Six days passed quietly within the Kingdom of Norvoss.
Unlike the warm elegance of Kingdom of Lumeris, the capital of Norvoss carried a far heavier atmosphere.
Massive black walls surrounded the city like a fortress prepared for endless war.
Towering banners bearing the royal crest moved beneath cold winds high above the capital roads.
Soldiers stood in line to welcome their princess.
At the center of the capital, enormous gates slowly opened as a familiar royal carriage entered the city.
The moment citizens recognized the crest—
voices immediately rose across the streets.
"The princess has returned!"
Norvoss guards struck armored fists against their chests in salute as the royal escort advanced deeper into the capital.
At the front rode General Aerys atop his warhorse, calmly.
By the time the carriage reached the royal palace, rows of elite royal guards had already formed along the entrance path.
Then—
the palace doors opened.
And King of Norvoss himself stepped forward to greet the returning escort.
The atmosphere immediately became heavier.
Even nearby soldiers straightened further.
Aerys dismounted his horse smoothly before kneeling respectfully the moment the king approached.
"My king."
His voice remained steady and disciplined.
"The princess has returned safely."
Behind him, the carriage door slowly opened as Princess Selene stepped out gracefully beneath the gaze of the entire royal court.
And despite the long journey—
her composed smile had not faded even slightly.
King Idris observed his daughter carefully as she stepped down from the carriage.
"How was your visit to Kingdom of Lumeris, my daughter?"
Princess Selene calmly removed one glove while walking toward him.
"Quite enjoyable, actually."
A faint smile rested on her lips.
"That kingdom is far more interesting than I expected."
Nearby nobles exchanged subtle glances at those words.
Because for Selene to call something interesting…
usually meant she had already begun analyzing it deeply.
King Idris narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Oh?"
Selene continued casually.
"Their people are loyal."
"Their nobles are stable."
"Their defenses are stronger than reports suggested."
Then after a brief pause:
"And their dragons are… fascinating."
King Idris folded his hands behind his back.
"The blue dragon?"
Selene smiled faintly.
"Ebruhan is impressive."
Then her golden eyes sharpened slightly.
"But the black dragon interests me more."
Silence briefly settled around the palace entrance.
Because everyone in Norvoss understood the rarity of black dragons.
Especially young ones.
King Idris spoke calmly afterward.
"The one called Lady Dark Flame."
Selene nodded once.
"She is unusual."
"Very unusual."
Not merely because of strength.
Not merely because of rarity.
Something else.
Something Selene herself had not fully understood yet.
Meanwhile nearby, Aerys remained silent.
But inwardly?
He agreed.
Princess Selene slowly walked forward across the palace entrance hall while attendants moved carefully around her.
"And of course…"
Her voice remained calm and elegant.
"I have many observations regarding Lumeris."
A faint smile appeared afterward.
"Their strengths."
"Their weaknesses."
"Their dragons."
"Their people."
Everything she had seen during the royal ball was already being organized inside her mind like pieces across a battlefield map.
Nearby nobles quietly lowered their gazes.
Because everyone understood what that meant.
Princess Selene had not attended that royal ball merely as a guest.
She had studied them.
Then Selene finally turned slightly toward General Aerys.
"Aerys."
The general immediately lowered his head respectfully.
"My princess."
Selene's expression softened just slightly.
"You may go rest."
Then her golden eyes narrowed faintly with thought.
"We have much to discuss later."
Aerys remained kneeling briefly before answering calmly:
"As you wish."
He rose smoothly afterward.
Even after a long journey, the general's posture remained perfectly composed.
King Idris quietly observed the exchange between the two.
The trust between them was obvious.
Absolute.
Battle-tested.
Aerys then placed one hand over his chest respectfully before speaking once more.
"I shall prepare for the strategy meeting."
Selene nodded lightly.
"Good."
Without another unnecessary word, Aerys turned and departed deeper into the palace halls.
Meanwhile Selene continued walking beside her father.
And behind her composed smile—
thoughts of:
a young black dragon
a blue dragon
and a strangely peaceful kingdom
continued lingering quietly within her mind.
The massive palace doors slowly closed behind them as Princess Selene walked deeper into the royal halls beside King Idris.
Unlike the public grandeur outside, these inner corridors felt quieter.
Heavier.
History itself seemed carved into the black stone walls.
Portraits of past rulers lined the halls.
Then eventually—
Selene slowed to a stop.
Before them hung a large royal painting.
The queen of Norvoss stood beside a younger Idris while a child Selene remained between them, holding her mother's hand.
The young princess in the portrait still carried innocence in her eyes back then.
For a brief moment, Selene simply stared quietly at the image.
Then finally spoke softly:
"…Mother would be proud."
The hall became silent afterward.
King Idris looked toward the portrait for several seconds before placing one hand gently upon Selene's shoulder.
"She already is."
His voice remained calm.
But quieter than before.
Selene lowered her gaze briefly.
Then together they continued walking until reaching the royal strategy chamber.
The enormous doors opened slowly.
Inside stood the war table of Kingdom of Norvoss.
A giant map stretched across the chamber.
Markers, banners, and military symbols covered countless regions.
Some kingdoms were marked:
conquered
occupied
allied
controlled
destabilized
An empire built through war and calculation.
Selene walked slowly around the table while observing the continent.
Then finally spoke:
"They still do not understand…"
Her fingers lightly touched several conquered territories.
"…how powerful oppressed souls can become."
The room fell silent once more.
Because Norvoss had not been born from greed alone.
It had been forged from suffering.
From famine.
From humiliation by stronger nations generations ago.
From weakness.
And now?
That same nation had transformed itself into something the continent feared.
King Idris quietly watched his daughter.
And for a brief moment—
he could see both:
the future ruler of Norvoss
and the daughter his late queen once held close
standing within the same person.