The war room descended into a flurry of hushed, incredulous whispers. Princess Celestia? The youngest royal was here, in the frozen hell of Winterguard?
Princess Rumina's perfectly composed expression cracked for a fraction of a second, giving way to a look of genuine, sharp intrigue. The youngest princess was indeed part of the royal convoy, though her presence had been classified as an absolute state secret. Celestia, possessing a terrifying innate talent for magic but lacking any real-world combat experience, had relentlessly begged her older sister to let her see the true frontlines. Rumina, perhaps out of a twisted sense of indulgence or a calculated desire to expose the sheltered prodigy to reality, had secretly smuggled her into the fortress.
"Since the secret is already out," Rumina said, her voice smooth but laced with a dangerous edge, "there is no need to try and press it down. Celestia will assist me in anchoring the spell."
