Raiki PoV
[Some days later- En route to Kuroichi]
I frowned, thinking of ways Mama could avoid becoming becoming a vassal of Amelia. But Mama was a woman of her word to a fault. I had raised the subject but she just shut me down. If only Sir Eizan had taken his fight with Vadim more seriously, instead he showed him pity. If it were me, I would just have crushed Vadim in the domain, not caring if he lost his mind.
Mama's unwavering loyalty, while admirable, often felt like a dangerous vulnerability. She prioritized honor, but honor wouldn't keep us safe from the machinations of those who sought to control us.
The weight of our family's future pressed heavily on my shoulders, a burden I felt keenly. I wanted to protect Mama, to guide her away from choices that seemed destined to bind us, but her resolve was as unyielding as the ancient mountains surrounding our home.
