This was news to him. Damon had no idea such a rule even existed, let alone that it was still being enforced.
Though, for all the years the Valtheron Empire had stood, there had truly never been a marriage between the imperial family and any of the grand duchies.
The question was why.
Luckily for him, he had Abellona of Valtheron right here. If anyone would know, it was the third princess—especially since she was vulnerable now.
"Why would it be… what agreement?"
Abellona hugged her arms around her body. Despite how hot she felt, her breath was dry. Even so, she forced herself to speak, trying to distract herself from the smooth sound of Damon's voice in her ears.
"The empire was formed near the end of the First Epoch… so you could say it's as old as the temple. But in the past two hundred thousand years, it has taken on different forms. The dynasties have changed…"
She paused, closing her eyes as her voice dropped into a whisper.
