~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Twenty-Two

The Dupar Territory was riddled with rivers. The water bridges and special magic Bariels used to prevent disasters and guide ships safely through this area earned them the title of Viscount. And like many noble families who'd grown fat on trade and managing their land, they started to see themselves as small kings.

Having the ability to decide a person's life and death was an addictive thing.

Power corrupts.

Like any family in the noble circle, their monopoly of something was the only reason they hadn't been swiftly scraped off the bottom of the Lixal Empire's boot.

I leaned back and watched as the night view passed by. The Bailes family had bought a small estate for their beloved son, who attended Frekian Academy. And it is evident from the golden gates to the well-kept grounds that Crawford Bailes saw himself as a prince of his kingdom.

If the statue of the founding emperor was anything to go by, only those in the royal family or related could have his statue on their lands.

Seeing this made me smile.

"She's smiling again. I don't think I should have come," Amoux muttered from where he sat. His long legs were crossed, and for once, he wasn't wearing his uniform or dressed in all black. He wore a stylish black fit decorated with silvery threading, gloves, and polished boots. His thick black hair was swept back, showing his cantankerous, handsome features. "If you get me caught up in some national scandal, I'm going to make you crawl for me," he paused and added, "Princess."

"Amoux, are you sure you're not trying to commit suicide speaking to her like that," Sena asked, his gold eyes twinkling with humor. "If you're trying to get killed, please antagonize her when I'm not around."

I was honored to choose his clothes, as he was a commoner. The clothing I'd gone with was, maybe, a smidge, a bit, selected because I'd always wanted to see my ex wear it. The clothing of dark blue and white accents highlighted his noble features and deep eyes.

It showed off his muscular frame to perfection.

"If you're a coward, just say that," Amoux sullenly said.

Sena's brows tightened, "what?"

I observed them and didn't stop them from their small argument. Watching them, I found myself drifting back to the days when this scenario of me sitting in front of two men wouldn't have ever happened. Both people would have been disgusted with the princess I'd been then.

My time with them would be short, and soon, I'd have to turn my attention to the actual fight. After all, if my life and death were only focused on the horrifying things to come long before a sword removed my head.

There is a war coming that will erupt on our land and many others to come.

"Princess, Zorya, are you okay?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Want to read the rest? Check out my patreon and join us other fae today.