Princess Vesper and Valeria left the palace after she assured her father that she would do everything possible to accomplish the mission. Her father had commanded her to ambush the princes and personally eliminate them.
A month earlier, they had been planning to ambush the royal siblings of Eldrida had it been they took the journey to Everia to solidify their allegiance. Although Vesper opposed the plan, King Ardyn had insisted. However, when a convoy from Everia arrived, informing them that five of their spies had been captured and their plan exposed, all preparations for the ambush were halted.
The king ordered the envoy from Everia to be killed, but Vesper spared them to protect the lives of her spies. The captured spies were of little importance to the king, so Vesper didn't bother about pleading with her father to spare the envoy to ensure the safety of the spies. When her father ordered them killed, she volunteered to carry out the execution herself, secretly allowing the envoys to escape with the help of her sisters, Valeria, Selene and Daphne. She instructed the envoys not to reveal their sentencing and to inform the princes that she valued the spies' lives and would stay her hand.
Now, a month later, the princes planned to journey to Eldrida, and her father demanded that Vesper personally kill them. She knew they would be more prepared than ever, and an attack would lead to unnecessary bloodshed. Despite her efforts to dissuade her father, he refused to listen to her.
"Valeria, what do you think?" Vesper asked as they walked toward the secret room where the Iron Sisters were gathered.
The Iron Sisters were an elite faction of female warriors Vesper had personally raised alongside Valeria. They recruited women interested in joining the army, often travelling to the outskirts to find promising candidates. These warriors were Vesper's creation, trained under her guidance.
"Vesper, I understand how you feel, but you can't save everyone," Valeria replied, dropping formalities to address her as a friend. "I know you're worried about the casualties we might face if we strike now, but the Iron Sisters are capable. Trust in them."
Princess Vesper was silent, contemplating Valeria's words. 'You can't save everyone' What kind of a crown princess would she be if she couldn't protect her people? From a young age, she had tried to care for everyone, and the thought of others dying for her and her kingdom was unbearable. Yet, she knew that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't prevent every loss.
"Are you in support of father? Do you really think attacking now is the right choice?" She asked.
"Yes," Valeria replied firmly. "Attacking them outside the safety of their kingdom is our best chance. They'll be more vulnerable."
"But it's too risky! They'll be prepared for us. Why can't Father understand?" Vesper said as they rounded a corner, nearly colliding with a maid.
"My princess, I'm so sorry! It's my fault...I should have...." the maid stammered, fear evident in her eyes.
"It's alright," Vesper reassured her gently. "You've done nothing wrong. Why are you so afraid?"
The maid bowed deeply and hurried away. She was new to the palace, likely influenced by the rumours surrounding Vesper. Many who didn't know the crown princess assumed she was cold and unkind, her reputation preceding her.
"No matter how prepared they are, the Iron Sisters will handle them," Valeria said confidently. "One of the twin princes isn't skilled in combat, he'll be our primary target, leverage to force their surrender."
Valeria paused, her tone softening. "I know you, Vesper. Your only weakness is your good heart. Stop dwelling on those who might die. As the future ruler of this kingdom, sacrifices will be made for you. If it comes to it, I'd gladly sacrifice my life for you."
Vesper's gaze softened. Valeria wasn't just her ally; she was her sister in arms, her closest friend. They had fought side by side on countless occasions. "Losing you would be like losing myself. Promise me you'll never sacrifice your life for mine."
Valeria smiled, patting her on the back. "It's my duty, and I'd gladly fulfil it," she said, her tone turning serious.
They reached the entrance of the secret room. The secret room was hidden behind a nondescript wall in the eastern wing of the palace, accessible only to Vesper and her warriors. Vesper pushed aside a velvet curtain, revealing a stone panel with faint carvings of the Marlenian crest, a crescent moon cradling a blooming rose. She pressed her palm against the panel, and the wall shifted with a low, grinding noise, revealing a narrow passageway.
The room itself was dimly lit, with sconces mounted on the stone walls casting flickering shadows that danced across the space. The air was cool and carried a faint, earthy scent, as though the room had been carved from the heart of the castle itself. Thick beams of dark wood crisscrossed the ceiling, giving the chamber an air of solemnity.
