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The help entered the dining room, carrying large platters of steaming food. They placed them on the table in front of the guests, revealing a feast. There were roasted chickens, seasoned with herbs and spices, as well as tender pieces of beef and pork, cooked to perfection.

Alongside the meats were bowls of creamy mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, and freshly baked bread. The smells wafting through the room were enough to make Valda’s mouth water, and she eagerly reached for the food, filling her plate with a generous portion. She was tired of eating rations of dried meat whenever she was out in the desert. This feast was what she needed.

As everyone else filled their plates, the maids moved around the room, filling their glasses with a red wine. The drink was rich and full-bodied, with hints of black cherry and vanilla.

As she ate, Valda noticed Arwin’s attention had fallen on Kayden. “You are using your powers for what?”

Kayden scoffed and waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, you know.” He made a vulgar gesture which made Arwin chuckle. “You would do the same if you were me.”

“I don’t need to use any gift to get laid.” His eyes drifted to Rionach and Valda’s stomach turned.

“I am surprised. With a face like yours, I thought it would be hard to get anyone to suck your—”

“Kayden,” Valda’s warning growl made her best friend shut his mouth.

“Sorry. I forgot we were eating.” He laughed.

Valda sighed and rubbed her eyes again. Since she came back from her last battle, she had felt them burning. Today was no different, if anything they bothered her more. She tried to restrain herself from touching her face again, letting out a frustrated groan.

“Valda, are you well?”?Arwin asked, dipping a piece of bread in the beef fat.

“I think so,” she answered. Valda opened her eyes wide and blinked, trying to alleviate the itching. “Must be something in the air,” she concluded before grabbing hold of the glass of wine in front of her.?

“After being so long out there, it’s only normal that you get some eye irritation,” Rionach added before patting her hand. “I wish you didn’t have to leave so much, dear.”?

“I wish I was home more often, Mother. But it just seems that these rebels are gaining ground as the months pass.”?

“It’s weird. At first, it was one attack every year or so, then it went up to once every six months, and now once every three. I think they are getting stronger or getting more people,” Rionach said, giving Arwin a look. “What do you think?”?

“I think they are persistent,” Arwin answered, leaning back in his chair.? “Who knows who is behind these movements? I wouldn’t be surprised if it were the Sealians themselves.”

Valda rolled her eyes. “Why would it be them?”

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because your mother keeps raising taxes on them?” Kayden blurted. The awkward silence that followed through made Valda uncomfortable, but she couldn’t deny that Kayden might be up to something.

?“They use our resources, and you expect them to live in my land for free?” Rionach asked.

Valda noticed Kayden’s grin falter. “You are right, forgive my lack of tact.”

“You might be right, Kayden. I would be pissed too. Not to mention every petition in the last years has been Skylians asking for lower taxes.” Valda sighed and finished her glass of wine in one gulp.?“If our people are struggling to pay; I don’t want to know what the Sealians are doing to pay.”

“You want some more wine, Valda?” Rionach asked, clearly wanting to change the subject.

“Sure, why not?”?

Rionach turned around, gave one of the maids a soft smile, and waved her hand at her.

“All the money goes to better our army, Valda. We are not wasting it,” Arwin said, shrugging. “Many Skylians understand the need to be protected.”

“From what? All kingdoms are at peace. Besides, can you imagine all the things we could do with that money? Houses, roads, schools. I would even build an Asclepius temple. The more blessed healers, the better,” Valda said, quietly thanking a maid after her glass was full.

“A temple for a god that isn’t ours?” Rionach recoiled. “Blasphemy.”

“No wonder people are rebelling,” Kayden muttered, taking a bite of a chicken leg.

“I haven’t heard of any kingdom doing so, Mother. Just imagine creating a haven for blessed healers. They wouldn’t be running away and hiding out, afraid to be used for ulterior motives.”

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” Arwin said, tilting his glass toward Valda.