The capital, VERIDOR, had entered the early afternoon hours when the royal convoy appeared at the end of the Silver Bridge leading to the Peace Conference headquarters.
News cameras flared to life.
Reporters raised their microphones.
The crowd stood behind steel barriers, chanting with restless excitement:
"The princess has arrived!"
"She's here!"
The massive glass hall of the conference shimmered beneath white floodlights, while rows of guards stood aligned with military precision.
The convoy came to a halt.
The armored door opened with a quiet mechanical hiss—
And LOUVNA stepped out.
She stood straight, lifting her head toward the building awaiting her.
The moment her foot touched the ground, THE SHADOWS moved.
SOLIMON & ZARIOUH — THE FIRST WALL
They advanced immediately to position, half a step ahead of the princess, one to her right and one to her left along her path.
ZARIOUH scanned with sharp eyes.
SOLIMON pressed a finger to his earpiece.
"Team One is in position."
MONA — THE PRINCESS'S SHADOW
She stood directly behind LOUVNA, hand resting on her weapon, ready to strike at any threat.
Her gaze locked onto every window… every barrier… every face.
AYOUB & TAHARA — ROYAL ENTRANCE
They took positions at the door designated for the princess.
AYOUB tested the digital lock panel.
TAHARA monitored the square.
"Team Two… secured."
LOUVNA began walking with steady steps, lenses capturing her from every angle.
Anyone could hear the tension in the soldiers' breathing…
The silence of the guests…
The echo of her footsteps on marble.
Ministers stood ready to receive her.
Ambassadors smiled.
Royal guards lined the sides.
LOUVNA continued forward, heading toward her suite on the seventh floor to prepare.
**********************
THE SEVENTH FLOOR — THE ROYAL CORRIDOR
Soft white light filled the royal corridor, reflecting off polished marble floors.
The KING OF MARVA stood near the entrance to the princess's private suite, waiting.
He was a man in his early fifties— average height, not imposing, not military-built.
Yet everything about him radiated quiet strength.
A gentle face. Calm features.
A faint, steady smile at the corner of his mouth.
But his eyes—
They were the eyes of an investigator, skilled at reading faces more than texts.
Pure intelligence hidden beneath royal kindness.
He wore a dark formal suit with a pin bearing the kingdom's emblem.
Even the movement of his hands suggested a man who knew when to be gentle— and when to be firm.
The private elevator doors opened.
SHOUTNA stepped out first, his movements steady and calm, as always.
He did not bow.
He did not stiffen.
He stood before the king like a man who respected authority— but did not fear it.
"Your Majesty," SHOUTNA said in his deep voice.
The king replied with a brief, genuine smile.
"SHOUTNA… as always, right on time."
There was an unspoken language between them.
Then MAYNO exited the elevator.
The moment he saw the king, he bowed respectfully, placing a hand over his chest, head lowered.
"Your Majesty, it is an honor—"
The king gently touched his shoulder, kind yet firm.
"Lift your head, MAYNO. You have always been among those I trust."
MAYNO smiled faintly— such words were rarely spoken by a king.
Behind them came LOUVNA, surrounded by ZARIOUH, SOLIMON, and MONA.
As she approached, the king stepped forward.
He did not maintain rigid royal distance.
Instead, he opened his arms slightly— a gesture closer to fatherly than formal.
"LOUVNA… I'm glad to see you safe."
She inclined her head respectfully, her voice steady and sincere.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the warm welcome."
The king studied her eyes.
"You have truly changed… You are not the same girl I welcomed two years ago."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she and SHOUTNA could hear.
"I know what you went through…
And I know for whom you stand today."
LOUVNA did not answer, but her fist tightened slightly—
A sign SHOUTNA knew well.
The king turned toward THE SHADOWS lined behind her.
"I've read your latest report," he said politely, with genuine respect.
"And you should know— the kingdom owes you much."
They all nodded in acknowledgment.
