The streets were restless.Even with so few people moving through the territory, the noise they made was enough to stir real unrest. Voices overlapped, hurried footsteps echoed through the narrow alleys, and wary glances emerged from every corner.
I walked beneath a dark cloak that concealed my face and most of my body. The reason for that was obvious.
Liss walked beside me, dressed simply, like any other local. It had been her idea. Drawing less attention, she said, would reduce the chances of hostility—or outright attacks—from the people.
Even so, the tension in the air was impossible to ignore.
That territory wasn't merely abandoned.It was uneasy.
We reached the heart of the small demonstration. Lygni stood alone at the front of the crowd.
"We don't want a bastard here!" many of them shouted, their voices filled with fury.
Lygni, on the other hand, showed nothing but clear boredom. Her gaze drifted across the faces before her as if none of them deserved her attention.
"Why did the king send that useless man here?" a voice yelled."We won't accept him ruling this territory!"
It seemed Aether's approval was even lower than I had imagined.
"The king sent him, so it is his duty to rule," Lygni replied, her voice steady."And who are you to question the king's authority?"
She placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
Metal rang sharply as the blade slid partway from its sheath.
"This is mutiny against the king's order."
Her expression was serious—no, there was something in it that bordered on murderous.
It was time to intervene, before someone died and my approval fell beyond the negative—if such a thing was even possible.
I moved forward, forcing my way through the crowd with some difficulty, feeling their stares weigh heavily on me, until I reached Lygni.
"I think that's enough for now," I said, resting my hand over the sword.
She looked at me for a brief moment… then slowly sheathed the blade.
I turned to face the people, who now watched me in silence, a mix of curiosity and hostility in their eyes.
Slowly, I removed my cloak.
Revealing my face.
The crowd grew even more agitated once they saw me.I had a long road ahead.
"People of Valenreach," I said loudly."I know my past condemns me, and that my actions cast suspicion upon me."
My voice remained firm.
"But I stand before you to propose an agreement."
For the first time, the crowd seemed interested. Silence spread.
"What kind of agreement?" asked an elderly man. Judging by the simplicity of his clothes, he likely worked the fields.
"The agreement I propose is this," I said."If, in one year, this territory shows no prosperity—or if it worsens—I will be subject to the Law of Dishonor."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"And what is that law?" the same man asked.
It seemed the simplicity of these people went far beyond their clothing.
"The Law of Dishonor means punishment," I explained."If I fail to fulfill my promise, I will be judged by you."
I looked around, meeting every gaze.
"On this same date, one year from now, if you decide that I have failed…"
I gestured toward Lygni.
"She will be allowed to run me through with her sword. I will die before you."
Lygni shot me a sharp look of disapproval. She was about to protest, but I raised my hand, stopping her.
"Do we have an agreement?"
Faces showed disbelief, fear, and doubt.
"I wish to govern justly and honorably," I continued."But if I fail, you may end me. There will be no blood guilt upon this people."
"Do we have an agreement?" I asked again.
The same elderly man stepped forward.
"Is this truly necessary?" he asked."Why would you go so far?"
"Noble sir," I replied, holding his gaze,"I do this to prove that I am worthy of governing you—and of leading this territory to prosperity."
The crowd fell silent.
The man extended his hand toward me.
It was a clear sign.
From that moment on, I might have had no more than one year left to live.