Seeing the complicated expression on his face, Kiara spoke again, her tone reassuring rather than triumphant.
"Please don't misunderstand me, Your Majesty. I am neither unreasonable nor greedy. I have no desire to exploit you." She smiled warmly. "But traditions exist for a reason. I am not sure about Leon's customs, but from where I grew up, in the Phoenix Empire, when a woman marries into another household, the bride's family prepares a dowry. And surely… the dowry of an Imperial Princess should be worthy of her status."
The Emperor slowly rubbed his forehead. After several long moments, he looked up at her.
"If you have brought this matter up… then I assume you already know what you want." He gave a helpless, almost amused smile. "You may speak plainly. What should the dowry be?"
Kiara laughed softly — a light, genuine sound that somehow made the tension in the room both sharper and stranger.
