NOVEL NEXT 242. Helping Aurora
The early morning sunlight, sharp and invigorating, was filtering through the high windows of the Lord's Castle. In her private chambers, Ravenna lay awake, observing the distant ocean where the newly steam-powered ships, her newly acquired and retrofitted fleet were sailing away on their first critical assignment. She gently stroked the back of the naked Aurora, who was sleeping soundly beside her.
"I think soon you will be able to return to Flask County," Ravenna murmured, the statement slicing through the quiet air with casual certainty.
Aurora jolted instantly, turning to face Ravenna, her eyes wide with astonishment. "What?! Do you mean it?" she asked, her voice hushed but filled with sudden, fierce hope. The morning sun illuminated Ravenna's dark, raven-black hair, giving it an otherworldly sheen.
A few hours later, Ravenna's study was buzzing with activity, transformed into a tense war council chamber. David, Aurora's taciturn Knight-Captain, stood stiffly, his hand resting on a map-strewn table nearby. Emma, her sharp-eyed Advisor, and Ben, the stoic Chief Advisor, were seated in a line, their expressions a mixture of apprehension and grim resolve. Aurora, fully dressed in her Herptian-esq dress, sat opposite Ravenna, her energy coiled tight.
Hughes and John entered shortly, their heavy boots thudding softly on the floor. As soon as they were seated, Ravenna's eyes snapped to attention, commanding instant silence.
"Alright, let's begin," Ravenna declared, her voice sharp and decisive.
"Today, my annexation of the Otto City's borders will be formally announced, the news spreading across the continent," Ravenna started, pausing for a beat to let the weight of her political maneuver settle over everyone. "Conley, the Hercule Crime Syndicate, and the Absolution Cult will inevitably focus their resources on this sudden thorn in their plan. It demands a visible, powerful response from them."
She offered a cold, predatory smile. "While their attention is fixed on the Southern Islands, we will strike in a totally different part of their vast, continental scheme."
"Flask County," Aurora muttered, her voice barely a breath, the name of her lost home carrying both pain and purpose.
"That's right," Ravenna confirmed, her tone hardening. "The ships I sent to Otto City should be sufficient to establish dominance and hold off any advances from Bolita for the time being. Therefore, we will take the other half of the newly outfitted steam ships to Flask County."
Emma leaned forward, her sharp gaze tracing the vast map spread across the obsidian table. She saw more than just a single county on Ravenna's designated route. "We are not just hitting Flask County, are we, Your Highness?" she asked, a thread of awe and fear woven into her voice.
"Of course not," Ravenna replied, a wicked, devilish smile spreading across her face. She leaned back, her deep eyes gleaming with absolute ambition. "We have spent months playing the defensive game, fighting for survival, and warding off attacks. My patience for that era of weakness is over. It's time I went full on offensive."
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Southern Port, Kim City, Kim Dukedom, Ancorna Empire
The Southern Port of Kim City was a hub of early morning industry, the air thick with the scent of sea brine and steam. As the sun began its slow climb into the sky, painting the waves in molten gold, the usual rhythm was interrupted. A small, elegant merchant ship, moving with a practiced secrecy that was unusual for a civilian vessel, docked at the pier, immediately capturing the attention of the dock workers and militia.
The ship flew a distinctive, recognizable Ancorna Imperial Family flag, a subtle, yet undeniable mark of its origin. Dame Aisha, who had been stationed nearby precisely to manage unexpected arrivals, moved swiftly toward the vessel, flanked by several alert Kim Dukedom knights and guards.
As the gangplank lowered, a young man with the Imperial Family's signature deep dark hair was heard speaking sharply, his voice carrying the entitled impatience of royalty. "What do you mean you haven't set foot on the island, Ser Marco Deltan?"
"You don't have to call me by my full name every time, Your Highness Benric," the fully armored knight, Ser Marco, replied with a friendly, yet sober smile. He stepped onto the pier with practiced ease, his armor whispering. "I mean exactly that. Our situation changed, and we returned even before reaching the island on our last voyage."
The young man, Prince Benric Solarius, brushed snow from his elegant robes as he followed. "Of course he doesn't remember that, Ser Marco," a young lady's voice cut in from the ship's deck, laced with affectionate mockery. She descended the gangplank with two personal knights behind her. "Benric's head is just filled with gambling, or knight practice, he wouldn't have even remembered your name if I hadn't reminded him."
Ser Marco turned, offering a diplomatic smile. "I don't think so, Your Highness Gracie. His Highness must have genuinely forgotten amidst his demanding schedule." The young lady, Princess Gracie Solarius, possessed the same striking dark hair and aristocratic features.
Dame Aisha arrived at the foot of the gangplank and performed a deep, formal bow, her voice ringing out with impeccable respect that nonetheless contained the quiet authority of her position.
"Welcome to Kim Dukedom, Your Highnesses Gracie and Benric." The niece and nephew of Princess Ravenna Solarius had finally arrived.
Ravenna's office, Lord's Castle, Kim City, Kim Dukedom, Ancorna Empire
Ravenna was deeply immersed in her war council. She was tracing offensive routes on a large map, her finger lingering over Flask County, detailing her strategy for taking the war directly to the mainland. Around the obsidian table, the advisors David, Emma, Ben, Hughes, and John, were fully engaged, the air thick with political tension and military calculation.
Just as Ravenna was outlining the timing of the naval strike, a sudden, brisk tap interrupted the tense silence. Sarah, the efficient Head of Administration, opened the study door with rare urgency, clutching a ledger to her chest.
"Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion, but an authorized vessel just docked at the Southern Port," Sarah announced, her voice strained as she fought to keep her composure. She paused, catching her breath before delivering the full report. "It was flying an Imperial flag, and onboard are Prince Benric and Princess Gracie."
Ravenna, however, remained motionless at the head of the table. She neither flinched nor raised her voice, but her dark eyes, cold and sharp as obsidian, fixed on Sarah.
"My niece and nephew," Ravenna murmured, the words dripping with a chilling, predatory sweetness. She leaned back, a sardonic half-smile curving her lips. "How absolutely delightful of them to crash my war planning."
She waved a dismissive hand, effortlessly shifting from military general to annoyed aunt. "Hughes, dispatch a unit to escort them here. Treat them with every ounce of reverence due their bloodline, but search their personal guards thoroughly. I don't care to entertain any of my brother's hidden envoys."
Hughes nodded, his face grim, and immediately departed.
Ravenna turned back to the map, tapping the coastline of Flask County once more. "Let us finish this offensive strike plan before my little visitors can derail it entirely."