A Realization Too Late

"Noel, you already know the relationship between Leland and Valleys is strained. They are already pushing to end the renewed treaty negotiations. Are you sure that taking a step like this is right in such an environment?"

"I don't care if it is right or not, AJ. But this is going to happen." Noel answered with determination but he also added," Don't worry. I will not become a liability to Leland or to you."

"You can never be a liability, Noel and you know it. I will just ask you to be careful. The only person I care about in all this is my brother should not be hurt."

Noel closed his eyes and thought back to the conversation he'd had with AJ before leaving Leland. He's been worried of course. About Emilia and her circumstances. However, he'd been even more worried about his own reaction to her and her preposterous proposition to sleep with her.