"These barons from Sicily are here, and they'll go with me."
All the emperor's servants quickly made ready.
The following night, while the princess was asleep, Stephanie came to her bed. She woke her and said:
"My lady, I dreamt that I saw Diafebus, and that he told me: 'Stephanie, my love, Tirant and I are so fortunate to have you here! Just being able to see you makes us sure we'll defeat the Turks.' So, my lady, when I woke up I came here to tell Your Highness that, if you wish, we can quickly satisfy your desires. And they'll know first hand how great our love is: we will go to them when they can't come to us."
The princess said:
"Give me my chemise, and don't say another word."
She quickly dressed, and then she went to the emperor's chambers.
He had not yet gotten up, and she told him:
"My lord, the maidens are afraid, hearing about the war, and especially about the battles. So, Your Majesty, please don't refuse me a favor. You should grant it to me for two reasons: First, Your Majesty should not go anywhere without me because of your age, for I love you more than anyone, and if Your Majesty got sick I could serve you and be at your bedside, because I know your nature better than anyone. The second reason is that it's nature's course that whoever is born first should die first, although sometimes we see the contrary. And if I go with Your Majesty I could see and know about war, and in case the need should arise in the future I would not be afraid."
At first the emperor tried to dissuade her, but when she insisted, he said:
"My daughter, since you want it so much, I'll give my consent."