At my father's command, two guards entered the room and started to approach me. I grabbed my father's arm and urged him to listen to my pleas.
"Father, please! I beg of you, spare me a moment to speak with you alone!" I pleaded.
My father didn't look at me; his face was a mask of disappointment, but he raised a hand to stop the guards. "Elena, I am happy that you are safe and back, but there are more important things I need to deal with than this trivial matter. In the meantime, go back to your room."
My mouth dropped open. How could this be a trivial matter? How could Luca's situation be a trivial matter? "What could be more important than this?" I argued. "Please, you need to listen to me first—"
"Enough!" A vein bulged in his temple. "I'm talking about the war, Elena! While you've been away, living your silly fantasy life without sparing a single thought for your father and your kingdom, the war with the Sun Empire has been happening in the south!"
