As the Third Prince of the Phoenix Empire, Kaelan Phoenix, asked Emperor Cassius Leon to explain what he meant, the old ruler merely leaned back against his chair and smiled.
The golden candlelight dancing across the room reflected faintly in his aged eyes, making them appear far sharper than they had any right to be for a man who had ruled for more than eight decades.
Instead of answering directly, he took his time sipping the wine before him as though discussing the future of nations was no different from discussing tomorrow's weather.
"What do you think of my granddaughter, Princess Scarlett? You met her yesterday. I believe both of you are a good match."
The moment those words entered his ears, Kaelan's expression almost stiffened.
A certain image of Scarlett's instantly surfaced within his mind.
A young woman clad in heavy knight armor, carrying a sword larger than her.
A blood-soaked battlefield.
