Katherine looked surprised as Cassian revealed his suspicions. The idea seemed far-fetched, and she couldn't quite grasp how he arrived at such a conclusion. With an amused smile, she asked, "How did you come to this? Don't you know that the royal family has been our ally for ages? If it weren't for us, Andharta would still be at war with the Empire, or worse, have lost it. Why would they be behind any attack?"
"I've considered that," Cassian replied, his tone thoughtful. "But you know that the Ven Dyke Duchy and the royal family are almost equal in military strength, as well as powerful warriors who've reached great heights." As he spoke, he gently slid her skirt up, revealing her soft, smooth thighs, and continued, "Now, if you become an even more powerful mage, the balance of power between the two families might shift in favor of the Ven Dykes."
