As she slowly and gracefully lowered herself back onto the plush seat, she deliberately crossed her right leg over the other, revealing the sharp angles of her perfectly toned limbs. With a swift and almost unnoticeable action, she brought her hands together, clasping them tightly in front of her body. The movement was so precise and measured that it seemed almost rehearsed, as if she had performed this exact motion a thousand times before.

As she sat there, she exuded an air of power and authority that made everyone in the room feel small and insignificant. She was like a queen on her throne, and we were her loyal subjects, waiting for her every word.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, lost in thought, her expression unreadable. It was impossible to tell what was going through her mind, but we all waited in tense anticipation, wondering what she would say next.

After what felt like an eternity, she opened her eyes and spoke with a calm, measured tone that belied the intensity of her words. "No need to feel all startled," she said, slightly slanting her head to one side. "We have been there for a very long time."

As she spoke, I felt a burning ache in the pit of my stomach, a deep sense of unease that made my heart race. How could they have been living right under our noses all this time, without anyone finding them out? It was preposterous, absurd, and utterly terrifying all at once. I couldn't help but mentally yell in frustration and disbelief, wondering how we could have been so blind for so long.

As Aragorn stood up from his seat, his tall frame towered over the rest of us. He adjusted his monocle, which caught the light and glinted like a small diamond. With a slight bow, he addressed the newcomers in a respectful tone, "If what you say is true, then may I ask why you have chosen to reveal yourselves to us now?"

The question he posed had a deeper meaning, and it was clear that he was not just asking for the sake of making conversation. Instead of Aurora, Lyra spoke up in response, her voice carrying a commanding tone that made it clear she was not to be underestimated. She remained seated, yet her words carried the weight of someone who was used to being the center of attention.

"It would not make a difference whether we announced our presence now or later," Lyra declared, her eyes fixed on Aragorn. "As for your second question, this nation happens to be the closest to ours than any other."

A silence fell upon the room as everyone contemplated Lyra's words. The implications of what she said were not lost on us. Was it a blessing that they had come to us first, or could it be the end of us?

As I looked around the room, I could see the storm of emotions and unease that swirled around us, shared in equal measure with my comrades. We all knew that we were at a crossroads, and the decision we made in this moment could have far-reaching consequences for all of us.

Eldric's patience began to wear thin. He couldn't help but feel that the entire situation was absurd and a waste of time. He knew that we were not in a position to engage in a leisurely conversation between nations, and the thought only fueled his growing anger.

With a forced, controlled tone, Eldric spoke up. "Please forgive me for my lack of manners, but I can't help but find all of this absurd," he said, his voice barely concealing his rising frustration. "We have more pressing matters to attend to, and this conversation is a waste of time."

As he spoke, his voice grew louder, his words becoming more forceful. He knew that he was pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable, but he couldn't help himself. His anger was bubbling up inside of him, threatening to boil over at any moment.

The scene was tense, and I, unable to bear the tension any longer, interjected. "Eldric! Mind your tone," I said, my voice firm and unwavering. I knew that his bold move could potentially cause more problems than it would solve. Eldric's eyes flickered with anger as he turned to face me, his face a mask of fury.

But before anyone could respond to my words, Lyra, with a look that could kill, decided to speak right after me. Her voice was dripping with condescension, and her words were laced with venom. "Know your place. Your petty problems don't matter if it involves her majesty," she sneered, her eyes boring into Eldric's with a fiery intensity. I could see the muscles in Eldric's jaw clenching, and I braced myself for what was to come.

At this point, Eldric's bubbled-up rage could not be contained for much longer. His thoughts and reasons were overwhelmed with that single emotion. His fists were clenched tightly, and I could see the veins bulging on his neck. The tension in the air was palpable, and it seemed like things were about to get out of hand.

But just when I thought that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Aurora spoke up. It was as if she knew that Eldric's temper was about to boil over. "Don't mind Lyra's words," she said calmly, her voice soothing. "I had come here knowing something like this would happen." She sat with the same posture as before, exuding an air of calm and control that seemed to instantly diffuse the tension in the room. "This could be beneficial both ways," she continued, her words measured and deliberate.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Her words seemed to have a calming effect on Eldric, and I could see the anger in his eyes start to subside. After taking a deep breath, Eldric turned his head towards Aurora and asked her a question. "Beneficial? how so?" he inquired, his voice still laced with a hint of hostility.

