The village square was quiet, the weight of the previous nights events hanging heavily over the gathered crowd. Serena stood before them, her cloak catching the faint breeze, her crimson eyes scanning the faces of the villagers. Their expressions were a mixture of exhaustion and cautious hope, the memory of the battle still fresh in their minds. Around her, the 1st Dark Marine Forces stood at attention, their dark armor gleaming faintly in the soft light of the setting sun.
Serena stepped forward, her voice clear and steady as she addressed the crowd. "People of this village, the time has come for me to take my leave. My duties as queen demand my attention elsewhere. But rest assured, you will not be abandoned. I am leaving behind my mighty platoon of Marines to ensure your safety."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the crowd, some of the villagers exchanging uneasy glances. One man, his hands rough and calloused from years of labor, stepped forward. "My Lady, will they… stay here for long? What happens after they leave?"
Serena's gaze softened slightly as she addressed him. "Their presence here is not permanent. They will remain until a proper force can take their place—one trained to defend this village with the same resolve and strength you've seen today. You will not be left unprotected."
A woman holding a small child clutched her daughter closer, her voice trembling as she spoke. "And… what about us? What can we do to help? We're just farmers and traders. We're not soldiers."
Serena stepped closer to the woman, her expression kind but firm. "You don't have to be soldiers to defend what's yours. My Marines will train your people, teaching those willing how to wield weapons, fortify defenses, and stand against threats. You'll learn to protect this village, not as warriors, but as a community. Together, you'll become strong enough that no one will dare threaten you again."
Another villager, a younger man with an uncertain expression, raised his voice. "But why? Why would you do this for us? We're just one small village. Why do we matter so much to you?"
Serena's lips curved into a faint smile, her tone unwavering. "Because every village matters. Every life under my rule strengthens Celestafell. I do not see a small village—I see potential. I see people who deserve peace, prosperity, and safety. And I will not stop until every corner of my kingdom can enjoy the same."
Her words hung in the air, the villagers falling silent as they absorbed the weight of her conviction. Finally, the older man who had spoken first gave a nod, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude. "Then… we will do our part, my Lady. We will learn. And we will protect what's ours. Thank you."
Serena inclined her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Good. That is all I ask. My Marines will be your guardians for now, but in time, this village will stand strong on its own."
She turned to her Marines, her tone shifting to one of command. "Your orders are simple. Defend this village with your lives if necessary. Train its people. Help them rebuild. Ensure that no enemy sets foot here again. Do I make myself clear?"
The Marines snapped to attention, their voices ringing out in unison. "Yes, my Lady!"
Satisfied, Serena returned her attention to the villagers. "You have my word: this is not the end of my presence here. I will return to see the progress you've made. Until then, trust my Marines and trust in yourselves. Together, you will make this village stronger than ever."
With that, she turned, her cloak swirling behind her as she strode toward the edge of the square. Her Marines saluted her as she passed, their expressions resolute. The villagers watched in silence, some with tears in their eyes, others with the faintest glimmers of hope.
The grand halls of the castle manor were quiet, the faint glow of enchanted sconces casting a warm light on the polished stone walls. Serena strode purposefully, her cloak swaying behind her as she made her way toward the barracks. Her mind was already turning over the details of her next task: sending reinforcements from the 1st Dark Army to relieve her exhausted Marines in the village.
As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with Lucien, who was leaning casually against the wall. His presence startled her for only a moment, but what came next completely disarmed her. For the first time since she'd known him, he stepped into her space with a quiet, commanding presence, his hands reaching out to cup her cheeks.
"Where have you been?" he demanded, his voice low and rough, his green eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
Serena froze, her crimson gaze wide with shock. The unexpected display of dominance sent her knees buckling slightly, and before she could stop herself, she sank to the ground. The act was involuntary, a mix of surprise and the sheer weight of his presence in that moment.
Lucien knelt with her, his hands still cradling her face. His expression wasn't angry, but it wasn't entirely calm, either. There was something raw there, something unspoken that unsettled her in a way few things ever had.
The shock gave way to a mischievous glint in her eyes as her lips curled into a playful smirk. "Worried much?" she asked mockingly, her tone dripping with amusement as she searched his face for a reaction.
Lucien didn't flinch, didn't back down. Instead, his next words hit her like a slap. "Yes."
The single word was laced with so much sincerity it pierced through her mockery. Her smile vanished, replaced by a frown that tugged bitterly at the corners of her mouth. She swatted his hands away, standing abruptly as her crimson eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn't quite name.
"My apologies, dear," she said, her voice soft but carrying a sincere weight. Her gaze met his, her expression shifting into something genuine. "I didn't know I held so much worth to you. I won't go off on such long ventures without letting you know ahead of time."
