POV: Ravenna
Edmund and Brynn were leaving.
The farewell ceremony was small—just Father, a few nobles, and those of us who actually cared that Edmund was departing. Not the grand spectacle some candidates would have demanded. Just quiet dignity.
Exactly like Edmund himself.
I stood in the courtyard with Theron beside me, watching servants load luggage onto the carriage. Brynn supervised with the quiet competence of someone used to managing her father's household. Edmund stood near the carriage, speaking quietly with Father about something I couldn't hear.
"He's a good man," Theron said quietly.
"The best." I watched Edmund nod at something Father said. "The only candidate who treated me like a person instead of a prize to be won."
"He treated me with respect too." Theron's voice was thoughtful. "Never once implied I was unsuitable or unworthy. Just—accepted the Dragon's Choosing and moved on with grace."
"That's Edmund." I smiled slightly. "Grace under pressure."
Edmund finished his conversation with Father and approached us. He looked tired but content. Ready to go home.
"Princess Ravenna. Theron." He bowed slightly. "I wanted to say goodbye properly before we left."
"You're not disappearing forever," I said. "You're just going back to Pyrstone."
"True. But it will likely be some time before we see each other again." He paused. "I wanted you both to know that I've submitted written testimony to the investigation panel."
My breath caught. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did." His voice was firm. "The investigation is examining whether Solace's choices were genuine and unforced. I was there. I witnessed the Dragon's Choosing. I saw how Solace reacted to each of us." He looked at Theron. "Her rejection of Lucien was absolute and violent. Her choice of you was certain and immediate. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty, no question."
"What exactly did you tell them?" Theron asked quietly.
"That Solace's behavior was consistent with genuine dragon response. That rejection typically manifests as indifference, not active repulsion—which means Lucien triggered something deeply wrong in her." Edmund's expression was serious. "That her recognition of you was instant and absolute. That I witnessed no signs of magical interference or coercion."
"Thank you," I said, my throat tight. "That means—thank you."
"I'm simply telling the truth." Edmund smiled. "And the truth is that you two were clearly meant for each other. Anyone with eyes could see it."
"Not everyone with eyes agrees," Theron said dryly.
"Then they're blind or willfully ignorant." Edmund's voice held unexpected steel. "I've lived through a bonding. I know what genuine recognition looks like. What you have is real." He paused. "Don't let Cassian's political games make you doubt that."
"We won't," I promised.
"Good." Edmund looked between us. "I know I barely know you. That I was only here for a few weeks. But I want you to know—if you ever need an ally in Pyrstone, you have one in me." His expression softened. "House Edmund isn't powerful or influential. But we're honorable. And we keep our promises."
"That means more than you know," Theron said quietly.
"Father?" Brynn's voice called from the carriage. "We should go if we want to make the border by nightfall."
Edmund nodded. He offered his hand to Theron first. They shook—warrior to warrior, mutual respect clear.
Then he turned to me. "Take care of yourself, Princess. And take care of that warrior of yours. He's worth it."
"I know." I smiled. "And I will."
He started to turn away, then stopped. Looked back. "Your mother would be proud of you, Ravenna. The way you've handled this competition, the investigation, all of it. The courage you've shown." His voice was gentle. "She'd be proud of the woman you're becoming."
My eyes stung. "Thank you," I whispered.
He bowed one final time and walked to the carriage.
Brynn appeared at my elbow, having somehow crossed the courtyard without me noticing.
"Princess Ravenna." She was formal in front of witnesses but her eyes were warm. "Thank you again. For showing me Solace. For talking with me. For—for seeing me as more than just Edmund's daughter."
"You're extraordinary in your own right," I told her. "Don't let anyone make you think otherwise."
She smiled. Then, surprising me completely, she hugged me quickly. Whispered in my ear: "I hope the investigation ends quickly and fairly. You deserve to be happy."
She pulled back before I could respond and turned to Theron.
"Take care of her," she said seriously. "The princess, I mean. She acts tough but she's—" Brynn paused, searching for words. "She's braver than she knows. And she needs someone who sees that."
"I see it," Theron promised solemnly. "And I'll take care of her."
"Good." Brynn nodded, satisfied. Then she walked to the carriage and climbed inside.
Edmund followed her. The driver closed the door. The horses started moving.
We stood in the courtyard and watched the carriage roll toward the palace gates. Brynn waved through the window. I waved back, feeling an unexpected ache in my chest.
"I'm going to miss them," I said quietly.
"So will I." Theron's hand found mine. "Edmund was the only candidate who felt like an actual person instead of a political player."
"He was honorable." I watched the carriage disappear through the gates. "In a way few nobles are."
"Yes." Theron squeezed my hand gently. "He showed what true dignity looks like. Quiet. Steady. No performance or posturing. Just—being good because that's who he is."
"I hope he finds happiness again someday." I looked up at Theron. "He deserves it. After losing his bonded and surviving—he deserves to be happy."
"He will be." Theron's voice was certain. "He has Brynn. He has honor. He has a life worth living." He paused. "That's more than many people can say."
We stood there in the empty courtyard after everyone else had dispersed. Just the two of us, holding hands, processing the loss of Edmund's quiet support.
"His testimony will help," I said finally. "With the investigation. Having a witness confirm that Solace's choices were genuine—that matters."
"It does." Theron pulled me closer. "But even without it, the truth would stand. Solace chose me. That's not something that can be disproven or explained away."
"Cassian will try."
"Let him try." Theron's voice was hard. "The experts will find nothing. Edmund's testimony will support that. And Cassian will have to accept the results."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then Father will deal with House Ashford." Theron's expression was grim. "One way or another, this ends soon."
I leaned against him, letting his steadiness anchor me. The investigation was ongoing. Cassian was still playing games. Nobles were still whispering.
But Edmund had given us something precious: validation from an impartial witness. Testimony that Solace's choices were genuine and unforced.
It wasn't everything. But it was something.
"I wish Edmund could stay for the wedding," I said quietly.
"He'd probably come if you asked."
"No." I shook my head. "He needs to get home. Back to his life. Away from palace politics and investigations." I smiled slightly. "Besides, he's already given us more than he needed to. The testimony. The respect. The reminder that honor still exists."
"All things we needed to see."
"Yeah." I looked up at the gates where Edmund's carriage had disappeared. "I hope we see them again someday. Under better circumstances."
"We will." Theron's voice was certain. "When you're queen and I'm consort and all of this political mess is behind us. We'll invite Edmund to visit. Let Brynn study dragons with Solace. Build an actual friendship instead of just—tournament acquaintance."
The image made me smile. "I'd like that."
"So would I."
We turned back toward the palace together. The investigation would continue. The political games would play out. Cassian would push as far as he could.
But Edmund had shown us something important: that there were still good people in the world. People who did the right thing not because it benefited them, but because it was right.
People like Edmund.
People like Theron.
And maybe—just maybe—people like me, if I could be brave enough to follow their example.
"Come on," I said, tugging Theron toward the palace. "We should check on the investigation status. See if the panel has any updates."
"Always business with you."
"Someone has to keep us on track." I smiled. "You'd wander off to train and forget we have political nightmares to navigate."
"That's fair." He squeezed my hand. "But you'd overwork yourself without me forcing you to take breaks."
"Also fair."
We walked inside together, ready to face whatever came next.
With Edmund's testimony supporting us. With Solace's certainty guiding us. With each other to lean on.
Two more days until the investigation concluded.
Two more days until we proved everyone wrong.
Together.