The palace buzzed with tension. A messenger had come at dawn bearing the seal of Draeven, the most feared kingdom in the Northlands. The name alone sent whispers flying through the corridors. The God of War himself had arrived.
Zaria stood before her tall mirror, her veil in hand. Behind her, Sarah tried to steady her trembling hands while helping the princess into her royal armor — a sleek, black-and-crimson set etched with golden phoenix wings. Her face was calm, but her eyes burned.
"You tremble again," Zaria said without turning.
"I'm sorry, my princess... it's just that... they say the God of War has never bowed before anyone. Not even kings."
Zaria smirked faintly. "Then let's see if he kneels today."
Moments later, Zaria strode into the grand throne room. The heavy silence that fell was instant. Rows of ministers and lords bowed deeply, their eyes darting nervously. At the far end, flanked by his fearsome soldiers, stood the Draeven emissary.
No — not emissary.
Prince Kael of Draeven.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with emerald green eyes sharp enough to cut glass. His long silver-blond hair brushed the polished steel of his shoulder guards. Clad in obsidian-black armor laced with silver, he looked more like a myth than a man. His aura was oppressive. Yet, Zaria met it head-on with a matching force of her own.
He bowed — shallow, calculated. "Princess Zaria of Nareth. I bring greetings from King Vael of Draeven... and a proposal."
Before Zaria could reply, a voice rose from behind the curtain of guards.
"A proposal? He must be jesting."
All eyes turned.
Sarah.
The young maiden stepped forward, her voice louder than she'd intended. The room gasped.
Zaria lifted a brow beneath her veil, but didn't stop her.
Sarah continued, nerves sparking in her eyes but something braver glinting beneath. "If he truly seeks favor with the Princess, let him prove himself. In Nareth, we don't bow to words — we bow to power."
Murmurs erupted. The Draeven warriors stiffened.
Kael turned his eyes to the girl who dared speak. "You are bold, servant."
Sarah's legs wobbled. But she swallowed and replied, "We serve a bolder mistress."
Zaria's smirk widened.
The silence returned — heavier, charged.
Kael's emerald eyes met Zaria's. "Then I request the honor of a duel. Not to the death. A test of strength, of will. To prove Draeven's worth."
A pause.
Zaria stepped down from her throne. Her every movement was elegance soaked in danger. She drew closer, stopping just before him.
"You seek my kingdom's trust, and my attention, through battle?"
"Only if you find it worthy."
She turned, her voice smooth as ice. "Then prepare. At sunrise tomorrow, the arena. Let the fire meet fire."
A ripple of gasps followed.
Kael smiled — the first genuine smile of the day.
Sarah, hiding behind a pillar now, exhaled shakily. "I really have a death wish," she whispered to herself. "But gods, that was cool."
Zaria walked past her and whispered just loud enough, "Bold. I like that."
Sarah blinked. Had she just earned the princess's approval?
As Kael left with his men, General Thorne