We left the royal hall with the feeling that something had been sealed, even without a formal ceremony. The challenge had been made, I had accepted it, and now there was no turning back. The silence of the corridor contrasted with the weight of what had just happened. Our footsteps echoed across the polished floor as we followed the attendant guiding us to our quarters.
Liriel was the first to break the silence.
"So... another princess."
Her tone wasn't exactly one of surprise. It was more a mixture of exhaustion and irony.
"That wasn't the main point," I replied.
"Of course it wasn't," she said, crossing her arms. "It never is."
Elara sighed, looking ahead.
"But it always ends up being, one way or another."
Lyannis remained calm, but her gaze was more analytical.
"The real issue is the challenge. The rest... is a consequence."
Scarlett agreed with a slight nod.
"The king didn't propose this for politics. He wants to fight."
"He wants to measure strength," Vespera added.
Rai'kanna remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"And that makes all of this more serious."
I didn't answer immediately. I simply kept walking.
The attendant stopped in front of a large door and opened it.
"These will be your quarters during your stay."
We entered.
The room was spacious, far larger than necessary. Gold was present once again, but unlike the rest of the castle, there was more comfort than grandeur here. It was an environment prepared for rest, not for impressing others.
"This is excessive," Liriel commented as she entered and looked around.
"For them, this is standard," Lyannis replied.
Elara lightly ran her hand across one of the curtains.
"Even so... it's beautiful."
Scarlett walked straight to the balcony, observing the exterior.
"Good view."
Vespera examined the details carefully.
"And protected."
Rai'kanna stood near the entrance for a few seconds before walking toward the center of the room.
"They took the reception seriously."
The attendant gave a slight bow.
"If you need anything, I will be available."
He left, closing the door behind him.
Silence returned, but this time it didn't last.
Liriel turned directly toward me.
"So let's talk about it."
"About what?" I asked.
"About everything," she replied. "The fight... and the rest."
Elara crossed her arms.
"You accepted too quickly."
"It wasn't quick," I replied. "It was direct."
Lyannis nodded slightly.
"That makes sense. Refusing wasn't really an option."
"Exactly," Scarlett said. "This wasn't an ordinary invitation."
Vespera looked at me.
"But even so... there was still a choice."
"There was," I replied. "But it wouldn't have changed anything."
Rai'kanna agreed.
"He would have insisted."
"And even if he hadn't," Lyannis added, "it would have left a gap."
Elara took a deep breath.
"So you accepted because of the fight."
"Yes."
Liriel raised an eyebrow.
"Only because of the fight?"
I looked at her.
"Mostly."
She let out a small laugh.
"Honest."
Scarlett returned from the balcony and leaned lightly against the wall.
"The marriage part is still a problem."
"It's not a priority right now," I replied.
"But it will be later," Elara said.
"Yes," Vespera added. "And it isn't something simple."
Rai'kanna looked at the floor for a moment before speaking.
"It changes relationships."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"And strengthens alliances."
"It also complicates others," Liriel said.
The atmosphere became heavier for a moment. It wasn't open conflict, but it was obvious that the subject wasn't a light one.
I took a deep breath before speaking.
"I didn't accept because of that."
"But it's part of it," Elara said.
"I know."
Scarlett kept her gaze firm.
"Then deal with that later."
"After the fight," I replied.
Vespera nodded.
"The correct focus."
Liriel dropped herself lightly into one of the armchairs.
"Alright... then let's talk about the interesting part."
"Which is?" I asked.
"The fight," she replied with a slight smile.
Lyannis turned her gaze toward me.
"He's strong."
"I know."
"Not like the others," Rai'kanna said.
"I know that too."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"You felt it."
"Yes."
Elara tilted her head slightly.
"And you still accepted."
"Yes."
Vespera kept her eyes fixed on me.
"Then you're confident."
"From what I saw... and what I felt... he's different."
"But?" Liriel asked.
"But he's not beyond reach."
Silence returned for a moment.
Lyannis was the first to react.
"That's important."
Scarlett nodded.
"Then we have a foundation."
Rai'kanna took a deep breath.
"Even so... be careful."
"I always am," I replied.
Elara relaxed her shoulders slightly.
"Then we'll trust that."
Vespera gave a small nod.
"As always."
Liriel smiled.
"Then it's settled. You win."
"Just like that?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied. "That's how it works."
Scarlett turned her gaze back toward the balcony.
"We still have time before the fight."
"Not much," Lyannis corrected.
"But enough," Vespera said.
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"You're going to train."
"Yes."
Elara nodded.
"We will too."
Liriel stood up from the armchair.
"Then let's not waste time."
I walked toward the balcony.
The view from there showed a large portion of the city. The sky was already beginning to change color, signaling the end of the afternoon. Several dragons flew in the distance, crossing the horizon with smooth and controlled movements.
"This place... is different," Elara said as she approached.
"Yes."
Lyannis stood beside me.
"They live on another level."
"But they're not beyond our reach," Scarlett added.
"No," I replied.
Vespera approached as well.
"The difference is clear. But it isn't absolute."
Rai'kanna looked toward the sky.
"That king... isn't someone you face without consequences."
"I know."
Liriel rested her arm on the balcony railing.
"But he's not someone invincible either."
I looked at the horizon for a few seconds.
"There is no such person."
The group fell silent.
A gentle breeze passed through the area, bringing with it a different feeling. It wasn't just tranquility.
It was anticipation.
The fight hadn't started yet.
But everything was already in motion.
And deep down, everyone there knew it.
This wasn't just a challenge.
It was a turning point.
And I had accepted it.
With no turning back.