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[Valtara Fortress – Throne Room]
Leonhardt sat upon his throne, his fingers drumming against the armrest. The air in the grand hall was suffocatingly tense. Before him knelt a man in chains—King Reginald of Alderia, the so-called "neutral ruler" who had tried to maintain his independence despite Leonhardt's warning.
"You refused to kneel when I first offered you a choice," Leonhardt said, his voice cold. "And yet, when my army reached your walls, you groveled like a beaten dog."
Reginald, his face pale and drenched in sweat, trembled under Leonhardt's gaze. "P-Please, Lord Valtara! I was wrong! I swear my loyalty to you now!"
Leonhardt leaned forward. "Loyalty?" He chuckled, his crimson eyes gleaming with mockery. "A man who only bends his knee when his life is on the line is no different from a rat scurrying for scraps."
Beside him, Celestia Nightshade rested her chin on her palm, watching the scene with a sadistic smirk. "Darling~ Should we really waste time on this coward? A king who can't even protect his own people? So boring~"
Evelyn stood on the other side of the throne, her expression unreadable. She had once believed in justice, in heroism. But now, after everything, she knew that power was the only truth.
Leonhardt raised his hand. "I don't tolerate weak kings."
In the next instant—SHINK!
A massive spear of crimson energy materialized in Leonhardt's grasp, and with a single swift motion, he thrust it through Reginald's chest.
"GUUAAAHH—!" The former king's body convulsed violently before falling limp, his blood pooling on the grand floor of Valtara's throne room.
The watching nobles and generals barely reacted. To them, this was nothing unusual.
Celestia giggled. "Fufufu~ What a wonderful execution, Darling~"
Evelyn, however, glanced at the lifeless body, her fingers slightly twitching. The last remnants of her old self whispered that she should feel something—pity, regret, anything.
But she felt nothing.
She turned to Leonhardt.
He was a conqueror. A ruler who would never bow to anyone.
And that was why… she loved him.
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[The Kingdom of Alderia – The Aftermath]
With Reginald dead, Alderia officially became part of Valtara's growing empire. Leonhardt's banner was raised above the city, his rule now absolute.
Any who resisted? Executed.
Any who hesitated? Forced into submission.
The Valtara family's dominance was now unquestionable.
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[Valtara Fortress – Celestia's Private Chambers]
Later that night, Celestia straddled Leonhardt's lap, running her fingers down his chest.
"Darling~ You were so wonderful today~" she purred.
Leonhardt smirked. "Of course."
Evelyn watched them from the side, her fists clenching. She wanted his attention too.
She would prove herself worthy of standing beside him.
No matter what it took.