The fight was set earlier in the morning than Olessia expected. It made fear settled in her chest as she remembered the Queen's threat from the night before. She had already spoken to Prince Jabiaz, trying everything she could to convince him to stop, but he refused to listen.
He told her plainly that the only way he would back out of the fight was if she left with him... if she went to his kingdom willingly.
Olessia felt trapped. No matter which choice she made, someone would get hurt. And the weight of that decision pressed down on her with every passing minute.
But then she remembered what Kaive had told her the days before: "Please, no matter what happens between me and my brother, do not choose leaving me as an option." His words kept echoing in her head, refusing to let her sleep.
So early this morning, she woke up and went to beg Prince Jabiaz again, hoping he would change his mind. But he snapped the moment she opened her mouth.
