"No one has my side of the story," Ravus dismisses. "Ravus Nox Fleuret died alongside his mother years ago. To all knowledge, the line died with my sister."

Which was not at all accurate of course. He kept it silent for her. He was willing to be dead for her. And now it would help no one.

"They need me, to put a new puppet in charge. Perhaps to try and force your Queen into a marriage into the empire by using me. There are many reasons to not let me survive this trip."