The last to enter was the host of the victory banquet, the grand duke, with the Bavarian princess, Elisabeth, on his arm. The nobles who hadn't yet heard about the political marriage looked considerably shocked.
The meaning of that gesture was unmistakable.
Though to anyone's eyes, the two looked like father and daughter.
"A union between His Highness and the Bavarian princess. So you're the one caught in between?"
"Don't even joke about that. I'll pass on being misunderstood over some heroic ballad."
"A ballad is just a ballad. Anyone who reads something strange into it is the strange one."
"Either way, I don't want to give anyone ammunition, so I'm not going anywhere near them."
"...The princess is coming this way."
Just as Michael said, the princess had left the grand duke's side and was heading straight for me. My shitty fate refused to grant me any peace. The eyes of many nobles turned toward us.
Michael and I paid our respects to the princess first.
