Chapter 109
Night had fallen.
The palace, so lively during the day, had grown almost completely silent.
Only the gentle sound of the evening wind drifted through the open windows.
Princess Flora stood alone on the balcony outside her chamber.
Above her...
the moon shone brilliantly.
It was beautiful.
Yet...
for some reason...
she couldn't bring herself to admire it tonight.
Her hands rested lightly against the cold stone railing.
Far beyond the palace walls, countless lights from the capital flickered beneath the night sky.
This morning...
those lights had seemed so warm.
Now...
they felt strangely distant.
"..."
She closed her eyes.
The images refused to leave her mind.
The frightened screams.
The blood staining her mother's shoulder.
The monster she had killed.
The starving old man.
"What peace?"
"We starve while the palace shines."
"You've always been hiding behind those walls."
His voice echoed again.
Again.
And again.
Flora slowly lowered her head.
"...Was he..."
"...right?"
She had trained every day.
Studied every subject.
Done everything expected of a Crown Princess.
Yet...
when that old man had reached out his trembling hand...
she hadn't known what to do.
Not because she didn't want to help.
Because...
she simply didn't know how.
"...I couldn't even help one hungry man."
A soft breeze brushed through her orange hair.
She looked toward the city once more.
Somewhere out there...
families were eating together.
Some...
were going to sleep hungry.
How many?
She didn't know.
Until today...
they had only been numbers written inside reports.
Now...
they had faces.
Children.
Parents.
Grandparents.
People.
Real people.
And for the first time...
the weight of the crown she would one day inherit felt unbearably heavy.
"...Can someone like me..."
"...really protect everyone?"
Her voice disappeared into the night.
No one answered.
---
Unable to remain still...
Flora quietly left her chamber.
The palace corridors were dimly lit by rows of enchanted lamps.
Most servants had already retired.
Only the occasional knight bowed respectfully as she passed.
She walked without thinking.
Until—
She found herself standing before a pair of enormous wooden doors.
The Royal Library.
She hesitated only a moment before pushing them open.
Creeeak...
The familiar scent of parchment and old books greeted her.
The vast room was nearly empty.
Only one lamp remained lit near the back.
An elderly librarian carefully arranged several ancient scrolls.
Hearing the door open...
he looked up.
His tired eyes widened slightly.
"Your Highness?"
"What brings you here at this hour?"
Flora offered a small smile.
"...I couldn't sleep."
The old man chuckled.
"Books have always been loyal companions during sleepless nights."
She slowly walked between the towering shelves.
"...There is something I wish to learn."
"Oh?"
She stopped before one of the oldest bookcases.
"...The Blood of Peace."
The librarian's hands froze.
For only an instant.
Then...
he smiled gently.
"I wondered when you would finally ask."
Flora noticed his reaction immediately.
"...You already knew?"
He nodded.
"I suspected this day would come."
Flora glanced toward the shelves.
"I'll search for the books myself."
The old man laughed quietly.
"My..."
"Our little Princess truly has grown."
She blinked.
"...Have I?"
He nodded warmly.
"There was once a little girl who came running through these halls asking questions faster than I could answer them."
"Tonight..."
"You came searching for answers instead."
Flora couldn't help smiling a little.
"I suppose..."
"...I have changed."
The librarian slowly retrieved an old leather-bound volume.
Its cover had faded with age.
He carefully placed it on the table.
"The Blood of Peace..."
"...is the title given to one who is destined to awaken the sleeping gods."
Flora listened silently.
"They say that when the gods awaken..."
"...the curse that has scarred this world since ancient times may finally come to an end."
"...May?"
The librarian nodded.
"No one truly knows."
"Some words are older than every kingdom that exists today."
"It has survived only through fragments."
Flora looked down at the worn pages.
"...Today..."
"...someone said..."
"...if I truly am the Blood of Peace..."
"...then why haven't I saved the world?"
Her fingers slowly tightened around the edge of the table.
"They looked at me..."
"...as though their suffering existed because I had failed."
"I..."
"...I didn't know what to say."
Silence filled the library.
The old librarian looked at the young girl standing before him.
She wasn't thinking about herself.
She was carrying the pain of people she had met only a few hours earlier.
He smiled sadly.
"Your Highness..."
"Do you know why I have always believed you would become an extraordinary Queen?"
Flora slowly shook her head.
"Because..."
"...the first thing you asked after today's battle was not whether you had fought well."
"It was whether the people had survived."
Flora remained silent.
"You worry that you are not enough."
"That is precisely why you will continue striving to become enough."
She lowered her eyes.
"...But I live inside this palace."
"I have warm meals."
"I have books."
"While outside..."
"...people are starving."
"I feel..."
"...guilty."
The librarian gently closed the ancient book.
"Princess."
"There are many burdens in this world."
"Some belong to kings."
"Some belong to soldiers."
"Some belong to ordinary people."
"And some..."
"...belong only to destiny."
He looked directly into her emerald eyes.
"You are only ten years old."
