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A flower sheds its petals after pollination, even though it knows it was those petals that attracted the pollinators. Something similar is happening to me now. All these years, Garios protected me from my family, but only for his benefit. Now, he knows that I have no more use for him, He will return me to my family—a place where I see no future.

These were the thoughts racing through Sora’s mind as she made her way to the governor’s palace. Garios had summoned her unexpectedly, and it filled her with dread. The silence of the palace corridors only worsened her growing anxiety. Garios rarely called for her alone like this, and when he did, it was never without reason. She was almost sure of it now—he was going to discard her. That’s why he had asked her to meet him in private, with no one else present. It was almost as if she could feel the noose tightening around her neck.

As she entered the chamber where Garios awaited her, her heart pounded in her chest. The room was dimly lit, with only the glow of the late afternoon sun creeping through the tall windows. Garios sat on his ornate chair, looking every bit the ruler of the Western Empire. His golden crown shimmered faintly in the low light, and his posture was relaxed, yet commanding. He didn’t acknowledge her at first, his eyes scanning some scroll in front of him. The tension in the air made it hard for Sora to breathe.

She stood there, frozen, unable to muster the courage to speak. Her mind whirled with thoughts of what her family had planned for her. She could see her stepmother’s sneering face, and hear her cold voice issuing orders for Sora’s downfall. There was a lump in her throat, and she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn’t cry here, not in front of Garios. But she was on the verge of breaking.

Noticing her distress, Garios finally broke the silence. His voice was calm but tinged with the faintest hint of sympathy.

“For me, you are just like my daughter, like Nadea,” Garios began, his eyes shifting from the scroll to her. “Just like her, you have helped me immensely with the administration of the Western Empire. I have seen your talents and your resolve. But I’m sure you’re also aware of how the Argoros clan feels about you. Your mother, in particular, prays for your downfall.”

Sora felt her heart sink at his words. She had known this for years, of course. Phenoria, her stepmother, had made her hatred for Sora clear in every possible way. Her true mother, who had passed away long ago, had once been the lady of the Argoros clan. But after her death, Sora had been treated as an outsider—a pawn in the hands of a power-hungry family.

Garios continued, “I’ve done what I can to protect you, to keep you away from the walls of Epicrotea. But I’m afraid that soon, I might not be able to shield you any longer.”

Sora could feel a cold chill running through her. She knew this was coming, but hearing it from Garios’ mouth made it all the more real.

“Your mother,” Garios spat the word with disdain, “has warned me that she will switch her allegiance to the Northern Empire if I don’t hand you over to her. You know how important Epicrotea is to my empire, don’t you? It is the gateway to the northern trade routes, and losing it would be a severe blow to the Western Empire. But at the same time, I cannot abandon you.”

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Sora’s heart raced. She could almost hear Phenoria’s voice in her head, plotting her end.

Garios leaned forward, his tone lowering. “I have a plan in mind, one that may offer you a way out of this. Phenoria has already taken steps to rid herself of you. She’s recruited a mercenary group—forest bandits with bounties on their heads. In 12 days, when I depart for the front lines against the Battanians, they will enter the city. They’re camping just outside the settlement as we speak, waiting for their moment.”

Sora’s breath caught in her throat. “Twelve days,” she whispered, her mind spinning.

Garios nodded grimly. “They are heavily armed, and there’s little I can do to stop them. They have spies within the city, so any attempt to leave before they strike would likely end with them attacking you on the road. And knowing Phenoria, whatever she has planned for you is far worse than death.”

He paused, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. Sora could hardly breathe, her thoughts racing. “Then… what should I do?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“There is a way,” Garios said. “That bandit group has around 15 men. But, suppose another mercenary group comes in—one with no direct ties to me—and wipes them out for the bounty on their head. No one would question it. No one would know the truth. You’d be free, and with the bandits dead, Phenoria would lose her grip on you.”

Sora blinked, trying to process what Garios was suggesting. “You mean… I should hire another group to fight them?”

“Precisely,” Garios replied, his expression softening. “I’ve already found a suitable group for the task. It was once led by one of my old officers, but after his recent death, a new lad has taken over. They are not the strongest—around 20 men, and they’re quite green—but with your guidance, I believe they can be trained well enough to handle those bandits.”

Sora nodded slowly, understanding what Garios was asking. “And if I train them… you think they’ll be able to defeat the bandits?”

“With your skills, I’m confident,” Garios said. “I’ve seen what you’re capable of, and I know you’ll figure something out. You have 11 days to prepare them before I depart for the frontlines on the 12th day. After that, it’ll be your fight.”

Sora was quiet for a moment, taking in the enormity of what Garios was saying. He was giving her a chance—a dangerous, slim chance—but a chance nonetheless.

“And what about after?” Sora asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Once the bandits are taken care of, you’ll be free to leave. I suggest traveling either to the Aserai or Sturgian lands. Valandia is out of the question; your family would likely use diplomatic channels to bring you back. The Khuzaits are too far. But in Aserai or Sturgian lands, you’ll be out of Phenoria’s reach.”

Sora nodded, her heart heavy with the realization that this might be her only option. Running away had never been part of her plan, but the alternative was a fate far worse than death.

Garios continued, “Tomorrow, the mercenary group leader will be coming here to receive a medal from the current governor and to attend the last rites of his friend. Approach him then. I’ve given him a letter myself, awarding him the medal. No one will suspect my involvement in this, as I’ve done this many times before. I have rewarded many other groups before.”

Sora’s mind raced with possibilities. “Thank you,” she said, her voice breaking slightly.

Garios smiled faintly. “You’ve suffered enough, Sora. It’s time you enjoyed your freedom.”

As she turned to leave the chamber, Garios added, “And remember, once you’re free, you must never look back. The empire will move on without you, as you must move on without it.”

Sora nodded the weight of his words settling deep in her heart. She was walking a dangerous path now, but at least it was one of her choosing.

As she stepped out into the cool evening air, her mind was already beginning to form a plan. Freedom was within her grasp, but it would come at a cost.