Tigris was fully dressed in her battle clothing for the meeting, her hair braided back artfully. She stared out at the gathered crowd in the council room. Advisors milled around, exchanging murmurs. Finn stood next to her, Kai dutifully at his side. Aodh was deep in conversation with their father at the head of the table.

"Did you look at the books I sent you?" Finn whispered. Tigris smirked at him.

"You know I never do."

"Well you should have." Finn insisted, his cheeks pinkening indignantly, "I think they'll be pertinent during the meeting today if you want to contest father's contingency war plans."

The word was like a bolt of lightning. She whipped towards her brother. "War plans?"

"Contingency war plans." Finn correctly, pushing his glasses up his nose. His green eyes darted to their father. "Father is reviewing possible routes of attack on Irulia. I overheard some advisors after the last session. They think he's not going to back down on the tariffs."

Their father's pride was infamous. When their father didn't back down on something, he was quick to be angered. That didn't bode well.

"Any pleas from Irulia will be taken as a challenge." she murmured. Finn nodded hesitantly.

"That's what I fear. And a challenge with father usually ends in war."

"A war would be devastating." Tigris muttered, "To our people and Irulia. It would only divide us further. The last war between them and the Faultless City ended poorly."

"You know Father's pride." Finn reminded her, stealing another quick glance at their father. "But perhaps he'll see reason. Verita seems to have brought some texts from the library, and from what I can tell, they would not support Father's pursuit of war."

"Verita?" Tigris repeated, scanning the crowd. Sure enough, the old librarian was standing there. At her side, an irksomely familiar Irulian was standing, dutifully holding armfuls of books. But she didn't look like she had when Tigris had last fought her.

She wore a simple red gown that reached the floor, brimmed with fake gold threads. It was clearly cheap, but it didn't have a hole or stain on it like her pink gown had. Her hair was clipped back in a studious style. By all accounts, the girl had cleaned up nicely. She should have looked better. Instead, Roche looked exhausted. She had heavy bags under her vacant eyes. And she wasn't looking at Tigris.

She was looking at the king.

At Tigris' side, Finn stilled. "Tigris, don't antagonize her."

"Why? She's staring at the King. I just want to know why." Tigris replied, moving towards her. Finn caught her arm quickly, holding her back.

"Everyone stares at Father. You made it clear last time that you don't want to talk to her. So don't. Especially not here."

Tigris scowled at him. There was something in Roche's expression that she couldn't dismiss. Her already large eyes were round and shiny with a mix of emotions. Fear and dread, mainly. That wasn't normally the type of stare her father garnered.

"That's not it." she muttered. Finn cleared his throat.

"Tigris. Her parents were Irulians. This meeting might be uncomfortable." he pleaded. That just worried Tigris more.

"So she could be a traitor?"

"Roche spent her childhood in the Faultless Kingdom. Her mother hasn't been to Irulia in well over a decade." Kai butted in. Tigris raised a brow at him.

"You talk to her?"

He blushed slightly. "She's nice, Princess."

Tigris snorted. "Nice isn't a word I'd use to describe her." She knew he was right. From the few moments she'd interacted with Roche, she'd learned that the girl was very outspoken. Outspoken subjects usually weren't the best traitors, they were terrible at secret keeping. There was still a chance, though. Tigris pulled her hand away from Finn and moved across the council room with an easy smile that warded off any suspicions the advisors might have had. She heard Finn groan behind her, but heard his footsteps follow. Verita was locked in conversation with another advisor as they approached. Roche didn't seem to see them coming, she was too busy staring at the King.

"Enjoying your first council session?" Tigris asked. Roche jumped slightly, barely holding onto her books. Her mouth opened with apologies until she noticed who she was speaking to. She frowned.

"Oh. It's you." she growled, turning away. Tigris' chest burned with indignation, but she quickly masked it. She flashed a teasing smirk instead. To her pleasure, that seemed to rile up Roche. The scholar scowled, her cheeks flushing red. She studiously avoided Tigris' gaze.