"You are not expected to carry the entire world upon your shoulders tonight."
"But one day..."
"When destiny calls your name..."
"I believe you will answer."
Flora looked at him quietly.
"...Why are you so certain?"
The old man smiled.
"Because I have watched you grow."
"I have watched you train until your hands bled."
"I have watched you study until sunrise."
"I have watched you cry because you believed you had disappointed your teachers."
"And every single time..."
"...you stood back up."
He placed a gentle hand over the old book.
"Never mistake kindness for weakness."
"And never mistake doubt for failure."
"The fact that your heart aches for your people..."
"...is proof that it already belongs to them."
Flora stared at the moonlight spilling across the library floor.
Slowly...
very slowly...
the heaviness inside her heart eased.
Not because all her questions had been answered.
But because...
for the first time today...
someone had reminded her...
that she didn't have to answer them all tonight.
She smiled.
A small one.
But a genuine one.
"...Thank you."
The old librarian bowed his head.
"It has always been my honor..."
"...Princess Flora..."
Inside the Hall of Command____
A massive map of Lumivale covered the center of the room.
Wooden markers represented military forts.
Trade routes.
Monster nests.
And villages that had recently requested aid.
Dozens of knights stood in disciplined rows.
Queen Anastasia stood before them.
Although her shoulder remained bandaged beneath her royal uniform...
her posture was as elegant and commanding as ever.
No trace of weakness could be seen.
"...Increase patrols around every village within thirty miles of the capital."
The commanders exchanged uneasy glances.
One stepped forward.
"Your Majesty..."
"Do you believe today's attack was planned?"
Queen Anastasia's eyes became sharp.
"I do."
"The palace was attacked only hours later."
"That is no coincidence."
Silence filled the chamber.
"If today's enemy was willing to strike in broad daylight..."
"They will grow bolder."
"We cannot afford another mistake."
Every knight struck a fist against their chest.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
One by one...
they departed to carry out her orders.
Soon...
only one person remained.
Guinevere.
She quietly stepped forward before bowing.
"You wished to see me, Your Majesty."
The stern expression on Anastasia's face gradually softened.
"I did."
She motioned toward a nearby chair.
"Sit."
Guinevere hesitated.
She obeyed.
For a brief moment...
neither of them spoke.
Then Anastasia smiled faintly.
"I've been reading the military reports."
Guinevere looked surprised.
"The reports from the western frontier."
"The mountain campaign."
"The border escort missions."
"The evacuation of East River Village."
"I've read every one."
Guinevere lowered her eyes.
"They were simply my duty."
"Perhaps."
Anastasia replied.
"But not everyone fulfills their duty as well as you have."
She reached for a sealed document resting upon the table.
"I received this recommendation three days ago."
Guinevere accepted it carefully.
Breaking the royal seal...
she unfolded the parchment.
Her eyes widened.
"...A promotion?"
Anastasia nodded.
"As of today..."
"You are hereby promoted to Senior Captain of the Royal Army."
"You will command your own battalion during military operations."
"You have earned this rank through your achievements alone."
Guinevere stared silently at the document.
She had imagined this day countless times.
Yet now that it had arrived...
she found herself speechless.
She slowly stood before kneeling.
"...Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I shall strive to prove worthy of the trust placed in me."
"I know you will."
Anastasia smiled warmly.
"You've never relied upon noble birth."
"You've never relied upon favor."
"Everything you have achieved..."
"...you earned with your own hands."
Guinevere lowered her head.
Those words meant more than the promotion itself.
The Queen continued.
"There is one more responsibility."
Guinevere looked up.
"Whenever Princess Flora leaves the palace..."
"You will personally command her escort."
"Whether it is ten soldiers..."
"...or one thousand."
"Her safety will be your highest priority."
Guinevere answered immediately.
"With my life."
"I know."
The Queen looked at her proudly.
"Many people are born talented."
"But very few possess determination."
"You have both."
Guinevere felt warmth spread through her chest.
Receiving praise from the Queen...
always carried a special weight.
"...Thank you."
Anastasia's smile slowly faded.
Her expression became serious once more.
"Today's attack changed many things."
"The enemy now knows Flora has stepped beyond the palace walls."
Guinevere's expression hardened.
"I will not allow them near her again."
"I know."
"But remember..."
The Queen looked directly into her eyes.
"You cannot protect everyone."
Guinevere frowned slightly.
"...Your Majesty?"
"If the day ever comes..."
"...when you must choose between defeating the enemy..."
"...or saving Flora..."
"There is only one correct answer."
Guinevere answered without hesitation.
"I will save Princess Flora."
"Even if the enemy escapes."
Anastasia nodded.
"Good."
She looked out the window toward the moonlit palace gardens.
"...Because there is no one in this kingdom..."
"...more important."
A knock echoed through the chamber.
A young knight entered before bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty."
"His Majesty has returned to the palace."
For the first time that night...
Anastasia's face brightened.
"...Victor has returned."
She stood.
Looking back toward Guinevere...
her expression softened once again.
