Oli frowned, his hand instinctively tightening on the hilt of his sword.
Because she was describing the current situation exactly, he could no longer hold back. "What are you trying to say?"
"Penny wants to see me now for no other reason than to use me as a bargaining chip—either to force my sister to withdraw her army or to help herself escape Kolon," Onaya said calmly. "Unfortunately for them, they've completely miscalculated. My sister won't withdraw her army for my sake. No one knows better than I do. Compared to her sister who married into the Southern Territory, the Duke of the North is far more concerned with her own interests."
"In other words, using me as a bargaining chip won't waver her resolve to take the city one bit. When that happens, Penny and her entire faction will reap what they've sown."
Onaya stepped closer, studying the young man who was, compared to the other White-robed Iron Guards, rather lean.
