Princess Doubles Down

[IsabellaRose]

"If your king is wise," you say, voice measured, even, "he will see the advantage in this." You hold your ground, even as he steps closer, his shadow falling over you like a noose tightening. The weight of his presence is oppressive, but you do not falter. You have his attention, and that is power.

His fingers graze the hilt of his dagger, but you refuse to acknowledge the threat. You will not show fear.

"You have already won the battle," you continue, keeping your voice steady, authoritative, the way your father once spoke in court. "But if you kill me, the war is far from over."

The knight raises a brow, intrigued but skeptical. "Is that so?"

"You know it is," you press. "There will be rebellion, resistance, blood spilled for years. The nobles loyal to my house will never kneel. They will hide, regroup, strike from the shadows. Your armies will be bled dry fighting ghosts that refuse to surrender." You step forward, just slightly, challenging him with your words. "But if I live—if I stand beside your king—those same nobles will have no choice but to accept him as their sovereign."

His jaw tightens, and you see the conflict in his eyes. He knows you’re right.

"A bloodless victory," you say softly, driving the point home. "An empire won not through slaughter, but unity. That is what your king truly wants, isn’t it? To rule, not simply destroy."

Silence stretches between you, thick as smoke. Then, he exhales, lips pressing into something thoughtful, reluctant. He hates that you have a point, but he doesn’t deny it. Instead, he tilts his head, studying you as though he’s never truly seen you before. The look is unnerving, as though he’s trying to strip you bare with his gaze alone.

When he finally speaks, his voice is lower, softer, but no less dangerous. "If I take you to my king, what assurance do I have that you will play your part?" His smirk returns, colder now, calculated. "What stops you from driving a dagger into his heart the moment you are close enough?" His fingers still hover near his own dagger, waiting.

Your next words could seal your fate.

• If you tell him he can search you to make sure you have no weapon, click here.
• If you tell him you will swear fealty to his king, click here <link forthcoming>
• If you offer a different bargain, one that makes you valuable not just as a political tool, but as something more… personal, click here <link forthcoming>

 

Edited Thursday at 04:37 PM by IsabellaRose