Teresa opened her eyes slowly, the morning sun peeking through the heavy velvet curtains drawn across the windows. Memories of the night before flooded her mind like a raging ocean. With a pounding head and a parched throat, she sat up, not noticing that she wasn’t alone in her. Some parts of her body ached as wounds she was unaware of due to the high of battle, pulled and stretched under their bandages.

    “Your Imperial Highness!” Polly, her maidservant, rushed to her side. “Quickly, help the Imperial Crown Princess!”

    In an instant, several maidservants gathered around her, assisting her as she rose from her bed. One draped a shawl over her shoulders, while another brought a crystal glass of water to her lips. Teresa took a slow, deliberate sip before motioning for the young ladies to leave her.

    “Are you awake?” came a familiar voice.

    Teresa did not need to look up to know who it was. An irritation gnawed at her as she stood.

    “Leave us.” she ordered.

    The maidservants hurriedly left the room, leaving Teresa and her father alone. Emperor Theano watched as his daughter limped gracefully to the sofa opposite him, her movements retaining a certain regal fluidity. Glancing down at the tea set before them, he wondered if the tea had gone cold before pouring them both a cup.

    “What you did, was reckless,” Emperor Theano began. “You could have lost your life.”

    “It was my only choice given the circumstances. I watched them fall.” Teresa answered coolly. “If I had not acted, they would have reached the palace walls before the knights were aware...your majesty.”

    Ignoring the last bit, Emperor Theano frowned. "No what heard the explosions, but we felt it. The knights would have acted immediately.”

    “What was felt was an echo. By the time the sound even reached my ears, all four walls had collapsed, and they were already killing citizens.” Teresa frowned to herself as she took the tea, inhaling the fragrant aroma before sipping. “I don’t know what magik they used, but it delayed the sound the further we were from the scene.”

    “Then you should have alerted the knights.”

    “I sent Sir Iro. And in cases of emergency, when the higher authority is indisposed, I, as the Heir-Apparent, am allowed to take command of the Oldunal Order.” Teresa met her father's gaze. “I was doing my duty.”

    Emperor Theano fell silent. She was right, she had followed correct procedure given the circumstances. However, that did not change the fact that she charged into a battle where the enemy was unknown and powerful. Was she even in the right state of mind? He could not counter her argument because she would be too stubborn to understand his concerns, but he remained wary, nonetheless.

    “What happened…after I lost consciousness?” Teresa asked, tentatively.

    Emperor Theano considered whether he should tell her or if it would be better coming from her secretary. In the end, he decided it was best if she heard it from him. But where would he begin?

    “Duke Odegard and Duchess Pernelle pursued the enemies north. Duchess Isolda has captured those left behind and has taken them to be interrogated in the dungeons. Duke Urness is attending to the wounded; he has set up temporary infirmaries at all four gates.”

    “Your Majesty—”

    "The six Saintums have been summoned to create a protective barrier. It will hold for twelve hours at a time, however the Saintums will need to return to reinforce it.”

    "Your Majesty, that is not—”

    “The citizens are fearful, but we have managed to soothe their terror with the help of the Saintums. Several nobles have opened their warehouses to provide medical aid, as well as supply food and temporary shelter.”

    “Father!”

    Teresa breathed heavily as she glared at the emperor. But...now that she was looking at him for more than a moment, had he always appeared this…aged? What happened to him in the months that she spent away?

    And yet, as much as it pained her to see him so worn, she wanted to hear different news. Not that she lacked concern for the citizens, or the state of the capital, she simply wished to hear news of her betrothed.

    "Teresa…no, Serai. I—”

    “Serai! Serai!” The doors to Teresa’s chamber burst open as Empress Raquelle entered, enveloping her in tight embrace. “Serai, you are unharmed!”

    “Mother.” Teresa said, offering a small smile. “Yes, I am unharmed.”

    “How fortunate are you to have narrowly evaded death once again, sister.” Tomas strode in with a cold expression, his arms rigidly held behind his back. “We must surely thank all nine primordial gods for the favor they have shown you.”

    “I fail to comprehend the manner in which you address me, Tomas,” Teresa said, eyeing him. “Are you throwing a tantrum like a child?”

    “I am old enough to wield a sword in battle, sister,” he replied. "So why did you not call me to assist you?"

    “The last time I checked, I have never needed your assist. Why would I? As Imperial Crown Princess, I should be capable to stand on my own. But I do not expect you—or anyone else to understand that.”

    Tomas’s nostrils flared as she emphasized the word 'crown', but he remained silent. It was a conversation they needed to have, unspoken yet pressing. Regardless of his feelings, Teresa was born first. That did not mean he cared any less for the state of the throne or its future owner. To him, it seemed as though she cared not at all, especially about her own life, and that is what worried him. It was she who did not understand him.

    He just wanted his older sister, not the Imperial Crown Princess of the Deitus Empire, safe.

    Uncomfortable with the tense atmosphere, Teresa slipped out of her mother’s embrace and turned to her father once more. “Father… what of Bishop? How is he?”

    “Serai, you have only just awoken. Would you not prefer to rest?” Empress Raquelle asked. “Your hasty rush to battle worried us greatly.”

    “That is her way, Mother,” Tomas interjected. “Why are you surprised?”

    “Luthorne, mind your tongue,” Emperor Theano growled, causing Tomas to bow his head.

    “Father?” Teresa asked expectantly.

    Emperor Theano felt his heart constrict as he looked into her weary, golden eyes. How was he to explain it to her? Would her mind withstand the shock?

    “Husband, allow me,” Empress Raquelle said, almost as if she could read his thoughts and sensing his apprehension. “Serai, my dear, please, take a seat.”

    A cold sensation crept up and down her spine as she sat down and faced her family.

    “Oh, Serai,” Empress Raquelle, taking her hand into her own. “My dear Serai, Bishop is...”

☽   ◐    ⬤   ◑   ☾

    There was to be a mass funeral held for all the lives lost during the onslaught of the capital.

    This incident marked a harsh awakening in the hearts of the citizens of Deitus, even those who did not dwell in Baeynore.

    It took but a single shadow of fear to spread throughout the empire like a plague. Anxiety began to torment the people as their faith in the soldiers who defended the empire dwindled. How had this enemy penetrated so deeply into their continent that they reached its very heart?

    Beingkind were a peaceful people by nature, as demanded by their worship of the nine gods who had fashioned their world in harmony and tranquility. According to history, any wars they had partaken in were not of their instigation, yet victory had always been theirs.

    They were a people uninterested in conquest. Deitus was rich in minerals, agriculture, and livestock. Blessed with divine gifts (as according to the god they worshipped) capable of both offense and defense, few saw the need for conflict.

    This was why women felt secure walking at night, and children could frolic in the streets unsupervised. The men labored diligently, yet provisions were abundant and accessible to all, if the climate and weather permitted. Corruption existed, as it did in all nations, but was so minimal that even the corrupt were ashamed of their actions.

    Deitus was an empire of scholars and divine gifts, not warriors.

    Even the knight division existed purely as entourage of the Imperial family.

    The citizens began to fear the implications of this unprovoked assault on their capital, which disrupted over a century of peace.

    Was this the dawning of a new war?