Tension and anticipation filled the space as the PRIME MINISTER entered the princess's suite slowly…
The eyes of AYOUB and TAHARA followed him like burning arrows.
He stopped before the door to the princess's room, while SOLIMON and ZARIOUH watched him coldly.
MONA opened the door, allowing him to enter.
"MONA, could you leave the PRIME MINISTER and me alone for a moment?"
LOUVNA said calmly.
MONA hesitated, concern clearly visible.
"Your Highness… are you sure you want—"
LOUVNA looked at her for a long moment— reassuring…
Yet carrying something else beneath it.
Something solid.
Something newly forged.
MONA wavered, her heart struggling with the decision.
But in the end, she nodded.
****************************
LOUVNA walked toward the table, placing her hand on one of the documents as if reviewing the conference agenda.
The PRIME MINISTER stood behind her for a few seconds… then stepped closer.
He spoke with a fabricated smile:
"I came to check on you, Princess of SPIYA.
It's been… a difficult day, without a doubt."
LOUVNA didn't turn around.
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, her finger traced the printed letters on the page.
Then she spoke calmly:
"Was it a difficult day… for you as well?"
His eyebrow lifted slightly— a quick flicker of unease.
"Me? No.
I'm only here to make sure you're in the best condition before the conference."
LOUVNA raised her head at last and met his eyes.
A faint smile— hollow of emotion.
"That's very kind of you.
I didn't expect you to find the time… amid all your responsibilities."
He knew she was implying something.
And she knew that he knew.
Still, the game continued.
He stepped closer.
"Your Highness… what happened on the mountain was not my fault."
LOUVNA looked straight into his eyes.
"And I never said it was."
He stopped.
Then smiled—
The smile of someone who realizes their opponent is playing a double game.
"You've changed…
Calmer.
Sharper."
She replied evenly:
"Life changes everyone."
She leaned slightly, as if searching for a pen on the table, then added in a very low voice—
So low…
Yet sharp as an arrow:
"Especially those who know the truth."
For a brief moment, the PRIME MINISTER's face twisted.
Then he masked it just as quickly.
"The truth?
And what truth would that be?"
LOUVNA smiled coldly.
"Oh… many truths.
But don't worry…
I won't speak before the conference."
The man froze.
His thoughts raced.
Does she know?
Does she suspect?
Or is she merely threatening?
LOUVNA walked toward the window, turning her back to him.
"Tell me… did you come to check on me?"
"Or to make sure that I… won't say anything today?"
This time—
His mask nearly cracked.
The PRIME MINISTER whispered heavily:
"The kingdom… must appear united today."
LOUVNA replied without turning:
"Of course.
Unity… is the most important thing."
Silence fell.
A deadly emptiness.
Then she turned slowly, her gaze straight as a blade.
"Thank you for coming, PRIME MINISTER.
Now… please allow me to prepare."
The sentence was polite on the surface—
But beneath it…
A formal dismissal.
He smiled slyly and stepped back.
"As you wish… Princess."
He opened the door and left.
Outside, SOLIMON, ZARIOUH, and MONA were waiting— their eyes devouring every signal in LOUVNA's expression.
She stepped out.
Stood firm.
And said:
"Let's go.
It's time for the conference."
***********************
The royal corridor filled with the sound of synchronized footsteps…
But behind them—
The PRIME MINISTER walked close to the wall, his hand brushing his sleeve.
And the moment LOUVNA stepped just one pace away from the suite door—
He whispered nervously:
"The princess… is out of the room."
Less than a second passed—
Before that deep voice answered from the basement level.
The COMMANDER OF THE FIFTH BATTALION, calm, demonically cold:
"Understood."
Then—
One single press…
On the hidden button inside the golden folder.
BOOOOOOMMMMMMMM
The entire building turned into hell.
The third floor shook first.
Then the fourth.
Then the main blast struck the heart of the building.
Windows shattered all at once.
The ground convulsed as if a quake had struck the pillars themselves.
Walls cracked.
Curtains ignited.
The lights went out— then flickered back, sickly and broken, illuminating nothing.
The ceiling rained thick dust over everyone.
Guests screamed in scattered voices.
Ambassadors shouted.
Ministers ran in panic— some falling to the ground.
Royal guards dragged the wounded away, their hands shaking.
And chaos—
Chaos was absolute.
************************************
When the explosion hit, SHOUTNA didn't move.
With absolute coldness, he said:
"They've made their move."
He grabbed the case containing his weapon.
Issued a single command over the channel:
"All units… combat mode."
The plan was to extract the KING and LOUVNA from the building—
But hell had only just begun.
Side doors of the conference hall burst open—
Releasing a wave of men in black armored suits, red masks, and nano-weapons.
One of them shot a royal guard point-blank.
Another vaulted over a table and opened fire on the guests.
Within seconds—
The building was crawling with the ORGANISATION'S army.
More than two hundred fighters,
Moving in lethal synchronization,
Surrounding the hall from every direction,
Spreading through corridors and floors—
Amid smoke…
Amid screams…
Amid terror…
The PRIME MINISTER stepped back.
Raised his hands slightly…
And laughed.
A long laugh.
Cold.
As if something inside him had died long ago.
Then he turned toward LOUVNA, madness blazing in his eyes:
"Welcome to the trap…
Princess of SPIYA."
LOUVNA did not tremble.
She stood between SOLIMON and ZARIOUH, her face steady.
And then—
One sound.
The footsteps of a single person advancing through the corridor.
Yet their echo cut through all the screaming.
Behind the PRIME MINISTER—
Stood a man.
No—
A monster.
The COMMANDER OF THE FIFTH BATTALION.
announced that the battle had begun.