News of the civil war spread across the Orson Empire.
Two flags: Orson and Astrell, gradually became the symbols of two opposing factions.
On the royal side, House Eisen and House Roland declared their allegiance to the Emperor.
Especially House Eisen.
They continuously supplied food, weapons, and priests to heal the soldiers.
Endless caravans carrying wheat and iron stretched from the lands of Eisen.
Inside the royal council chamber, Emperor Orson looked at the battlefield map with satisfaction.
"House Eisen truly is a loyal pillar of the Empire,"
he said.
Beside him, Marquis Eisen bowed respectfully.
"To serve Your Majesty is the honor of our house."
The Emperor laughed.
"Does House Astrell really think that a few mines and wheat fields are enough to stand against the royal family?"
He pointed at the map.
"We will crush them."
And so, the civil war truly began.
The royal army advanced into Astrell territory with overwhelming force.
But when they captured the capital of Astrell…
The city was empty.
The granaries were bare.
The houses abandoned.
The people had long since left.
A royal general frowned.
"This is…"
Marquis Eisen spoke softly:
"A scorched-earth strategy."
Emperor Orson immediately grew furious.
"Duke Astrell is truly a coward!"
Yet, with the continuous support from House Eisen, the royal army kept advancing.
One stronghold after another fell.
Before long…
half of Astrell's territory had fallen into royal hands.
In the grand hall, Emperor Orson laughed loudly.
"It seems Astrell is nothing more than this!"
He turned to Marquis Eisen.
"Thanks to your house, victory is already within our grasp."
Marquis Eisen bowed.
"I have merely fulfilled my duty."
But only a few weeks later…
Urgent news arrived from the battlefield.
A royal general rushed into the hall.
"Your Majesty! The supplies from House Eisen… have stopped!"
Emperor Orson frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"The supply caravans… are no longer arriving."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
The Emperor turned to Marquis Eisen.
"What is the meaning of this?"
But…
Marquis Eisen was no longer there.
A few days later, another piece of news arrived.
House Eisen had publicly declared…
its support for House Astrell.
The entire royal hall fell into chaos.
Emperor Orson stood up abruptly.
"Impossible!"
"Eisen is my loyal vassal!"
But reality did not change.
No more supplies.
No more food.
The royal army was trapped deep within Astrell territory.
And for the first time in the war…
Astrell launched a counterattack.
The final battle came swiftly and brutally.
The already exhausted royal army collapsed before the combined forces of Astrell and Eisen.
Members of House Orson were captured.
They were imprisoned in a cold underground dungeon.
Days later…
The cell door opened.
A man stepped in.
Capricorn Astrell.
Emperor Orson raised his head, his eyes filled with fury.
"Eisen…" he growled.
"Why did he betray me?"
Capricorn looked at him for a long moment.
Then spoke softly:
"Betrayal?"
He shook his head.
"Your Majesty… he was never on your side."
The Emperor froze.
Capricorn continued:
"From the very beginning, House Eisen was an ally of Astrell."
He stepped closer.
"The oaths of loyalty to you… the insults toward my house…"
Capricorn let out a faint laugh.
"It was all just a performance."
Emperor Orson stared at him in disbelief.
But now…
it was far too late.
The war was over.
And Astrell was the victor.
The royal dungeon was dark, cold, and damp.
Thick stone walls allowed only faint rays of light to seep inside.
Inside the cell, Leo stood straight, her hands clenched behind her back.
Even as a prisoner, she maintained the pride of a princess.
Footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Clack… clack… clack…
The iron door opened.
Three figures stepped in.
Virgo looked around the cell and let out a soft laugh.
"Oh… so this is where the royal family of Orson resides?"
He feigned surprise.
"How disappointing. I thought the royals would at least be given better accommodations."
Taurus crossed her arms, leaning against the wall with a smirk.
"Well, it's only for a few more days anyway."
She glanced Leo up and down.
"It doesn't really matter where."
Leo looked at them, her gaze icy cold.
"Did you come here just to say something so meaningless?"
Virgo laughed.
"Not exactly."
He stepped closer to the bars.
"We simply wanted to see… what the great royal family of Orson looks like in a situation like this."
Taurus tilted her head.
"Honestly, it's a bit disappointing."
"I thought the princess would be screaming by now."
Leo clenched her fists.
But said nothing.
Virgo raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"So the princess is calm today?"
Leo looked straight at him.
"Dogs bark the loudest when they think they've already won."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.
Taurus let out a soft laugh.
"Still as sharp-tongued as ever."
Virgo clapped slowly.
"As expected of a princess."
Then he leaned closer.
"Too bad… that title is about to disappear."
Leo did not respond.
Her gaze moved past them and stopped at the third person.
Capricorn.
From the beginning, he had stood behind them, saying nothing.
Only silently observing.
Leo frowned.
"Do you have nothing to say?"
Capricorn looked at her for a few seconds.
Then a faint smirk appeared on his lips.
A cold smile.
"I was just thinking…"
His voice was low.
"That the Orson Empire fell faster than I expected."
Leo stepped closer to the bars.
They stood face to face.
Their gazes clashed.
Neither yielded.
"Don't act so arrogant,"
Leo said.
"Your victory was built on schemes and betrayal."
Capricorn raised an eyebrow.
"Civil war doesn't care how you win,"
he said calmly.
"It only cares who survives."
Leo clenched her fists.
"You may kill us."
"But that won't make you any more noble."
Capricorn looked at her for a long moment.
Then he smiled faintly.
"I never claimed to be noble."
He turned and walked away.
"Just… smarter."
Virgo and Taurus followed behind him.
Before leaving, Virgo turned back.
"Oh, right."
he said lightly.
"Princess."
"Three days left."
The iron door closed.
The corridor fell silent once more.
Leo stood still in the darkness.
But her eyes still burned like fire.