"What kind of path could possibly go against the power of the elves? I don't believe you!" Samantha suddenly raised her voice.
The last of her composure finally cracked.
Apparently, she thought I was simply playing with them.
I merely shook my head and leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
How was I supposed to explain something she wouldn't believe anyway?
But telling the truth would be even worse.
Too many secrets were tied to my name.
And revealing them would not only endanger me, but drag them into possible danger as well.
"I have obligations to certain beings, and I don't want to drag you into this," I said thoughtfully, looking at them.
"So you're not going to tell us who they are and just claim you're protecting us?" Samantha replied irritably.
"That's correct," I confirmed calmly. "If I tell you who they are, then if you're ever captured, my enemies will be able to obtain the information they need. And to gain control over me, they'll try to reach those closest to me first."
I paused briefly.
"If I seal you, you automatically become targets."
Trying to suppress the growing irritation inside me, I maintained an outward calm.
"You talk about them as if they're some omnipotent beings. But you're only a half-elf who can use dark magic," Cassandra said, shaking her head.
It would have been easier for her to believe me if I had claimed to be a descendant of some ancient dark elf lineage hidden from the Matriarch since ancient times.
"That's right. I'm a half-elf," I replied calmly. "And how many dark elves—and not only dark elves—do you think would want to know how I'm capable of wielding dark magic?"
As I spoke those words, I involuntarily remembered the night that had completely changed my life.
Samantha and Cassandra looked at me with obvious distrust.
They still couldn't accept the fact that the half-elf before them was voluntarily refusing the marriage ritual.
Samantha suddenly remembered their battle.
That moment during the duel when I had said I couldn't reveal my technique to those watching from the stands.
"During the duel, you said that after the fight, you would reveal your real name and explain why you hide your technique," Samantha said, surfacing from her still-fresh memories.
Looking at them, I understood their distrust.
For most people, the very thought that someone could partially change from one race into another sounded absurd.
"I used to go by the name Aluric. Where exactly I came from doesn't matter," I said calmly. "But I can tell you one thing: I was exiled from my own family."
There was no point in hiding the pain.
I could pretend all I wanted that I had forgotten the moment of my exile, but that wound still remained mine.
And they didn't need to know more than that.
Samantha and Cassandra silently stared at me.
Samantha had clearly fixated on the mere fact that my own family had exiled me.
Who would ever exile someone capable of wielding darkness?
"Who could exile a wielder of darkness?" Cassandra finally asked. "And what kind of beings want to obtain you so badly?"
There was genuine confusion in her voice.
Turning my gaze toward her, I gave a short nod.
Her doubts were logical, but this was the part of the truth they were allowed to hear.
"At that time, I hadn't awakened dark magic yet," I answered. "So no one saw anything valuable in me."
"If that's true, why aren't you afraid we'll tell the other races?" Samantha asked, still full of distrust. "The appearance of someone wielding a lost form of magic could become a threat to everyone. You said yourself that people are hunting you."
"And what exactly would you reveal?" I replied quickly. "That I can use dark magic? I already demonstrated that publicly."
I wasn't expecting them to fully believe my words, but I had no other choice.
Revealing the real truth would mean exposing them to unavoidable danger.
"You've thought all of this through," Cassandra said tensely. "Is that the talent of an exiled half-elf?"
There was tension in her voice, and her gaze practically screamed with the desire to uncover every lie.
"I am who I am," I replied calmly. "My exile only taught me one thing—that in this world, you can trust no one."
After a short pause, I added,
"Nothing personal, Keyrin. You know what I mean."
Then I turned my attention back to the two princesses.
"If you're satisfied with my proposal, I suggest we end things here and all return to our rooms."
As I said this, I noticed Cassandra frown.
I also saw Keyrin tense almost imperceptibly after my words, but when our eyes met, she immediately understood that the phrase had been said deliberately for the princesses' benefit.
"I accept your proposal," Cassandra said seriously, not taking her eyes off me.
Looking at her, I nodded and shifted my gaze to Samantha.
She nervously bit her lip, occasionally glancing at Keyrin.
"Will my sister also become free after you finish your studies?" Samantha asked anxiously, not taking her eyes off Keyrin.
Hearing the question, I turned toward Keyrin.
Noticing my gaze, she silently nodded.
I left the right to answer to her.
Samantha would accept her words more easily than mine.
"No," Keyrin answered calmly. "I am bound to him until the end of either my life or his."
She looked at Samantha with a trace of pity, watching her struggle to process what she had just heard.
"But how is that possible? What kind of oath can do something like that?" Samantha nearly bombarded her with questions.
Keyrin winced slightly but still decided to remain honest until the end.
"An elf blood contract," she answered. "At the time, I didn't yet know who he really was. Just as he didn't know the contract could play such a cRu'El trick."
She paused briefly.
"Anticipating my distrust, he showed me his memories through the bond between master and servant."
As she answered, Keyrin carefully observed Samantha and watched as she gradually realized her sister was not lying and was not acting under any direct command.
"I accept your proposal, Trey... or should I say Aluric?" Samantha said quietly.
"Trey is better," I replied with a faint smile.
"We'll have to maintain the story that we really became your wives," Cassandra noted. "How do you propose we do that?"
The question was entirely expected.
"We'll eat together in the dining hall and occasionally be seen together in other places. Trips into the city, the library, and things like that," I answered calmly. "Your behavior should also appear natural so no one grows suspicious."
As I said this, I noticed both girls tense slightly at certain words, though they quickly relaxed again.
"I don't think that will be a problem. Then we'll be going. See you tomorrow," Cassandra said as she rose from the sofa.
Samantha stood up right after her.
Both headed toward the exit.
"Walk them out and lock the door," I said to Keyrin with a yawn. "Hopefully no one else bothers us tonight."
She silently nodded and went to escort the two princesses out.
Left alone, I closed my eyes.
So far, everything was going exactly as I had planned.
But I couldn't relax now.
I had drawn far too much attention.
Not only because of my element, but also because two princesses had now officially become my wives.
Even if, for us, it was nothing more than an agreement, to everyone else this marriage looked more than real.