Lucien stood as well, his expression softening. He took a small step back, giving her space, but his voice was still firm when he spoke. "Thank you. It's all I ask. I don't… like not knowing."
Serena regarded him for a moment longer, her features unreadable, before a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. "Grateful much?" she teased lightly, but the humor was tempered with an edge of warmth.
"I am," he admitted, his voice quiet but steady. "Just… don't disappear on me again."
Serena gave him a small nod before turning on her heel, her cloak swirling around her as she resumed her stride toward the barracks. Her mind lingered briefly on his words, but she pushed them aside as she refocused on the task ahead.
The barracks were bustling with activity as she entered, the sharp clang of weapons being forged and the rhythmic thud of boots against the stone floor filling the air. She strode to the command table, where several officers of the 1st Dark Army were gathered, poring over deployment plans.
"Attention," she commanded, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade. The officers straightened immediately, their eyes fixed on her.
"I need a sizable force mobilized immediately," she said, her tone brisk. "The village I've recently liberated is under the watch of my Marines, but they are fatigued. Send a detachment to relieve them, effective at once. They'll remain until the villagers are fully trained and the area is fortified. Understood?"
The officers saluted in unison. "Yes, my Lady!"
Satisfied, Serena left them to carry out her orders, her mind already turning to her next move. As she exited the barracks, she allowed herself a moment to reflect on the strange encounter with Lucien. A small smile ghosted across her lips before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
The grand halls of the castle manor were quiet, the faint glow of enchanted sconces casting a warm light on the polished stone walls. Serena strode purposefully, her cloak swaying behind her as she made her way toward the barracks. Her mind was already turning over the details of her next task: sending reinforcements from the 1st Dark Army to relieve her exhausted Marines in the village.
As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with Lucien, who was leaning casually against the wall. His presence startled her for only a moment, but what came next completely disarmed her. For the first time since she'd known him, he stepped into her space with a quiet, commanding presence, his hands reaching out to cup her cheeks.
"Where have you been?" he demanded, his voice low and rough, his green eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
Serena froze, her crimson gaze wide with shock. The unexpected display of dominance sent her knees buckling slightly, and before she could stop herself, she sank to the ground. The act was involuntary, a mix of surprise and the sheer weight of his presence in that moment.
Lucien knelt with her, his hands still cradling her face. His expression wasn't angry, but it wasn't entirely calm, either. There was something raw there, something unspoken that unsettled her in a way few things ever had.
The shock gave way to a mischievous glint in her eyes as her lips curled into a playful smirk. "Worried much?" she asked mockingly, her tone dripping with amusement as she searched his face for a reaction.
Lucien didn't flinch, didn't back down. Instead, his next words hit her like a slap. "Yes."
The single word was laced with so much sincerity it pierced through her mockery. Her smile vanished, replaced by a frown that tugged bitterly at the corners of her mouth. She swatted his hands away, standing abruptly as her crimson eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn't quite name.
"My apologies, dear," she said, her voice soft but carrying a sincere weight. Her gaze met his, her expression shifting into something genuine. "I didn't know I held so much worth to you. I won't go off on such long ventures without letting you know ahead of time."
Lucien stood as well, his expression softening. He took a small step back, giving her space, but his voice was still firm when he spoke. "Thank you. It's all I ask. I don't… like not knowing."
Serena regarded him for a moment longer, her features unreadable, before a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. "Grateful much?" she teased lightly, but the humor was tempered with an edge of warmth.
"I am," he admitted, his voice quiet but steady. "Just… don't disappear on me again."
Serena gave him a small nod before turning on her heel, her cloak swirling around her as she resumed her stride toward the barracks. Her mind lingered briefly on his words, but she pushed them aside as she refocused on the task ahead.
The barracks were bustling with activity as she entered, the sharp clang of weapons being forged and the rhythmic thud of boots against the stone floor filling the air. She strode to the command table, where several officers of the 1st Dark Army were gathered, poring over deployment plans.
"Attention," she commanded, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade. The officers straightened immediately, their eyes fixed on her.
"I need a sizable force mobilized immediately," she said, her tone brisk. "The village I've recently liberated is under the watch of my Marines, but they are fatigued. Send a detachment to relieve them, effective at once. They'll remain until the villagers are fully trained and the area is fortified. Understood?"
The officers saluted in unison. "Yes, my Lady!"
