Chapter 30 Take My Life

• "I can never fall under the influence of my father," I declared, my voice steady, eyes locked with the noble who dared to challenge me. “If I do, you may take my life.”
• My words echoed through the chamber, bold and unwavering. The tension was thick, and the assembled nobles exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring amongst themselves. The power in the room shifted, uncertain but inching in my favor. My heart pounded in my chest, but I wouldn't let it show. My father's shadow loomed large, but I had my own fire. I had to.
• Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the noble—an old, stern man with a furrowed brow—nodded curtly, conceding to my challenge. The others followed suit, though their acceptance was grudging, heavy with the weight of tradition and suspicion.