Sneak peek

"Are they children of nobles?" Your mother nods to the guards behind Lord Marin.

"No. But they are good fighters."

"I know. I've seen them training together with others of your guards. Young, loyal." Your mother's smile fades, and she looks at them over Lord Marin's shoulder. "Could they give us a moment alone?"

Lord Marin furrows his brow, smoking his cigar before taking it from his lips, letting the smoke drift towards your mother, but she barely flinches. "Why?" His tone was curious, but you could see caution in his eyes as much as curiosity.

"Send them out and you'll find out."

The lord falls silent but gestures for the soldiers to leave. They hesitate for a moment, looking at you and your mother before stepping away, walking to the door, where soldiers opened the doors and they passed into the corridor. The Darian soldiers who opened the doors also passed, right behind them, and closed the doors. Precaution.

Lord Marin sniffs and looks at you both. "So?"

Your mother's smile returns, but you wouldn't like this kind if you were in Lord Marin's place. "You know, I've always found the breeding chambers incredible. You just put two blood samples from two different people and voila, you have a child. Fascinating indeed. But as important as blood is, it takes more than that. I also find it a beautiful coincidence that young Ingrid had and lost a child shortly after the process in the chambers was completed, three months later. Am I correct?"

"Yes." He narrows his eyes.

"You know, what fascinates me the most is that it's a surprise you managed to afford the price for such a process. Your house isn't one of the richest, although it has an important location on the border. Oh, no offense." You furrow your brow slightly, looking between them. What is she implying... Your mother tilts her head to the side. "I met one of the elementals who works in the breeding chambers, he was quite friendly. He said you were quite generous with the ingredients for such a feat. Elidur, his name, right?"

There was silence. Lord Marin's expression changed, with lips pursed in a grinding of teeth and a tight grip on the arms of the armchair, such that his pale knuckles appeared even more.

"What do you want?" The tone of his voice was both angry and desperate.

///

"This shouldn't be happening," you say, watching incredulously at the interference.

Your mother blinks. "No. It shouldn't..."

"Serah!" The king shouts.

"No!" Your mother also does, and you look astonished as the princess raises both hands to Lord Campos, who widens his eyes.