Satisfied, Serena left them to carry out her orders, her mind already turning to her next move. As she exited the barracks, she allowed herself a moment to reflect on the strange encounter with Lucien. A small smile ghosted across her lips before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
The castle manor was silent, the late hour cloaking the halls in a quiet stillness broken only by the faint echo of boots against polished stone. Serena moved with purpose, her black cloak trailing behind her like a shadow, the golden sconces casting fleeting glimpses of her sharp features. Her crimson eyes burned with a fire that had refused to fade since her encounter with Lucien earlier that evening.
She stopped before his door, her hand hesitating only briefly on the ornate handle. Taking a breath, she pushed it open, stepping inside without announcement. The room was dimly lit, the warm glow of the hearth flickering against the dark wood furniture. Lucien stood by the window, his posture relaxed, though his head turned sharply at the sound of her entrance.
His green eyes locked onto hers, surprise flashing across his face for only a moment before he schooled his expression into his usual mask of calm curiosity. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice low and steady, though there was a hint of something deeper in his tone. "What brings you to my chambers at this hour?"
She stepped further into the room, closing the door behind her with a quiet click. Her movements were deliberate, her gaze never leaving his. "You," she said simply, her voice carrying a heat that made his brows furrow slightly in confusion.
"Me?" Lucien repeated, turning fully to face her now. "Care to elaborate?"
Serena stopped a few paces from him, tilting her head slightly as she studied his face. Her lips curved into a faint smirk, but the intensity in her eyes betrayed her controlled demeanor. "You're responsible for this, Lucien," she said, her voice soft but charged with energy. "For the fire you lit. And now, you're going to take responsibility for it."
His confusion melted into something sharper, his lips curving into a slow, almost knowing smile. "Is that so? And what exactly do you expect me to do about it?"
She stepped closer, her hand reaching up to press against his chest, the heat of her touch seeping through the thin fabric of his shirt. "Don't play coy with me, Lucien," she murmured, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. "You know exactly what I mean."
Lucien's breath hitched slightly, but he held his ground, his gaze locked on hers as his own hand came up to cover hers. "My Lady… are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice softer now, tinged with something resembling hesitation.
Her smirk widened, and she leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "I don't think I've ever been surer of anything in my life. Now, are you going to take responsibility, or do I need to drag it out of you?"
That was all the invitation Lucien needed. His arms came up to encircle her waist, pulling her flush against him as his lips crashed into hers with a heat that matched the fire burning in her eyes. The kiss was fierce, almost combative, each of them vying for control even as their movements became more desperate.
Serena's hands slid up to tangle in his hair, tugging just enough to make him groan against her mouth. He backed them up toward the bed, his grip on her tightening as they fell into a rhythm that neither had anticipated but both eagerly embraced.
"This is what you wanted, isn't it?" Lucien murmured against her lips, his voice rough with desire.
She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, her eyes blazing. "What I want is for you to stop talking and prove you can handle the fire you started."
His smirk returned, and with a soft chuckle, he obliged, pulling her down with him as the room was overtaken by the intensity of their shared heat. The tension that had been simmering between them for so long finally erupted, leaving no room for hesitation or regret.
By the time the fire in the hearth had died down, the embers casting a faint glow over the disheveled bed, the air between them was thick with an unspoken understanding. They had crossed a line that couldn't be uncrossed, but neither of them seemed inclined to look back.
The 1st Dark Force of the Dark Army marched behind Serena, their armor gleaming black under the dim, overcast sky. The rhythmic beat of their boots against the dirt road created a steady, almost hypnotic cadence. The air was cool and heavy, a faint mist clinging to the edges of the forest that flanked them. Serena strode at the head of her troops, her black cloak billowing slightly with each purposeful step.
Her crimson eyes scanned the horizon as her thoughts lingered on the village she was returning to. For all her meticulous planning, a small but nagging detail tugged at her mind.
"Great Sage," she said, her voice quiet but firm. The orb-like presence appeared in the corner of her vision, its soft glow flickering faintly.
"Yes, my Lady?"
"I never received the name of the village I left in my Marines' care. How did I let that slip?" she asked, her tone laced with irritation at herself.
"The village's name is Ashenfeld, my Lady," Great Sage replied, its tone calm and steady. "A small settlement once overshadowed by nearby trade hubs, reduced to obscurity by frequent bandit raids. Under your rule, it is poised for revival."
Serena tilted her head slightly, the name rolling over her tongue as she tested its weight. "Ashenfeld… fitting, given what we found there. But it won't remain in ashes for long. Not under my protection."
"Indeed, my Lady," Great Sage affirmed. "Your presence has already begun to alter its trajectory. The arrival of the 1st Dark Force will solidify its transformation."
Serena smirked faintly, her gaze fixed ahead. "Good. Then we'll ensure Ashenfeld becomes a beacon of what Celestafell can offer—even at the edges of obscurity."
