Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win

[Two days later.]

[Western borders, Krivos Kingdom.]

The Krivos Kingdom has a long history that goes way back to when the otherworlders were summoned.

Time and time it had faced different challenges in its six hundred years old history.

There was even a time that the kingdom had lost all hope.

The only thing that was keeping it alive was the bloodline of the otherworlder.

But once the bloodline got lost because of the civil war….

….There was nothing special left within the royal family.

But things changed and now it has its fourth queen ruling it.

Yet, the threat of Aure Kingdom and the war against them is roaming over her reign.

Inside the western command fortress, Queen Inara stood before a massive map of the borderlands.

Candles guttered in the draft as her generals briefed her.

"The Aure forces test our walls every week," said Marshal Greyn, his weathered face hard as the iron plates on his armor.

"Nothing large enough to call an invasion, but each skirmish grows closer. They're measuring us."

Greyn was one of the new generals whom Inara herself had appointed.

He was old yet he was also one of the most powerful persons in the Kingdom.

He was a retired general living on the side while protecting the border as well.

Queen Inara listened without interrupting. The soft hiss of wind through the arrow slits filled the silence after Greyn's report.

Her crimson eyes moved across the great map spread over the stone table.

Colored pins marked the last skirmishes.

Red for Aure, blue for Krivos.

The red ones were creeping closer each day.

"How many men did we lose this time?" she asked at last.

"Seventeen, Your Majesty," Greyn answered. "Two patrols caught in an ambush near the Iron Valley. We drove the Aure squad back, but…"

He tapped a calloused finger on the map. "They left false trails. Someone in their command knows this terrain almost as well as we do."

Inara folded her arms, as she nodded her head in agreement.

Greyn had been her choice for Marshal precisely for this—he spoke with facts, not fear.

Still, the weight of his words pressed like a stone on her chest.

"And the civilians?" she asked.

"All safe," Greyn said. "Your early evacuations saved the villages. But the farms near the valley will stay empty until spring."

Inara exhaled slowly. "Better empty fields than unmarked graves."

The chamber fell quiet again, Inara stared at the map.

She questioned at last. "Have there been any sightings of foreign weapons?"

He shook his head. "Not yet, Your Majesty." he replied. "But I think they are keeping it hidden until they are sure they can win the war."

Inara's crimson gaze swept over the red pins inching across the western edge of the map.

She could almost feel Aure's intent in those tiny dots.

"Then we assume they do have them," she said at last, her voice steady. "If we wait for proof, the proof will arrive with death."

Greyn inclined his head. "Prudent, Your Majesty. I will double the scouts and tighten the border wards."

A murmur ran through the other officers, but none spoke against her.

Greyn tapped the map again, his thick brows drawing together. "If they truly have foreign weapons, they may strike sooner than we think."

Inara nodded. "I will see what I can do."

Though confused by her words, Greyn didn't question it.

Inara leaned on her chair as she said. "You all are dismissed for now."

The officers stood up as they began to walk out of the place one by one.

The last to walk out was Greyn himself as he seemed to be hesitant about something.

Left alone, Inara rubbed her temples as she mumbled softly. "Are you there?"

The place suddenly felt more crowded than before as a voice echoed. "How did you guess?"

---

Akamir, who stood right behind Inara, couldn't help but smile.

'….She is getting better with her senses.'

Well, at least he can be sure she won't die in an assassin attempt.

Not like even the attempt was possible in his presence.

Inara smiled back as she reached out for him. "Hello, my fiancé." She said. "Where have you been these days?"

"Busy," he said simply, his voice carrying a calm weight.

Inara didn't say anything as she leaned forward while pressing his face down.

She kissed his lips upside down as Akamir returned it back.

After a long while she finally let go before urging him to sit down.

"…So, are you going to tell me what the hell is going on."

Inara said, looking into his eyes as he sat down in front of her.

"What did you gather from your trip to Aure Kingdom?"

