Page 81 of Rise of a Fallen Man

“Why not give them both a medal?” I suggested.

Mother chuckled. “I’m not against honoring a man once in a while when his behavior sets a good example for the rest of the male population. But receiving the queen’s medal is the highest honor in the country. We can’t give it just to anyone.”

“Just last year, you gave two medals on the same day,” I reminded her.

“Yes, but that was to honor two very distinguished women. We can’t do the same for men. We risk making the award look frivolous.”

“But if both deserve it—”

A knock on the door interrupted me.

“Your Majesty,” a guard entered, “Madam Trela and the games master have arrived.”

The door opened wider, and the two esteemed women entered, followed by a man who had not been announced.

He stayed behind the women, but because of his height that allowed him to tower over them, I could see his face perfectly.

Salas.

Chapter 22

Salas

Queen Anna was in the room when we entered, along with other high-born ladies, but the only one I could see was the princess.

Her expression remained unaffected. She’d always been good at maintaining her composure in public. Her serene gaze betrayed nothing. Only her lips parted slightly, silently forming a word so subtly, only I could read it.

“Salas.”

My name.

The queen greeted the ladies, then directed her attention to me.

“I never had a chance to properly thank you for helping my daughter—”

“Forsaving my life,” Ari corrected.

The queen gave her an indulging smile. “For saving the life of our crown princess.”

I’d never been in the same room as the Queen of Rorrim Queendom before. Until now, the closest I’d come to our monarch was a glimpse of her in the arena. Before I came to Egami, I’d only seen her in pictures.

In a casual lavender dress, with only a modest diadem for a crown, she looked more approachable than ever. Possibly, I’d be more intimidated had I not been so destructed by Ari’s presence.

I bowed to the queen, stealing another glance at the princess.

“Thank you.” Ari smiled softly.

She looked tired. Her bright summer dress embroidered with lilies-of-the-valley with a green sash tied under her breasts couldn’t hide the shadows of exhaustion on her face.

“It is my duty to protect you, Your Highness.” I bowed. “I trust you’re feeling well?”

It was killing me to act detached and formal, when I wanted to gather her in my arms, put her in my lap, and kiss her scars, both visible and not.

“I’m well,” she replied. “Did you receive my thank-you note?”

As promised, Ari had sent me an update on her recovery from the ordeal in the arena. She also included a large bouquet of white roses and a dozen of priceless silk satin shirts. The note said the shirts were to replace the one she’d ruined during her last visit to the gladiators’ quarters.

“Yes, I greatly appreciate the note and the presents. I’ll never run out of shirts now.” I grinned.

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