"They are both great options," Maria continued, her eyes meeting those of Andrik and Serana. "However," she paused, allowing the word to linger in the air, "I prefer the third option."

A subtle tension gripped the room. The soldiers and nobles exchanged curious glances. Lord Varric Frosthell, seated at the throne-like chair, arched a thick brow.

"Amusing," Varric remarked, his tone devoid of amusement. Lines of age and authority etched deeply into his stern face. "I don't recall presenting a third option."

Maria offered a faint smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. "No need to concern yourself, my lord. You're not losing your memory. You didn't offer it. I have devised a third option myself."

Her words hung boldly in the hall. A whisper rustled through the assembly. Varric's icy blue eyes narrowed slightly, and a glimmer of irritation flickered beneath his composed exterior.

"Oh?" he said, leaning forward slightly. "And what might this third option entail?"

He feigned casual interest, but Maria detected the pinch of condescension. He likely expected a plea for leniency or a slight adjustment in terms. Yet, nothing that would challenge his authority. Beside him, Andrik and Serana exchanged sidelong glances. Andrik's lips curled in a faint sneer, while Serana's gaze hardened, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. It was clear they were unused to anyone defying their father's will.

Maria rose gracefully from her seat, drawing the attention of all present. The room seemed to hold its breath as she moved with confidence. She made her way to where Jamie stood, his demeanor poised yet unassuming.

"It's best to explain my current situation," Maria announced, reaching out to take Jamie's hand. Her fingers entwined with his, and she lifted their joined hands for all to see.

"This is my fiancé," she declared, her voice clear and resolute.

The smile she wore was not one of tender affection or even passion. It was a sharp-edged expression, a subtle display of triumph. It was the smile of a strategist who had outmaneuvered her opponent, the blade of her wit now turned to leverage.

Jamie stepped forward, his eyes meeting Lord Varric's with a measured calm. "A pleasure to see you again, Uncle," he said with a slight bow, his tone laced with both respect and a hint of irony. "What has it been? Ten. No, I think, eleven years since our paths last crossed?"

A murmur rippled through the hall as recognition dawned. Varric's composed facade faltered ever so slightly, a flicker of surprise, perhaps even unease, passing over his face. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the armrests of his chair.

Varric turned his head, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized the bard's face. The hall fell into a hushed silence. Soldiers and servants alike watched with held breath.

"James?" Varric's voice carried a note of uncertainty.

Jamie offered a polite smile, inclining his head. "I imagine the long hair or the beard might have disguised me," he replied smoothly. His eyes swept over the assembled distant family members before settling back on Varric. "Cousins, have I changed so much?"

Serana regarded him, her sharp features reflecting skepticism. "Changed enough to seem like another person entirely," she remarked, her tone edged with subtle disdain.

Jamie chuckled softly. "Perhaps," he conceded, "but not so much that I'd forget our last visit. Do you recall when we went hunting mountain boars? Andrik took that unfortunate tumble into the icy river." He glanced at Andrik, whose expression darkened. "And you, dear Serana," Jamie continued, a mischievous glint in his eye. " How could I forget how you used to struggle with incontinence. I vividly remember a quite lingering aroma in your personal chamber."

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A flush of anger and embarrassment flooded Serana's face, her composed facade cracking. Her mouth opened as if to retort, but no words came forth. The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, whispers rippling through the crowd.

Andrik's eyes flashed with indignation as he glared at Jamie. "Anyone with enough investigation could know such details," he challenged, his jaw clenched tightly.

"True," Jamie acknowledged, "but how much time would we have had to uncover such intimate memories, cousin?" His gaze held steady, a confident smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Varric cleared his throat, drawing the attention back to himself. "Quite so," he interjected, his eyes calculating as they flickered between Jamie and Maria. "However, there remains a small issue, young James." He leaned forward on his ornate chair, fingertips pressed together thoughtfully. "If memory serves, you are no longer a Frostwatcher, correct?"

Varric's lips curved into a sly smile, the expression of a man who believed he had cornered his prey.

"You are absolutely correct, my lord," Jamie conceded, turning slightly to gesture toward Maria, granting her the floor.

Maria stepped forward with regal grace, her emerald eyes meeting Varric's with unwavering confidence. "Lord Varric," she began, her voice clear and resonant, "as you well understand, relationships between parents and their children can be complex. They are far from simple or easy. Yet, a father continues to love his children. That love will only grow when they know that he's betrothed to someone of influence in the South who could become a valuable ally."

Varric's smile waned slightly, his brows knitting together. "And how would this benefit your uncle?" he queried, a hint of skepticism coloring his tone. "He remains my prisoner."

Maria's lips curved into a poised smile. "Ah, but you could pardon his transgressions as a wedding gift," she proposed. "Such a gesture would not only honor your liege. While also approaching you to an influential house within the Empire."

Varric's expression soured, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes as he weighed her words. The hall was utterly silent now, the tension palpable as everyone awaited his response.

This had been the meticulously crafted plan that Jamie and Maria had devised over the past few days. Every detail had been scrutinized, every possible outcome weighed. Now, standing in the grand hall, the moment of truth had arrived.

'Now is the moment,' Jamie thought, his heart thrumming with anxiety. It was all or nothing. 'If they have something that could prevent the marriage or dismantle our strategy...'

But judging by the reactions of Lord Varric and his children. Their faces contorted with anger and, more tellingly, wounded pride. Jamie felt a surge of confidence. It seemed their hands were tied.

"Excellent. In that case, we insist on formalizing this marriage," Lord Varric declared. Though his words were agreeable, his stern expression betrayed his displeasure. "I will summon your father to be present."

Jamie recognized this as a potential last gambit. A move to test the firmness of their resolve.

'Check,' Jamie thought to himself.

"Perfect," Jamie replied smoothly. "And if I might request something further from our esteemed and loyal vassals," he continued, emphasizing their subordinate position. "I would like to invite all of my family to this joyous occasion."

'All-in.' Jamie smiled internally.

This was Jamie's counterstrike. Not only did it reinforce their position by involving more witnesses. At the same time, he got a chance to check if his sister's soul was among them.

"I see no problem with that," Lord Varric responded, but the subtle flicker of unease crossing the faces of Andrik and Serana did not escape Jamie's notice. They exchanged glances, a silent communication that hinted at complications.

Andrik leaned forward over the table, murmuring urgently to his father. Their hushed conversation stretched on for several tense minutes. As they spoke, Varric's demeanor shifted from irked to visibly perturbed, his scowl deepening.

At last, Lord Varric straightened, fixing Jamie with a steely gaze. "My son has informed me of a slight issue," he announced.

"Oh?" Jamie tilted his head, feigning casual curiosity, though his instincts told him this was more than a mere inconvenience. "And what might that be?"

Varric hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Your sister, Yessika. She was stationed among our defenses, assigned to a crucial post. Following the last attack that occurred two days ago..." He paused. "She has gone missing."

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