"I didn't think you attended these types of things." Roche said finally, when Tigris stubbornly remained at her side. Tigris raised a brow, hot ire roiling.

"Why?" she asked tightly, "Because I'm a princess who sits in a tower all day doing nothing?" It was a sentiment shared by many of her father's advisors.

Roche blinked at her owlishly, like she hadn't thought of that. "No, because it's a bunch of boring old men sitting at a table discussing grain shipments. Wouldn't you rather be out in the courtyard swinging your sword at some poor servant or something?"

The response was so unexpected that Tigris choked on a laugh. At Roche's side, Verita seemed to realise what was happening. She curtsied to Tigris, clearly stepping on Roche's foot. Tigris had to force back her grin as Roche's features bulged with shock and irritation.

"My lady," Verita addressed her formally, "I hope my apprentice hasn't been annoying you."

Tigris raised a brow. "Of course not. Ever since you told me of her stupidity, I know her words are meaningless."

"Stupidity?" Roche repeated, dumbfounded. Verita's lips twitched and Roche whirled on her. "Is that the excuse you used to get me out of the dungeons? Couldn't think of anything else?"

"I've come to realise that it's partially true." Tigris noted. Verita couldn't quite hide her smile at Roche's outraged squawk. Before Tigris could tease her anymore, the king pounded his hand against the table. Tigris quickly made her way to the table, her hand on the pommel of her sword. She felt restless and bouncy with energy, like she was about to enter battle. She sat at the table across from Roche, closest to her father. Finn remained at her side while Verita sat next to Aodh. Verita was revered for her access to the library. She had been by Romulus' side since he was a prince. She was his most trusted acquaintance that was not a noble. Tigris stole a glance at the back of the hall where Roche and Kai stood side by side. They both stared back openly at Tigris, their lips pursed grimly.

"Today we are gathered to review and perfect our plans for the upcoming meeting with the Irulian ambassador." the king announced. Everyone rose from their seats. The King nodded to Verita, who unfurled a map of the castle.

"Guards will be posted at a double schedule in case an attack is planned. I'd like extra patrols around the ambassador's quarters, here." the King explained, pointing to the map. "Extra tasters will be accepted for the meals and drinks. I'd like the garrisons in western Relinda privately prepared to host the royal army."

Tigris lifted her gaze ever so slightly, locking eyes with Aodh. Her concerns were echoed in his eyes. These measures were very offensive rather than defensive. Tigris cleared her throat.

"My lord, these measures will assume many of our knights' resources. It would help if we knew the objective to hasten our efforts." Tigris asked, ensuring that her voice remained civil. Romulus' blue eyes flicked towards her, and Tigris prepared for another rant about respect. But perhaps she'd kept her suspicions out of her voice, because her father merely pointed back at the map.

"These are simply protective measures," he assured them, "Should the Irulian ambassador be a distraction."

"A distraction from what?" asked another advisor curiously. Romulus' lips thinned with irritation.

"A number of things. The Faultless Kingdom is very prosperous. I've received intelligence that Irulia grows desperate in their state. If history is any indication, an attack on our border may follow."

The advisors murmured amongst themselves. Tigris stole a glance towards Roche. Her face was an open book. She stared at the king in horror, her mouth hanging open. Kai murmured something to her, and her gaze snapped to Tigris. Her cheeks reddened, and Tigris looked away. When a brief silence surfaced, Tigris asked,

"Are we certain this is the right course of action?"

The King's eyes narrowed. "What do you suggest instead, daughter?"

Tigris glanced at Verita. "Would filling garrisons at the border not stoke hostilities?"

"It would be a show of strength." Tigris' father insisted, "The upcoming talks have a very low chance of success. It is best we prepare the garrisons for defense."

"Sire, the contingency plans involve an immediate invasion of the closest Irulian villages along the shared eastern border should a war occur." Verita pointed out. She beckoned Roche closer, who obediently handed over a scroll. Verita smoothed it out on the table. "These Irulian war plans were apprehended during the last peace talks hosted by Irulia. Their immediate reaction to a declaration of war would be defensive measures. It would be days before they even attempted an attack at the border, more than enough time to stock and fill the Relinda and Plagia garrisons."