The mist began to thin as the forest gave way to open fields, and in the distance, the faint outline of Ashenfeld came into view. From this vantage, she could see the improvements already underway: the newly repaired walls, the faint outlines of fortified defenses, and the smoke rising steadily from chimneys, a sign of bustling life within.
Her soldiers marched in disciplined silence, their presence a testament to her growing dominion. As they neared the gates of Ashenfeld, Serena felt a sense of satisfaction ripple through her. This village, once on the brink of collapse, was now thriving under her watchful eye.
"Prepare yourselves," she called back to her troops, her voice cutting through the quiet. "Ashenfeld will see what the 1st Dark Force is capable of. This is not just a show of strength—it is a declaration. Celestafell's reach is far, and its protection absolute."
The soldiers straightened, their movements crisp and unified as they approached the gates. Serena's presence at their head was a beacon of confidence and power, and as the gates creaked open to reveal the villagers gathered inside, she allowed herself a rare, satisfied smile.
Ashenfeld was hers, and it was only the beginning.
The road to Celestafell stretched out before them, the soft golden hues of dusk painting the horizon as Serena and her Marines marched in disciplined formation. Their armor, still bearing the scars of battle, glinted faintly in the waning light. The rhythmic sound of their boots against the dirt was steady and purposeful, a testament to the bond forged during their shared struggles.
As they crested a small hill, the faint silhouette of Celestafell's towering walls appeared in the distance, its banners fluttering proudly against the sky. Serena's pace slowed, her crimson eyes scanning her soldiers. The determination in their faces, the quiet strength in their movements—she felt a rare flicker of pride.
But then, she noticed it: an extra weight in the air, a quiet tension that rippled through her Marines like an unspoken agreement. The additional stomping of boots behind her ceased as the formation stopped. Serena turned on her heel, her cloak swirling around her as she faced her troops.
From their ranks, a young Marine stepped forward. Corporal Elric, his youthful face still marred with the grime of their journey, saluted sharply. His armor, though dented and worn, was polished with care, and his brown eyes held a mixture of respect and quiet reverence as they met hers.
"My Lady, permission to speak?" Elric asked, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of emotion.
Serena raised a brow, her gaze sharp but curious. "Granted, Corporal. What is it?"
Elric lowered his salute, stepping forward with measured precision. He drew a deep breath before speaking, his voice carrying across the silent road. "On behalf of the entire platoon, I wish to thank you for your sacrifice during the initial raid on Ashenfeld. We… we heard from Sergeant Alric what you did. How you bore our wounds, took on our pain, so that we could fight without hesitation."
His words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity. Serena's expression remained calm, though a flicker of something unreadable passed through her eyes.
Elric continued, his tone unwavering despite the faint tremor in his hands. "We are eternally grateful, my Lady. You gave us the chance to succeed, to come back alive. And for that, every one of us would happily give our lives on your command. You didn't have to do what you did, but you chose to. That is why we will follow you to the ends of the earth if you so wish it."
There was a murmur of agreement from the ranks behind him, the quiet, solemn hum of thirty-six soldiers standing as one. Each face carried the same expression of loyalty, their eyes fixed on Serena with an intensity that made even her pause.
She waved a hand dismissively, her voice brisk but not unkind. "Your words are appreciated, Corporal, but unnecessary. I did what any respectable ruler would do for their soldiers. This was no sacrifice—it was my duty."
But even as the words left her lips, she could see the disbelief etched into their faces. They didn't argue, didn't challenge her dismissal, but their expressions spoke volumes. Deep down, not a single one of them believed her.
Elric straightened, his salute snapping back into place. "Regardless, my Lady, we remain in your debt. And we solemnly swear: we will lay down our lives in your name, should the need arise."
Serena's gaze swept over the platoon, their faces steadfast and resolute. For a moment, she was silent, the weight of their devotion pressing against the carefully constructed walls of her own resolve. Finally, she nodded, her voice softer but still firm. "Then see to it that your lives are well-spent, not squandered. Celestafell needs its Marines strong and standing—not martyrs to a cause already won. Dismissed, Corporal."
Elric stepped back into formation, his expression one of quiet pride. The platoon resumed their march, their steps falling into perfect rhythm once more.
Serena turned back toward the horizon, her expression unreadable as her thoughts churned. Deep down, beneath the layers of discipline and detachment, a rare warmth flickered in her chest. She wouldn't show it, wouldn't let it sway her, but their loyalty was a weight she carried with pride.
As they approached the gates of Celestafell, the banners above seemed to flutter just a little more boldly in the wind, a symbol of the strength they carried within their queen—and the loyalty she had earned.