The chaos had finally settled.
The battlefield was still smoking, the palace walls were half-collapsed, and several priceless artifacts had been turned to dust in the collateral damage. The nobles who had once confidently declared they'd rather die at the hands of a monster than face Verania's wrath were now standing very, very still, looking as if they were reconsidering every life choice that had led them to this moment.
I, personally, was still trying to process the fact that my mother had ripped a spear out of her chest and immediately turned it into a flirtation opportunity.
Before I could fully wrap my mind around that insanity, I felt it.
The shift in the air.
The overwhelming, unstoppable force that was my mothers heading directly toward me.
I barely had time to brace myself before a familiar, terrifying warmth engulfed me completely.
Verania scooped me up into her arms without warning, cradling me like I was a fragile piece of glass.
I made a strangled sound. "Mother, I—"
She held me tighter.
Her golden eyes scanned me intensely, searching for any injuries, any signs of harm. "You're not hurt?" she demanded.
I huffed. "You're the one who got impaled!"
"That's not an answer."
I groaned. "I'm fine."
She didn't look convinced.
Sylvithra appeared beside us, her calm violet gaze sweeping over me, checking for anything Verania might have missed.
She nodded. "No injuries."
Verania finally relaxed slightly, but did not put me down.
"Just in case," she muttered, adjusting her grip.
I squirmed. "Mother, I have legs. They function."
"You almost died once before."
"I was a newborn! I tripped on a blanket!"
"Exactly. You are a danger to yourself."
Sylvithra tilted her head. "I seem to recall you nearly setting the entire western wing on fire at the age of two."
"That was an experiment!"
Verania nodded. "And this is an overprotective response. Deal with it."
I sighed dramatically but gave up.
It was easier to just accept my fate.
Still, if Verania was going to smother me with concern, I was going to return the favor.
I pressed a hand against her chest, right over where the lance had impaled her.
She raised an eyebrow. "Checking my heart, little one?"
"Yes," I said flatly. "Because I don't trust reality anymore."
She grinned. "Adorable."
I pressed a little harder.
No wound.
No scars.
Not even a shift in her breathing.
"Unfair," I muttered.
Verania smirked. "I know."
Before I could argue further, an unfortunate noble let out a very distinct whimper.
Verania's gaze snapped to them immediately.
The group of nobles, previously pretending to be invisible, stiffened in terror.
One of them looked like he was about to faint. Another was already reciting prayers under his breath.
I frowned.
Something was off.
Then I remembered.
They had said something earlier.
Something about preferring to die at the hands of the monster rather than Verania.
Oh.
Oh no.
Verania's smirk turned sharper.
"Ah," she mused, her voice dangerously smooth. "I recall hearing some very interesting statements from you all before the battle started."
The nobles visibly paled.
"Something about rather being devoured by a monster than facing me?" she continued, tilting her head slightly. "Such loyalty. Such confidence."
One noble made a choked noise.
"Truly," Verania went on, slowly approaching them while still carrying me, "your unwavering faith in my leadership is… heartwarming."
It was not heartwarming.
It was terrifying.
They knew it.
I knew it.
I needed to act quickly.
I activated my greatest weapon.
I blinked up at Verania, widened my eyes just enough to be irresistibly endearing, and placed a tiny, delicate hand on her cheek.
"Mother," I said, my voice sweet as honey, "wouldn't it be better if we let them atone for their words instead of… other punishments?"
She paused.
The nobles held their breath.
Sylvithra watched with mild amusement.
Verania narrowed her eyes. "You're trying to use your charm against me."
I smiled. "Is it working?"
Her gaze flicked to the nobles, who looked like they were one breath away from passing out.
Then back to me.
She sighed.
"Fine," she muttered.
The nobles did not immediately celebrate.
They were too afraid.
I, however, knew better.
Victory.
But before I could bask in my success, Verania turned to them again, eyes still glowing dangerously.
"You will, however, be paying for the damages," she announced.
The nobles nodded furiously, grateful to still be breathing.
"And," Sylvithra added smoothly, "each of you will write a detailed report on today's events, including your initial thoughts, your reaction to the battle, and your reflections on why you should never say such foolish things again."
The nobles visibly suffered.
Verania grinned. "Oh, and make sure it's a minimum of ten pages each."
One of them let out a quiet sob.
I smirked.
Justice had been served.
With the punishment settled, Verania finally put me down reluctantly and I stretched, rolling my shoulders.
The battle was over.
The nobles were terrified.
The palace was in ruins.
All in all, a very productive day.
Sylvithra turned to Verania. "You are going to be impossible to deal with for the rest of the evening, aren't you?"
Verania grinned. "Absolutely."
I sighed.
Before I could fully process whatever chaotic nonsense was about to happen next, my mothers exchanged one of those looks.
The kind of look that meant serious business.
The kind of look that usually resulted in someone getting executed, a war being declared, or an entire faction mysteriously disappearing overnight.
Sylvithra turned to the nearest cluster of palace staff, her voice smooth but unyielding."Take Elyzara to her chambers. Ensure she rests and is well attended to."
Immediately, a group of extremely nervous maids stepped forward.
I frowned. "Wait, what—"
Verania placed a firm hand on my head. "We have something to take care of, little one."
"Something like—"
"Grown-up business."
I narrowed my eyes. "That sounds suspiciously like 'we are going to kill someone and don't want you to see it.'"
Sylvithra gave me a bland look . "And?"
"...Fair point."
Verania patted my head."Go be adorable somewhere else."
Before I could protest further,the maids, sensing that hesitation would not be tolerated,hurriedly ushered me away.
As I was led out of the courtyard, I caught one final glimpse of my mothers.
Both of them stood at the heart of the battlefield surrounded by smoldering ruins, darkened skies, and a fear-stricken noble class and they looked completely unfazed.
Whatever had happened today, whatever force had nearly breached the palace they intended to find out who was behind it.
And when they did, there would be no mercy.
---
Sylvithra flicked her wrist, summoning a glowing silver rune into the air. It pulsed once before vanishing, activating a privacy barrier around the battlefield.
Only they could hear this conversation now.
Verania cracked her knuckles. "Well, that was fun."
Sylvithra exhaled slowly. "That was an attack, Verania. A coordinated one. Not some random disturbance."
Verania smirked. "Exactly. Which means someone is bold enough to move against us directly."
Sylvithra's eyes darkened. "The question is who?"
Verania rolled her shoulders. "More importantly, who's stupid enough?"
The battle had been intense, butnever truly difficult.
The enemy had been testing something
The sealed entity beneath the palace should have remained dormant.Someone had deliberately disturbed it.
Sylvithra's expression was unreadable. "There are few who could orchestrate such an event without revealing themselves immediately."
Verania's grin sharpened. "Then let's make them reveal themselves."
Sylvithra gave a small nod. "Agreed."
The game had begun.