Romulus' jaw tightened. "But pre-emptive filling of these garrisons would allow for a quick acquisition of the eastern Irulian lands, no?"

"Well... yes," Verita admitted, "But that would certainly hinder any peace efforts."

"The peace efforts were hindered the moment that Irulia didn't pay their agreed upon share." Romulus sneered, his gaze sweeping around the table. "Irulia has been an open foe of the Faultless Kingdom in the past. They resisted the purge of inkblood and when they finally accepted the ban, their elders were willing to raze our farms. Irulia's decimation would ensure the kingdom's success for decades to come."

There was a heavy silence. Tigris felt sick to see several advisors nodding along.

Verita's frown deepened. "But sire-"

"That will be all, Verita. Thank you for your guidance." Romulus interrupted icily. Verita had no choice but to nod. He held her gaze stonily until she gathered her scrolls. Tigris' grip tightened on her sword.

"Father," Finn interjected meekly, "I've been reading the latest Irulian custom changes. They've become considerably more enthusiastic regarding their partnership with Faultless City and its allies. They give no indication of relapsing to their brutal fighting styles from the inkblood purges and farmland razing."

"I suppose the Princess talked you into that?" a blonde haired advisor across the table snorted snidely, glaring at Tigris with venom. "She has openly disagreed with the King's plans for this kingdom's proliferation in the past."

Tigris' pride flared. She kept her composure, but she couldn't quite stop her eyes from flashing as she stared down her nose at the scowling blue-eyed man.

"And what is your name, my lord?" Tigris asked, her voice carefully level. The man glanced at the advisors next to him, his cheeks blooming with an arrogant flush.

"Sir Harris." he replied, notably not addressing her title. Beside Tigris, Finn muttered, "Oh shit."

"Well, Sir Harris," Tigris replied derisively, "I understand the King's wisdom behind this decision. What reason have you for questioning my loyalty to his judgement?"

Her stare was cold enough to freeze over hell. The room was positively still. Sir Harris, however, seemed to like pushing his luck.

He puffed out his chest. "At the last meeting, you questioned his judgement quite publicly."

"Enough!" Aodh hissed, whirling on the man, "You will show the Princess some respect and call her by her title-"

"No, no. It's alright, brother." Tigris drawled, never once breaking her stare at Harris. She paused, drawing all eyes towards her. Tigris knew that she was known among the knights for her ability with blades and weapons, but in the council she was known for her wit and unyielding authority. She straightened regally, her expression carefully crafted into indifference.

"During the last meeting, I publicly reaffirmed my father's rationale. I understand that he is wise." she added, glancing at her father. The King tilted his head in agreement. "His highness knows that I would never question his intelligence or honour, and that I only seek clarification for how this will improve our city."

Tigris' heels clicked against the ground as she stepped closer to the table, leaning forward until she was at eye level with the now silent advisor. "I understand my father's acumen precisely. The question is, Sir Harris, do you?"

The advisor's fish-belly white cheeks turned a splotchy red.

"Excuse me?" he spluttered. Tigris traced the map with her nail studiously.

"Not once during this meeting have you referred to me properly. And you questioned my brother's intelligence. Do you doubt that the king's children are not loyal?" Tigris asked, her eyes flicking up and down. Sir Harris stammered.

"No! Of course not-"

"Do you doubt our loyalty to our king? To this kingdom?" Tigris demanded hotly, flicking a strand of her blonde hair over her shoulder. The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Sir Harris seemed to realise he was backed into a corner. He lowered his head submissively.

"Of course not, my lady."

"Then you will recognize my right to be present and contribute to this meeting, and you will pay me the proper respect, as you would to anyone else here." Tigris ordered, her hand settling on the edge of the table. "Is that clear?"

"Y-yes, my lady." Harris replied quickly, still gazing at the floor. Tigris held back her smirk.

