"So that is what happened? I own the princess now. She did save Sui, after all. But I already know what she is going to ask me. Sui is getting further and further away from me once more."
Grand Duke Lucius, his piercing gaze fixed on his friend, the Crown Prince of the Azure empire, his suspicion palpable in the air between them.
"Yunice, are you going to let Sui go? Just like that? What are you planning? Don't you need her for the ritual? Will you choose someone else? Or will you not perform it at all?" The words tumbled out of the Grand Duke's mouth, his voice a mix of concern and confusion.
The Grand Duke asked all these questions as he tried to calm himself.
He was sure that his friend had a plan already in motion. He was too much of a ruler not to consider his people.
That was why the Grand Duke admired the Crown Prince and followed him.
He was a man who could give up anything he needed to keep ordinary people alive and happy.