Aurora, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by Eldric's previous outburst. Instead, she appeared to be amused by the situation. A faint smile crossed her face as she looked at him, and I could see a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. With a confident tone, she began to speak, "I have a proposal," she said, her voice ringing out with a note of conviction. "One that could benefit both of us."

As she spoke, Aurora stood up from her seat and extended her hands outwards in a gesture of goodwill. Her words seemed to have a magnetic quality that drew Eldric's attention towards her, and he appeared to be intrigued by what she had to say. I could sense a shift in the dynamics of the conversation as the tension dissipated, and a sense of calm settled over the room. It was almost as if Aurora had cast a spell over the entire gathering, and we were all under her enchanting influence.

"I'm afraid I have a deep understanding of the precarious situation your government currently finds itself in," she remarked, her eyes fixed on Eldric with an unnerving intensity. "Your country has been embroiled in an unending conflict with your neighboring nation. Given the current state of affairs, it's only a matter of time before you succumb to their might. Frankly, I would be surprised if you managed to hold out for more than a few months."

Her voice carried an air of detachment that suggested she had rehearsed her words countless times before delivering them with practiced ease. She seemed to be reciting from a script, every word carefully chosen for maximum impact.

As Eldric's face contorted with anger at her words, I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the woman's ability to get under his skin. She had clearly struck a nerve, and I wondered if that was part of her strategy.

"We will not be defeated so easily. Don't you dare consign our fate to such a grim outcome," he spat, his voice laced with fury.

I fixed Eldric with a steely gaze, brimming with a fiery energy that matched the fervor of his words. I could feel the tension in the room ratcheting up, as though we were all standing on the brink of something momentous.

"You're well aware of our current predicament," I replied, my tone dripping with condescension. "Our supplies are dwindling, our knights are exhausted, and our people are losing faith in our ability to lead them. And above all else, we lack any allies to aid us in our time of need. It's a dire situation, to be sure."

I paused, letting my words hang in the air for a moment, allowing their weight to settle in like a heavy fog. The woman seated across from me remained unfazed, her demeanor seemingly unperturbed by my proclamation. It was as though she had been expecting my response, and was now patiently awaiting the next move.

"But this woman's proposal," I declared, my voice tinged with inquisitiveness and a fervent hope, "has the power to allay our worries and remedy our troubles. Let us lend her our ears and consider her plan carefully, for it may very well hold the solution we've been searching for." I emphasized each word, hoping to convey the urgency and importance of the matter at hand.

Aurora's face lit up with a knowing smile, as if to indicate that she had anticipated my stance all along. She settled back into her seat, taking on a role of passive observation as Lyra rose to take charge of the discussion.

"I'll let Lyra take the lead for the moment," Aurora said, her tone cordial yet authoritative. "But I reserve the right to add my own input when necessary. And the rest of you are encouraged to do the same." Her words hung in the air, signaling the start of a serious and focused discussion.

Lyra stood up, her posture commanding and confident, shoulders back and chin held high. "As you all know, I am Lyra," she declared, her customary hauteur apparent in her voice. "And, as her Majesty has so graciously indicated, I shall take up the mantle of guiding this discussion from this point on." Her words echoed in the room, setting the tone for a deliberation that would determine the fate of those present.

I sank back into my seat, nodding my assent, as did the others in the room, their faces expectant and eager to hear what was to come. The air was thick with anticipation and the weight of responsibility, as we braced ourselves for the discussion that lay ahead.

"We have a very simple and easy solution that will alleviate all your concerns," Lyra proclaimed, her voice ringing through the room. She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "It's simple, really," she said, her smile growing slightly wider. "All you have to do is become a vassal state, and we will happily defend you all."

As Lyra spoke, Auric's face twisted with visible anger, and he sprang up from his seat, his emotions clearly getting the better of him. Speaking with a knowledgeable tone that betrayed his humble beginnings, he responded, "That will limit our freedom and significantly reduce our chances to grow and expand. It's not a viable option for us."

Kaelen, who had remained quiet up until now, finally spoke up with a calm yet firm tone, his frown indicating his disbelief. "Don't you think this is a bit unreasonable?" he asked. "We are fighting this war because we want freedom, and becoming a vassal state would only defeat the purpose of our struggle."

Lyra's smile faltered for a moment as she considered Kaelen's words. She cleared her throat and spoke again, her tone measured and thoughtful. "I understand your concerns," she said. "But you must realize that our protection comes at a price. And that price is your submission."