"I know you're there."
From the shadows emerged a figure—it was Litch. Adelredus raised a brow as the man smiled from ear to ear and proceeded to walk towards him.
"What do you want?" The red head spared no moment.
Litch's smile widened. "From you? Nothing. But I do have a deal with the little Crown Prince."
At his words, Adelredus frowned.
"What do you gain by telling me this?"
"Kari Faust." Adelredus resisted the urge to flinch. "Make her lose on purpose."
"... And why would I do that?"
"Why have Kari marry Dustan?" Litch rebutted.
"How did you—?"
"You plan to put Kari Faust on a pedestal—the highest one a woman can attain in this empire, as empress. Is that not why you specifically picked her up, knowing her identity, made her dress as a man in order to hide her from the King? Is that not why you raised her as a warrior? I tell you this—you will fail."
