Kingdom of Mildelar (Elyndra), 11 years earlier.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
With a battle cry, Levreeshka and Isabelle charge at each other. Fist against fist.
The impact is so devastating it shakes the entire glacier they’re fighting on, perched atop the highest mountain in the kingdom, over five thousand ters high.
Levreeshka is sent flying backward, slamming into a towering wall of ice and smashing through it. Isabelle, anwhile, doesn’t react at all to the shockwave and stays where she is.
When Levreeshka erges from the ice she was buried under, she’s a mass of broken bones and blood — already regenerating.
She’s about to attack again, but Isabelle stops her.
"That’s enough for today — we’ll resu training tomorrow."
Levreeshka pouts.
"Ugh... we’ve barely been fighting for two hours. Big sis Isabelle, let’s go for at least two more!"
"Fighting for two hours is like eight against any other vampire. So stop whining and let’s head down to the valley — the troops are waiting. And I’ve told you a thousand tis, when we’re on duty, I’m General Valakis."
Isabelle and Levreeshka aren’t actually sisters, but the bond between them runs so deep that Levreeshka sees her as an older sister — and Isabelle feels the sa.
"As you command, General Valakis..."
They then begin their descent down the mountain.
"Oh, by the way, I hear Markus Dulcar has his eyes on you..." Isabelle murmurs with a smirk, nudging her playfully with her elbow.
Levreeshka suddenly blushes and puffs her cheeks.
"W-When will you learn to mind your own business, big sis?!"
"Why are you so upset? Markus is the head of your house, and he’s quite charming, even though he’s almost twice your age..."
Isabelle adds the last part with a hint of irony.
"Markus is a strong, charismatic vampire — I don’t see anything wrong with becoming one of his consorts... quite the opposite. And you know I’ve always had a thing for older n!"
"Oh yeah, you’re into ancient mummies!"
"B-Better to be into old mummies — as you call them — than into little boys like you! King Cassian Valakis must be pretty brave to let you wander around the palace with Prince Jace nearby!"
"What can I do? I’m young at heart — I go for younger n. And as for King Cassian, I doubt he’s worried I’d do anything improper with his son... especially since Cassian himself proposed to just the other day."
Levreeshka is so stunned she nearly loses her balance and rolls down the mountain.
"King Cassian... WHAT?!"
"Surprised, huh? I was caught off guard too when he asked . Now I get why he kept inviting to the palace."
"S-So that ans... you’re going to beco queen?!"
Isabelle puffs out her chest with pride.
"Exactly. Queen Isabelle Valakis — it sounds good, don’t you think?"
"No, not at all. But with soone like you at his side, he’ll definitely save on guards — actually, you’ll be protecting the royal bodyguards."
A mont of silence, then they burst into a long, genuine laugh.
"But make sure of one thing. King Cassian wants this to stay a secret until shortly before the wedding."
Levreeshka runs her fingers across her lips as if zipping them shut.
"I’ll keep my mouth shut! But hold on... if it’s a secret, why the hell did you tell ?"
"Well, you’re my closest friend. This is the kind of secret you only share with soone you trust. And besides..."
Isabelle grows more serious.
"I told you because after the wedding, I plan to step down as general of the Scarlet Army."
Levreeshka’s eyes widen in disbelief.
"Y-You’re joking, I hope?!"
"I’ve never been more serious in my life. A life made only of battles has really worn down — I’d rather focus on taking care of the palace and Jace and Mia. And besides, what kingdom would send its own queen to fight on the front lines? We’d beco the laughingstock of all Elyndra. I’m sure the Scarlet Army will do just fine even without ."
Levreeshka stays completely silent for a long mont, processing the unexpected decision.
"I-I see... so now, according to the ancient laws of Mildelar, you’ll have to appoint a successor worthy of you. It won’t be easy to find soone like you... Do you already have soone in mind? Because I’m sure my brother could be a very capable general, or—"
"You will be the one, Levreeshka."
At those words, she freezes — and not because of the cold.
"T-This joke isn’t funny!"
"No joke. I’ve thought long and hard about who I should pass my position on to, and you’re by far the best choice."
"I-It seems like King Cassian’s proposal has made you lose your mind! I’m only twenty-three... I’m still too young and inexperienced to take on a role like that!"
"So what? At your age, I’d already been a general for nearly two years."
"Y-Yeah, but... you’re you — at twenty-one, you were already the most powerful vampire in the kingdom!"
"Strength isn’t everything. The last battle we fought — against those dark elves... on paper, it should’ve been a tough fight. But thanks to your strategies and your Innatus, we won without losing a single soldier. A general’s greatness isn’t asured only by how many enemies they kill, but by how many of their n they keep alive — and in that, you’re the best. Yes, you’re still young and sotis you lack experience, but there are still six months until the wedding. By then, you’ll be more than ready."
Levreeshka starts trembling from head to toe. This ti from the cold too, but mostly from emotion. Tears well up and spill from her reddened eyes.
"T-This... this is the happiest day of my life! Thank you, big sis. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’ll be an excellent general — I’ll make you proud! I promise, big sis!"
Overwheld by uncontrollable joy, Levreeshka throws herself at Isabelle in a slightly too affectionate hug, nearly making them lose their balance on the steep slope they’re descending.
"Get a hold of yourself, Levreeshka — we’re still on duty! We’ll reach the kingdom’s borders soon — do you already have a plan to repel the ogre invasion?"
"You even have to ask? Of course I do!"
"Did you just co up with an attack strategy like always, or did you also plan an escape in case things go wrong?"
Levreeshka raises her chin with pride.
"Escape plan? I don’t even know what that ans. My strategies are so perfect I don’t need to waste ti thinking about sothing that will never happen."
Isabelle shakes her head in resignation.
"One day, even a genius like you will make a mistake. And when that happens, you’ll regret not having a plan to get out of trouble. For now, let’s move — the troops are waiting for us."
User Comments
0 comments from readers