King Velen III entered the princess’s chamber with Queen Asarda at his side.

  But they didn’t find her inside. She was sitting out on the balcony, lost in a book. The sun was dipping toward the horizon. The day was drawing to a close—and with it, the time for indecision. The choice Belara would make tonight would determine the path of all Dusughbarah.

  “Belara?”Queen Asarda called softly.

  “Yes, Mother?”the princess lifted her head. But the moment she saw them both, she hesitated. It was unusual for them to come together, and unannounced at that. A quiet gravity surrounded them—unspoken, but unmistakably present in the air.

  “You know that Admiral Sharad returned yesterday from the naval battle,”the king began calmly.

  “We won... although, it’s hard to call it a victory when only three warships remain.”

  “But the Queen of Grace survived,”Belara objected.

  “You’re right,”Velen nodded.“But repairing her will be so difficult and costly that building a new ship might have been cheaper. Still, don’t worry,”he raised a hand in a calming gesture,“we will restore theQueen of Grace, no matter the price. I know what she means to you. After all, she bears her name thanks to you and Admiral Sharad.”He smiled at the memory.“She’s become a symbol—of resistance and hope. Even fishmongers whisper stories about her now.”

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  “Velen, let’s get to the point,”Asarda interjected gently.

  “Yes,”the king agreed with a nod.“We’re not here because of a damaged ship. Our fleet is shattered, our army weak. Dusughbarah is more vulnerable than ever. If someone were to strike now, we couldn’t defend ourselves. We must find allies.”

  He gestured to Asarda to continue.

  “Belara, Jhalen brought news from our three neighboring kingdoms. Each one has an unwed prince. But none of them is without flaw. One is brutal and cruel. Another—deceitful and two-faced; you never know what he’s really thinking. The third seems kind, intelligent, and about your age... but his father—”she paused,“shows signs of madness. And in their bloodline, that madness seems to run deep.”

  Velen took the floor again.

  “Dusughbarah needs allies, Belara. And since none of these suitors is ideal, we want to give you the freedom to choose. If one of them were the perfect match, we might press you harder toward marriage. But as it stands, we won’t force your hand. Still, if you’re willing, this path may yet be a way to save the kingdom.”

  Belara remained silent for a moment. Then slowly shook her head.

  “A brute, a liar, and a potential madman...”she said quietly.“It’s like dancing on the edge of a cliff with a blindfold on. I don’t want to take that step, Mother, Father. And truthfully—I’ve never even thought seriously about marriage.”

  The king and queen sighed softly. Velen looked at her with quiet understanding.

  “We’ll respect your decision. And no one will ever bring this up again.”

  “Good night, Belara,”said the queen, brushing a hand through her daughter’s hair.

  They left her chamber in silence, leaving her once more alone—with a book in her lap and the sun vanishing beyond the horizon.