Arlienne's POV
The council chamber buzzed faintly papers rustling, armor clinking, nervous breaths sharp enough to cut through the stale air.
At the center of it all stood me, hands folded neatly behind my back, gaze drifting across the long table like I was surveying pieces on a board.
Arlienne: "So that's the plan. We should act now," I said, my voice calm and measured, letting it ripple through the room.
One of the senior officials slammed his palm against the table, outrage breaking through his composure.
Official: "T-this is inhuman! Even if we manage to secure it, it's inhuman to those people!"
How foolish.
War itself is inhuman.
Engaging in one already strips us of the right to pretend otherwise.
Another officer leaned forward, expression grim but resolute.
Officer: "I agree with Lady Arlienne. The nation comes first. At times like this, being human won't save our people."
Ah. It seemed most of them were already leaning in my direction.
How interesting.
A sudden roar cut through the room.
Father: "Silence!"
The hall froze. Every whisper died instantly.
Father's eyes swept across the table like a storm passing over a field of wheat.
Father: "If any of you have a better plan than my daughter, then suggest it."
Silence.
Not a single voice rose not out of fear, but because they all knew the truth.
There was no better plan.
Which meant my strategy would proceed.
Which meant victory would tilt back to us.
My father exhaled slowly, his gaze settling on me.
Father: "Daughter… are you certain you can execute this plan with two hundred and thirty soldiers? I do not doubt your abilities, but…"
A hint of hesitation.
How human.
Arlienne: "Of course, Father. Rest assured. Even pawns become an important piece once they reach the eighth square."
A small smirk touched my lips as I turned my head slightly toward four individuals standing at the corner my special pawns.
Draped in black and gold cloak like suits, design No. 68 my invention.
Their expressions were grave, disciplined, unreadable.
Perfect.
Arlienne: "Send a letter to the eastern port that we agree to their terms," I said, turning away and heading toward the exit.
The moment I stepped out, a quiet smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
Let the game begin.
Emerion's POV
Time no longer felt real.
Three days?
Four?
A week?
It all blended into a haze of pain and darkness.
They'd set up a massive camp on the eastern plains. More soldiers arrived each day, turning the land into a steel filled forest.
I'd lost track of everything after my capture.
My body ached sharp, burning pains running across my skin.
They rubbed salt into my wounds until even breathing hurt.
All because I refused to reveal my noble house.
If I did… House Sun Fury could manipulate House Dawnveil.
Maybe twist the council.
Maybe even win over the nation of Ateris entirely.
I couldn't allow that.
Not even if it meant breaking.
My clothes were gone.
Magic sealed.
Hands bound.
I couldn't even lift my head without feeling the world tilt violently.
The cell door creaked open.
Pristilia walked in.
Her footsteps soft, her perfume sharp, her smile far too amused.
Pristilia: "You look lovely with those wounds, pretty boy. Even if some things are small… you have a good angle like face with that silver hair of yours. But it's a shame you refuse to cooperate."
She fanned herself lazily.
I forced air into my lungs, gathering whatever scraps of strength I still had.
Emerion: "Are you here to mock me? That won't work. I don't think anything can hurt me mentally now."
For a second just a fleeting second she observed me quietly.
Then she smirked.
Pristilia: "I see you still have strength to speak. How amusing. But House Dawnveil has sent their messengers. They have agreed to our terms. I thought, why not show them to you? Perhaps they know which noble house you belong to?"
My heart stopped.
My house… agreed?
No.
Something wasn't right.
House Dawnveil would never ..
My thoughts were cut off when she tugged sharply on the chain tied around my neck.
The collar dug into my throat, sending a wave of pain through my spine as she unbound my hands only to yank me forward by the leash.
I stumbled, barely able to stand, let alone walk.
My knees trembled.
My vision spun.
And the humiliation…
Gods, the humiliation.
I was naked.
Dragged like an animal.
Pristilia: "Come, pretty boy. You shouldn't disobey your mistress."
I tried to protest.
But the pressure on my neck grew unbearable, crushing all resistance.
My magic was sealed completely by the inhibitor collar.
Without my staff, even the smallest spell was impossible.
She dragged me into a massive hall.
Torches crackled. Officials watched me with mixed curiosity and disdain.
And at the center stood four messengers wearing the Dawnveil sigil.
Their expressions were grave.
Tight.
Wrong.
Why?
Why would they look like that if the house had accepted terms?
Pristilia stepped forward, fan tapping lightly against her palm.
Pristilia: "So, why don't you tell me, messengers, which house this pretty boy belongs to? Since you share the same nation of Ateris you must know. Lie to me, and I will send your heads back to your lord."
The hall fell silent.
For a heartbeat, the messengers froze… eyes widening in horror.
Grave.
Then shock.
Then
Without warning
They bolted.
Pristilia: "DON'T LET THEM RUN AWAY!"
Her voice cracked like a whip across the chamber.
Her eight-armed demi-human general launched forward with monstrous speed, legs tearing into the ground like a beast unleashed.
But then
BOOM.
A violent blast of light and pressure erupted.
A wave tore through the hall.
Fire swallowed the air.
Screams cut short.
Walls cracked.
The ceiling shook violently.
The messengers had…
They'd sacrificed themselves.
For me?
No.
For the house.
For the nation.
For the secret.
Of course.
Of course they wouldn't give up so easily.
Debris rained from above.
Heat scorched my skin.
My ears rang.
My body flew from the force, crashing against stone.
My vision blurred.
Black spots.
Pain fading.
Cold creeping in.
Am I… dying?
Maybe this was it.
Maybe this was the freedom I had been denied.
Life had always been cruel.
Maybe death would be gentler.
The ceiling buckled above me.
My eyes grew heavy.
Darkness swallowed everything.
And at last
I let go.