"I do truly hope that the both of you treat this as your last battle — because either I win or lose, it is."
It wasn't arrogance. It wasn't even confidence, and Queen Adel could feel that from the shallowest parts of Riley's eyes — he believed what he was saying. And from what Queen Adel had seen so far, she is forced to believe it too.
"I do not even know who you are, Riley Ross," Esme, however, still seemed utterly confused despite her stoic stance, "But if I am being forced to fight to protect my people, then so be it — life is precious, I will end you here and now even if Theran gets destroyed."
"That's contradictory, child," Queen Adel glanced at Esme for a second, "Destroying the planet will destroy your people."
"The planet is not my people, Queen Adel. The people are my people," Esme tilted her head to the side as she seemed a little confused with the queen's words.
