Page 8 of Warrior Princess
“Nice of you to join us,” Chief Aryan muttered under his breath as his gaze trailed toward me. “This is Crimson Clan business. What isshedoing here?”
“Wherever I go, she goes,” Ronan countered firmly. “And since this is only possible because of her, I suggest you let her stay.”
As Chief Aryan grumbled and redirected his attention to the Keldarans, Ronan and I took our places behind the elders, tuning into the ongoing discussion.
“Why are we here, Aryan?” one of the Keldaran delegates spoke up. He had fair skin and chestnut-colored hair, curly on top with the sides shaved close—likely a military man, given his rigid posture and direct gaze. “The deal is that you produce the tributes, and we bring you war horses and weapons.”
“We no longer have a deal, General Thomas,” Chief Aryan replied coldly. “You can tell your king that I want to renegotiate.”
The general scoffed dismissively. “Aryan, this is not a negotiation. Your people are weak without us. You would do well to think carefully about your next steps.”
“I already have,” Chief Aryan declared, a steely edge to his voice. “We’re no longer as weak as we once were. You see… we’ve awakened the demon fox, and he has restored our people’s powers. So, I suggestyouthink very carefully aboutyournext steps.”
The man laughed heartily, openly dismissive of Chief Aryan’s daring claims. “You think that’ll be enough? Goodness, Aryan, I didn't think you werethatnaïve! One man cannot change—”
“Man?” a powerful voice interrupted from behind the cloth door. Pushing past it, Shiro entered with a commanding presence. “I am no mere man. I am a god!”
The room fell into stunned silence as everyone held their breath at Shiro's bold declaration. Even I was momentarily taken aback. I’d never truly considered him in the light ofdivinity, even as intwined as our fates were. Technically he was a demon, but his stature was indeed akin to that of a god, a fact now recognized by all those in the room, including the Keldarans.
General Thomas stood abruptly, and his entourage rose in unison. “What is this?” he demanded, his voice a mix of confusion and defiance. “Is this a threat?”
Shiro shook his head and laughed, the sound resonating with chilling confidence. “No threat; just a warning. The moon goddess stopped me once before when I planned to lay waste to your lands in one blow. But she is no longer here to stop me.”
The general’s face flushed deep red and he balled his hands into fists as he toggled his gaze between Shiro and Chief Aryan. The tension was painfully palpable as the stakes of the confrontation escalated with each exchanged word.
With unwavering resolve, the general addressed Chief Aryan with a steely gaze. “I will not be responsible for telling King Eduard that you are breaking our treaty as well as threatening our lives. If you wish to make such a bold claim, you will need to send a representative yourself to make it!” His eyes flicked sharply towards Shiro.
Chief Aryan responded with a derisive scoff. “You think I'd be so foolish as to put more of my people at risk by sending you a delegate? If war is what you want, then war is what you'll—”
Unable to bear the escalating conflict, I stepped forward and descended the steps to the center of the hall with Ronan's anxious call trailing behind me. “No!” I interjected loudly, halting their verbal duel. “This can be peacefully negotiated.” I turned to address General Thomas directly. “There must be something that Keldara needs besides tributes. I've seen the abundance of crops growing here in the Grasslands. Perhaps, instead of people, they could provide—”
“Who the hell are you?” the general interrupted brusquely, cutting me off mid-sentence. His eyes lingered on the crescent moon birthmark on my forehead.
Behind me, Chief Aryan let out a sly chuckle. “This, General Thomas, is Princess Lyanna of Valoria.”
General Thomas's eyes lit up with renewed interest as he sized me up, his gaze unsettlingly intense. I met his look with a defiant glare.
“You didn’t tell me there was royalty present,” General Thomas remarked with a cunning grin, his tone shifting. “And from Valoria, no less.”
Ronan quickly positioned himself in front of me to shield me from the general’s probing eyes. “Readjust your eyes, General,” he growled protectively.
The general laughed off the comment. “Apologies! I was so captivated by her beauty that I must have lost my manners.” He turned his attention back to Chief Aryan. “It seems you have the perfect representative amongst you. Who better than a neutral party to negotiate for your people? Why not send the princess in your stead?”
“No!” Ronan and Shiro exclaimed almost simultaneously as they stepped forward.
“Wait a moment…” Chief Aryan eyed me with a calculating smirk. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Father!” Ronan protested, but Chief Aryan silenced him with a raised hand.
“Princess Lyanna, what do you say? Would you like to help our people once again?” Chief Aryan’s cold crimson eyes pierced mine, daring me to refuse.
Ronan turned to me and gripped my shoulders. “No, Leila. You don’t have to do a single thing. You’ve done enough already!” he whispered urgently. “You gave your life for my people. That’s more than enough. Don’t listen to my—”
“Ronan—” I started, but Shiro approached us, his presence imposing.
“He is right,” Shiro firmly interjected. “While your valor is much appreciated, do not get further involved in Crimson Clan matters. Ronan, take her—”
“Why? Why do you care?” I challenged, my gaze locked with Shiro’s.
