They reached Milan’s villa as the sun touched the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. The guards at the gate opened imdiately, their eyes wide at seeing Prince Andrion accompanying the group but smart enough not to comnt.
Inside, Milan’s servants moved efficiently to prepare rooms and food.
The villa, which had seed quiet and orderly that morning, now buzzed with unusual energy.
As the others dispersed to their various tasks, Cleora pulled Jolthar aside into a private sitting room. The mont the door closed, her composed facade cracked slightly.
"You could have died," she said quietly, her voice shaking just a little.
"That princess, she was one of the strongest people in the empire, and you fought her to a standstill. But if that fight had gone differently..."
Jolthar pulled her into an embrace.
"But it didn’t. I’m here. I’m fine."
"This ti," Cleora insisted, pulling back to look at him.
"But you just said you’re staying, that you’ll fight anyone else who cos. Jolthar, there are people in this empire who make Princess Tamnarasi look weak by comparison. What happens when one of them decides you’re a threat?"
"Then I’ll deal with it," he replied calmly.
"The sa way I’ve dealt with everything else, by being stronger, smarter, and more determined than my opponents."
"That’s not a plan. That’s bravado."
"No," Jolthar corrected gently.
"It’s confidence based on experience. I’ve survived things that should have killed dozens of tis over. I’ve grown stronger through each challenge. And I have sothing most of these powerful people don’t—a reason to keep fighting that goes beyond personal pride or ambition."
"What reason?" Cleora asked.
"You. Tekkora. The people who depend on what we’re building."
His expression softened.
"I’m not fighting for glory or to prove how strong I am. I’m fighting to protect what matters. That makes all the difference."
Cleora’s eyes glistened, but she blinked back tears.
"You impossible, wonderful, terrifying man."
She kissed him, fierce and possessive.
"Don’t you dare die on ."
"I don’t plan to," he assured her.
They remained there for a while, taking comfort in each other’s presence after the chaos of the day.
*
The Next Morning
The papers hit the streets of Cahns’ar at dawn, and by mid-morning, the entire city was talking about nothing else.
"IMPERIAL PRINCESS DEFEATED!" scread the headline of the Cahns’ar Chronicle, the capital’s most widely read newspaper.
Below it was an illustration, remarkably accurate considering the artist hadn’t been present, showing Princess Tamnarasi in her ice phoenix form, on her knees, facing a standing Jolthar Kaezhlar.
The article itself was explosive:
"In an unprecedented confrontation outside the city walls, Princess Tamnarasi, Commander of the Dreadmarchen and daughter of the Crimson six-petal Empress herself, was defeated in single combat by Baron Jolthar Kaezhlar of Tekkora.
A KAEZHLAR CHILD!
Witnesses report that the battle began after Baron Kaezhlar defied the imperial court regarding charges of murder and embezzlent. Princess Tamnarasi, responding to summons from Finance Minister Richardus, attempted to arrest the baron. When he refused, she forcibly removed him from the city to prevent collateral damage.
What followed was described by observers as ’a battle between titans.’ The fight reportedly lasted over an hour and devastated the landscape outside the eastern walls. Princess Tamnarasi activated her legendary Ice Phoenix bloodline technique—a power few have ever witnessed.
Despite this, Baron Kaezhlar erged victorious. Princess Tamnarasi was removed from the battlefield by her knights, suffering from severe injuries. The palace has confird she is alive and recovering but has declined to comnt further.
This marks the first confird defeat of a Dreadmarchen commander in the organization’s century-long history..."
Other papers had similar stories, though the details varied based on which witnesses they had interviewed.
So painted Jolthar as a hero standing against tyranny.
Others portrayed him as a dangerous rebel who had attacked an imperial princess.
Most fell sowhere in between, acknowledging that the situation was complex and politically charged.
But all of them agreed on one thing: Jolthar Kaezhlar was extraordinarily powerful, possibly among the strongest individuals in the entire empire.
In taverns and tea houses, on street corners, and in noble salons, people debated the implications.
What did this an for the empire’s power structure?
Would the Emperor respond?
Would more attempts be made to arrest or kill the baron?
And underlying all the speculation was a simpler question that everyone was asking:
Just who exactly was this young man from Tekkora?
*
anwhile in Prince Milan’s mansion, in one of the chambers.
Jolthar’s eyes opened to the soft morning light filtering through silk curtains. His body ached pleasantly, the kind of soreness that ca from pushing physical limits in combat. The battle with Princess Tamnarasi had taken more out of him than he’d initially admitted, though nothing a rest wouldn’t fix.
He turned his head and found Raayani already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed.
She was fully dressed in traveling clothes, elegant but practical, in the deep blue colors associated with the Blue Rose rchant house. Her dark hair was arranged in a complex style that sohow looked both formal and effortless.
She noticed his movent and turned, a soft smile crossing her face.
"Good morning, sleeper."
"You’re leaving," Jolthar observed, reading her posture and attire.
"I am."
Raayani moved closer, leaning down to press a kiss to his lips. It was slow and deliberate, carrying both affection and a hint of possessiveness.
When she pulled back, her eyes held his.
"My daughters are practically screaming for to return. I’ve been gone too long, and the Blue Rose has business that requires my direct attention."
"I understand," Jolthar said, sitting up.
He didn’t ask her to stay or whine not to leave her. He understood that she has her own duties.
"When?"
"Within the hour. My carriage is being prepared now."
She traced a finger along his jaw.
"Don’t think this ans I’m abandoning you to face this nest of vipers alone. I’m leaving agents in the capital, people who will watch and report. If you need the Blue Rose’s resources, you need only ask."
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