he drew his sword.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I have an urgent matter to discuss with His Highness the Prince."

The sweet, clear voice that issued from the uninvited guest made Orbin pause. The stranger caught the hood and pushed it back, revealing the face of a woman whose hair was tied behind her.

Her sand-gold hair, luminous even in the indoor light, was bound back and still spilled in abundance over her shoulders. Her fair skin seemed to glow with a light of its own. Her green eyes, clear as water, sparkled like sunlight dancing on a wave.

Oh.

Orbin was genuinely impressed. He had seen his share of beautiful women, but this one was different. Healthy, perhaps. Fresh — like something just come into bloom. She seized the eye and refused to let it go.

Orbin slid a glance toward Carion.

Unlikely. But still. Just in case.

This could be some tangled affair between the prince and a woman. He couldn't very well step in.

"I am Rhea, Princess of Zephyros. I committed this discourtesy in order to see Your Highness away from prying eyes."

Carion looked her over with the assessing gaze of a man appraising an object, then asked coldly,

"Princess of Zephyros?"

"Yes."

Carion took his leg off the desk and stood. He walked toward her with measured steps. She did not so much as flinch. As the distance between them closed, Rhea's chin lifted naturally, her eyes still locked on his.

"An unexpected guest. If you truly are the Princess of Zephyros."

"Someone who can verify my identity is on the way. The official envoy dispatched by my kingdom will arrive within a few days."

"Why would an envoy from Zephyros come here instead of the capital?"

"Because I have an urgent matter to discuss with Your Highness."

"If it's a matter that can be stated in a single sentence, I'll hear it."

It was as good as telling her he had no interest and she should leave at once. Rhea was not cowed by his icy reception. She met his gaze and spoke with unwavering resolve.

Oh.

Someone — unable to hold it in — seemed to let out a gasp of astonishment.