Dawn slowly crept over the battlefield.
The first rays of sunlight stretched across the land, bathing the scarred earth in a warm golden glow. From a distance, it almost looked almost peaceful.
The crimson stains soaking the ground refused to disappear. Broken shields lay half-buried in the mud. Splintered spears pointed toward the sky like silent gravestones, while tattered banners fluttered weakly in the morning breeze. The smoke that had choked the battlefield throughout the night had finally begun to thin, carrying away the scent of fire little by little.
Nature was quietly reclaiming what war had stolen.
It was as if the heavens themselves had draped a veil of golden light over the battlefield, hoping to hide the horrors that had unfolded only hours ago.
The soldiers who survived yesterday's battle believed the worst was finally over.
Some laughed with relief, some mourned their fallen comrades and others simply thanked the gods that they had lived to see another sunrise.
None of them realized it.
Not a single soul in the camp understood that yesterday's battle was never merely a battle.
It was the moment history quietly changed its course.
A single victory, one seemingly insignificant decision and the fate of kingdoms had already begun to shift.
No one knew it yet.
But generations from now, historians would remember this day as the beginning of an era that reshaped the entire continent.
At the center of it all...
Completely unaware of the storm she had set into motion... Was one silver-haired princess happily humming to herself.
"Hmm-hmm~ La-la-la~"
Alessia strolled leisurely along the camp path with her hands clasped behind her back, feeling the cool morning breeze dancing through her silver hair. She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the crisp air before letting out a contented smile.
"What a wonderful morning."
Miya remembered nothing after the collapse. The moment the dizziness overwhelmed her, everything had faded into darkness.
She had no idea what had happened after she lost consciousness. She didn't know that it was her magic that had turned the tide of the battle. She didn't know that countless lives had been saved because of her.
Just then...
"My Lady."
Lily approached with graceful steps, carrying a porcelain teacup on a silver tray.
"I've prepared some freshly brewed rose tea. I'm certain it will lift your spirits."
"Oh? Thank you, Lily."
Alessia accepted the delicate teacup with both hands. Instead of drinking immediately, she first inhaled its gentle aroma, allowing the sweet floral scent to calm her mind. Only then did she take a slow sip.
"...Mmm."
A smile naturally formed on her face. She lowered the cup onto its saucer before closing her eyes once more.
"Lily... this tea feels like the beginning of a peaceful journey. Just one sip is enough to make me forget everything we've endured these past few days."
"I'm honored that you enjoy it, My Lady."
Lily bowed her head slightly, though the faint smile on her lips revealed her satisfaction.
Unfortunately, peace was never fond of lingering.
"My Lady!!"
The hurried footsteps of a soldier shattered the tranquil atmosphere.
Lily immediately stepped forward, her expression turning icy as she intercepted him with a single sharp glance.
The soldier froze on the spot before quickly straightening his posture.
"W-We've received... a letter... for Princess Alessia." Still catching his breath, he respectfully presented the sealed letter.
Lily accepted it first. The moment her eyes scanned its contents, her expression stiffened ever so slightly. That tiny change was enough for Alessia to notice.
"Lily? What happened?"
Without answering immediately, Lily dismissed the soldier with a slight gesture. Once he had disappeared from sight, she handed the letter to Alessia.
"You have been summoned back to Elarion... immediately."
Alessia blinked.
"...Isn't that supposed to be good news?"
Lily remained silent for a brief moment before speaking carefully.
"Knowing your brothers and sisters... I find it difficult to believe they would suddenly wish for your immediate return right after a battle."
"..."
Alessia rested a hand beneath her chin, deep in thought. She couldn't deny Lily's reasoning.
If her siblings truly wished to erase her existence, the chaos following yesterday's battle would've been the perfect opportunity. No witnesses. No evidence. No questions asked. Yet instead of leaving her at the front lines they had summoned her home immediately. For some reason, that made her far more uneasy.
"Haaah..."
She let out a long sigh. "Why...? Just when I thought everything was finally settling down, another problem appears."
She scratched her cheek awkwardly before forcing an optimistic smile.
"...Maybe I'm overthinking it."
After all, perhaps there was a perfectly reasonable explanation.
"Maybe they simply want to thank me for saving the kingdom from the demon army."
The thought instantly brightened her expression. "That's got to be it!" She nodded confidently to herself. "See? Nothing to worry about! Hahaha!"
