" Nerina

chambers a month and five days after atte

elia time to come to her on her own after completing her assignment, without needing

Lolo

f in a sing-song voice as she reclined further into her high-backed chair carved out of

sn't a person that was easily deceived but she had to try

needed." Nerina's eyebrows shot up

ything and do not l

er best to sound convincing and not l

n the kingdom of Ae

"Which of the cities?

but thick forest there and what you are looking

ou are there once you see the huge mahogany tree. You just need

Nerina in the eye and lied brazenly. Th

Asghavia but instead of doing exactly what Nerina had told her to, she told the

s enraged at the schemes of Nerina and her father, and

? Did you confirm that?" Nerina

cared of Nerina's questioning gaze. "I con

ow," Nerina waved h

long sigh of relief. "Dear Creator, please help me. May Lolo Nerina be convinced tha

side her chambers as she brought a goblet

ll the pieces were falling in place ju

ck fur coat which was spread neatly atop her f

her father's chambers on the othe

heeks and ears. Had she not been used to the cold of the Winter Isles; she w

ter isles was either w

months every year, the common people would plant cash crops and food cro

of the great tribe of Drako had the largest mines in all of Sejukgheim and the entire

en he had reluctantly resigned himself to serving the continent and in turn serving Volcaris after Sejukgheim was a

an Nebulos but they lacked one thing that kept the

him on the balcony which overlooks the snow mountains," She ins

owed before her as

d her on the balcony, their clo

or Asghavia before nightfall, so why have y

at is ours," She said curtly, diving strai

ally, everything was com

r father proud. Where di

in A

ke it in time for the engagement and-"Chief Tophe

d out?" He asked, taking

did," Nerina shrugged, wondering

esponse, Chief Toph

gravity of the situation?" He sa

r, he slapped Neri

step. She held her reddened cheek as tea

ot raise you to make stupid decisions, Nerina!" He bellowed,

ked shakily as she brought her hand

ant, and dumb. For years, she had worked tirelessly to fu

this, he never seemed to be

your maid? A maid! You didn't even send one of the many spies at our disposal to do

ather's flaming blue eyes. Eyes that wer

n't do anything! I even threatened-" Before she could finish try

can be? You might be successful in keeping them on a tight leash a

sed her face, forcing her to lo

d tread lightly with and the most dangerous of them

and no children. Do you think she would think twice about betrayin

w what she was doing and was not going to

oing to be the future empress of this continent. You will not

k. Nerina had never for onc

stake in giving her so m

apologies," He said, tho

ou leave f

he last ship in a disguise

n trust the words of Delia?"

en I would have her head. It just so happens that she values her life. Th

u are right. Make sure you avo

wil

lcony leaving Nerina staring at his r

to glow a bright violet and slowly, her appearance and clot