(Eri's POV)
The Vesperian diplomat stepped forward.
He bowed deeply before the council of Kazunaga.
But before he spoke of his purpose, he lifted his head and said something else first.
"Your Highness, honorable council," he said.
"Our Queen Mother, Minerva, is gravely ill."
The room grew quiet.
"She has sent us under the command of King Ivan of Vesperia."
The diplomat paused for a moment.
"She wishes to see the Blood Oath fulfilled before she dies."
The words echoed inside the chamber.
Blood Oath.
I did not move.
But inside my mind, old history surfaced.
This was not a new promise.
Long ago, when King Lima of Kazunaga still ruled, there was a war between kingdoms.
During that time, Kazunaga owed a great debt to King Victor of Vesperia.
To repay that debt, King Lima made a sacred promise.
A Blood Promise between two thrones.
The ruler of Kazunaga would marry someone from the bloodline of King Victor.
It was meant to unite the two kingdoms forever.
But fate had complicated the promise.
At that time, the heir of Kazunaga was Korei.
And the heir of Vesperia was also male.
There was no way to fulfill the marriage.
So the oath was left waiting.
Until the next generation.
Now we were the next generation.
The diplomat continued speaking.
"King Ivan, son of King Victor, has two children."
"Crown Prince Luis."
"And Princess Elara."
The name was unfamiliar to me.
"Prince Luis cannot step down," the diplomat said.
"He is the future ruler of Vesperia."
"Princess Elara, however…"
He paused.
"…is available."
Murmurs filled the council hall.
But everyone already understood the problem.
I was a woman.
Elara was also a woman.
Under the traditions of Kazunaga, that marriage would not satisfy the blood oath.
The diplomat stepped aside.
Now the council began speaking.
One of the ministers cleared his throat.
"There may still be a solution."
Of course there was.
I already knew what they were about to say.
"If the heir of Kazunaga changes…"
The minister looked carefully in my direction.
"…the oath can still be fulfilled."
Another council member continued.
"Prince Haru could marry Princess Elara."
The room shifted slightly.
Some ministers nodded.
Others watched quietly.
The High Priest finally spoke.
"The Blood Oath is sacred," he said slowly.
"It was sworn before the gods."
"It cannot be broken."
That was why he was here.
To remind the council that the oath was not simply political.
It was religious.
A sacred promise.
I could feel the direction of the conversation moving.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Toward me.
Sato finally spoke.
Her voice calm.
"We must respect the oath made by King Lima," she said.
"The honor of Kazunaga depends on it."
Of course it did.
The room waited.
Everyone wanted the same thing.
They wanted me to step down.
To allow Haru to take the throne.
So the oath could be fulfilled.
Finally, all eyes turned toward me.
I leaned slightly back in my chair.
Completely unbothered.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then I said quietly,
"So this is the plan."
My voice was calm.
"You invite Vesperia."
"You bring the High Priest."
"And then you throw the Blood Oath in my direction."
A few ministers shifted uncomfortably.
I continued.
"You want me to step down."
No one denied it.
Sato watched me carefully.
But I only rested my chin lightly against my hand.
Then I asked the only question that mattered.
"Tell me something."
My eyes moved slowly across the council.
"Where in the laws of Kazunaga…"
"…does it say the heir must step down for a marriage?"
Silence.
Even the High Priest did not answer.
I gave a small shrug.
"The Blood Oath was made by King Lima."
"And I respect it."
Then I looked directly at Sato.
"But the throne of Kazunaga…"
"…is still mine."
The silence inside the chamber stretched for a moment.
Some ministers looked at each other.
Others avoided my eyes.
I leaned slightly forward in my seat.
"I understand something," I said calmly.
"If Crown Prince Luis refuses to step down, that is reasonable."
My eyes moved toward the Vesperian diplomat.
"He is one step away from ruling Vesperia. He trained his whole life for that position."
The diplomat nodded slightly.
"That is correct, Your Highness."
I gave a small nod.
"Yes. That makes sense."
Then I slowly turned my gaze back toward the council.
"But if Prince Luis cannot step down…"
I let the question hang in the air.
"…why do you expect me to?"
The room became very quiet.
A few council members shifted in their seats.
I continued speaking before anyone could interrupt.
"I am also the heir of Kazunaga."
"I was raised to rule."
"I was trained for the throne."
"My father prepared me for it."
My eyes briefly moved toward Sato.
"So explain something to me."
"If Prince Luis keeps his crown because it is his destiny…"
"…why should I give up mine?"
One of the ministers cleared his throat.
"The Blood Oath must be honored," he said.
"That oath was made by King Lima himself."
Another council member added quickly,
"If the oath is broken, Kazunaga will lose its honor before other kingdoms."
The High Priest finally spoke again.
"The Blood Oath is sacred," he said.
"It was sworn before the gods. Such promises cannot simply be ignored."
I listened quietly.
Then I tilted my head slightly.
"So the solution is to remove me?"
No one answered directly.
Sato finally stepped forward.
Her voice remained calm, but her eyes were sharp.
"No one is removing you," she said.
"We are only discussing what is best for the kingdom."
I almost smiled.
That sentence again.
What is best for the kingdom.
It was the favorite excuse of politicians.
"What is best for the kingdom," I repeated slowly.
Then I leaned back again in my chair.
"If the oath must be fulfilled so badly…"
My eyes moved across the room.
"…then perhaps we should ask another question."
Everyone watched me carefully.
"Why must Kazunaga be the one to change?"
The council members exchanged glances.
I continued calmly.
"The oath says the ruler of Kazunaga must marry the bloodline of King Victor."
"That condition already exists."
The Vesperian diplomat frowned slightly.
"What do you mean, Your Highness?"
I answered simply.
"Princess Elara."
The name echoed softly in the chamber.
"She is from the bloodline of King Victor."
"And I am the heir of Kazunaga."
My gaze rested on the High Priest.
"The oath never said the marriage must be between a man and a woman."
That sentence froze the room.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Even the High Priest looked surprised.
Across the table, Sato's expression darkened slightly.
But I only rested my hand lightly on the arm of my chair.
Completely calm.
If they wanted a debate—
then we were finally having one.