"I rely on you greatly today… as always."
SHOUTNA replied calmly:
"We will not fail you."
The king raised his hand, signaling the group.
"Let us begin preparations. We have a conference— and a world watching."
The guards opened the royal suite doors smoothly.
LOUVNA entered first, followed by SOLIMON, ZARIOUH, and MONA.
The king paused, watching her disappear inside.
Then he spoke softly— only SHOUTNA heard:
"I hope MOHITO knows exactly what he's doing."
SHOUTNA froze for half a second.
Then answered coldly:
"Let us trust him."
The king turned his head toward him.
"I do."
SHOUTNA and MAYNO escorted the king through the western corridor.
SHOUTNA spoke quietly over the channel:
"Team Four is ready."
*******************
SECURITY POSITIONS
At the massive guest gate, the twins stood like ceremonial guides—
But their eyes moved faster than any camera.
MESIN whispered into the channel:
"Second guest group has arrived."
YASIN added:
"No suspicious activity so far."
In the darkest section of the hall—
A service corridor rarely used—
MIZYANI swept the route with a thermal scanner.
ZAKI stood with his back to the door, monitoring maintenance passages.
"Team Five ready."
*******************
MOBILE COMMAND — SURVEILLANCE UNIT
Inside a black truck parked near the rear entrance, a massive screen displayed a 3D map of the building.
GHAZLANE monitored thermal feeds.
OBASO analyzed sound patterns.
ADEL coordinated everything.
"All teams— maintain one frequency. Move only if necessary."
SHOUTNA's voice cut through the channel, cold and sharp:
"All units… prepare.
Phase One has begun."
******************************
In the underground level, the COMMANDER OF THE FIFTH BATTALION watched a screen displaying LOUVNA's arrival at the royal suite.
"The princess has reached her suite."
A small, lethal smile crept across his lips.
His finger rested on the golden folder—
Waiting for the moment to strike.
*************************
INSIDE THE ROYAL SUITE
The muffled roar of the press below reached the seventh floor like distant whispers.
Inside the suite, LOUVNA stood before the mirror, adjusting the final details of her appearance before descending to the conference stage.
MONA stood behind her, arms crossed, anxiety visible despite her attempt to hide it.
MONA spoke softly:
"Will you be alright… here? Once we go down, everything will change."
LOUVNA raised her head and met her gaze through the mirror— calm, stronger than MONA expected.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine… I promise."
At the door, SOLIMON and ZARIOUH stood like iron statues.
Then—
The radio crackled violently.
ADEL over the channel:
"Alert to all units… someone is approaching the princess's suite."
In the corridor, AYOUB and TAHARA exchanged a glance—
A glance heavy with memories from the last battle.
Steady footsteps approached.
A long shadow appeared before its owner.
The moment they recognized him, their expressions changed.
TAHARA whispered:
"That's…"
AYOUB raised his voice:
"Stop! Identify yourself!"
But the man did not stop.
He lifted his head with arrogant disdain.
The PRIME MINISTER spoke loudly:
"Do you know who I am?
I am the Prime Minister of SPIYA… and I have come to see the princess."
The words hit like a blow against stone.
His tone alone was enough to ignite rage.
TAHARA's hand tightened on his weapon.
In a low, restrained growl, he whispered:
"You are the last person who has the right to approach—"
Before he could finish—
Another voice cut in through the radio.
Calm…
Firm.
LOUVNA, from inside the suite:
"Let him in."
AYOUB froze.
"But… he—"
She interrupted him, her tone decisive yet carrying warmth he recognized.
"AYOUB..."
AYOUB and TAHARA exchanged a glance— questioning whether the princess truly understood who stood before them.
Then—
They stepped aside.
The path opened.
The PRIME MINISTER walked between them, a narrow smile on his face— hiding far more than it revealed.
The confrontation had never been closer.
And the time had come for every side…
To reveal their cards.