Lily couldn't bring herself to share Alessia's optimism.
She quietly watched the princess smiling to herself, convinced that her siblings had called her home simply to express their gratitude. The thought sounded comforting...
Lily had served the royal family long enough to know that kindness was a rare guest within the palace walls. If anything, the sudden summons only made her more uneasy.
She prayed, with all her heart, that her suspicions were wrong.
Before leaving for Elarion, Alessia decided that she should atleast inform Lord Ravonn of her immediate summon back to Elarion. But to her surprise he was nowhere to be found.
She looked around the camp, checked the command tent, glance toward the training ground. But still found nothing.
After asking a nearby knight, she finally received her answer.
"Lord Ravonn departed before sunrise, Your Highness."
Alessia blinked twice. "...Eh? He left?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"...Without telling me? Hmph..."
The knight nodded before excusing himself. Alessia remained standing there for several seconds before slowly puffing out her cheeks.
She crossed her arms, looking strangely offended. "He could've at least told me before leaving."
After another moment of pouting, her expression suddenly brightened as though she'd figured everything out.
"...I guess he's just a shy person."
Lily nearly stumbled. "My Lady..."
"Hm?"
"For your own safety..." Lily wore the smile of someone desperately trying to stay polite.
"...please never say those words in front of Lord Ravonn."
"Why?"
"He would become... considerably angry."
"...Really?"
Alessia tilted her head so far to one side that Lily wondered if she was genuinely trying to solve some impossible mystery.
"He doesn't look like someone who gets embarrassed that easily."
Lily interrupted, "...That's not the reason.
Huh?"
"...Never mind." Lily gave up.
Trying to explain Lord Ravonn's personality to Alessia felt like explaining colors to someone who insisted the sky was purple.
Perhaps ignorance truly was bliss.
—
Not long afterward, the royal carriage departed from the military camp. The journey back to the capital should have lasted three and a half hours.
For Alessia... It lasted approximately five minutes. The moment the carriage began moving, she leaned comfortably against the window.
"The weather is so nice..."
A gentle breeze slipped through the slightly open curtains, carrying the scent of forests and wildflowers. Her eyelids slowly became heavier.
"I'll just... rest them for a little..."
Three seconds later. She was completely asleep. Outside, horses galloped steadily along the royal road.
Inside, the carriage gently rocked back and forth. Lily looked across at the sleeping princess, letting out a quiet sigh before placing a folded blanket over her.
"...Sleep well, My Lady."
Perhaps this peaceful sleep was the last moment of tranquility Alessia would have for quite some time. Three and a half hours later...
"My Lady."
A soft voice reached Alessia's ears. "My Lady... we've arrived."
"...Mm..."
She rubbed one eye before lazily stretching both arms.
"...Already?" She yawned. "That was so fast..."
Lily couldn't help smiling.
"It only felt that way because Your Highness slept through the entire journey."
"...Did I?"
Alessia blinked innocently before laughing. "Hehe... that explains it."
The carriage door opened. The palace gates stood wide open. Rows of royal guards had already assembled outside.
Not one of them smiled. No one welcomed her home. No musicians. No cheering citizens. No servants celebrating the princess who had helped save the kingdom from the demon army.
Nothing.
Only silence. An eerie silence that lingered over the palace like dark clouds before a storm. Even the wind seemed reluctant to disturb it.
"...That's strange."
Alessia spoke loudly. "I thought there'd be at least a small celebration..."
The guards bowed before escorting her inside. Their footsteps echoed through the endless marble corridors.
Clack. Clack. Clack.
The sound bounced off the palace walls, making the silence feel even heavier.
Alessia unconsciously glanced toward Lily.
Lily gave the slightest shake of her head. Stay calm. Don't ask questions. That silent message was clear enough.
The massive doors of the Throne room slowly opened. Towering marble pillars stretched toward the ceiling. Golden chandeliers illuminated every corner.
Beautiful stained-glass windows allowed streams of sunlight to spill across the polished floor.
At the very end of the hall stood the royal throne. Or rather someone was already sitting upon it.
Prince Vaelen. Although the King still lived, Vaelen had long since begun treating the throne as though it already belonged to him.
His posture radiated confidence. Or perhaps Arrogance. Beside him sat Princess Mireya.
