The confrontation between Lyrien and Prince Ryker was inevitable. As the war raged on, their paths crossed in a grand ballroom, with Eira caught in the middle.
Lyrien, fueled by his passion and conviction, confronted Prince Ryker about his intentions. "You're using her, aren't you?" Lyrien accused, his voice low and menacing. "You're using her for your own gain, without caring about her feelings or well-being."
Prince Ryker smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "And what business is it of yours?" he replied, his voice dripping with condescension. "Eira and I have a mutually beneficial arrangement. She's intelligent, beautiful, and I... well, I'm willing to provide her with the resources she needs to achieve her goals."
Eira's eyes flashed with anger, but she remained silent, observing the exchange between the two men. She knew that Lyrien's emotions were raw, and Prince Ryker's words were carefully chosen to provoke him.
The tension between them escalated, with Lyrien's anger boiling over. "You don't care about her," Lyrien spat. "You only care about yourself."
Prince Ryker's smile never wavered. "And what do you care about, Lyrien?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you care about Eira, or is it just your own ego that's bruised?"
The confrontation ended with Lyrien storming out of the ballroom, leaving Eira and Prince Ryker alone. Eira's eyes met Prince Ryker's, and she saw the calculation in his gaze.
"What do you want from me, Prince Ryker?" she asked, her voice cold.
Prince Ryker's smile returned. "I want you, Eira," he replied. "I want your intelligence, your beauty, and your loyalty. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get it."