The Villainess's Reputation [Kingdom Building]

Hughes armored fingers tapped rhythmically against the polished table's edge as he delivered his report. "Otto is in a volatile situation right now," he began, his voice gravelly with concern. "According to our merchant association contact, Bolita has blockaded the Otto-Bolita Strait for nearly a month. The Republic of Otto has sent nine formal appeals to the Hilde Kingdom, but received only silence in return."

Alice's abacus clicked sharply as she calculated implications. "Are we witnessing an attempted trade monopoly? And Hilde simply... turns a blind eye?" Her nail traced the shipping lanes on the map. "This makes no sense after seven centuries of neutrality."

Ravenna motioned for Hughes to continue with a subtle flick of her fingers. The knight adjusted his stance, armor plates whispering against each other.

"Here's the real curiosity, Duke Albert Roland, our Minister of Economy, dispatched an envoy to Otto." Alice's brow furrowed. "Not the Foreign Ministry? But The Economy Minister sent his own man."

"Father's doing, he has grown wary of Frank Eldric" Ravenna murmured, her thumb brushing against her lower lip. "But why involve Duke Roland specifically?"

Marie, who had been fidgeting near the coastal maps, suddenly interjected. "Shouldn't the Hilde Kingdom be handling this? They're supposed to protect the free cities!" Her braid swung as she turned between the assembled advisors. "Why is Ancorna getting involved first?"

"Precisely the question," Hughes agreed, crossing his arms. "Eighty percent of our flowers come through that strait, true—but so is it true for other nations. Hilde's silence? Their complete absence? Something reeks worse than a month-old fish."

Alice's quill scratched across parchment as she made notes. "While fascinating, Ravenna, why our sudden interest in these distant squabbles?"

Ravenna's smile bloomed slowly, like a knife being unsheathed. "Because it presents one of two solutions to our... order of expansion problem."

Sarah nearly dropped her clipboard. "Your Highness?"

"We're trapped here," Ravenna explained, rising to trace the map's southern islands with her fingertip.

"The Order forbids us from attacking imperial territories, leaving us to wait like cornered foxes for my siblings' moves. Unless..."

"Unless we find non-imperial targets!" Marie burst out, practically vibrating with realization.

"We have two potential options." Ravenna raised two fingers. "First: Join Uncle Morgen's campaign in Estra. Help him carve chunks from Conley's borderlands." Her nails moved south. "Second: We can sail for the Southern Isles. Claim them before this brewing conflict escalates."

The silence that followed was so absolute, they could hear the distant waves crashing against Kim Island's new breakwaters.

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Sarah was the first to find her voice, her words measured but laced with barely concealed apprehension. "Attempting to annex the free cities would be..." She hesitated, searching for a diplomatic term.

Ravenna's lips curved into an amused smile. "Merely speculative possibilities at this stage," she interjected smoothly, withdrawing her hand from the map. "I'm simply outlining potential avenues, not declaring immediate action."

She turned back to the table, her expression growing more serious. "Realistically, supporting Uncle Morgen in Estra would require revealing military capabilities we've worked hard to conceal." Her finger traced the border between Estra and Conley territories. "Every troop movement, every new weapon deployed would give my siblings valuable intelligence about our strength."

Moving her attention southward again, she continued: "As for the Southern Isles - while tempting, any overt Ancornan occupation would unite the entire continent against us." Her nail tapped the vital Otto-Bolita Strait. "Every nation from here to the Western Continent depends on those flower shipments. They wouldn't tolerate disruption from an imperial power, regardless of which family claims the territory."

A collective release of breath rustled through the room. The advisors exchanged glances, they'd all momentarily feared Ravenna was seriously considering either suicidal option.

Marie fidgeted with the edge of her tunic, her youthful face scrunched in confusion."Then what's our path forward, Master?" she asked. "If both options carry such heavy consequences..."

Ravenna's smile returned, this time with a predatory edge. "Who said anything about hostile action?"She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with calculated mischief. "There are ways to secure influence without raising banners or drawing swords. The key lies in being... invited rather than invading."

The implication hung in the air as the advisors exchanged puzzled glances. Only Alice's sharp intake of breath suggested she might have grasped Ravenna's unspoken meaning.

"You intend to contact Kenric Jade?" Alice's voice carried a mix of disbelief and apprehension. "If memory serves, your last... interaction with that particular paramour ended rather explosively."

Hughes' armored form stiffened, his gauntleted hand freezing mid-air. "Your Highness... surely you don't mean the Kenric Jade?" The disbelief in his voice made it clear this was the last name he expected to hear.

Ravenna waved a dismissive hand, the ring on her fingers catching the lamplight. "How many Kenric Jades do you imagine I've bedded? Of course it's the same one."

Alice's quill snapped between her fingers. "If I recall correctly, you nearly had him hanged from the palace gates before Her Majesty intervened."

"But I didn't hang him," Ravenna countered smoothly, "And I'll remind you, I've never parted with any of my lovers on bad terms."

The look Alice and Hughes exchanged spoke volumes—a silent conversation of raised eyebrows and barely restrained sighs. Both had served Ravenna since her younger days, witnessing firsthand her infamous romantic escapades. The entire palace staff could recite tales of the Unruly Princess's mercurial affections—how favored consorts would bask in her attention one month only to find themselves abruptly dismissed the next.

Marie, who had been watching the exchange with wide-eyed fascination, opened her mouth to ask about this mysterious Kenric, but a sharp look from Sarah silenced her.

"I'll draft the letter personally," Ravenna declared, already moving toward her writing desk. "Have it dispatched by evening tide."

Hughes exhaled through his nose, the sound of a man who knew better than to argue. "As you command, Your Highness." His armor clanked as he bowed, already dreading what fresh chaos this old flame might reignite.