Marinus threw the Emperor Casimir's letter into the fire!
Theanore was crying silently.
He went and hugged her. She hugged him back.
"I don't want to marry Cassius! I want to marry Mari!" screamed the little nymph.
"Oh, Thea," Esmer watched the letter burn.
They didn't need it anymore. They had its content memorized.
"Think of all the lives that will be lost on both sides. The Emperor is a snake, but not a foolish one! He saw your dragons and offered this deal. We have no choice but to agree."
"I love Thea! Is there no other way to stop this war?" asked Marinus.
He was rubbing gentle circles into Theanore's back as she sobbed.
"Not without bloodshed! Marinus, I understand Theanore succumbing to her emotions. She is a baby! But you are older! You should know the way of the world," Crassus scolded.
He, too, didn't like this.
But his daughter would get to keep her life. And as long as she did so, there was the chance she would find happiness.
