The table had been transformed.
There were no longer military maps showing troop positions and fortifications.
Instead, political maps.
Locations of kingdoms. Color-coded diplomatic relations. Networks of alliances.
The war room had become a diplomatic strategy room.
The five queens were present. Drake. Gorman. Aria observed.
Adelheid presided over the presentation.
"The Diplomatic Gala is not a social celebration. It is a battlefield."
"Different from swords. But just as deadly if we fail."
She pointed to the map.
"Primary objectives: establish formal alliances with three key kingdoms."
She marked each one.
"Stahl. Already sympathetic to us. Need to formalize with a trade and mutual defense treaty."
"Calvados. Neutral, but leaning in our favor. Lord Theron supports us. We must leverage that."
"Sorenth. Small, but strategically located. Controls the trade route to the east coast."
Lilith continued.
