Looking into the overweight man's eyes, Cornelia tried to appear as firm and unshaken as possible.

They had barely slept for the past few days. While she and Dietrich maintained the facade of negotiations, her knights and servants gathered evidence of the Anatolians' conspiracy. They were allowed to use any means possible - threats, bribes, loosening one's tongue with drinks, anything to uncover the truth. And fortunately, it didn't take long. Like a hound picking up the trail, Sieg led one group to a small hydroelectric power station. While the river near the capital had dried up, the reservoir behind the power station had been filled to the brim.

"Waiting for the delegation to leave so that you could open the reservoir and start receiving electricity again, did you really think you could keep such a secret?" Her words didn't seem to affect the minister's face.

She decided to speak to him instead of a member of the royal family in the hope of using the pressure of her position. The man looked grumpy, but showed no other signs of fear or distress, unlike the abbot. Cornelia looked at the old man whose head was losing its hair in contrast to his bushy gray beard. The lower lip of God's servant was twitching, he was eager to say something, and the princess thought the words he held back could be considered blasphemous.

The abbot took the papers lying on the table in front of him. He read them thoroughly, while the minister just glanced at them.

"It's a copy. The originals were sent to Castro's capital, and I believe the messenger has already crossed the border. Remembering all our years of cooperation, it would break my heart to involve the Tower in two-sided negotiations," said Cornelia, looking at the minister. The man scoffed.

"Is this a threat?" said the minister, ignoring the abbot's attempt to open his mouth.

"No," answered Cornelia. She could feel how tense the knight became, standing near the door. "Threats are for the Tower to make. Trade embargoes, closing borders and cutting pilgrimage routes, complete blockades... I wonder what they will do to put pressure on the country that breaks the water agreement for their own gain and endangers the lives of thousands of people? You can avoid a scandal and headache by opening the sluice now."

"What are the guarantees that you will not use this evidence in the future?" asked the minister.

"The messenger is instructed to deliver them to the king only if I don't return. If you open the gate and we cross the border, I will give you my word to hand over the original papers to Dame Brennan or any other official you choose at the border."

The man leaned back in the armchair. Keeping his back straight made him tired. The princess watched as the minister loosened the collar of his shirt. Finally, after a short pause, he spoke. "I'll need to talk to His Majesty first."

"We are leaving soon. The preparations are almost finished. Please give me your answer before our departure."

Cornelia stood up and left the room with the knight. As soon as the door closed, she could hear angry muttering coming from behind it. "It's a good thing I invited the abbot. If everything goes well, he might exert serious pressure on those in power." She tilted her head from side to side, easing her stiff shoulders. When she looked up, her gaze met the ambassador's assistant's. He was holding a suitcase. The suitcase looked full and heavy, but the man's hands were shaking a little. The princess patted the man on the shoulder slightly.

"Don't worry, Mr. Webber. We'll get you back to Castro safe and sound. You'll be rewarded and promoted to a better position in another country. Everything will be fine."

Anatolians accepted her offer. As soon as they received the answer, the delegation left the capital and headed towards the southern border. She even had the opportunity to say goodbye to Lord Cheda. Everything went much smoother than expected. Yet anxiety didn't leave her for a second. As if being chased without any actual threat behind them, the riders rode day and night, stopping only to feed the horses and themselves. Normally, it would take five days to reach the border, but Cornelia intended to shorten it to three. They changed the horses at the inn half a day ago. Her dapple-grey mare was to be picked up by the coachman and a couple of servants, following them in the carriage. If anything happened, they wouldn't be a target - at least not the main one.

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She flinched when suddenly someone's voice distracted her from her thoughts. Cornelia looked back. They just changed their pace to trotting, and Sieg was right behind her.

We should take a break, Your Highness."

He kept silent all the way, so his sudden proposal took Cornelia by surprise. She shook her head in answer, at the same time trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had been bothering her since their departure. But the usually indifferent and calm young man continued to insist: "Please reconsider, Your Highness. Everyone is tired; pushing them too hard will only lead to exhaustion."

"But if we stop now, we will lose too much time."

"Yet, if we don't stop, you might lose some of your men. Even the utmost devotion can crumble under the weight of hardship without proper rest. I know that Your Highness wishes the best for the country, but before achieving any great goals, you need to take care of your closest followers."

The blood rushed to the princess' face. Sieg's sudden eloquence alone was startling, but pointing at her flaws? Few could do such an impudent act with a straight face. Cornelia glanced at her group. Most knights were holding up well, but the servants, unused to such a harsh march, were barely able to stay in their saddles. Mr. Webber was practically lying on his horse's neck. All were struggling to catch their breath. She should have noticed this sooner. Hurting by her own shortsightedness, she bit her lip.

"We can continue," Dietrich, who had been riding in the rear, finally caught up. However, Cornelia had already recognized her mistake, so there was no point in this bravado.

"We will rest here for two hours. Dietrich, take someone with enough strength and scouts the surroundings. Others can sleep, drink, or eat. I'll stand guard."

Aside from the Berg knight, no one objected to the orders. ‘They must be dead tired.’ Cornelia looked around the hastily made camp, before climbing a tiny hill among the forest. She could hear footsteps behind her, but did not have the courage to face whoever was following her. Only when she reached the top and looked around, did she turn to him. Sieg was keeping a few paces distance from her, as soon as she looked at him, he lowered his gaze.

"So? You were quite talkative a moment ago and now you're silent?"

He wasn't wrong, yet the princess's voice sounded harsh. Being reprimanded by one of her father's men and in front of her loyal supporters hurt her pride. The fact that he was right only added fuel to the fire. The guy started talking, still staring at the ground.

I apologize for my rudeness. It was not my intention to shame or hurt Your Highness. Your Highness already has outstanding followers. It would be a shame to lose them to something as plain as overwork. I hope your noble-mindedness gives you strength to forgive this humble servant."

"Even your apology sounds superficial, like it's from some instruction book," she turned away from Sieg. Seeing him lowering his head and saying words that belittled his own worth hurt Cornelia more than a recent lecture did. She used to think that he was just mocking her, but what if it was the way he truly thought? "You have spoken your opinion, and I have considered it. There is nothing to apologize for."

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness. I shall not bother you anymore."

He started to walk down the hill. Cornelia glanced over her shoulder. Maybe she was too harsh on someone who gave her good advice? But they are on the run now. No time to waste on doubts over a few words. They can talk about it once they all safely return to Castro territory.