"Well for starters… Sylari isn't trustworthy." Akamir replied. "Here is what happened when I visited their kingdom."

Akamir briefed her about his entire encounter.

The truth about the slaves, the story of the saint of light and everything else.

He just kept everything about Sephrina and the elven kingdom to himself.

'…I should give her some time before breaking the news.'

Akamir really hoped she wouldn't overreact as he glanced at her.

Inara, who was deep in thought after all the revelation, looked back at him.

"So, to keep it short." She mumbled gently. "Sylari is trying to use us as a way to gain control over the kingdom."

"I came up with the same conclusion." Akamir replied, nodding his head. "Though there could be something behind the scenes as well."

Inara nodded as she too was having many doubts with it.

"Still, she is playing a big game." She said, while playing with his hand. "A game where both Krivos Kingdom and Aure Kingdom will be in her hand."

"She is smart but not omnipotent." Akamir mumbled, rubbing his chin. "When did she ask to meet with you again?"

Inara leaned back in her chair, the faint scrape of wood against stone echoing in the empty war-room.

"She sent a sealed letter yesterday," she said. "Her message claims she wants another private council at the next full moon—ten days from now."

Akamir's fingers tapped once on the table, a slow, deliberate rhythm.

"Ten days…" he murmured. "Long enough to prepare something… or hide something."

"She says it's to discuss a truce after gaining power," Inara continued, her crimson eyes narrowing. "But after what you told me, I doubt she's after peace."

Akamir gave a quiet hum of agreement. "…Yeah, I don't like her way of doing things as well."

Silence hung between them for a moment, heavy but not uneasy.

Outside, the distant clang of the watch bell marked the changing of the night guard.

Inara slid her hand across the table until her fingers rested over his.

"What do you want me to do?" she asked. "Refuse her meeting? Or let her walk into my hall and play her game?"

A faint smile curved on his face as he looked at her.

"Neither," he said. "Invite her. Let her believe she's leading the dance… while we set the floor beneath her feet."

Inara tilted her head, "So, play along for now, I see."

"I want to get a clear view about the whole other side of the world thing." Akamir explained his point. "It will be good for the future."

Inara nodded as she doesn't want a full-out war with something she has no idea of.

She let out a sigh as she leaned back on the chair.

Akamir looked at her. "Anything else that happened in my absence?"

Inara nodded as she looked at him once again. "Not much but yeah some things definitely happened."

"Like what?" He asked, tilting his head.

"Lady Sephrina has asked for a meeting." Inara said with a smile. "I can finally see my idol."

Akamir's lips twitched slightly. '…Ah, fuck.'

He finally remembered something that was in the back of his mind.

Inara was a fan of Sephrina since she was a small child.

She had told him about it right before revealing her identity as a mermaid.

'…Ah, fuck me, fuck me.'

Akamir was really having a hard time right now.

'How would she react if she gets to know her idol married and kissed her future husband?'

Safe to say she is in for a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

"Sephrina asked for a meeting?" he repeated, buying himself a heartbeat.

"Yes," Inara said, her crimson eyes bright with quiet excitement.

"A formal invitation arrived this morning. She wishes to meet me here in Krivos."

A small, almost childlike smile crossed her lips.

"I grew up reading every speech she wrote, every treaty she signed. To meet her in person… it feels unreal."

Akamir rested an elbow on the arm of his chair, masking his sigh with a slow rub of his temple.

"…She always did have a taste for dramatic timing," he said carefully.

Inara caught the faint shift in his voice. Her smile softened into curiosity.

"You know her well enough to say that?"

"Let's just say," Akamir replied, choosing each word with care, "I understand how she thinks."

Inara leaned forward slightly, her long hair sliding over one shoulder. "You've met before, right?"

Akamir's mind flicked through half a dozen replies.

'If I lie, she'll sense it. If I tell everything, she'll break this table in half.'

Akamir suddenly stood up as he grabbed her arm.

Inara blinked in confusion. "Where are we going?"

Akamir smiled. "Somewhere special."