The Villainess's Reputation [Kingdom Building]

Ravenna held up one slender finger. "First scenario: Edward Jola succeeds and kills me. Nolan gets rid of a problem without dirtying his hands." A second finger joined the first. "Second scenario: I reveal my military capabilities defending against Edward Jola's attack." Her smile turned razor-sharp. "And when it looks like Edward Jola is about to be humiliated? Nolan swoops in to 'save' him, emerging as both a hero and the only one who truly understands Kim Island's strength."

Alice, ever the pragmatist, adjusted her spectacles with a quiet click. "So either way, Nolan wins politically while testing our defenses."

Ravenna's fingers traced the rim of a wine glass that she had asked for, the deep red liquid catching the light like blood. "Precisely. But his ambitions run deeper still." She set the glass down with deliberate care. "News of Kim Island's riddance of poverty has been slowly spreading. Questions like 'What resources does an exiled princess command? What military might she have gathered?' "

A cold smile played across her lips. "Once Nolan learns our capabilities, that knowledge becomes currency. William would pay dearly for such intelligence. Landon would trade favors. Even Serena would love to rejoin."

Alice nodded sharply. "He positions himself as the gatekeeper to this information."

Aurora leaned forward, her apostle's mark pulsing faintly at her collarbone. "More crucially, he gains something far more valuable in the court's eyes, battle experience." Her nails tapped against the table. "The eldest prince, yet until now? A scholar without a single campaign to his name."

Ravenna's laugh was dark. "Oh, but what a scholar. The sixth foreigner ever granted access to Hilde Kingdom's High Library. Fluent in seven languages. Decorated diplomat." She counted his achievements on her fingers. "The only thing lacking in his illustrious resume? A military triumph."

She swept her hand across the war map. "Now imagine—the noble Prince Nolan, riding to save poor bumbling Edward from his unruly sister's forces. The court will swoon at his 'strategic genius.'"

Aurora's grin was all teeth. "And just like that, the scholar becomes a warrior. The neutral prince becomes a faction leader."

Hughes' gauntleted fist clenched. "We'd be handing him everything he wants on a silver platter."

Ravenna's expression remained impassive as she steepled her fingers. "There's little we can do to prevent his political maneuvering at this stage" she admitted, her voice calm but edged with steel. "The court will believe what they wish to believe."

Aurora's knight-captain, David, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the leather of his brigandine creaking. "Your Highness," he began carefully, "how many ships are we facing? Can Kim Dukedom withstand this assault?" His gaze flickered briefly to Aurora. "I would see Lady Aurora and young Ken moved to safety if there's any chance—"

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Ravenna's sharp laugh cut through the tension like a blade. "This will pass like any other day in Kim City," she said, her black eyes glinting with cold certainty. "But as I've made clear, I've no intention of revealing our military capabilities—not even to your entourage."

Emma opened her mouth to protest, but Chief Advisor Ben's gnarled hand clamped down on her wrist with surprising strength. Aurora shot her advisor with a warning glare that silenced her instantly.

"We understand perfectly," Aurora said smoothly, though her fingers tightened around the arms of her chair.

"Good." Ravenna leaned back, the shadows accentuating the sharp angles of her face. "Remember our agreement when I granted you asylum, Aurora."

Aurora's answering smile didn't reach her eyes. "As long as Ken is safe, nothing else matters, Ravy."

The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on. Outside, the distant cry of gulls and the ever-present murmur of the sea beyond the castle walls filled the heavy quiet.

Finally, Ravenna pushed back from the table, the legs of her chair scraping against the marble floor. "I believe we've covered everything necessary for now," she declared, her tone shifting to something lighter, though no less calculated. "We'll reconvene at lunch. Until then, take Marie as your tour guide—she knows the city better than anyone. Enjoy your afternoon."

Aurora rose gracefully. "Of course," she murmured, dipping into a curtsy. "Thank you again, Ravy. For everything."

As Aurora and her retinue filed out, the heavy oak door clicking shut behind them, Ravenna turned to the window, watching as the first tendrils of fog rolled in from the harbor.

"Now," Ravenna said, her voice cutting through the silence as she turned back to her advisors, "let's discuss our defense."

Hughes leaned forward, his armored elbows resting on the obsidian table. "How many ships are we facing, Your Highness?"

Ravenna's fingers drummed a slow rhythm against the war map. "Unknown. But we can assume at least a full battalion, with magical vessels leading the charge."

Sarah adjusted her hair, as she made a note. "As you have said the request was filed this morning, we likely have less than a week to prepare. I'll check with Nille about the flamethrower prototypes immediately after this meeting."

John's brow furrowed as he traced possible attack routes on the map. "Even with our enhanced ballistas, penetrating magical hull reinforcement won't be easy. And unlike the Ronin family's pirates..." He looked up, his young face grim. "This is the Imperial Navy. Their communication will be instantaneous with message spells. Every adjustment we make, they'll counter in real time."

Hughes nodded, his gauntleted hands clenching. "A single naval battalion means thirty to forty ships, at least ten magical. Five thousand trained soldiers." The veteran knight exhaled sharply. "We're outmatched in every conventional metric."

Alice flipped through her ledger with practiced efficiency. "While our treasury can support the expenditure three times over, procuring flowers for any large scale spell presents another problem." Her finger paused on a column of figures. "Even small orders take three to four days to arrive from the mainland. We simply don't have—"

"Unmanned ships."

Ravenna's sudden declaration silenced the room. All eyes turned to where she stood by the window, backlit by the dying light, her silhouette sharp against the gathering dark.

A slow, calculating smile spread across her face.

"We'll send unmanned ships."