**Kingdom of Beeatrix**

  **Royal Capital – Golden Hall**

  The castle was in motion as always.

  Constant footsteps echoed.

  The torches danced.

  The reflection on the walls contrasted the cold night with the warmth inside the castle.

  Royal Dinner

  Queen Beatrix, Stingara, Melisara, and Tears sat at the table, complete with food, cutlery, and goblets.

  Melisara ate with her mouth full, consuming more than her own size.

  Stingara was quiet, lost in her own thoughts.

  The queen ate calmly and elegantly, as if calculating every move.

  —Tears? —the queen pronounced, firm tone, without lifting her gaze from the plate.

  —Yes, Aunt Beatrix, —Tears replied.

  —I heard you faced the celestial general *Rumbra* some lands away, preventing his invasion of neighboring kingdoms. A great feat. You returned without serious injury.

  —You are stronger.

  Tears smiled theatrically.

  —So generous… but I still lose to you in a battle of magic.

  The queen smiled, a smile that carried royalty.

  Her eyes remained fixed on Tears.

  —In some villages nearby, they say the village of Armoura was reduced to ashes. Ruins everywhere. Do you have something to tell me, Tears?

  Tears choked.

  —Huh? Why that question, Aunt?

  Beatrix continued her meal.

  —I don’t know, just curiosity.

  Tears grinned wickedly.

  —Fine, it was me. I had to get rid of trash that escaped. I ordered the nearby villages evacuated. How could I know a demon would flee to Armoura?

  Beatrix stared at her, eyebrow raised in irony.

  —Nothing else to say? That’s all?

  Tears hesitated… thought.

  *Kihara Souta… in truth, it was him I fought. He is traveling with a celestial general.*

  **Pikonota Pragma, the pragmatic snow witch.**

  At first I didn’t notice, but the scent is too similar to that dragonoid. It’s obvious they are the same person.

  Why didn’t he kill her? Perhaps he keeps her close to gather information.

  But I cannot tell the queen. How would I explain that I let Princess Meliora escape, or that she was in the kingdom and I said nothing? Knowing my aunt, it would end badly. For now, I’ll stay silent.

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  Tears kept eating, trying to stall.

  —No news, Aunt. But starting tomorrow I’ll leave all my duties behind to focus on rescuing Meliora. That Souta won’t be a problem for me.

  The queen interrupted:

  —Better not underestimate him, Tears. You’ll end up dead.

  —Souta Kihara is a variant never seen before and stands against our nation. If you face him, fight at your maximum from the start.

  Tears hesitated, then laughed loudly.

  —Hahaha! Aunt, you always know how to create tension. Don’t worry about me. If he’s not at the level of a right-hand celestial general, then he’s no match for me.

  Silence returned.

  Melisara fell asleep in her chair at the table.

  The queen ordered her to bed.

  —Melisara, don’t sleep at the table, go to your room.

  Melisara, half-asleep:

  —Mama always says Meliora and Stingara mustn’t leave the table while we’re still dining… so I’ll do the same. Aaahhh…

  Stingara glared with disdain.

  —Go to bed, stubborn girl.

  Tears cut in:

  —Speaking of stubbornness… Aunt Beatrix, remember what I asked you once?

  Beatrix raised her head.

  —Yes, I remember. You asked for Stingara’s hand, correct?

  Stingara shivered and looked with contempt, but said nothing.

  Tears held her chin.

  —So? What’s your conclusion? I’m truly interested in her. The Wolfaria house descends from the Honoria family. We are royalty. And don’t worry, only you know this truth.

  Beatrix looked firmly, yet calmly.

  —Having the Wolfaria family on the throne is not a problem. Stingara is my firstborn, molded to be my successor.

  —I want to continue the Honoria lineage with my daughters. A union of two women is inefficient in that context, don’t you think?

  —Leave the matter of descendants to Melisara and Meliora. They are your daughters too, aren’t they? —Tears argued. —It wouldn’t be the first time Beeatrix had two queens united in matrimony.

  —Kingdoms like Termia adopted such customs and never fell.

  —And I am obedient to you, proud of my strength.

  Beatrix finished her meal.

  —You make a good point, Tears. I’ll think about it.

  Tears smiled at Stingara.

  Stingara looked back with disdain, thinking:

  **No way.**

  Beatrix reprimanded her.

  —Don’t speak of your cousin like that.

  —I didn’t say anything! —Stingara exploded, half comical.

  —But your eyes said it all, —Beatrix justified. —Mind your manners. Tears is the most promising youth of this generation. She’s only twenty, one year younger than you, yet your magical powers are on different levels.

  —I have doubts because she’s sadistic and has strange tastes, but she’s not so different from you.

  Stingara frowned, pouting.

  —I hate to admit it, but she is a potential heir, —declared Beatrix.

  Stingara hesitated, thought… and crossed her arms after a deep breath.

  —Aaahh… fine then.

  Tears looked satisfied.

  After a few seconds, she gazed at the horizon, thinking:

  *When I faced Rumbra, for some reason he retreated. What is that demon king plotting?*

  Elsewhere

  Ruins of Armoura

  Destroyed houses, craters from the earlier battle.

  A hooded figure walked, crouched to the ground.

  She raised her face.

  It was Queen Ternina Brown II of Termia.

  —He is no longer here, —her voice firm, filled with hatred. —Kihara Souta, when I catch you, your head will roll.

  She rose and continued walking.

  Around her, small plants began to bloom.

  Enquanto a Rainha Beatrix sorri e manipula destinos, Souta é ca?ado n?o apenas por Beatrix, mas também por Termia.

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