"You should rest."
"You've had a long day."
Guinevere also stood.
As Guinevere left the chamber...
she glanced once toward the distant tower where Flora's room overlooked the kingdom.
She quietly made herself a promise.
No matter who comes...
No matter how powerful they are...
I will never allow anyone to harm you again.
The chamber doors slowly closed behind her.
Only Queen Anastasia remained.
Waiting for the one person with whom she could finally lower the weight she had carried all day.
The doors to the command chamber opened.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the marble floor.
Queen Anastasia looked up.
A smile immediately appeared on her face.
"...Victor."
King Victor removed his traveling cloak, revealing the royal attire beneath. Dust from weeks of travel still clung to his boots.
His golden eyes softened the moment they met hers.
"It seems," he said with a gentle laugh, "I have returned later than I promised."
"You always do."
Anastasia's voice carried the warmth of a wife rather than a queen.
Victor walked toward her.
For a brief moment...
there were no ministers.
No commanders.
No royal duties.
Only a husband and wife who had finally met again after months apart.
He gently embraced her.
"I missed you."
"And I missed you."
They remained that way for several quiet moments.
Then...
Victor noticed the bandage beneath her sleeve.
His smile disappeared.
"...You're hurt."
Anastasia instinctively looked at her shoulder.
"It is only a scratch."
Victor raised an eyebrow.
"I've known you long enough."
She gave a small, defeated smile.
"...Perhaps."
He carefully touched her uninjured shoulder.
"What happened?"
For a moment...
Anastasia said nothing.
Then she quietly answered.
"...Flora."
Victor's expression immediately became serious.
"The palace was attacked."
Victor's face hardened.
"The assassins."
"They weren't after me."
"They came for..."
"...our daughter."
Silence filled the chamber.
Victor slowly walked toward the window.
Outside...
the palace gardens shimmered beneath the moonlight.
"So."
"They've finally begun moving."
Anastasia lowered her gaze.
"I've spent ten years hiding her."
"I convinced myself..."
"...that if I was careful enough..."
"...perhaps fate would overlook her."
She laughed softly.
It was a tired laugh.
"How foolish."
Victor turned toward her.
"No."
"You were being a mother."
Those simple words nearly broke her composure.
She slowly sat down.
"...Victor."
"For the first time..."
"...I'm afraid Flora noticed."
He looked at her quietly.
"She came back different."
"She smiled."
"...But it never reached her eyes."
Victor remained silent.
"She heard the people."
"She heard their anger."
"Their disappointment."
"Their hope."
Anastasia closed her eyes.
"I don't know which wounded her the most."
Victor walked over and gently took her hands.
"Our daughter has always listened more carefully than most."
"I know."
"And that is exactly why I'm frightened."
She looked down at their joined hands.
"She believes every person's suffering is somehow her own responsibility."
"Today..."
"...I think that burden became real to her."
The room grew quiet once more.
At length...
Anastasia spoke again.
"So many people believe she is the Blood of Peace."
"They speak as though she alone can save this world."
"They pray to her..."
"They blame her..."
"They expect everything from her..."
"And she is only ten."
Her voice cracked.
"...Only ten."
Victor gently squeezed her hands.
"You've never confirmed the rumors."
She nodded.
"No."
"But neither have I denied them."
"If I denied them completely..."
"...those who already know about the mark would become suspicious."
"If I confirmed them..."
"...every kingdom..."
"...every enemy..."
"...every fanatic..."
"...would begin searching for her."
Victor sighed.
"It was the only choice."
"It still is."
Anastasia looked toward the window where the moonlight spilled into the chamber.
"When Flora was born..."
"I promised myself something."
Victor already knew.
But he let her continue.
"I promised..."
"...that before she became the Blood of Peace..."
"...she would first be allowed to simply be..."
"...my daughter."
A tear quietly rolled down her cheek.
"I wanted her childhood."
"I wanted her to complain about lessons..."
"...to smile without carrying the weight of the world."
She smiled sadly.
"But destiny..."
"...never asks a mother's permission."
Victor stepped forward.
Without a word...
he wrapped his arms around her.
This time...
Anastasia didn't hold back.
For the first time that day...
the Queen disappeared.
Only a worried mother remained.
After several long moments...
Victor spoke softly.
"Our Flora..."
"...is far stronger than either of us realizes."
Anastasia gave a faint laugh.
"She inherited your stubbornness."
"And your kindness."
Victor smiled.
"A dangerous combination."
She nodded.
"It is."
"But perhaps..."
"...it is exactly what this world needs."
Outside...
the moon continued shining over Lumivale.
In one tower...
a young princess lay awake, wondering if she could ever become worthy of the crown.
In another...
a mother prayed that her daughter would never have to bear the destiny waiting for her.
Neither of them knew...
that beyond the kingdom's borders...
the whispers had already begun.
"The Blood of Peace has finally stepped beyond the palace walls."
And with that single piece of news...
the gears of fate had quietly begun to turn.
...CHAPTER 109ENDS...