"How am I supposed to help you then?" Tribal Princess Sylvia pressed, her voice laced with suspicion.
Crown Prince Maximus stepped closer, his eyes burning with determination. "Be engaged to me, Princess! Become the Crown Princess of this empire."
Sylvia recoiled, a flicker of anger crossing her face. "Crown Princess? You want me to marry into the empire that exploited me?"
Maximus held up a hand, his voice softening. "Don't you want the same, Princess? Didn't you choose to stay here because you craved the Crown Princess's place? I'm offering it to you now, making your dream a reality."
"This isn't a favor, Your Highness," Sylvia spat. "I desired the role to secure a foothold in the Tribal Empire's crumbling power, not to become Queen of your empire. This throne is a poison, corrupting anyone who sits upon it."
Her gaze narrowed. "The previous Emperor, your own father, did unspeakable things. You'll follow the same path. Blood doesn't lie."
