Gideon softened his expression. "The royal sermon takes place tomorrow morning. It is a vital event for your people, and it is far too late to cancel or postpone the gathering. However, if you use your authority as the Matriarch to command me, I will leave this palace right now and ride straight for the Ruined Azure Kingdom to find His Majesty."
Lihua froze, the tears spilling over her cheeks. She looked at the seasoned paladin, realizing the terrible weight of his offer.
"You are asking me to choose," Lihua whispered, her voice breaking. "You want me to decide whether to save my daughter and my kingdom from the Crimson Bone Sect, or to save my husband."
