"Or to simply keep up the ruse of still having some enemies left to conquer."
What started as some sort, of unspecified existential need for the empire, I quickly came to clarify and even suggest the most likely answer.
"I'm sorry, but what was your name again?" Etaria asked as she squinted her golden eyes a little bit further while locking them on my face.
"I'm Peter Von Ziaq, Your Majesty," I courtly replied with a slight bow.
"You are not your everyday person, Peter," Etaria claimed as she took a step forward.
This time, it was Fay's turn to get at the tip of her toes and turn her hands into fists as she stared daggers down the princess's face.
"You are not just a simple merchant either," the princess added, stopping just shy of five steps away. "So, what is a person like you doing in this forest to begin with?"
'That's…'
For a second, I hesitated.
