"I would like to see Mage Lith in action, but it would be unfair on the Ernas girls. Their fight was intense and drawn out, they must be exhausted." The king wasn't an idiot. He immediately saw through their intentions and turned their plot against them.
"It's not only that." Queen Sylpha chimed in. "The Ernas and Verhen households have quite a past together. We can't ruin their friendship on a whim."
"My dear Queen is right, Taben." Meron nodded. "If your daughter passed the semi-finals, she would still have to fight an opponent. She can spar with him and show us her worth."
"They both can." Sylpha pointed out. "It was their parents' idea, after all. It's only fair for them to provide us with a show."
The nobles and Lith both inwardly cringed. Neither wanted to agree but refusing wasn't an option.
