Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win

[Ten Days Later.]

[Vyavan Dukedom, Krivos Kingdom]

Akamir blinked his eyes as the sun shone light on his face.

He stretched his body as he pushed his body out of the bed.

His eyes adjusted to the light coming from the window before he looked at the woman who pulled it.

Zia smiled brightly as she bowed. "Good morning."

Akamir nodded his head as he asked. "Is there anyone who came to meet me?"

"No." She replied, shaking her head. "I just came to wake you up."

Akamir let out a sigh. "I asked you to not wake me up early—."

"It's past ten, my lord." Zia replied as she blinked at him. "It's already late."

Akamir let out a sigh as he nodded his head in response. "Fine." He mumbled. "Is my bath ready?"

"Yes." She replied, smiling. "Do you need my help—."

"No." He cut her off. "And why are you smiling so much?"

She blinked innocently but didn't respond to him.

Akamir gave her a flat look. "You're hiding something."

Zia tilted her head, her braid sliding over her shoulder. "Me? Never." The corners of her mouth twitched as if she were fighting a laugh.

He narrowed his eyes. "Zia."

Her innocent act crumbled. "Fine, fine." She clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. "It's just… you've been smiling in your sleep these past few nights. I thought maybe you had a pleasant dream."

Akamir paused mid-stretch. "Dreams?"

"Mm-hm. And sometimes you even said a name. I couldn't quite catch it, though." Her eyes gleamed with mischief. "Should I guess?"

He groaned softly, rubbing his forehead. "No."

Akamir could tell there was some different reason for her happiness but he couldn't quite guess it.

'Urgh, whatever.'

Zia also returned back to her usual self as she bowed. "Your bath is ready, and breakfast will be served when you're done."

Akamir swung his legs off the bed and stood. "Bring me Radan, I need to talk to him."

"Yes, my lord." Zia bowed again, and slipped out of the room.

Left alone, Akamir moved to the window.

He glanced around the place once before he moved towards the bathroom.

---

Akamir was in his peak shape around noon as he was already done with the breakfast.

He had also completed his talk with Radan to completely be ready for a war.

'But still, why are they not attacking yet?'

Akamir wondered, rubbing his temples as he sat on a chair.

'This is what's bothering me.'

The Aure Kingdom royal family is much more annoying than he had expected.

They seem to be ready at the borders but are mostly stretching the war without any attack.

'Are they waiting for the food for the army to end?'

Akamir shook his head.

Waiting for the enemy to lose their food is stupid.

No one would do that since it's just the start of the war.

'Tch.'

He could have gotten the exact details if he had his mimickers on the close circle of the royal family.

'But it's hard for them to track them with so many soldiers guarding them.'

Akamir rubbed the back of his neck as he was lost in his own thoughts.

The war could have ended before it even started but Akamir had other plans.

'I will wait for a week or two before taking over the place.'

He should be able to get a complete idea of how strong are those behind the Aure Kingdom.

'….For now, let's see how the Princess is doing.'

Today was the day the Aure princess had asked for another meeting with Inara.

Akamir would determine if she should live or die today as well.

'I hope you can prove your worth.'

Akamir thought as he stood up from his chair in his room.

He stretched his body before he summoned his Crown.

The crimson light filled the place as his gaze moved forward.

A portal formed in front of him as he walked inside it.

---

[Capital City, Krivos Kingdom.]

Akamir stretched his body as he walked past the security that was placed around the place.

The royal palace was still the same as it was the last time he saw it.

'And the soldiers are still as incompetent as before.'

Akamir let out a sigh as he was too tired to complain about the soldiers.

He moved between them and they still weren't able to catch him.

'….Gotta work harder, gotta work harder.'

It didn't take him long before he reached the throne room.

The grand doors of the throne room stood half-open, letting in a band of light.

Akamir stepped through the doorway without a sound.

At the far end, Queen Inara sat poised on the throne, her silver crown catching the light.

She wore a gown of pale blue trimmed in moon-white fur, elegant as always.

But even from a distance Akamir could read the faint tension in her shoulders, the careful control in her breathing.

She leaned slightly forward, crimson eyes fixed on papers.

Akamir relaxed himself so she could notice him as he moved.

"Can't you knock before entering the place?" Inara asked, glancing up at him.

Akamir shrugged. "How are things going?"

"Slyri would come soon." Inara replied though her face looked awkward.

Akamir was quick to notice it. "Is there something wrong?"

Inara let out a sigh as she nodded her head. "Well, you see." She mumbled. "….Empress Sephrina is also here."

Akamir blinked. "….She is here?"

"Yeah." Inara nodded. "She came only this morning."

Akamir exhaled through his nose, steady but sharp. 'So Sephrina came herself.'

A quiet whirl of calculations spun in his mind—why she came unannounced, what she might say, and how Inara would read every flicker between them.

"She didn't explain her reason?" he asked.

"She said it concerns… future alliances," Inara replied. Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly. "But she looked like someone with more on her mind than trade routes."

'Aurgh, what a pain.'

Akamir gave a faint, wry smile. "That sounds like her."

Inara's gaze lingered on him, sharp as a drawn blade. "You speak as though you know her well."

'Not this again.'

"How are you going to go through both of them?" Akamir asked, changing the topic. "It would already be hard to deal with the princess."

Inara nodded her head in response. "That's why I need your help."

Akamir tilted his head before he nodded, already guessing her request. "I will deal with the princess—."

"No." She shook her head. "Accompany Empress Sephrina, I will deal with the princess."

Akamir frowned. "Why?"

She gave him a small smile. "I have some things I would like to know." She said. "Things that Serenya asked me."

Akamir looked at her before he let out a sigh. "…Fine."

Inara's smile softened at his agreement. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I'll have a servant guide you when the empress is ready."

Akamir rested one hand on the table's polished edge, studying her for a heartbeat. "You'll be careful with the princess?"

"I always am," Inara replied, her crimson eyes holding a steady light. "Besides, I trust you to sense trouble before I do."

A faint, dry chuckle left his throat. "That's the only reason you're so calm, isn't it?"

She tilted her head. "Maybe."

Before either could say more, the tall doors opened again. A young courtier stepped inside and bowed. "Your Majesty, an unknown guest waits for your arrival."

Inara nodded her head as she stood up. "That's your cue."

Akamir gave a small nod, his eyes on her as she walked towards him. "Don't start a war while I'm gone."

"I'll do my best," she said with a faint smile.

With a gentle kiss that she planted on his lips Inara walked away from the place.

Akamir let out a sigh as he could already guess how things will go with the Elven empress.

'…She would definitely be pissed for leaving her on hold for all these days.'

Akamir immediately felt like a huge headache was coming and he wasn't ready for it.

Still with a tired sigh he asked a maid to lead him towards the empress.

The maid bowed quickly and motioned for Akamir to follow. "This way, my lord."

They walked through wide marble corridors washed in harsh afternoon light.

Soon they reached an arched door of pale silver. "She is inside, my lord."

The maid bowed one last time before leaving him on his own.

Akamir first closed his eyes as he connected with one of the mimickers placed in the palace.

He quickly ordered him to go and keep an eye on Inara's situation.

The mimicker moved by his order as he opened his eyes once again.

"Who is it?"

Akamir replied softly. "It's me." He said. "Akamir."

There was no voice for a while before she replied. "Come in."

Only then did he draw a slow breath and push open the silver-arched door.

'Hm?'

But when he moved in, the place was completely empty.

'Where did she—.'

Before Akamir could think it through, a hand on his shoulder made him turn.

A gentle soft lips collided with his own before he could even move.