"Honestly, how could you mess up the plan that much?" Solomon asked, his tone exasperated.

"I panicked when he said my name..." I was sitting in a corner, hugging my knees and covering my face.

When we talked to the king more, I found out how I became the princess's fiancé. My father knew the king, which I guess made sense since he was the original leader of my organization. I do wonder how he kept that a secret.

"How could I get married... Solomon, was this the wife you were talking about?"

"That's not important right now," he replied. "We need a plan on how she can trust you."

Oh yeah, the princess had told her father that she didn't want to get married, so she was using our "engagement" as an excuse to avoid other suitors.

"Why the hell would she agree to marry me, though? Wait, I don't want to marry her either! But we need to get on the king's good side, so how do we do it?"

Solomon rubbed his temples, thinking. "We need to meet with the princess directly. If she's using the engagement as an excuse, she might be open to an alliance without the marriage if she trusts you."

Lyra nodded in agreement. "If we can explain the situation and offer her something she values more than the engagement, it might work."

"What could she possibly value more than avoiding marriage?" I asked, feeling a bit hopeless.

"Freedom and control over her own fate," Solomon said. "If we can guarantee that aligning with us will grant her more autonomy, she might see it as a better option."

"And how do we guarantee that?" I asked.

"We offer her a role in our alliance, something significant enough that she'll feel empowered," Solomon suggested. "We'll need to understand her motivations and what she wants."

"That sounds... tricky," I admitted.

"It is," Solomon agreed, "but it's our best shot. We'll arrange a meeting with her. Lyra, see if you can gather any information on the princess's interests and goals."

Lyra nodded and left the room to start her task.

Solomon turned back to me. "Artorian, this is crucial. You'll need to be honest and genuine with her. Show her that you're not just another suitor but someone who respects her autonomy and can offer her something valuable."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

I sighed, standing up from my corner. "I'll do my best. For the sake of the alliance."

"Good," Solomon said. "We'll prepare for the meeting. Just remember, honesty and respect will be our key strategies."

With that, the plan was set in motion. We had to hope that the princess would see the potential in an alliance and choose freedom over the engagement.

***

When Lyra came back with more information, she said that the princess was mostly studying magic and summoning circles.

We talked as we headed to her laboratory, with both Solomon and Lyra beside me. "You'll have to go alone," Solomon said.

"What? Why? I don't want to go alone," I protested.

"Good luck, Master," Lyra said, offering me a reassuring smile.

I took a deep breath and went inside the room. There was a wall covered in books about magic, and in the middle of the room was a cauldron. A woman sat at a desk, writing something. She looked like she was in her 20s.

"Princess Fate, I'd like to speak to you about something," I said.

The princess turned to me, her expression showing mild irritation. "What is it? I'm quite busy with my studies."

I fiddled with the hem of my skirt, feeling nervous. "I'd like your hand in marriage."

She scoffed. "My apologies, but I'm already engaged to someone."

"That's the thing... we are engaged," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

She chuckled, clearly not believing me. "Artorian Goldenheart is a man. There's no way you, a woman, are him."

"Well, you see, I'm wearing a ring that changes my gender," I explained.

Her face turned a bit pale. "Huh?"

I took a step closer, hoping to convince her. "I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true. I needed to disguise myself to gain an audience with you and your father."

She studied me for a moment, her expression a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "If what you say is true, then prove it. Remove the ring."

I hesitated but then decided that honesty was the best policy. I took off the ring, feeling the familiar sensation of my body changing back to its original form. The dress loosened as my figure shifted, and I stood before her as a man once more.

Her eyes widened in shock. "It really is you... Artorian Goldenheart."

"Yes," I said, relieved that she finally believed me. "And I'm here to discuss our engagement and what it means for both of us." I said putting the ring back on.

She seemed to collect herself, taking a deep breath. "Alright, you have my attention. What do you want to discuss?"

"I understand that you're using our engagement as an excuse to avoid other suitors," I began. "I don't want to force you into anything you don't want. But our alliance is crucial for both our kingdoms."

"And what do you propose?" she asked, her tone more serious now.

"I propose that we find a way to work together without the need for marriage," I said. "You value your autonomy and studies, and I respect that. Perhaps we can form an alliance based on mutual respect and shared goals. We could support each other in our endeavors, and I can offer my help in your magical research and summoning circles."

She considered my words, her expression thoughtful. "That... might be possible. If we can find common ground and a way to benefit both of us, then perhaps we don't need to go through with the marriage."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "Exactly. Let's work together as allies and equals."

Princess Fate smiled slightly, a glimmer of interest in her eyes. "Very well, Artorian. Let's see what we can achieve together."

We talked for a bit more before Princess Fate's curiosity got the better of her. "Might I ask, if that ring makes you into a woman, what does the other one do?" she said, pointing at the other ring on my hand.

"Ah, this one hides my beauty," I explained. I was born with an attractive face, and so were my siblings. Lilith made us wear rings that use a spell to hide it.

"May I see you without it?" she asked, her eyes intrigued.

I nodded and took off the ring. As soon as I did, I noticed her face turning a bit red. "My, it seems you can steal any woman you want," she said with a slight blush.

I chuckled. "It's more trouble than it's worth sometimes."

We continued our conversation, trying to find a mutually beneficial solution. "So, since we both don't want to marry each other, here's the deal," she proposed. "You will be able to find a second wife, and I'll be able to use our marriage as an excuse to stay single. Deal?"

"Deal," I agreed, and we shook hands to seal the agreement.

As I left the room, a weight lifted off my shoulders. Solomon and Lyra were waiting outside, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

"How did it go?" Solomon asked.

"Better than expected," I said with a smile. "We've come to an understanding. We'll maintain the engagement as a formality, but it won't interfere with either of our lives."

"That's good to hear," Lyra said, visibly relieved. "So, what's next?"

"We'll continue with our mission," I said. "But now we have the support of Princess Fate and, indirectly, the king of Brimstone. That should make our path a bit smoother."

Solomon nodded in approval. "Well done, Artorian. Now let's prepare for the next step of our journey."

Our next task will be the assassination of the future hero.