Looking at Marcus' outstretched hand, Mrazivý felt the helplessness she had been feeling start to recede and reached out her hand to take his.
She had seen him do amazing things, that most would consider impossible.
He had taken on a boss monster many levels higher than him and won. He had defeated a powerful demon that threaten to take over the core of a dungeon. He did everything with confidence and it seed that when he put his mind to it, he could accomplish anything.
Reaching her own hand out Mrazivý took ahold of Marcus' and said, "I do trust you. Please help break off this marriage and retain my freedom."
With a big smile on his face Marcus bowed and said, "Of course your highness, anything for you."
With her face still red from when Marcus kissed her earlier seeing the way he was bowing to her just made her feel even more uncomfortable.
"Marcus co on and raise our head, and please stop teasing ." Mrazivý said in a flustered manner.
She still was not sure with what to do about Marcus' earlier confession, but she was certain she was not in the right headspace to deal with it right now.
"And I know you just ah, told how you feel and kissed , but could you give so ti to figure it out." Mrazivý said with a conflicted and confused expression.
"I literally have all the ti in the world, so take whatever you need. I know I just sprung this on you, so let us just worry about that once everything is over."
Naturally Marcus figured sothing like this would happen, but since he did not get slapped or told in no uncertain terms that she did not like him, he felt he had a chance.
Truthfully at one ti Mrazivý had started to develop feelings for Marcus when he first saved her in the dungeon.
He had been like a hero of legend, braving all dangers to save the princess, but when she found out he was a monster these feelings that had been growing slowly inside her shrunk back down.
In her mind there was no way she could ever be with a monster, but over ti she had gotten closer to Marcus as a friend, and just now he had dumped lighter fluid on the small embers of the remaining inflation she had for him.
However, she was currently fighting with the confusion of her feelings and the logic in her head, and needed ti to figure out what she wanted.
"Now we need a new plan to deal with your obstinate father. Obviously, I believe winning the tournant and instead of the rewards I would get, asking for your freedom is the first move. It will bring to the negotiating table in a much stronger position and then we can work out whatever deal is necessary."
'Roxene, I know you have been listening, are you willing to co on board in case I need to reveal my identity.'
Marcus was pretty much willing to put all of his chips on the table, but he needed to confer with Roxene before he started betting with hers.
'Hm ask the princess first about how her father is likely to react to . I want her insight on the matter before putting myself in danger just to help you win her over.'
'Okay let ask her real quick.'
"Mrazivý, you rember Roxene right, my half white, half black wolf pup companion. Well, what would your father do if he knew about her, do you think being her partner would bring sothing to the table."
Marcus was hoping to win the king over with the backing of an even greater than mythic grade magical beast.
He figured what kingdom would not want a powerful ally and Roxene's strength was still growing and one day could be at the peak of the world.
Unfortunately, Mrazivý shook her head and said," No my father would view her as a major threat. She has the potential to destroy this entire kingdom when she gets to a higher level, and right now he would view it as a chance to get rid of her. You saw the hysteria the two of you created in Loursend, and for the most part it was just rumors that the masses heard. The kingdom has tried to keep a lid on the information since they do not need a mass panic on their hands, but there are a number of people still looking for you right now."
Hearing this caused Marcus to frown, but if giving away Roxene's existence would only be a hinderance, then he would have to get by without her.
But a mont latter Mrazivý's face lit up as she rembered sothing else and she said, "Wait there might be soone else we can go to. She does not normally get involved in the politics of the kingdom but in this situation she might help."
Wondering who this other person could be that could sway the king's decisions, Marcus inquired with Mrazivý, but she said, "I am sorry I cannot say more, I have been bound by a magical contract not to divulge certain information about them. I hope you understand and if you do not want to bring Roxene out that is fine, but if I talk to them about her they maybe able to help you. Hm, it may even be possible for you to have the bounty taken off of your head."
At this Marcus lit up since while he had fused with a part of Irene's soul and was comfortable in his identity as her, the majority of his personality still ca from his original soul and he would love to use his identity again.
Sadly, Rexene still wanted to playthings cautiously and asked that she be left out of any sort of negotiation, since there was no guarantee for her safety.
"Okay so revealing Roxene is off the table, so sticking to the plan of negotiating after winning the tournant is what we will go with. Now which do you think your father would value more, my fighting strength or my ability to make high tier weapons and armor."
Taking a few minutes Mrazivý seriously gave this so consideration before saying, "I believe he would value your strength as the winner more than anything else. It would prove that you are the strongest of the next generation and having you work directly for the kingdom would give him more political sway. However, it is likely that he might want you to marry one of my brothers, he likes making bonds through marriage, since people are often more loyal to their families and will not betray them."
At this Marcus grimaced. Getting married was the one thing he did not plan to bring to the negotiating table.
"Yeah, I will take drastic actions before getting married to so random guy. Sorry Mraz, but I would rather just go and wipe out Krenston's entire family than do that."
Seeing that Marcus was serious, Mrazivý could not say she was not tempted for that outco, but she knew that would cause turmoil in Loursend and could send waves throughout the kingdom.
"How about we save that for a last resort okay. Anyway, while your battle prowess and fa as the winner of the tournant might give my father more political power, in the long run, your forgemastering talents would bring in more military strength so he may prefer that. Of course, we are basing this all on whether you can win or not.. So do you think that you can."
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