While some of the finely dressed ladies, who had thrown themselves at every man they could find, now stood neatly beside their chosen ones.
Valeria pressed her lips together.
I'm against violence, she thought.
But if I didn't have an older brother, some of these lords and barons would vanish from the map along with their entire families.
All that flattering.
All that chasing.
And in the end, it was always about money. About titles. About a "granary" that promised security.
Stay calm, Valeria.
Too many thoughts only ruin your character.
Better to talk.
That was more fun anyway.
At least then people could hear her gentle voice instead of just her sharp comments.
She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped into the carriage.
"Grandfather," she said politely, bowing her head slightly.
She would have loved to hug him. Tight. Like she used to.
But she kept her composure.
There were people around.
And one simply didn't do that.
Even if one wanted to.
Just as Valeria had taken her seat, a voice rang out from outside.
Louder than it should have been.
"Look at that," a young baron called mockingly. "Our little herb witch being picked up by her grandpa. No wonder no man can stand her."
For a moment, everything fell silent.
Then an older, well-built warrior stepped out of the carriage. His white hair moved lightly in the wind, his golden eyes flashing dangerously.
"What did you say, boy?" he asked calmly. "Say that again."
His voice was deep. Controlled. And yet there was something in it that made the ground feel cold beneath one's feet.
"Shall I wipe you and your entire family off the map?"
Valeria knew that temper all too well.
"Grandpa," she said calmly, briefly placing her hand on his arm. "Let it go."
She looked over at the baron.
"Did you see his face?" she said dryly. "If I were his king, I'd order a blood ritual just to check whether his parents weren't siblings."
A few people gasped.
"With a face like that, he should be grateful if he manages to marry someone from the knight class at all."
The young baron turned red.
Anger.
Shame.
Wounded pride.
"At least I have someone!" he snapped back. "And besides, your grandfather wouldn't even dare cross our border. I'm a baron of the Earth King!"
He tried to laugh, but it sounded hollow.
"That's all just empty threats."
Valeria's grandfather laughed.
Not loudly.
But deep and amused.
"Well then," he said calmly. "Let's see if your king lets you keep your title once he hears that you publicly insulted his fiancée."
Silence.
The baron froze.
"We'll see each other again, boy."
Then he turned to the coachman.
"To the Glass Palace of Schneeberg."
The carriage began to move.
The old man leaned back, a satisfied smile on his lips as he glanced outside one last time.
And he enjoyed the sight.
The faces at the gate were turning pale.
Very pale.
Because they had just understood what he had said.
His granddaughter…
Had caught the biggest fish of them all.