The Villainess's Reputation [Kingdom Building]

The morning sun streamed through the stained-glass windows of the dining hall, casting fractured patterns of crimson and gold across the polished oak table. Ravenna set down her silver fork with deliberate precision, the soft clink echoing in the quiet room as she finished the last bite of honeyed pear.

"An attack on Kim Island...?" Ravenna murmured, her lips curving into a smile that would have made a lesser man piss himself. She dabbed her mouth with a linen napkin, the motion deceptively casual.

Across the table, Marie peeked up from her plate of buttered toast, her wide eyes tracking Ravenna's every move. Alice stood at attention near the sideboard, already compiling the day's schedule in her ever-present ledger.

"I've finished my breakfast," Ravenna announced, pushing back her chair. "Have Aurora and her guards summoned to my office the moment she wakes."

Marie's spoon clattered against her porridge bowl as Ravenna strode past, the train of her obsidian silk slit gown whispering against the marble floors.The girl hesitated, then piped up in a small voice, "Miss Alice...?"

Alice turned, her spectacles glinting in the sunlight. "Yes, Lady Marie?"

The girl fidgeted, her cheeks pink. "I... I saw Lady Aurora going to Master's bedroom last night." She dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Is she... one of her lovers?"

"Lady Aurora is... a very dear friend," Alice said carefully, kneeling to meet Marie's eye level. "And as Herptian's Apostle, your master has certain... freedoms in how she expresses affection."

Marie blinked. "So... yes?"

Alice pinched the bridge of her nose. "Eat your breakfast."

15 minutes later, Ravenna's office, Lord Castle, Kim City, Kim Island

The morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Ravenna's office, casting long golden shafts across the marble floors. The air smelled of ink, parchment, and the faintest hint of the jasmine oil that perfumed the drapes. Ravenna sat at the head of an expansive table, her fingers steepled before her as the assembled advisors filed in one by one.

First came Hughes, Knight-Captain of Kim Island, his armor polished to a mirror shine, the raven sigil of House Solarius emblazoned across his breastplate. Close behind was John, his Vice-Captain. Sarah entered next, her arms laden with files and ledgers. Alice followed, her spectacles perched precariously on the bridge of her nose, her ever-present accounting ledger tucked beneath one arm, the other hand adjusting the delicate silver pins in her coiled braid.

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Ravenna's gaze flicked to the door. "What about Aurora?"

Alice nodded once. As if summoned, the doors swung open to reveal Aurora, her fiery red hair illuminated by the morning sun like molten copper. She wore a dress nearly identical to Ravenna's but where Ravenna's dress slit high to reveal the Apostle's mark curling along her inner thigh, Aurora's plunged in a large neckline that displayed her own sacred sigil, stark against the pale skin of her breast.

Behind her followed her retinue: David, her Knight-Captain, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword; Emma, her sharp-eyed advisor; and Ben, the Chief Advisor, his weathered face lined with decades of political cunning.

"We greet Her Highness," they intoned in unison, bowing deeply.

Ravenna waved a lazy hand, the second odyssey ring on her fingers catching the light. "Let's get started. I've got enough fires to put out today without wasting time." Her gaze locked onto Aurora. "We need to know everything."

Aurora took her seat opposite Ravenna, the sunlight setting her Apostle's mark aglow. "Alright, Ravy,"she said, unfolding meticulously documents across the table. "Let me begin."

"First, as I said," Aurora began, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders and face, "my parents disappeared months ago. I only returned to Flask County after finalizing my divorce settlement from Henry."

She slid forward the first set of papers, their edges slightly singed as if rescued from fire. "Ethan showed me these before he left. Father uncovered a ledger from one of our vassals—proof of communications with the Hercule Syndicate. But more damning..." Her finger tapped a second document, its seal broken. "He found this tucked inside. A direct correspondence between the Syndicate and someone claiming to speak for the Cult of Absolution."

Ravenna took the letter, her eyes scanning the elegant, poison-pen script. Around her, the council leaned in—Hughes' gauntleted hands clenched, Alice's spectacles fogging slightly with her quickened breath.

"They appear authentic," Ravenna conceded, setting it down. "But this alone wouldn't send you fleeing to my doorstep. What changed?"

Aurora exhaled sharply. "Father arrested the vassal, interrogated him. We never learned what was said, but..." She produced another parchment, this one creased from frantic handling. "Ethan discovered this transcript in Father's private drawer after their disappearance."

The room chilled as Ravenna read aloud: "'Question: What is the Cult's current objective?' Answer: 'The auction in the Free Cities. Our people are already in position—some wearing silk robes, ministry badges, others whispering behind them.'" Her knuckles whitened around the page. "They've infiltrated the Empire."

"Worse." Aurora's voice dropped to a whisper. "Father and Mother never reached Otto. They vanished en route." She placed a final document on the table—a list penned in Ethan's distinctive hand. "This arrived the day before news of his murder. Every name here attended that auction. And every one is connected either to Flask Estate... or the Imperial Court."

A collective inhale from the gathered. Ravenna's breath caught as her gaze locked on a name at the top.

Frank Eldric.

The Emperor's Right Hand.

For the first time in years, true shock flashed across Ravenna's face. "No wonder you ran," she murmured.

Aurora's nod was grim. "Ethan went as an economic envoy to investigate. He lasted one night before they poisoned him." Her fingers trembled against the table. "So I.. took Ken, gathered those I could trust, and sailed straight here. Because if the Cult has reached that high..."

She didn't need to finish. The unspoken truth hung heavier than the castle stones in everyone's heart:

Nowhere was safe.