Priam stood over me, both hands clamped around his nose, head tilted back to stem the blood. Andryr had called the duel the moment my skull collided with his face. Disgusted gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by low murmurs, every one of them aimed squarely at me. Edward stayed silent. I could never read him, not before, and certainly not now. Elara was easier; worry sat plainly across her face.

It was obvious she wanted to rush into the arena and fuss over Priam. She’d scold me for hurting her precious golden child, and then, without fail, I’d get smothered with the same coddling. 

The thought alone sent goosebumps down my arms.

Thankfully, noble "etiquette" kept her from rushing in and making a scene.

 It was that same "etiquette" that robbed me of the win.

"Due to young master Lior’s shameful conduct, Priam is the victor of today’s duel," Andryr had announced moments earlier.

Only a few bothered to clap; they either realized I’d actually won or were too stunned by the show I’d given them.

It was the latter.

The nobles had begun drifting out of the arena, conversations low and scattered, when Priam, his nose now packed and no longer dripping, walked toward me. Pain tightened his features, but he held himself with the same practiced dignity as normal.

"Lior," he said, voice level

He wouldn’t risk anything stupid in front of Edward. 

The remaining nobles noticed his approach and fell silent, their attention now on us.

I braced as he stopped in front of me.

"Good duel, Lior."

He bent his knees, clearly intending to crouch to my height again.

"Are you really going to crouch in front of me?" I asked, more baffled than anything.

He winced, half from the pain, half from the memory. "Ha… planning to headbutt me again?"

"No."

That seemed enough reassurance. He lowered himself fully and extended a hand toward me.

"The win is yours," he said quietly. "I shouldn’t have gone so soft on you."

I shook his hand.

He makes it really hard to be upset with him.

Standing up, he patted me on the shoulder and hobbled his way out of the arena with Andryr by his side. Elara followed soon after.

Soon, the room was empty aside from me and Edward.

Still as unreadable as ever.

"Lior."

"Y-yes, father?"

A stutter. Why do I still stutter? Five years of this, and yet standing in his presence still tightens something in my chest.

"Come, stand next to me, son."

I didn’t hesitate. I stepped quickly to his side, looking out over the arena. 

Edward’s hand settled on my shoulder.

"You know Priam’s role as heir of the house, yes? You understand that position is beyond your reach?"

"Yes, father."

"I raised him to be the perfect heir. His skill will surpass my own."

 "With Minos, I focused on supporting Priam, shaping him into a tactician, a politician, someone who could cover what Priam alone could not."

He paused.

"You… I’m still unsure where you fit into the puzzle, Lior. Your talents are varied, yet I can’t seem to find where you belong."

His hand tightened slightly on my shoulder.

"So. Tell me, what is it that you want, Lior?"

What do I want? I don’t even know. Why is he asking his five-year-old son that question? I barely remember being twelve, let alone five.

Revenge? Even if that was the truth, I couldn’t say it.

 Wealth? I’m already drowning in it.

 What did I lack before? What do I need now to survive?

"I want to learn, Father."

He looked down at me, his grip easing.

"Learn what exactly, Lior?"

"Everything."

A sudden, booming laugh burst out of Edward.

I flinched before I could stop myself.

In two lifetimes, I had never heard him laugh. Not on the battlefield. Not at home. I doubted Priam or Minos had ever heard it either.

"Everything," he repeated, amusement crackling at the edges of the word. "Gluttonous, aren’t you?"

The laugh died fast; it might as well have never happened. His face smoothed back into that cold, unreadable expression he normally carries.

"The duel told me enough," Edward said. "Your answer even more."

His hand remained heavy on my shoulder.

"If Priam is the light of Ascelyn," he said quietly, "and Minos its shadow…"

His fingers tightened.

"…then you will be the blade."