A circular table sat in the centre, carved from obsidian and polished to a mirror-like sheen. Around it were heavy, high-backed chairs, each adorned with the emblem of the Iron Sisters-a sword wreathed in flames. Maps, documents, and weapons lay scattered across the table, evidence of their countless planning sessions.
On the far wall, weapons of every kind were displayed, from finely crafted swords to sleek daggers and bows. The weapons gleamed even in the dim light. This was the Iron Sisters' sanctum, a sacred space where their loyalty to Vesper and her vision was forged and reaffirmed.
Everyone in the room bowed in obeisance immediately they sighted the Princess and Valeria. "My princess, we're all here as you requested" Selene announced. She was also a sister of Vesper. Unlike Valeria, Selene was not lowly born, she was the daughter of Sir Rathen, a respected knight of Marlenia and King Ardyn's friend.
There were about fifty women in the room, each clad in the distinctive uniform of the Iron Sisters. Their attire was a blend of black and crimson. Black leather armor hugged their forms, reinforced with crimson stitching and accents that ran along the seams, emphasizing both style and utility.
Each warrior wore a high-collared, sleeveless cloak of deep red that fell just below their knees, allowing for ease of movement. The cloak bore the Iron Sisters' emblem, a blazing sword encircled by a wreath of thorns, embroidered in silver on the back. Every woman had a sword strapped to her side, its hilt engraved with intricate designs unique to the warrior who wielded it.
These were no ordinary soldiers, they were Vesper's warriors, forged in loyalty and sharpened by battle.
Princess Vesper settled into one of the high-backed chairs, her gaze fixed intently on the map spread out before her on the table. Valeria leaned in to whisper something in her ear before taking her seat to the princess's right.
"Iron Sisters," Vesper began, a hint of uncertainty creeping into her voice. "The King has assigned us a mission. In two days' time, the Princes of Everia will venture out of their kingdom and travel to Eldrida to secure the alliance between their kingdoms. We've been planning this for over a month, and the time to strike has finally arrived." She paused briefly before adding, "I'll be leading the mission to eliminate the princes."
The Iron Sisters erupted into a mixture of joyful shouts, whispered conversations, and fervent chants, their enthusiasm fueled by the princess's words. They intensely discussed strategies, routes, and every detail pertaining to the mission. Once the briefing concluded, Princess Vesper dismissed the Iron Sisters. They filed out, bowing respectfully as they departed, leaving Valeria, Selene, and Daphne alone with the princess.
"We need to discuss the potential risks," Princess Vesper began. "Also, I don't want all four of us to go. Selene, you will stay here with Daphne to continue training the remaining Iron Sisters and the army. Your father will need you," she said, her voice tinged with emotion, knowing all too well that it was her own father who had imposed this mission on her.
"But, Princess, how can I stay here while you—"
"It's alright," Vesper interrupted. "Valeria and I are enough. Unless you doubt my abilities," she added with a playful smile.
Selene sighed but nodded, acknowledging her princess's decision.
After finalizing their plans and sharing a few more heartfelt words, Selene and Daphne prepared to leave. "Take care of yourself out there," Selene said, her gaze lingering on Vesper. "We'll be ready if you need reinforcements."
"I know you will," Vesper replied, her voice steady despite the weight she felt. "Take care of the Iron Sisters—and each other."
With a final bow, Selene and Daphne departed, leaving only Valeria and Vesper in the dimly lit room.
Valeria leaned back in her chair, studying Vesper's expression. "You're thinking too much again," she said softly.
Vesper sighed, her eyes fixed on the map before her. "Everything. The mission, the lives at stake... and Father's unrelenting orders. Sometimes I wonder if he sees me as his daughter or just another soldier."
Valeria placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're more than that, Princess. To him, to the kingdom, and to me. You're not alone in this." She paused for a moment before adding in a voice laced with a hint of dark humor, "It wouldn't be the first time you've defeated and killed an Everian prince."
Vesper's expression shifted, her eyes darkening with a storm of unspoken emotions. She stared at Valeria, her jaw tightening before she finally spoke, her voice dropping to a low whisper. "Funny of you to mention that, we both know I didn't fight the duel..."