The instant Alessia stepped into the hall, Mireya's lips curled into a smile. It was the smile of someone watching prey voluntarily walk into a cage.
Alessia walked forward without hesitation.
The entire hall remained silent as every noble watched her.
When she reached the center of the room, she lowered herself onto one knee and placed her right hand over her chest.
It was the traditional gesture used in Elarion to show respect before the King.
To Alessia It was simply etiquette nothing more.
Although she is in the body of Princess Alessia, the soul within her still belonged to the human who had grown up in the modern world.
There was no reason to create unnecessary conflict over a simple greeting. So she knelt. That single action, however...
Meant something entirely different to the man sitting upon the throne. Vaelen's lips slowly lifted into a smug smile.
Finally. The younger sister who had never acknowledged him. The princess who had never once bowed her head willingly...
Had knelt before him, his pride swelled with satisfaction. He believed that, at long last. Alessia had accepted her place beneath him.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
Alessia had remained silent ever since she entered the Throne Room, enduring every mocking remark and arrogant gaze directed toward her. However, even the most patient person had their limits.
A quiet sigh escaped her lips.
She raised her head and looked directly at Prince Vaelen. There was no trace of anger on her face. Instead, she greeted him with the same gentle smile she always wore, making it impossible to tell what she was truly thinking.
"Your Highness," she began politely, "I must admit, I am rather touched."
The sudden remark drew confused looks from the ministers and nobles gathered in the hall.
"I never imagined my return would be so important that I would receive an urgent summons immediately after the battle. For a brief moment, I even believed Your Highness had been worried about my safety."
Her words were spoken with perfect courtesy, yet everyone understood the hidden meaning behind them.
Not a single letter had been sent to ask about her condition during the war. No reinforcements had arrived. No concern had ever been shown for her safety. Yet the moment the battle ended, she was ordered back to the capital without delay.
A few nobles quietly lowered their heads, pretending they had heard nothing.
Alessia continued with a faint smile.
"It seems I have misunderstood my dear brother all this time. Please forgive my ignorance."
Princess Mireya's smile stiffened.
Prince Vaelen, however, could no longer hide the fury rising within him. His hand slammed against the armrest of the throne as he rose to his feet.
"Princess Alessia!" he shouted. "Do not mistake my patience for weakness. You stand before the future King of Elarion. Watch your words."
Despite the anger in his voice, Alessia remained composed. She simply lowered her head slightly in apology before answering with the same calm expression.
"My deepest apologies, Your Highness. I was merely under the impression that His Majesty was still alive."
The Throne Room fell silent.
Several ministers exchanged uneasy glances, while others quietly looked away. Even Princess Mireya's confident expression faltered for a brief moment.
Vaelen's face darkened with rage. Before he could speak again, an elderly member of the Royal Council stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness," the councilor said calmly, "now that Princess Alessia has answered the royal summons, I believe it would be best for us to proceed with the matter that concerns the kingdom."
Although visibly displeased, Vaelen slowly sat back on the throne. His eyes never left Alessia, but after a long silence, he gave a slight nod.
"Very well. Proceed."
Only then did Alessia notice another person standing quietly near one of the marble pillars.
Unlike the nobles surrounding the throne, the man had remained silent throughout the entire exchange, as though he were merely an observer. He wore dark navy robes embroidered with silver constellations, and in his hands rested an ancient scroll sealed with black wax.
Lily immediately recognized him.
"Serin Vale..."
The Archivist of Noctis.
Receiving permission from the council, Serin stepped into the center of the hall. Without saying another word, he broke the wax seal and slowly unfolded the scroll.
His calm voice echoed clearly throughout the chamber.
"By the authority of the Ten High Lords, this proclamation is delivered to the Kingdom of Elarion."
The mention of the Ten High Lords instantly captured everyone's attention.
"In recognition of the remarkable achievements displayed during the recent battle against the Demon Army, Princess Alessia of Elarion is hereby invited to attend the next Assembly of the Ten High Lords."
For a brief moment, no one reacted.
Prince Vaelen's confident expression disappeared, replaced by complete disbelief. Beside him, Princess Mireya's eyes widened as she stared at Serin, unable to believe what she had just heard.
"The... Ten High Lords..." she whispered.
"They invited... her?"
At the center of the hall, Alessia looked from Serin to Lily before pointing at herself in confusion.
"...Me?"