Chapter 153: Putting the prince in his place.

As everything went wrong on Strax's journey...

A woman was completely caught up in multiple issues... one of which involved an entire continent...

Contrary to expectations, Xenovia was dealing with problems she really didn't want to handle, especially now that she was alone again. Her recent experience with her brother had affected her in a certain way, especially with that Insolent Familiar who had awoken completely just because she wanted to.

Xyn was much more active than usual.

Xenovia was walking through the majestic corridors of the Royal Palace, her footsteps echoing on the polished marble. The walls were adorned with elaborate tapestries, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft light over the space. She was on her way to a meeting with the Prince, who, to her displeasure, was determined to marry her by any means possible.

The prospect of this meeting was like a heavy cloud hanging over her head.

"Are you really going to do this? I'm sure Strax told you not to go." Xyn said, provoking her.

"I can't follow orders from someone who abandoned me without even saying goodbye." Xenovia replied, irritated. When she found out that Strax had left the city, it was too late. And he hadn't even bothered to inform her. She was truly furious, and with her anger and her mission, she ended up having to face the Prince. So at that moment...

"Is this your revenge? So foolish..." Xyn said, laughing at her; after all, it was truly comical how much she was still infatuated with that man...

"It's a shame he's a dragon..." Xyn murmured to herself in a mere moment, while floating invisibly to the outside world; to her, she was nothing more than a spectator now. "Be quiet, insolent." Xenovia said as she approached a door guarded by two soldiers. She took a deep breath and faced the challenge with her head held high...

Upon entering the room, she found the Prince sitting in a chair adorned with golden ornaments, beside his royal advisor, a middle-aged man with a severe expression. The tension in the room was palpable, and Xenovia knew the meeting would be anything but friendly. The Prince, with his arrogant gaze and dominant posture, made no effort to hide his displeasure with the current situation.

"Finally, you arrived, Xenovia. I thought you would continue to ignore my messages," the Prince said with a voice that was a mix of disdain and impatience. "We needed to discuss the marriage situation and your constant evasions." He stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly on the floor. "You cannot simply ignore the expectations we have for the future of our kingdom!"

Xenovia maintained her composure, trying to control her anger and disheartenment. "I have already said that I am occupied with important responsibilities for my family. My focus is on issues that affect everyone's well-being, not political marriages."

Her voice cut through the air like a sharp blade, her words laden with the intensity of accumulated frustration and anger. The Prince was visibly disturbed, his hands trembling as he tried to maintain his composure. The royal advisor, who was in an almost catatonic state of shock, finally managed to compose himself enough to speak.

"I... I would suggest we reconsider..." the advisor stammered, trying to save some face. "Perhaps we should... seek a more peaceful solution to resolve this impasse."

Xenovia remained unshaken. "I've said all I needed to. Any attempt to force an alliance through force or manipulation will only result in more conflict. If you truly wish to negotiate, it will require genuine respect and a more civilized approach." She said more calculatingly, still leaving the negotiation open for one reason... She wants the plans... For what?

To sell to the enemy, of course.

The Prince, now visibly humiliated and with his authority challenged, exchanged glances with the advisor before slowly nodding his head, as if accepting the temporary defeat. "Very well, Xenovia. We'll see what can be done. But this won't be the end of it."

"I wouldn't expect it to be," Xenovia replied, her tone making it clear that she was ready to fight for her principles, no matter the cost. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to."

Xenovia turned and began to leave the room, leaving the Prince and the royal advisor behind her.

As Xenovia walked down the palace corridor, her expression hardened by the tension of the confrontation, Xyn's presence, floating beside her with an ethereal lightness, offered a subtle contrast to the weight of the situation.

"You spoke quite eloquently in there," Xyn commented, his tone laden with a mix of sarcasm and satisfaction. "I thought the Prince was going to faint from fear."

"I had little to lose," Xenovia replied, her voice still tinged with the coldness of the confrontation. Xenovia sighed, her concern for the situation still evident, but relieved by Xyn's presence. "Let's focus on solving the real problems now. The Prince and the royal advisor need to understand that we won't be subjected to any form of manipulation or pressure."

"Certainly," Xyn said, adjusting his position in the air with a graceful gesture. "You might not like it, but I'm starting to think this whole situation has a certain... story to it. And I'm quite the fan of art."

"The Princess in Peril in the clutches of a dirty emperor, but the Legendary Knight saves her and she lives happily ever after." Xyn mocked with disdain. "Of course, you'd be the princess, the real prince the emperor, and the little Strax the legendary knight," Xyn continued, ridiculing the situation with an ironic smile.

"Shut up... Let's go," Xenovia said, continuing on her way.