Chapter 72: Clash of Wills

The negotiations had been tense from the moment they began. Lucian stood at the head of the long stone table, his hands resting on its edge as he surveyed the room. Seated across from him was Isolde, her posture regal and unyielding, her eyes sharp as daggers. Around them, their respective advisors and generals murmured among themselves, but their conversations were mere noise in the background. All the real energy in the room was focused on the two leaders.

Lucian had spent years mastering the art of diplomacy, of asserting his will without ever seeming too overbearing. He'd dealt with stubborn kings, power-hungry nobles, and even ancient mages who believed their wisdom made them untouchable. Yet, none of those encounters compared to the battle of wits he now faced with Isolde. She was not merely stubborn—she was a force unto herself.