Marina's boots struck the polished marble as she moved through the palace halls, her steps measured, her breath controlled. The sigil of the Imperial Knights gleamed on her uniform, its weight heavier today than ever before.
A woman knight was nearly unheard of, but Marina had carved her place through sheer force of will.
Her unique shifting form—a male black wolf—made her stronger, more durable than most. An anomaly, yet one too formidable to dismiss.
The guards in the corridor greeted her respectfully, their eyes flickering with a mix of admiration and unease.
At the threshold of the Crown Princess's chambers, the guards pushed open the ebony doors without a word.
Inside, bathed in the amber glow of the setting sun, Sienna Vael'Tyrr reclined on a divan, a goblet of wine resting lightly in her grasp. Like most of the imperial family, she was a black panther shifter, her presence exuding effortless command.
Her golden eyes, piercing and unreadable, flicked toward Marina, their sharpness akin to a predator assessing its prey. Her silken black hair, adorned with delicate gold pins, cascaded over her shoulders, accentuating the regality in her posture.
Marina bowed deeply. "Your Highness."
Sienna did not acknowledge her, merely swirling her wine, eyes fixed on something beyond the room, lost in thought. The movement was deceptively idle, but Marina knew better—Sienna's mind was always at work, her thoughts never truly at rest.
"You've always been loyal to me, haven't you, Marina?" The amusement in Sienna's voice barely masked the weight behind the question.
Marina dropped to one knee, pressing a fist over her heart. "You have my oath, Your Highness."
Sienna extended a sealed imperial edict, the royal sigil stark against the thick parchment. Marina hesitated before taking it.
Sienna exhaled, lips curving into something resembling a smirk. "My little brothers are drowning in indulgence. They believe themselves untouchable. Meanwhile, Aeger rots beneath them."
Marina's jaw tightened. Aeger—the land the twin princes had bled for since they were sixteen. Once just a cluster of border cities, now a decaying kingdom.
Sienna swirled her wine, eyes narrowing. "The Emperor saw his sons poisoned and did nothing. Instead of punishing the woman responsible, he rewarded her. A new heir, a new Empress, and my brothers sent to rule a wasteland as compensation. That is the man I am expected to call father."
Marina's voice was measured. "Yet you still became Crown Princess."
Sienna let out a short laugh. "That's because my dear half-brother had an unfortunate accident."
Marina lifted an eyebrow. "An accident?"
Sienna sighed, setting her goblet aside.
"Oh, I didn't kill him," she said, voice thick with mock innocence. "But accidents happen. Some people are just so... fragile. Like my dear father. Perhaps that's why he made me regent—he's always been too weak to do what needs to be done."
Marina didn't comment. She had no pity for the Emperor either.
Sienna leaned forward, golden eyes gleaming. "Not that it matters. My brothers and I were never meant for a normal life, not after what she did to them."
Marina nodded. Ten years ago, she had been the last knight to form a blood bond with them, sworn to their service.
Back then, serving the only two divine beast shifters to appear in two centuries had been seen as the highest honor.
Marina had been envied, her position revered.
But after their poisoning, admiration turned to pity, and honor became a curse.
The eldest twin Ruyi's body fluids had turned to poison, lethal to any who came in contact with it. The younger twin Ruyel's blood, an incurable toxin, shattered minds with just a single drop.
After the poisoning, the twins became averse to women—Ruyel suffered the worst from it, his gynophobia festering into something unshakable.
Unable to bond with knights due to their poisoned blood, they were left defenseless.
So, their only female knight Marina had been reassigned to Sienna, while the rest of their knights perished—some on the battlefield, others claimed by the ruthless schemes of the court.
Now, she alone remained.
Sienna sighed, rubbing her temple. "I've shielded them in court long enough. They need to stand on their own. I can't protect them forever."
Marina folded her arms. "They have always thrived in adversity."
Sienna scoffed. "You sound reluctant. Do you have no interest in helping my brothers?"
Marina hesitated. She owed the twin princes nothing—not anymore. But Sienna…
The Crown Princess leaned forward, voice hard as steel. "You must teach them a lesson."
Marina looked down at the edict in her grasp. The weight of it pressed against her palm. "If they refuse my help, how am I to help them?"
Sienna chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Because you are stronger than them."
She gestured toward the parchment. "Open it."
Marina hesitated. It was against tradition to break an imperial seal without the proper procedure, but Sienna's word overrode all protocols. She carefully unfolded the edict, scanning its contents. Her breath caught.
She had been appointed Governor of Aeger.
Marina rose swiftly to her feet. "Your Highness, this is too great a promotion. The court will accuse you of abusing your power. I am too young, too inexperienced—"
Sienna waved a hand dismissively. "Spare me the lecture, Marina. Do you truly think any of the old bureaucrats would do better? If I send one of them, they'll either sink into my brothers' debauchery or line their pockets while the poor rot in the streets. Aeger needs someone who can stand against them. Someone who won't be swayed."
Marina clenched her fists. "You are putting too much faith in me."
Sienna's gaze softened, though her voice remained firm. "This is the only position where you can work with them, rather than serve beneath them."
She paused, voice lowering. "Also... because I trust you."
Marina exhaled sharply. "The second Empress's eldest daughter is already gathering favor in court. You will need me here."
Sienna, however, was done entertaining debate. She met Marina's gaze with finality. "And because, Marina, you owe me."
A chill ran down Marina's spine.
The past between them remained unspoken, but its weight was undeniable.
Outside, the bells of the palace tolled, marking the hour. But for Sienna, it signified something far more important.
Marina's reign over Aeger had begun.