It was hard to contain the glow of pride that seemed to take hold of her features at Batu’s words. A natural, he had said. And though her grandmother would’ve hated the indication, Fen was certain that her father would’ve been proud. At least, in private.

The Princess did not hide the grin that fastened itself to her lips as she uttered her thanks to the royal guard.

Her ears perked in his direction, pressing forward with sincerity and curiosity as he spoke of the women from his homeland. One, she realized, she knew nothing of.

But more importantly than that, he spoke of how the women were just as strong as the men---taught to learn how to hold their own—and expected to be seen on the battlefield, for some. A far cry from what traditional values the Tianlong Dynasty seemed to have.

What, with their women, meant to don masks of propriety as they fluttered eyelashes at the men they were expected to look up to.

Your home sounds like a dream come true, The princess uttered softly, her words barely above a whisper as she regarded him. Do you miss it? She asked, green eyes blinking and fastening along his own. Your home.