The conversation with the princess did not stay behind.
Even after she walked away, the impact remained. It was not something heavy, but it was not light either. It was the kind of situation that does not disappear… it simply settles into a different place.
The banquet continued, but for me, the attention was no longer on the environment.
It was on the implications.
Lyannis was the first to break the silence. "So… political agreement, waiting period, and all that."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "Nothing unexpected."
Scarlett kept her gaze firm. "But direct."
Elara nodded. "And necessary."
Vespera added: "It was an objective approach."
Liriel simply said: "No illusions."
I looked at them.
"She's not wrong."
Lyannis raised an eyebrow. "Neither are you."
"I know."
Rai'kanna let out a breath. "Then we have a problem."
"No."
Everyone looked at me.
"We have a reality."
Silence came.
But not as disagreement.
As analysis.
Scarlett was the first to speak. "You do not intend to change."
"No."
Simple.
Direct.
Elara tilted her head slightly. "Even with political pressure?"
"Yes."
Vespera crossed her arms. "That will have consequences."
"I know."
Liriel watched me. "But you already accepted that."
"Yes."
Lyannis smiled sideways. "Then it's decided."
Rai'kanna agreed. "That solves half of it."
"Half?" Scarlett asked.
"Yes," Rai'kanna replied. "The other half is how they're going to deal with it."
Elara nodded. "External reaction."
Vespera added: "Social expectations."
Liriel said calmly: "Balance."
I looked around.
The hall continued as normal.
But now…
I saw it differently.
Each group talking.
Each directed glance.
Each interaction.
Everything had weight.
And that made one simple thing clear.
It was no longer only about what I did.
But about how it affected others.
"Are you all aware of that?" I asked.
Lyannis answered without hesitation. "Yes."
Rai'kanna nodded. "Since the beginning."
Scarlett spoke firmly. "It was never hidden."
Elara added: "It was a conscious choice."
Vespera said: "And maintained."
Liriel finished: "Without regret."
Silence came again.
But this time…
More solid.
There was no doubt.
No internal conflict.
Only… certainty.
"Then there is no problem," I said.
Lyannis smiled. "I like it when things are simple."
Rai'kanna laughed quietly. "They're not always."
Scarlett remained calm. "But here they are."
Elara nodded. "Internally, yes."
Vespera added: "Externally, no."
Liriel simply said: "And that's alright."
I took a deep breath.
And understood.
That situation was not something to resolve.
It was something to sustain.
Without changing.
Without yielding.
But also…
Without ignoring it.
Lyannis stretched lightly. "So, what's the plan? Pretend nothing happened?"
"No."
Rai'kanna tilted her head. "Then?"
"Move forward."
Simple.
Scarlett nodded. "Without hiding."
"Without justifying," Elara completed.
"Without asking permission," said Vespera.
Liriel smiled faintly. "Simply being."
Lyannis laughed. "I like that."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "Direct."
The sound of the hall became more present again.
People were approaching once more.
But now…
Nothing seemed out of place.
The conversation with the princess had not created a problem.
It had defined boundaries.
And that…
Was necessary.
A few minutes later, a group of nobles passed nearby. Quick glances, low conversations, silent evaluation.
Nothing direct.
But evident.
Scarlett commented quietly: "It already started."
Elara nodded. "Social analysis."
Vespera added: "Formation of opinion."
Lyannis shrugged. "Let them think whatever they want."
Rai'kanna agreed. "It changes nothing."
Liriel looked at me. "And you?"
"Neither do I."
Simple.
Without hesitation.
Time passed.
The banquet continued.
But the focus was no longer the event.
It was what came afterward.
And that…
Was becoming clearer and clearer.
"This is going to repeat itself," Scarlett said.
"Yes."
"In other places."
"Yes."
"With other people."
"Yes."
Elara added: "And with greater intensity."
Vespera nodded. "As your position grows."
Liriel said: "But the foundation remains the same."
I looked at them.
And understood.
Strength was not in avoiding conflict.
But in not being shaken by it.
Lyannis stood up slightly. "Then it's resolved."
Rai'kanna agreed. "Yes."
Scarlett maintained her posture. "No need for further discussion."
Elara concluded the reasoning. "No deviation in direction."
Vespera added: "No adjustment in posture."
Liriel finished: "Only continuity."
I nodded.
And in that moment…
It became clear.
That conversation had not been an obstacle.
It had been a test.
And it had already been overcome.
I turned my gaze back to the hall.
And moved forward.
Because now…
It was no longer about choosing a path.
It was about maintaining the one that had already been chosen.