“No matter what my lord, you mustn’t miss this opportunity! We shall have hold of the empire's first legitimate princess and with that, the perfect hostage for war.” Dolce, famed advisor of the King of Martok spoke.

The king himself, King Maldeevs, a brooding man of dark skin and eyes, sat in his spot unmoved by his words. He was already displeased with the situation, and to find that he must deal with that cursed woman before the ceremony was an insult to his honor. Whatever this meeting was for, whether she was to beg for her life or his love, he wouldn't be swayed.

But the king was unprepared for what kind of girl she was, and what she possessed. 

And without a moment to spare the large doors opened.

There stood Kalisto a white blouse, black riding pants, and solid boots adorning her. Her hair was tied up, and an expression of stoicism was on her face. The king's eyes widened. 

“What in the world is she wearing!”

“How uncivilized…”

“My lord,” Dolce said aghast. Stepping forward he shouted.

“This is unbelievable! Do you intend to mock the great King of Martok!?” He said, and Kalisto responded.

“Silence.”

In that moment it was not a meek princess trying to be tough that was before them-it was the incarnation of the emperor himself.

The king who swore not to be moved spoke.

“You truly are His Majesty’s daughter.”

“That is correct. This meeting is for us, not these lower beings.” Kalistos's eyes were sharper than usual, and her gait befitting a noble that had been raised in high society from birth. “I will speak to King Maldeevs alone.”

“What-!” Came from the advisor.

“Dolce. You all shall leave us.”

“My lord…”

Turning to his companion the king was firm.

“I will not be repeating myself, Dolce.”

“I-I understand, my lord.”

Soon the delegation left the room, with his advisor looking back at the princess. For once, he felt unsure of an outcome involving his ruler.

Looking up at her, the king began.

“If you are here to beg-”

“Beg?”

A chill ran down Maldeevs spine as he looked her in the eyes.

“I am not here to beg. Not for my life, or your love-not even for the peace between our people.”  She stood there staring him down. “What is going to happen now is a show of truth.”

“A show of truth?”

“That is right. King Maldeevs, I challenge you to a duel.”

“A duel…” The king despite his shock seemed deep in thought. After a moment he looked back at her. “And what makes you think I would agree?”

“Why, Your Highness, your kingdom's survival depends on it.”

With a nervous glance, he met her gaze. He didn’t expect her to be such a woman.

“Then so be it.” The people of Martok would never turn down a battle.

Despite the large open space of the duel hall, the air inside was stifling. High ceilings made of arches, dirt ground, and cold stone walls. The simple design was not made to handle people of this caliber. 

The reason it was integral to avoid war with the Martok Kingdom was due to their pure strength. Raised from birth for battle, even a single person from his delegation would have the ability to decimate ten imperial soldiers. And their king was the strongest of them all, the King of Carnage.

Scrambling to see what was going on his delegates piled into the hall. Those who had been tending to the area before our arrival stood along the walls. It was only a matter of time before the news reached the emperor.

‘And I must finish this before that happens.’

While Warren and I have sparred, this situation was to be on a different level. I am going to fight against someone who has killed and waged war successfully, without remorse. It will be a battle on the brink.

“Your Highness Kalisto, I do not intend to treat you differently due to status or gender.”

“Good. I would be gravely wounded if you did so.” Assuming a defensive stance everything froze as we locked eyes.

The first attack was the king.

‘Left shoulder.’

Seeing the attack, I barely dodged it. The pressure slicing my shoulder open.

Making eye contact I went straight for his face.

He attempted a backstep. I slammed my foot on his and held him in place. Lifting his hand he caught my fist with a horrible crack resonating between us.

With a pained grin on his face, he chuckled.

“You’re stronger than I thought.”

I smiled.

“Right back at you.”

Pushing my weight forward I lifted my foot.

Redirecting my hand he jumped back and adjusted his stance. I was on him immediately.

We traded blows back and forth until I saw an opening. He knew I saw it as his eyes widened. He was too late.

Swinging towards his left eye, I angled my body against his. At that distance, he didn’t have time to block.

With him trying to evade, I clipped the side of his head, slicing right through his eye. The crowd gasped. With that blow, it was over, and I could tell he was about to concede.

I grabbed him by the collar and lifted him as he tried to regain his senses. His breathing was heavy and eye-darting. It settled on me.

“Maldeevs. While this battle may have seemed simple on the outside, I know you sensed my truth. The fact I was holding back, and the true, bottomless strength I possess.” I started whispering with a sharp edge, so close I could feel the heat of his blood. “If you take me to your kingdom, you will not have a hostage, but a bomb. One set to go off when you least expect it. I will kill your wives, and your children, and bring their bodies before you. The land will be red with blood and your kingdom will cease to exist…This is the truth I impart unto you. I am the empire's strongest and most dangerous weapon.”

I let him go, and he collapsed.

“I-” He attempted to speak as his aides rushed to his side to tend to his wounds.

It was at this moment my father burst into the hall.

“Kalisto Andromeda!” My father's voice rang through the hall. As he approached, multiple nobles from his council behind him, I bowed.

“Your Majesty, father, I have solved the conflict with the Martok Kingdom, as you wished.”

“What?” The sound of the council members reached my ears, their confusion evident.

King Maldeevs now stood. The bleeding had been stopped and the blood cleared from his face. He stood tall and faced the emperor.

“I will be withdrawing my tropes from the border.”

My father, stunned into a moment of silence, opened his mouth as if to speak, and then closed it, considering Maldeevs words.

The king, seeing this expression, put his hand on the emperor's shoulder.

“You have a most wonderful daughter, Aldric. I believe it wise to marry her to a man whose strength matches hers. That is my only condition to withdraw, and I assure you it is a deal that will benefit you, too.” He smiled, tired from the battle.

My father glanced at me with an expression of disbelief, met the eyes of King Maldeevs, and then bowed his head and closed his eyes.

“I understand. It shall be so.”