Chapter 8

“Father!” Merdi ran, her long skirt fluttering, and threw herself into his arms. It was the first time she had set foot in her homeland since leaving for Elsmere for her Bridal Lessons. The journey between the Empire and the Kingdom took several weeks, and she’d had no choice but to be mindful of Grand Dame Margaret’s scrutiny. Compared to the Empire, Belloc was a small, weak nation with slow development. Sometimes, when Margaret spoke of Belloc, she would frown as if recalling something utterly disgusting.