Mathias d'Athanar was not behind his father's desk. After a moment of dread - thinking that maybe he had changed his mind - Amaya saw him approaching, having just appeared from behind a bookshelf. He had some drawn plans and sketches rolled into his hand, and they looked like a paper sword, next to his military clothes.

It had been difficult for Charles to go back on his word - from the legal, diplomatic, and religious points of view - but her mistake with Henrik gave him a solid, provable reason. The only way she could deny the affair was to subject herself to a Leront approved doctor's verification. And, while she did know how to fake her virginity in a dark room, with an overly passionate lover, she was not so talented as to fool a physician.

The annulment set a dangerous precedent. In spite of her insistence on the official proposal letter, Lord Mathias d'Athanar would not be blamed by anyone if he wanted to renounce her, especially if she refused the verification again. Amaya would be even more unmarriageable across the Empire, while his low status would remain unaltered. She reminded herself that he had more to gain by marrying her for her royal title, than by further ruining her already damaged reputation.

He looked taller and larger, and he was moving easily. She was certain he had been injured on the front, but the spies she had sent after their first meeting were slow to uncover the specifics. Whatever it was, he was clearly going to recover.

When he passed the upholstered chair in front of her, he touched it, as to show her where to sit, then went at his desk, facing her. He was waiting for her to take a seat, but he did not look like he was annoyed. He seemed curious about what she was going to do, which made her immediately want to escape.

"How do I refer to you from now on? Your Majesty?"

Amaya sat down, and he followed her lead.

"I don't care. In public, I think it will be better, at least until we marry, but in private, it doesn't matter to me," she replied honestly.

He nodded, once, as if it was something they agreed on. "Well, then, let's hear the plan."

Amaya did not want to leave anything to chance.

"First, let's discuss the terms of our union. I would hate to negotiate with all my cards on the table."

"I have nothing to ask, or to bargain, for that matter, as you know all of my cards. All I can show you is how I've thought of some practical concerns." He started shuffling some of his papers, spreading the larger one on his desk, "Like where we'll live, some upcoming important dates."

"I... thought we would consider Sunnah Palace as an official residence," Amaya said weakly, reminded of her constant arguing with Charles.

"I meant here, in Leront. Of course, in Moaran, you can decide as you please. I've never been further than your shores, so I don't have an opinion. It's fine, whatever you decide."

He lowered his eyes, looking for something on the drawing in front of him, the one that looked like a construction plan, then he continued, "Here, we can stay in the Northern corner tower of the Royal Castle."

"The one that burned down?" She knew it was unusable.

"Yes, the one my father burned down after I left."

He showed her an area that looked like it could be anything, then suddenly he changed his mind.

"I do have something to ask of you," he said, to Amaya's relief. It was better if he wanted something. She raised her eyebrows to let him continue.

"I want you to be direct. See, in this case, we both know what happened. There is no need to... act innocent. This goes for the plan as well, and in any of our future interactions. I don't need kind words and I don't enjoy playing games. Be straightforward and I will help you in any way I can."

Amaya was pleasantly surprised, but then he added, "Actually, let me simplify it further: you lie to me, the deal ends."

If he caught her, she thought, quick to allow herself an escape route. It was not intentional, but she had realized very early in life that the truth was better left to be told when convenient. As one of the nineteen children of a man who also kept a harem in his palace, Amaya was seven when she faked her first "fever", to get his attention. No harm done, she told herself, just like she did countless lies after that.

"Fine," she said, already feeling like she was breaking their deal. He was satisfied.

"My brothers and I each got one of the corner towers, at birth. You've probably seen the Southern one, the one where the festivities are usually held, the common one. And the Eastern one, Charles', where the guest chambers are located. He doesn't need it." Amaya knew the Western one as well, Henrik's.

"Didn't your father also... take it away?" Their honesty pact allowed her to speak freely, and she would enjoy every minute of it.

"He did not make it official as he did with the King's Fort, and my lands. He probably didn't think to, after he destroyed it. I think it can be restored, but I have very little resources to do it."

"Why there? We could stay as I stay now, guests of the King."

Amaya's chambers had been unlived in since Winter's End.

"We will not be guests. We will be royal visitors from a neighbouring country, also members of the Leront Royal Family. I may not be a Prince, but I am still the King's brother. And you are Queen of one of the richest countries in this Empire, and will also be a member of the Leront Royal Family."

He paused, then he said evenly, "If Henrik does not provide us a castle, to be our Leront residence, or if he doesn't make proper arrangements in Roune to host us, then we will handle the matter ourselves. And it will annoy him. I can be very annoying."

Amaya almost laughed, but there was still one doubt restraining her.

"You want to fight Henrik openly?"

"We will not fight. Not at all. I can handle my brothers. I think you should leave all communication with them to me. If they want to argue, let them come to me. I've been doing this for much longer than you have. As a result, I'm better at it."

"What will I do all day?" she wondered, then smiled. Never talking to Henrik again sounded excellent. "I agree. And I can provide the money for the tower's restoration, from my personal funds."

"You will get it all back."

It was time for Amaya to give a little. It did not come naturally to her, but few things did.

"You really are serious about this. You want the throne."

He stared back at her, as it was not a question.

"It was crucial to my plan that you did," she explained.

He leaned back into his chair, while she adjusted her posture.

"It's not really a... fixed plan," Amaya admitted. "It's more of a... possibilities map. With different outcomes, and an escape for each. I have a way to get to the throne, but it is not the only way. This is why I needed you to want it as much as I do. We will have to be adaptable because my plan depends on others. And people are unpredictable."

"What other people will be involved?"

"Everyone," she said dramatically, and she could almost see him laugh, even if nothing on his face moved. She explained, "The entire people of Leront."

"They don't matter when it comes to who is King."

"They matter if the Guardian Council says they matter."

"Why would the Council say that?" he asked.

"They are all scared of Henrik's behaviour, they fear another Angry. If Leront is in danger, they are morally obligated to intervene, the entire Empire may be hurt. They would be reluctant to use their power to put a man of the people on the throne, but a Prince? They could see it. We'll just show them the correct path: the people supported third heir to the throne. I have a plan for each!"

"You need them all, including the one whose identity only Henrik knows. If any of them refuse... Henrik's vote weights more."

"I don't know who The Conscience is, but I know how to find out. From there on, he's just a regular Council member, with weaknesses we can exploit."

"Are you sure it's not 'she'?"

"If your father accepted to leave that much power to anyone, it will not be a woman."

He still hesitated, and somehow managed to put it into a question, "Why would the people want me?"

"They will want us," Amaya said, emphasizing the last word.

"You... and me? Why?"

Amaya wished he were more confident.

"Because we will present them a fairytale."