"Excellent. We all have proven our worth at this table. I would hate for your concerns to interrupt more pressing matters again." Tigris didn't give him a chance to respond. She glanced back at Finn, who fiddled with the edge of the map on the table. "You were saying, brother?"

It was like a flip had been switched. The advisors pressed in close to listen. Finn might be shy, but even he knew when he had to act his part. He straightened, meeting the gazes of all the advisors in warning before pointing at the map.

"The documents I reviewed came from the central region of Irulia. While there may be variations in the bordering regions, recent meetings between the stationed border patrol and villagers have indicated no hostilities from either side. Increased presence of our guards at the border would surely throw this balance out of order. Any chance we have of agreement at the peace talk would be greatly diminished with such measures." he explained. He pushed his spectacles up his nose as he met their father's firm gaze. To Tigris' surprise, he didn't cower. "I propose instead that border patrol is increased and that the outlying villages are provided aid to ease any tensions that may arise. This way, we will have men nearby to assist if war does break out. These also happen to be one of the more fertile regions of Irulia."

He said the last part with a meaningful glance at Tigris. She hid her smile by lowering her face towards the map contemplatively. Of course. If additional aid was added before the upcoming harvest, then Irulia might still have a chance at meeting their export quota. They'd be able to be closer to paying off their required taxes. Even the king couldn't go to war over small missed payments without intense scrutiny from the other kingdoms.

The king rubbed his chin. "According to the reports I've received from the border towns and garrisons, our kingdom's harvest is plentiful this year. We should be able to spare certain farmers and equipment. And you believe this would reduce the chance of Irulia claiming that the added presence at the garrison is unjust? We would be protected in our right to declare war if the talks fail, without criticism from other foes?"

"I believe so," Finn replied, shyly glancing at the advisors, "Of course, that is if the remaining advisors agree."

Tigris tuned out the ensuing argument between the advisors across the table. Aodh was busy making peace when Tigris leaned towards her brother.

"You're a genius, have I told you that?" she whispered. Finn grinned.

"Told you I wasn't just reading under the table during the last meeting." he boasted, "I was paying attention."

Tigris rolled her eyes. "Don't let it get to your head. You're still a stupid little boy."

"You just called me a genius."

"Did I?"

"Princess," Aodh drew her attention across the table with a raised eyebrow, "Prince Finn drew up a good plan, but our demands for the ambassador remain the same. The import quota must be met."

"And if not, we will go to war." the King added. He pinned Tigris in place with a look that warned her not to speak out. Tigris swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry.

"And would this be immediately decreed upon the ambassador's refusal, or is a negotiation attempt to be made?" she asked carefully, fully aware that she was treading a fine line. The King's lips twitched in amusement.

"No negotiation is to be made. An agreement was made with Irulia. They were warned of the consequences if they did not follow the proposed tax and trade laws." the King announced. He held Tigris' gaze. "Are there any concerns regarding this plan?"

There were. Tigris had many concerns. But her father's jaw was clenched tightly with disgust. She lowered her gaze. Any further questioning would undermine her authority after Harris' claims. So Tigris stayed silent, feeling her father's triumph roll through the room like a wave.

"Excellent. Tigris, I'd like you to arrange the guards heading to the garrison and file the full reports from the border. I'd like full intelligence on the ambassador's movements and plans as well. We have one week until his arrival to ensure everything is in place. Aodh,"

Tigris mostly tuned out the king after that, a tight feeling coiling at the bottom of her stomach. If Finn's plan didn't work, a war would destroy the chance of peace between Irulia and the Faultless Kingdom. This would undermine any further peace agreements made with other kingdoms in the future.

Tigris stole a glance at her father, deep in conversation with the advisors. She forced a serene expression to her face. Her father had always ruled with a heavy hand, especially after his war with his brother and the ban on inkblood. That was the way their kingdom had survived this long. Perhaps that was the way she would one day have to rule, just as her father had told her to.

Tigris cast her gaze back to the weathered map. She hoped Finn's plan increased Irulia's profits in time. She feared the outcome if it failed.

A/N: Nearly lost this whole chapter when my dog decided to sit on my laptop 😬