The World Is Mine For The Taking

After finishing with Artemis, I headed down to the first floor, where the sound of campaign speeches filled the air. The candidates vying for the next president of the academy were in full swing. A modest crowd surrounded them, though it was nothing compared to the academy's entire population. In truth, this gathering barely made up a fraction of the student body.

On the other hand, the two frontrunners had the entire academy split in half. Though one held a slightly larger lead, the difference was negligible—they were neck and neck. Never in Milham Academy's history had there been an election with two candidates dividing the student body so evenly. That is, until Titania and Myrcella stepped into the fray.

Both were princesses in their own right, each radiating a level of charisma that captivated everyone around them. It was no wonder they had the academy at a standstill.

When I got back to my dorm room, Titania was already there, perched on my couch. She looked a little miffed, her legs tucked beneath her while she focused intently on her phone. Her usual regal air was tinged with frustration, a rare sight.

"I figured you'd be out campaigning like the rest, Nia," I said casually, leaning against the doorway. "What brings you here instead?"

"I don't know," she replied with a sigh, her eyes still glued to her screen. "Maybe because I've never had this much attention on me before."

"That's not surprising," I said with a smirk. "Given your old personality, this must feel pretty alien to you."
Explore more stories at empire

Titania had never been one for mingling—though it wasn't entirely by choice. Back then, people avoided her because of her haughty demeanor, always telling others they should feel privileged by her presence. That attitude had pushed people away. Now, with the crowd flocking to her, it seemed even Titania could feel a little burnt out.

"Are you teasing me, Leon?" she asked, puffing her cheeks like an annoyed pufferfish, her pout exaggerated and childlike.

I stepped closer, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "Of course I am. You're irresistibly cute when you're all worked up like this."

"Hmph!" she huffed, turning her face away, though the blush blooming on her ears betrayed her. "You're such a womanizer," she muttered, her lips barely able to suppress a smile.

I couldn't help but laugh softly at her attempt to sulk.

We spent the next hour together, nothing intense, just enjoying each other's company like a normal couple. There was no sex this time, just simple moments of affection and connection that felt refreshingly lighthearted. Later, we decided to go for a walk. By then, night had draped its serene veil over the academy, replacing the earlier chaos with a peaceful stillness.

"I can't believe we're almost second-years already. It feels like just yesterday we were first-years," Titania said, her voice soft, almost wistful as she gazed at the tranquil surroundings.

"Time flies when you're having fun," I replied, watching her carefully. "Feeling like that just means you've been enjoying your time here."

"Maybe," she murmured, tilting her head to look up at the sky. The moonlight caught the faint gleam in her eyes. "But it feels like it's slipping by too fast. I never imagined I'd stay at the academy this long. I thought I'd be back in Bethlan after just half a year. But now..." She paused, her gaze drifting to me. "Now I have friends. And I've found love." Her voice softened as she smiled. "I almost wish time would slow down. I don't want these four years to vanish in a blink."

I knew why Titania had come to Milham. Her homeland, Bethlan, was on shaky ground, its political state teetering. Her father, the King, had sent her here not just for education but to keep her out of harm's way. A calculated move to protect his daughter while shielding her from the storm brewing in their kingdom.

"We still have three years," I told her, my tone calm but firm, like I was anchoring her to the present. "Soak up these remaining years, savor every bit. Even after our academic days are done, I promise we'll still find ways to enjoy life together."

"I don't want things to change," she said, her voice soft as her gaze fixed on the moonlit sky. "I want to savor these moments. I hate the thought of growing old, you know?"

"Aging's just a part of the deal," I replied, shrugging slightly. "We can't dodge it, no matter how much we wish we could. The best we can do is cherish what we have while it lasts."

We walked in companionable silence until she suddenly stopped, her expression unusually serious.

"Hey, Leon," she murmured, her tone almost hesitant.

I turned to her, curiosity tingling in the air. "What's up?"

"If my father ever asks me to come back," she said, "will you come to Bethlan with me?"

The weight of her question pressed against me, but my answer was instant and unwavering. "Sure."

If her father summoned her back to Bethlan, it would mean the kingdom's situation had become dire—too dangerous to face alone. There wasn't a chance in hell I'd let someone I loved walk into a storm without me. If Titania had to go, I'd follow her without hesitation.

The single word seemed to light up her entire face, her smile brighter than any star in the sky.

"You really love me, don't you?" she teased, her tone playful, but her eyes held something deeper.

"Of course."

"You're supposed to stutter and squirm like some dumb womanizer," she said, puffing her cheeks in mock indignation, though the blush coloring her ears betrayed her amusement.

Despite her playful jab, I could feel the bond between us deepening. Every moment we spent together felt like peeling back another layer of who she truly was.

***

The next day, I woke up and headed straight to class, but something felt off the moment I entered. The air was heavy, tense—almost suffocating. My classmates shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their unease palpable.

Trill quickly approached me, her usual calm demeanor replaced with urgency.

"You're late, Leon," she said.

"What's going on? The atmosphere feels... thicker than usual." Thick air wasn't new to the Bronze Class, but this was on another level entirely.

"A group of armed soldiers arrived on campus earlier," Trill explained. Her expression darkened. "They came for Nia."

"For Nia? Why?" My brows furrowed as alarm coursed through me.

"They claimed they were here to inform her that the Empire has officially declared war on Bethlan. They're planning to start their continental expansion with her kingdom."

The Empire targeting Bethlan first? That made no sense. Strategically, Milham was the logical starting point. Its placement on the continent made it the most defensible and valuable kingdom, which was why neither Bethlan nor Milham had ever dared to invade the other. The treacherous terrain separating them alone made such campaigns unfeasible.

It didn't add up. Was this a ploy to weaken Milham by cutting off its ally first? It sounded reckless, a gamble with stakes higher than I could imagine. Whatever their reasoning, one thing was painfully clear. The war wasn't just coming—it had already begun.

***

Titania was lounging on my bed that afternoon, her legs tucked beneath her as she casually swiped at her phone. Her focus on the screen was so intense it was like nothing else existed in the world. The faint sound effects from the game she was playing filled the room, completely at odds with the gravity of the news we'd received earlier.

"Oh, Leon! And Trill! You're both here!" she chirped, flashing a bright smile, as though everything was perfectly normal.

Her carefree attitude was jarring. A war was looming over her kingdom, and yet here she was, as calm as a summer breeze, her fingers still tapping away at the game.

"I heard soldiers from Bethlan came earlier and informed you that the Empire has officially declared war on your kingdom and plans to start their expansion there," I said.

"Oh, that?" she replied nonchalantly, waving her hand as if brushing away a trivial matter. "Yeah, they told me all about it this morning in the student council office. Oh, look! I just beat your high score, Trill!" she added, flashing her phone in triumph.

"Nia," Trill said, "aren't you even a little worried that your hometown is in danger of being completely invaded?"

Trill wasn't overreacting. Her concerns made perfect sense. Bethlan had always been safe because of its terrain—a nightmare for any invading force. But the Empire wasn't just sitting on its hands. Their relentless advancements in technology had started breaking through those natural barriers.

Bethlan wasn't exactly in a position to hold its ground against a major invasion. Unlike Milham, which was fortified by Magic Knights who protected the entire kingdom in times of crisis, as well as royal knights guarding the castle, Bethlan relied on regular soldiers. Sure, they had a few skilled fighters—like the ones I faced before—and they coordinated well enough. But would that be enough to repel the Empire?

I highly doubted it.

Against an Empire of this magnitude, Bethlan's odds were grim. It was like watching a single candle flicker against the impending storm.