(Eri's POV)
The garden of Vesperia was colder than I expected—not enough to hurt, just enough to be noticed. The evening wind moved through the flowers, carrying the faint scent of herbs and damp earth. Lanterns lined the stone path, their light settling over a narrow stream that ran quietly through the garden. No one spoke.
Princess Elara walked beside me. Her gown was light, shifting with every step, the pale fabric catching the wind as if it belonged to it. The color suited her. It made her look distant. Untouchable. Her hair fell freely over her shoulders—unbound, careless. Mine was not. My robe was heavier, deep blue, structured, every fold placed with intention. Even without the crown, it was clear what I was.
We walked side by side, our steps the only sound against the stone. I had stood in courts, in war rooms, before men who would have gladly seen me fall. This felt more difficult.
Then I noticed it—her necklace. It had shifted slightly, the chain no longer sitting where it should. I stopped. She took another step before realizing I wasn't beside her anymore. When she turned, I was already closer. I reached out, and before she could react, my fingers adjusted the chain, brushing lightly against her collarbone. Warm. She stilled—just for a second, but I felt it. When I was done, I stepped back. She didn't move right away. Then she looked away, and the color rose faintly to her cheeks.
"Are you always like that?" Her voice cut through the quiet, steady but edged.
I met her eyes. "Like what?"
She folded her arms, not fully, just enough to put space between us. "You step into someone's space and fix things like they're yours. Without asking."
"If something is out of place, I correct it," I said simply. Her gaze sharpened, so I added, "That includes kingdoms."
That was enough. I turned and continued walking. After a moment, she followed.
"I did not come here to ask for your hand."
This time, she stopped immediately, and I did the same.
"Then why are you here?" she asked, without hesitation.
"To speak about what comes next." I held her gaze. "After my coronation, the ministers of Kazunaga will push to secure the alliance. They will expect the Blood Oath to be fulfilled. Immediately."
A small movement of her hair as the wind shifted. "Meaning?"
"The marriage will be arranged."
She stepped closer, not careful, not afraid. "Will be?" Her voice tightened. "You speak as if I don't have a choice. How about my freedom? Did you ever think to ask what I want?" She moved closer again—too close now. "Or have you already decided everything for me?"
Her breathing was steady, but not calm. "I have the right to refuse. We are talking about my freedom."
I watched her. "Then refuse."
That caught her. I stepped forward, close enough that she had to hold her ground. "Go back to Vesperia. Let the alliance weaken. Let the ministers question me. Let them look for a reason to take the throne from me."
Her expression shifted. Now she understood.
"This isn't about taking your freedom," I said. "It's about what follows after."
She didn't answer. I reached into my robe and took out the small box. Still there. I opened it. The ring caught the light—old, gold, unmistakably royal. Her eyes dropped to it.
"Take it."
She didn't move. "Is this your way of convincing me?"
"No," I said. "It isn't." I glanced at the ring, then back at her. "This belonged to my grandmother. Then my mother. Now it's mine."
The wind passed between us again. I placed the ring in her hand and closed her fingers around it. She went still. I felt it—her breath faltered, her face warming again. I didn't comment on it.
"I will not beg you, Princess Elara." She looked up slowly. "But I will give you a choice."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the ring.
"Stand beside me, and you won't lose your freedom—you'll gain power. Your own court. Your own authority. A voice that will not be ignored in Kazunaga. I will not treat you as a consort." I let that sit. "You will stand beside the throne."
That mattered.
I leaned in slightly, close enough. "Or walk away… and let others decide both our fates."
For a moment, neither of us moved. Then I stepped back.
"Choose."
For the first time since we entered the garden, Princess Elara didn't have an answer.
And again—her face turned red.