The Villainess's Reputation [Kingdom Building]

"Then… Kim Dukedom is no longer safe for Lady Aurora," Emma was the first to speak, her voice sharp, betraying her unease. She leaned forward, hands clenched in her lap. "We sought asylum here precisely because it was remote, because it was away from the Cult of Absolution's reach. But now, with the Saintess here, this land has become a prime target. The cult will come."

David, Aurora's knight-captain, nodded grimly. His broad shoulders stiffened, his tone firm and unyielding. "Emma speaks true. Our utmost priority is Lady Aurora and Young Lord Ken's safety. With this development, we cannot assume the cult will ignore this place any longer. They will reach here with all they got ."

"That might be true," Ravenna said at last, her eyes half-lidded as if she were merely toying with the thought. Then her tone sharpened, her words slicing through the air like steel. "But tell me… are you two truly loyal to Aurora? Or are you simply trying to flee from a stronger opponent under the guise of protecting her?"

The room fell tense in an instant.

"Your Highness!" Emma shot to her feet, outrage blazing in her eyes. "Even if you are of the Imperial Family, that is deeply disrespectful—"

But before she could finish, Aurora's Advisor Ben fixed her with a cold, warning glare. The old man's silence was louder than a shout. Emma faltered, biting back the rest of her protest.

Ravenna leaned lazily against the armrest of her chair, lips curling into that arrogant smile only she could wear. "Do I look like I care for your outrage? I asked you a question. Now… answer it."

Her gaze flicked sideways toward Alice.

Alice immediately understood. With a rustle of skirts, she stepped forward, her presence sharp as a drawn blade. "Well?" she snapped, voice carrying the weight of command. "Her Highness asked you something. Say it aloud. What are you waiting for?!"

Aurora stiffened. "Of course they are loyal to me," she cut in quickly, her tone defensive. "Why are you treating this like an interrogation, Ravy? Where did this come from?"

But Alice ignored her, her eyes fixed on Emma like a hawk cornering prey.

Emma, bewildered by the sudden hostility and unable to understand Ravenna's motive, finally raised her chin and said, "Of course. I am loyal to Lady Aurora and to House Flask!"

[ Statement is True ]

The translucent panel of the reputation system shimmered faintly before Ravenna's eyes. A smile tugged at her lips. She had already spent the 2,000 points necessary for lie detection, and the investment was worth it. She hadn't used it when Aurora and her subordinates first arrived. too costly and unnecessary but now, with Marie's identity revealed and the stakes higher than ever, she could no longer leave room for doubt.

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Emma flushed with indignation, her voice rising. "I was raised in Flask County my whole life! My loyalty has never wavered!"

Next, David stepped forward, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his blade as though swearing an oath. His voice was steady, clear. "I am ready to lay down my life for Lady Aurora and for Young Lord Ken."

[ Statement is True ]

Finally, Ben, the old adviser of House Flask, lifted his eyes. His voice was calm, almost resigned, but resolute. "I have never harbored ill intentions against House Flask. Not once."

[ Statement is True ]

The panels vanished. Ravenna leaned back, satisfaction glimmering in her eyes.

"Well then," she said smoothly, folding one leg over the other. "I believe you all."

Alice withdrew, her sharp presence softening, though her eyes still glinted with unspoken approval at Ravenna's method.

Ravenna's smile turned sharper, predatory. "It is true that Kim City is now the single most coveted and most dangerous location on the continent. The center of a divine struggle waiting to ignite. And that is precisely because I intend to keep Marie here, on this island. The Saintess belongs to me, and so long as she remains in Kim Dukedom, this city will be both fortress… and battlefield."

Her words settled over the room like a shroud, heavy and undeniable. Then, as if softening the weight she had dropped upon them, Ravenna let her voice drop into something smoother, almost comforting. "That is to say, I will make sure that peace never vanishes from this island. No matter the storm that rages beyond our shores."

She rose from her chair in one fluid motion, her silken gown whispering against the floor, her figure framed against the tall windows where pale light filtered in. Her gaze swept the room, then fixed upon Aurora's subordinates. "Tell me, where exactly do you intend to take Aurora? If the Saintess of this Era is here, does it not follow that the Witch must also be? The cult will not stop, once their leader reveals herself. When the Witch comes… she will bring chaos to the world."

The sun dimmed behind a thick veil of cloud, shadows lengthening across the chamber as if her words had called the omen themselves.

Ravenna's tone cut deeper, her voice resonant with conviction. "If anywhere should be deemed the safest place, is it not directly at the Saintess's side? no shield more divine." She turned, allowing her eyes to linger on Marie. A faint smile curved her lips as she reached out, fingers brushing gently through the girl's chestnut hair in a motion both protective and possessive. Marie, however, shifted uneasily under the weight of everyone's attention, her hands curling in her lap, nervous as a hare caught in the open field.

"That may be true…" Emma began carefully, her voice edged with worry. Yet before she could continue, Aurora's voice rang out, clear and decisive, cutting through the unease like a blade.

"I will be staying."

The room stilled, every eye turning toward her. Aurora sat tall, her back straight, her expression unshakable. "Ravy is right. If the Cult of Absolution will only grow stronger, then running will not save us. To stand by the Saintess, the one power in this world that can truly oppose the Witch is the best choice we have."

"But, my lady—" David began, his voice tight with concern.

Aurora silenced him with a single sharp glance, her tone hard as iron. "It is my final decision. We are staying."

Her words brooked no argument. The knight lowered his head reluctantly, his protest swallowed. Emma clasped her hands together tightly but said nothing further. Even Ben, the elder advisor, simply nodded in quiet acceptance.

Silence followed, thick with unspoken tensions. Yet the matter was settled. One issue had reached its conclusion.

But as Ravenna lowered herself gracefully back into her chair, her dark eyes gleaming with satisfaction, everyone in the chamber knew, the morning's work was only just beginning.