"The Lythanis kingdom contacted yesterday."
She said, her voice soft, but her expression remained hardened.
"They want to support as the next queen."
Akamir fully turned to look at her.
His expression was serious as he rubbed his face.
Akamir blinked.
The wind paused, or maybe it just felt like it.
For a mont, everything seed too still.
"...Why now?" he asked, voice even.
Inara didn’t look away this ti. "They offered support. They say they believe in now and will help claim the throne."
Akamir quietly nodded.
He didn’t jump to conclusions, nor did he shout at her.
"Tell you don’t believe in their bullshit," Akamir said, leaning closer. "It’s obviously a trap."
"....I know," she replied, rubbing her temples. "I know that."
"Then why are you entertaining it?" Akamir pressed, his voice low.
Inara looked up at him, her eyes tired.
"Because it’s still an offer. And I can’t afford to throw away every lifeline I get, even if it’s fraying at the edges."
"Even if it’s laced with poison?" he shot back.
She didn’t answer.
The boat creaked beneath them, swaying gently with the current.
Around them, the sea stretched vast and quiet, and they moved closer to the tower.
Akamir turned away, jaw clenched. "Lythanis. Of all kingdoms... They can use you as a justification to rule this place."
"I know," she said again, quieter this ti. "But they offered resources. Discreet ones. Gold. Contacts. Information. And so much more."
"Information they could just as easily use against you."
"Do you think I don’t know that?" she snapped, her control slipping just a little. "I’m not stupid, Asher. I’m desperate."
She looked down, voice breaking. "I just want to survive this. I want to protect the people loyal to ."
Akamir sighed, leaning against the boat.
He didn’t say anything, and by the looks of it, she was aware of the danger.
There were so many ways that he could think of.
So many ways this could go wrong.
"I’m not blaming you," Akamir said at last, voice quiet, the wind tugging gently at his shirt. "But desperate people make reckless choices."
"I wish it were simpler," she whispered. "I wish I could trust soone. Anyone."
Akamir guiltily looked at her without a word.
Slowly, he spoke. "Why did you tell this?"
"I...I don’t know," she stamred, shaking her head. "I just felt like it."
".....Yeah."
Akamir mumbled, rubbing his neck as the enormous tower lood closer.
The boat stopped at the edge of the lighthouse, and Akamir moved out first.
He helped Inara get down from the boat as he tied the rope tightly at the edge.
Akamir resud his walk as he moved inside the lighthouse, away from the waves.
Inara followed behind him.
The spiral staircase lood over them, and Akamir didn’t waste his ti before starting to climb it.
"Are you not going to say anything?" Inara asked, climbing just behind him. "Anything?"
"What do you want to hear?" Akamir replied, glancing back at her. "I will say just that."
"That’s not what I ant—."
"Do you think greatness is given, princess?" he asked, interrupting her words. "Do you think that power is handed to the ek? Idle? Fearful?"
"..."
Inara opened her mouth to speak, but no words ca out of it.
"No. Princess. Power is earned," he continued, moving further up. "And if you use others’ power, then you are bound to lose everything one day."
Inara gripped the railing tighter as she followed him.
"And what if I already have nothing?" she said, breathless from both the climb and the weight in her chest.
"What if I’ve already lost too much to care about what’s earned?"
Akamir paused on the steps, one hand against the stone wall. He didn’t turn.
"Strength is the justification for everything, princess," he said quietly. "If you have strength, then you will have everything."
"..."
They reached the top of the lighthouse, where the glass do let in fractured shards of sunlight.
The sea stretched out in every direction, endless and indifferent.
Inara stepped beside him, arms crossed against the cold.
"I still don’t know what to do," she mumbled, looking down. "I guess I am still not ready."
"Don’t push yourself too hard," Akamir said, walking around. "You still have ti to build yourself."
She just nodded before she looked at him.
"Hm?"
Akamir stopped in one place as he noticed sothing at the corner.
It was sothing big with a large flashlight.
He turned to look at her. "Is that a cara?"
"..Yes," Inara replied, walking towards it. "It’s one that belongs to the capital newspaper."
Akamir frowned. "There are newspapers here?"
"Yes, only for commoners though," she replied, setting up the cara. "Most of them are forged and only glorify the kingdom."
"...Makes sense," he mumbled. "But why are you setting a cara here?"
She slowly turned to look at him. "I told one of those newspapers that they will get sothing good to publish if they left one of the caras here."
Akamir remained silent for a while before his eyes widened. "No way."
"That’s the only way to prove my love for you."
"Are you stupid?" he snapped. "Your reputation will be ruined—"
"It’s already ruined, Asher," she said, walking towards him. "And please don’t force to beg you."
Akamir sighed.
She slowly moved closer and wrapped her hands around his waist.
Akamir looked at her. "This is the last ti."
She nodded and closed her eyes, bringing her face closer.
He leaned in.
Their lips t gently at first, but it quickly deepened.
Inara’s hands clutched tighter against him, her body lting into his.
Akamir kissed her like he was afraid this might be the last ti.
A click echoed beside them.
They didn’t pull away imdiately, lost in the silence between heartbeats.
Then Akamir opened his eyes, barely turning his head to glance over his shoulder.
The cara’s red light flickered once before dying.
He sighed against her lips. "That thing just took the shot, didn’t it?"
"Yes," she whispered, her forehead resting against his.
"You’re really insane, Inara."
"I know,"
Akamir didn’t say anything else.
---
When the date ended, Akamir returned to his estate in the capital city.
Zia was standing in front of the hall, waiting for him.
She quickly moved closer as soon as he entered.
"How was it?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.
"It was good," Akamir replied, pushing her face away.
Zia wrinkled her nose but didn’t step back. "That’s all you’re giving ? After running off for hours with a princess who might get you killed?"
Akamir tossed his coat to a nearby chair and walked past her.
"She’s not going to get killed," he muttered. "Not yet, anyway."
Zia narrowed her eyes and followed. "What does that an?"
"That’s none of your business."
"Co on, tell ."
Akamir completely ignored her as he began to walk towards his room.
"Is dinner ready?" he asked, glancing back at her.
"Yes. Should I serve?" she asked, returning to her maid self.
"No. I will eat later," Akamir replied as he opened the door of his room. "Just warm my bath please."
"Okay, young master."
Akamir nodded as he closed the door and threw himself on the bed.
"Are you still believing in that maid?" Nayomi said, glaring at him. "She is dangerous."
"She is still my maid," Akamir mumbled, too tired to argue. "As long as she doesn’t harm , I don’t care."
Nayomi didn’t speak any other words as she floated close to his bed.
But....
She halted at the side of the bed.
Akamir curiously looked at her. "What happened?"
"Uh, it’s breaking," she mumbled, staring at him.
"The egg."
Akamir quickly pushed himself up and began to rush towards it.
Just like she said, the hard shell mottled of black and silver was slowly breaking.
"It’s coming,"
Akamir mumbled, smiling.
"Void Fox."
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