Humans are weak."
Princess Tiara Virelion stood at the palace balcony, watching the knights drill in the courtyard below.
Her voice was quiet, but certain.
"We're not the fastest. Not the strongest. We have nothing that should let us survive."
She rested her hands on the stone railing. "And yet we do."
"My Lady Tiara."
A young maid approached and bowed. "Your bath is ready."
Tiara nodded. "Thank you, Matilda."
The bath chamber was spacious and warm. Steam curled from the water, carrying the scent of herbs meant to ease tension. Matilda worked carefully, washing Tiara's hair with practiced hands.
"Tell me about Virent," Tiara said.
Matilda paused. "Lord Virent was a great warrior—"
"No." Tiara's voice was gentle but firm.
"Not the stories. You were his first maid. Tell me what he was really like."
For a moment, Matilda was quiet. Then she smiled—soft and genuine.
"He was an idiot," she said. "Always charging toward whatever he thought was right, whether it made sense or not."
Tiara listened.
"But he was also..." Matilda's voice wavered slightly. "He was the kind of person most of us wish we could be. A real hero."
Tiara closed her eyes. "I wish I'd known him."
The words came out heavier than she'd intended.
Matilda's hand rested briefly on her shoulder—a small comfort, quickly withdrawn. Servants weren't supposed to offer such gestures, but Matilda had been with her long enough to know when rules mattered less than kindness.
After drying off, Tiara dressed in a simple blue gown—practical, not ornamental.
She and Matilda walked through the palace courtyard where knights trained and scholars copied texts that would outlive them all.
"What would you like to do today, my lady?"
"We're going to the Dragnar Estate," Tiara said.
Matilda blinked. "The dragon slayers? May I ask why?"
"I need to see someone."
"Anyone in particular?"
"Perhaps."
Matilda knew better than to press.
She bowed and left to prepare the carriage.
Tiara stood alone in the courtyard, watching the empire function without her. It always had. It always would.
Unless she changed that.
"My lady, little lady~"
A jester appeared at her side, grinning in his patchwork motley. He didn't bow. He never did.
"What's on your mind?" he asked.
"Why do we survive?" Tiara said.
"Humans, I mean. We should've been wiped out centuries ago."
"Hififi~" The jester's laugh was light. "Because we're better at the things that matter."
"Strength matters."
"Not as much as cleverness." He tapped his temple. "Demons are stronger. Beastmen are faster. But we lie better. We plan better. We adapt better."
He leaned in, voice dropping.
"We survive because we're willing to do what they won't."
Tiara met his eyes. "And what's that?"
"Whatever it takes."
She held his gaze for a long moment, then looked away.
"Maybe you're right."
The jester's grin widened. "I usually am."
He gave a mocking bow and wandered off, humming to himself.
Tiara stood there a moment longer, then turned toward the castle gates where the carriage waited.
The road to Dragnar Estate stretched through farmland and forest. Tiara watched the landscape pass through the carriage window while Matilda sat across from her in silence.
After an hour, Matilda spoke.
"May I ask what you're hoping to find at Dragnar?"
Tiara didn't look away from the window. "Someone useful."
"The Dragnars are loyal to the throne. They're already allies."
"Loyal to the throne," Tiara repeated. "Not to me."
Matilda frowned. "You're part of the imperial family."
"I'm the youngest daughter. I don't command armies. I don't oversee provinces. I'm decorative."
Tiara's reflection stared back at her from the glass. "If I want power, I'll have to build it myself."
"And you think the Dragnars will help you?"
Tiara was quiet for a moment. "I think they have something I need."
"What?"
"I'll know when I see it."
Matilda didn't ask more.
The carriage rolled on.
The sun was beginning to set when the Dragnar Estate finally came into view. It sat atop a hill, surrounded by walls that had seen centuries of war. Banners bearing a black dragon on red cloth hung from the towers.
The carriage slowed as it approached the gates.
Tiara straightened in her seat and smoothed her dress.
"Remember," she said quietly. "We're here for a courtesy visit. Nothing more."
Matilda nodded. "Of course, my lady."
The gates opened.
The carriage rolled forward into the estate, and Tiara felt something shift in her chest—anticipation, maybe. Or certainty.
She was done watching.