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I shake my head, the tension in my shoulders intensifying.

“We have a few leads—some neutral senators, the city’s commoners who admire my arena victories.

But Vaelen’s hold on the Bavkus is strong.

He’ll smear our evidence as fabrications.

” My anger coalesces. “He’s planting rumors that you manipulated me with your ‘foreign wiles.’”

Her face twists in distaste. “Typical. Make the outsider woman into the conniving seductress.” She exhales, eyes softening. “I hate that you’re caught in this crossfire.”

I can’t help recalling the moments we shared last night, the stolen intimacy that transcended all the Senate’s bigotry. The memory warms me, even as guilt tugs. “It’s not your fault. I welcomed you into my estate, accepted the Senate’s decree. Maybe I sealed your fate from the start.”

She frowns. “Don’t. We’ve faced orcs, conspiracies, and blackmail. None of that is your doing. We fight side by side, remember?”

A swirl of relief tempers my anxiety. She doesn’t resent me for the Senate’s cruelty. Perhaps we truly are in this together. I nod, stepping close enough that her subtle lavender scent tickles my nostrils. “Yes,” I say softly. “But I hate that you risk so much.”

She must sense the turmoil in me. Her hand lifts, briefly resting on my forearm, a soothing gesture that only intensifies the jumble of emotions churning beneath my stoic facade. “You’d do the same in my place. Let’s figure out our next move.”

Before I can speak further, a footstep sounds behind us. One of my senior guards, Tarek, stands at the threshold, looking uneasy. “Champion, the Senate has called you for an audience in the lower forum. They want you to address rumors of sabotage.”

I hold back a snarl. Another cunning tactic to corner me in public, no doubt. “Very well. Tell them I’ll attend.”

He bows, glancing warily at Mira before retreating. She folds her arms, posture braced. “Go. Present your truth. But be careful.”

I gently clasp her hand. “Stay in the estate. If Vaelen’s men catch you wandering, they might seize you.”

She sets her jaw, frustration evident, but nods. “I’ll keep my head down. For now.”

I exhale, reluctant to part ways. The tension between us has grown even more complicated since last night’s encounter.

Despite the Senate’s threats, the closeness we shared lingers in my blood, fueling a protectiveness that transcends the champion’s role.

I want to wrap her in my arms, shield her from everything.

But I also need to face the Senate. Duty demands it.

I leave the library, summoning two of my loyal guards.

We ride a small carriage through winding streets toward the city’s lower forum, an open-air assembly spot usually reserved for mid-level civic debates.

The air hums with midday heat. Minotaurs crowd the roadsides, drawn by the spectacle of Senate gatherings.

When we arrive, I see a makeshift dais set up under marble arches.

A cluster of senators stands there, including Vaelen himself, spouting words I can’t make out over the crowd’s buzz.

A wave of loathing washes through me at the sight of him.

He stands tall, horns polished, wearing a cloak embroidered with gold filigree.

His expression is smug, as though he’s already victorious.

The crowd parts as my guards escort me to the dais.

Tensions crackle in the air. I spot a few city dwellers eyeing me with expectation—some wave, recognizing the champion who saved them from orcs.

Others whisper, uncertain about the rumors swirling.

Vaelen lifts his voice, amplified by the natural acoustics of the forum. “Citizens, behold your champion, Remanos Ironhide. We have summoned him to clarify these troubling rumors of sabotage in our docks, these allegations of treasonous dealings.”

I ascend the dais, every muscle coiled. The midday sun gleams off my horns. I meet Vaelen’s gaze with cold disdain, refusing to bow. “I am here to defend truth, not to affirm your lies.”

A ripple of murmurs moves through the crowd. Vaelen spreads his arms, feigning disappointment. “Then enlighten us, champion. Who is forging contraband and sowing chaos?”

I glare at him. “You know very well who. I have documents implicating your involvement in orc arms deals. You deny them as fabrications, but the truth will come out.”

He presses a dramatic hand to his chest. “You see, citizens? He accuses a senator of treason, yet offers no formal proof before the Bavkus. Instead, he allows an outsider—his so-called spoil—to rummage through private warehouses. That same outsider threatens good workers with violence.”

Unease flickers in the crowd. My fists tighten. “She threatened no one without cause. She discovered arms marked with my crest, an obvious ploy to tie me to orc conspiracies. We suspect you and your allies planted them.”

