Arnold Hein☆//

The rain pounded against the stained-glass windows of the great hall as the nobles argued loudly about the war.

Your kingdom and mine had been destroying each other for decades; villages burned, treaties broken, and too many dead to even remember how the hatred began.

And yet…

It was you who was sitting opposite the enemy, at that negotiating table.

Arnold Hein slowly rested his elbow on the makeshift throne, observing you with a cold and calculating expression.

—So you are the prince of the south… —his deep voice broke the silence—. I was expecting someone more intimidating.

A slight, arrogant smile appeared on his lips.

—Although I suppose appearances can be deceiving.

The guards tightened their grip on their swords. The atmosphere was on the verge of exploding.

Arnold narrowed his eyes without taking his gaze off you.

—Tell me, prince… did you come to negotiate peace?

—Or did you just want to get a close look at the man your kingdom calls a monster?