She's a Hero

pte

ith anger. My steps were heavy, and I barely concealed my frustr

was dimly lit, the scent of old books lingering in the air. I reluctantly walked in and sa

now but still serious, "there's some

ing my arms. "If this is about me

said firmly. "This is abou

brow. "What

of the world was sitting on his shou

. "When i

ger's empire has been pushing us into hardship - increasing

y, sensing the te

" I p

ight words. "The only way to stop this - the only

thumped a little faster. If this was about fighting, I could do it. I'd trained my

ly. "If you need me to figh

"No," he said gravely. "Th

m, confused. "

words physically pained him. "King Roger ha

. Somehow, I already kn

slowly, my voi

t," my father said,

eyes narrowed. "

his voice heavy with finality. "It

him, unsure whether to laugh or

," he

head. "You're asking me to marry

firmly. "And this isn't about love

chair. "There has

gotiations, trade agreements - nothing worked. King Roger's demands are clear. Eith

es. "So you're just handing m

"I know you're strong, Ivana. Stro

ation. This wasn't fair. I was born to fight, not

to throw my life

to save lives,

ion swirling inside me. I didn't w

sure - if my father was this despera

iting to explode. My father's words echoed in my head

said, my voice sharp. "You're asking me to throw a

oftly, stepping closer. "We kn

ome bargaining chip?" I turned to my father, my frustration boiling over. "You've spen

atient. "If we don't secure this alliance, King Roger will crush our kingdo

burn," I spat, my fists cl

ked, his voice rising with rare anger. "T

athing was heavy, chest rising and falling as fury surged throug

my mother pleaded

don't care what happens. I'd rather die than

r a reply, I storm

after me, his voice dema

er cried, following me

arm away as they both tried to catch u

d desperately, her steps quickening

back. "You've already made yo

id little to calm the fire burning inside me. I didn't know where I was going - I just

I walked, my father's

way to