A hush falls. Then Vaelen smirks, turning to the crowd.

“And how convenient that this ‘so-called’ evidence rests with a human who’d benefit from toppling our traditions.

Perhaps she forges more documents even now.

” He looks at me, eyes glinting triumphantly.

“Champion, the Senate demands you control her interference. If she remains unbound by our laws, we risk orc infiltration and unrest among the commoners.”

I sense the crowd’s uncertainty. Some glance at each other, torn between loyalty to me and fear of orc retribution. Vaelen is twisting their insecurities flawlessly. My mouth goes dry. “Mira is no threat to Milthar. She’s the one unearthing sabotage, exposing traitors.”

He raises a condescending eyebrow. “The Senate sees only a meddler. Unless you disavow her activities, champion, we may have to remove you for failing to uphold your responsibilities. And your spoil will be dealt with accordingly.”

A wave of cold horror prickles down my spine. The subtle hush from the crowd suggests they’re waiting to see if I’ll bow to the Senate’s demand. An older minotaur in the front row, a cobbler I recognize from the arena stands, calls out, “Champion, is it true you’ve let her run wild?”

My tail whips in agitation. “She’s not ‘running wild.’ She’s seeking truth. If that offends the Senate, perhaps the Senate should reflect on why.”

Vaelen shakes his head, feigning sorrow. “You see, citizens, he defies our council. This is precisely why we must intervene—for the city’s unity.”

An official taps his staff on the dais, calling the assembly to order.

My heart thrashes in my chest. I could lie, claim I’ve reined in Mira, or I could push back and risk immediate repercussions.

The crowd’s eyes burn into my hide. But I refuse to sacrifice her for political favor. I step forward, voice carrying:

“I stand by my actions. Mira is not a pawn to be caged. She seeks to root out orc collaborators who threaten Milthar from within. That is the real sabotage. If the Senate punishes me for protecting her, so be it.”

Gasps rise from the crowd, some in admiration, others in alarm.

Vaelen’s expression tightens, and I know I’ve just dared him to carry out his threats in public.

The senator’s lips peel back in a chilling smile.

“Then you leave us no choice. We’ll convene to discuss your champion status—whether you’ve abused it by harboring a dangerous foreigner. ”

Dread coils in my stomach. I can practically see him preparing to drag me before a tribunal. Still, I stand firm, chest heaving with anger. “Do so,” I manage, voice rough. “The truth will surface, Vaelen. No matter how deeply you bury it.”

He turns, effectively ending the forum with a swirl of his cloak.

A murmur runs through the crowd. Some step forward, possibly wanting to speak to me, but I stride off the dais, ignoring the staff members trying to corral me.

My guards rush to keep up as I push through the throng.

My mind burns with frustration—my defiance just gave Vaelen ammunition to accelerate his plan.

After a tense ride back to my estate, I retreat to a secluded inner courtyard.

The canopy of vines overhead offers scant relief from the midday sun, but at least it’s private.

I pace restlessly, the intensity of the forum still thrumming through my veins.

My personal guard stands watch near the archway, ensuring no uninvited visitors disrupt me.

Hearing the soft scrape of sandals on stone, I swivel to see Mira entering the courtyard. She halts, searching my face. “I heard what happened at the forum. News spreads fast.”

My lungs seize at the sight of her. She’s the reason I spat in the Senate’s eye, the reason I risk losing everything.

And yet the memory of how we came together last night glows in my mind, offering solace in a sea of turmoil.

I let out a ragged breath. “Vaelen twisted public opinion. He threatened me with removal again if I don’t subdue you. ”

Her face hardens. “I won’t stand by while he smuggles orc arms into the city. But if the Senate is turning against you?—”

I break in, voice cracking with emotion I usually bury. “Let them turn. I’m done playing along with their false unity. If that means I’m no longer champion, so be it.” My eyes lock with hers. “But I can’t lose you to their threats.”

A flicker of raw feeling lights her gaze.

She steps closer, brushing fingers across my forearm.

That simple contact grounds me, reminding me there’s more than politics at stake here.

“I’m not leaving, Remanos. Not by choice.

But we can’t let them paint me as a saboteur.

We have to strike first, reveal Vaelen’s conspiracies to enough honest voices that the Senate can’t ignore it. ”