She looked at Duke Romian. "Are you willing to accept that obligation?"
He hesitated. Then nodded. "Yes. If you die, I'll honor your commitment. Though I'd prefer you survive and do it yourself."
"Agreed." Elara turned back to the delegation. "Those are my terms. I commit to your freedom, but we execute strategically. Build strength first, announce when we're ready, fight the civil war from position of maximum advantage. Does that work?"
The wolf knight read through what she'd written. His hands shook slightly.
"You're really promising this. Legally binding commitment."
"Yes."
"Why? You don't even feel emotions. You said so at the Medical Council evaluation. So why risk civil war for people you don't emotionally care about?"
Elara considered how to explain.
