Secretary Gorf took a deep breath, his usually calm expression cracking with rare alarm.
"Your Highness, are you out of your mind?" he whispered, stepping closer so the nobles wouldn't hear. "Emperor Lirien, your father, will kill me. She'll go mad if even a single scratch shows on your body."
I scoffed, still vibrating from the adrenaline of the challenge. "She's not that serious."
Gorf gave me a look so weary it aged him ten years. "You really don't know your own father, do you?" His voice dropped to a murmur, heavy with certainty. "She forced you to marry Elaine, yes, but not because she hates you for turning into an omega. She's terrified for you. Do you think your parents couldn't have another child if they wanted heirs? They chose you. They love you."
"She... she..." I stammered, the words catching in my throat.
