Rose sat in her chamber, her thoughts clouded by the weight of her kingdom's dire state. The situation was grim—half the kingdom was under the control of the demon forces, and the nobles had begun to turn against her. Even the commoners, who once trusted her rule, now looked at her with disappointment.
She couldn't help but blame herself. She had failed as a queen, as a monarch. Why didn't I see it coming? she thought bitterly. Why did Stokes betray the very principles they swore to uphold? The betrayal stung, but she could no longer afford to dwell on it. The invaders weren't waiting, and neither could she. The kingdom was crumbling, and every decision mattered now.
The immediate problem, she knew, was the lack of resources. The economy had collapsed under the strain of the invasion, and the kingdom didn't have enough supplies to sustain the war effort. Rose had to find a way to support the army and reclaim as much territory as possible.
"Your Majesty," a voice interrupted her thoughts. "As we have shown you, the current situation is very bad. Our army is severely understrength, half of the country is lost to the demons, and the people are terrified. The nobles... they no longer support you."
Rose's eyes sharpened. She couldn't afford to let despair take over. "So what do you propose?" she asked, her tone unwavering.
One of the councilors, Lord Strungmore, hesitated before speaking up. "I believe we should implement forceful conscription, enlisting all able-bodied men into the army to bolster our forces."
"How long would it take to train these men?" Rose asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Four to six months, Your Majesty," Lord Strungmore answered.
"And do you think the demon forces will just stand idle for that long?" Rose's voice was sharp. "We don't even have enough resources to feed them. How are we supposed to provide weapons and training?"
Lord Strungmore faltered. "Ah... well, perhaps it's not the best option, Your Majesty."
Rose turned to the next speaker, Lord Gudheart. "What do you suggest, Lord Gudheart?"
"Your Majesty, I believe the upper nobles should contribute their private forces to the front lines. They should also share their food supplies with the kingdom, particularly the military."
"Do you really think they'll agree to that?" Rose asked, her skepticism clear.
"I'm not sure, but they have no choice. We are under attack. If they truly care about the kingdom, they will set aside their greed," Lord Gudheart said.
The next proposal came from Lord Fulfeith. "Your Majesty, we could also recruit from the Royal Academy. The students there are exceptional, and many would willingly volunteer."
Rose's face darkened. "They are children, Lord Fulfeith. How can we risk their lives in a war like this?"
"But if this continues, we may not have a kingdom left to protect them," Lord Fulfeith retorted.
Rose glared at him. "They're inexperienced. Most of our adult soldiers are just as inexperienced, and they're not much older than the students. Still, I won't risk our future like that."
Lord Gudheart spoke again. "Then, Your Majesty, perhaps we should consider more drastic measures. We must face the reality that the demons will not wait for us to be ready."
Rose nodded, then took a deep breath. "We will employ all of the methods suggested—without forceful conscription. It will be voluntary. An army built on fear and oppression is doomed. But an army led by conviction is strong."
She paused, then continued, "Once we have the numbers, we'll focus on defending the cities closest to the demon-held territories. We'll establish a solid chain of command, maintain communication, and ensure the borders are secure. I will not make the same mistake again. As I promised that young girl, I will not be ignorant of what's happening in my kingdom any longer."
After the war council concluded, Rose received word that her younger sister, Princess Diane, was on her way to visit. Rose sighed, her heart heavy. Diane's visits were never pleasant. Her sister was always devious, a reminder of Rose's failures, whether as a ruler or as a mother. Diane would undoubtedly find some way to rub her failures in her face, to boast about her own children while reminding Rose of the child she lost.
It stung, but there was nothing she could do. She would have to face her sister, despite the bitterness that gnawed at her. Diane's heartlessness always amazed her, but despite it all, she was still her sister. And so, Rose would receive her with open arms, however reluctant she might feel.