Earlier

“Bronwynn, that was amazing!” I chose that moment to pop a mana potion and a health potion.

“Thank you.” Brownie swung the manacles around deftly then threw them on the ground. She gave the flautist a scathing look. “I can’t believe I went with him on a water break. He played so nicely, too. What a disgrace to the arts! I should get his flute and stick it up hi—”

There was a cough, and I turned to face the only other person left. Knight Commander Havork smiled sadly from his horse. My breath caught in my throat, and I found myself lost again.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered.

I didn’t understand why. Why hadn’t he just freed me himself? Why had he worked with the slave traders? Why had he just sat there?

“I don’t need to understand. Thank you for the keys. Speaking of which . . .” Brownie squatted and started rummaging through the flautist’s clothes. She pulled out a pouch and two rolled-up scrolls. “Loot!”

Brownie saw that I just standing there, staring at my mentor, and headed for the carriage. “How about I just go get the boy while you talk?”

“I’m sorry Henri—Henrietta.” Havork swung off his horse and faced me. Slowly, he approached and lowered to one knee. With intent, he drew his sword and stabbed it into the earth. I flinched. That was not the way to treat a blade.

He drew a deep breath. “It may have been my duty to train you . . . but from the first step you took on the field, I have watched you. I have seen you face trials and tribulations and walk away head held high. I know how hard you struggled to do what was right, even when you fought against the darkness and your own fears. And as I breathe, you have grown into a strong, worthy, and benevolent ruler; more worthy than any other in Drendil. I am proud to have walked with you, and I am proud to have called you my princess.”

He smiled up at me, and a fierce determination filled his voice. “Which is why I have no regrets breaking my sworn oath to my king, for what use is wielding a blade for a man I do not respect? I decided that day at the bridge that I would no longer be a puppet in childish games.” He let go of the sword and bowed low, touching one fist to the ground. “I will accept whatever punishment you wish to bestow, for as an [Oath Breaker], I have nothing left to lose.”

I stared at the knight with wide eyes.

[Oath Breaker]. A paladin’s oath to their god or to their liege was the foundation of their power. It was far worse than a [Bond Breaker] title, and it reduced all stats to ten. When Havork had taken my side at the bridge, he’d broken his oath, and he’d done it for me.

He didn’t free me today because he couldn’t. With his Oath Breaker debuff, he was essentially powerless. At that point, it was better for me if he just waited on the sidelines.

I stepped forward and hugged him without permission. He stiffened, looking up at me with surprise. Jokingly, I asked, “As for punishment . . . have you ever visited the Dark Lord’s dungeon?”

...

Brownie stole—borrowed the slave traders’ horses and rode back to Grand Duchess Calisto’s palace while I ran a safe distance ahead to avoid any reaction to the beast.

We’d decided that Havork would remain at the scene, and I would send him a clean up crew. The kitchen boy had woken up while I was downing a mana potion from my ring, and I didn’t bother to stop him as he immediately made his escape into the night.

A spy in North Sumbria wasn’t my problem, thought I would politely inform the duchess and let her sort out her staff.

It took almost an hour for the horse to make it back.

We let the city gate guards know about the defeated slavers before heading straight for the palace.

Grand Duchess Calisto was there to meet us at the same place I’d rolled in with Keith that first day. She must have heard from the city guard. Sunset was just falling, and the shadows only accentuated the bright lights and festive sounds coming from the ballroom.

“Princess, I’m so glad to see you’re safe.” The grand duchess swept forward to greet me, taking my hands into hers. “We were all so worried when you disappeared.”

She led us inside after reassuring me that her people were on route to pick up Havork.

“I’m sorry for taking you away from the party because of a few slave traders,” I apologized.

“And I’m sorry that you were kidnapped and enslaved at my party,” the duchess said dryly.

We were brought to a beautiful office, ornate and classically styled. There was a grand desk with a small seating area in front of it. A couch and some chairs were pulled up around a small table that had hot tea and some snacks. Including a cut up cinnamon bun. I took a seat on the couch and waited for Keith to join us. Brownie and Calisto chose to sit in the chairs.

I took an appreciative sip of rosehip tea and picked up a stick, skewering a bite-sized piece of the gooey soft treat. “Can I just say, whoever it is that’s been sharing North Sumbrian food with the rest of us is my hero? I’d love to meet them before we go home.”

Brownie made appreciative noises, and I set aside a bun for Keith. I hoped he’d get here soon.

“I’d also like to meet them.” Duchess Calisto grimaced. “And then I would shake them silly and fine them for all the problems they’ve caused me.”

“Wait, what?” I put down my teacup.

“It’s just as I said.” The duchess frowned at the cinnamon bun on my stick. “Someone has been spreading all of these amazing foods across the continent, and I don’t know if it’s on purpose, but everyone assumes it started here. I’ve been dealing with famous chefs and cooks, entitled royals, and even adventuring parties coming to North Sumbria looking for the origins of it all.”

Brownie leaned forward and took a second piece. “I’m not surprised. Ramen is probably my favorite thing to eat after my own mother’s rhubarb crumble.”

“And that doesn’t take into account the dueling, which was barely used before someone started talking about it all across Valaria!” Our hostess rubbed her temple delicately, reminding me of Keith. “Now, everybody and their human is running around dueling. Not to mention everyone accrediting us with fashion, hairstyles, and more! ‘It’s all the rage in North Sumbria’ my left foot!”

As the entire picture fell into place, I marveled. “With your duchy being our continent’s center of the arts, it’s easy to assume these things originated here . . . but why?”

“The gods only know.” The duchess sighed.

As I thought about duels, my mind wandered back to Keith. “I’m sorry for changing the topic so suddenly, but after the marquess kidnapped me, I haven’t had a chance to reconnect with Keith. You’ve summoned him yes—”

“The marquess? He’s still upstairs under guard and hasn’t moved all evening.” Duchess Calisto frowned. “We thought you’d been taken by your parents.”

“What? Why?!” I stood up. If Marquess Dorset was upstairs, then I had a bone to pick with him. With the council meeting tomorrow it was almost worth the [Bond Breaker] title. That reminded me; at some point, I would need to request an audience.

They would also need to know that I was going to marry Keith Monfort, Dark Magician King of Nilheim—and no one was going to stop me.

“Because they went missing shortly after you did . . .” The duchess hesitated. “And so did King Keith. The last I heard, he confronted them in their rooms and hasn’t been seen since-”

A knock on the door made everyone turn. A familiar face met mine—Gerda the Bridge Troll.

She was panting as she gasped out, “I know where the Dark Lord is.”