All her life, Cassmira had prepared to be a wife. That single purpose shaped her entire life but it never once provided a reason to be happy. The rigorous training and endless lessons filled her days and she often cried before falling asleep. Etiquette, dance, instrument, embroidery, history, economy, politics, and law. Her days were long and she was never once satisfied. A romantic love was never meant for her. High-born ladies could only read stories about it and fantasies where they could also find love. But in the world of dynastic alliances and politics, very rarely was there a place for love. Even when Cassmira was older and began to understand that her very existence was a danger to the stability of the entire Empire, it was hard to accept her fate. If someone ambitious was given a chance to use her, that could mean a civil war in Metaka. If not for Theon Avalon, her life would have become one of many such tragic stories. She would have been used and forgotten.

  Theon was an unimaginably powerful Ruler but he was also kind and easy-going. He wasn't like the kings and nobles she knew. He ignored traditions that seemed silly to him and completely banned others that he deemed dangerous. Some people in Metaka didn't like it because Guad was eagerly copying Arcadian customs. Those unhappy few were rapidly losing their influence and authority but they couldn't do anything at this point. The ‘might make right’ law was one of the oldest unwritten laws and no one could challenge the might of Arcadia or even Theon Avalon personally. There were bound to always be some plots against him but he stayed aware of them and, seemingly, always had a ready answer. However, dismantling the Noble system, as it was known, and establishing a system based on merit, without the right to inherit a title, disillusioned many people. He wasn't particularly ruthless but he wasn't going to tolerate anyone undermining his authority.

  It wasn't a big surprise to her that her father and mother wanted to wed her to someone like Theon Avalon. Being engaged to him was almost a natural conclusion of her whole life. Someone as powerful as the Emperor of Arcadia was better off being an ally to Metaka, bound by the marriage to an Imperial Princess, than words in a treaty alone. Even if she hadn't been aware of her parents' plans back then, it wouldn't have been a surprise when they finally raised the issue. However, just a single glance at Theon Avalon and the brief exchange of politeness when they met for the first time made her realise that he was different. He shattered the shackles that bound her to her fate and offered her freedom. His wives offered her an honest friendship and never once saw her as a threat or someone they had to compete with. She, just like that, obtained everything she always wanted but, once she obtained it, it scared her. It was scary because after nearly a year in his presence, she knew that he would allow her to leave. That would mean returning to a life of watching for schemes and in constant fear for her life. But she didn't want to leave.

  After one year of not-so-sporadic conversations, she noticed many more of his virtues. He never imposed anything on her. He always listened to her and never diminished her fears or worries. He wasn't vain like most of the other nobles and she liked being with him. While at first she was charmed by his looks, the more time they spent together the more she realised that she was in love with him. The fact that they were officially engaged was now something she cherished and looked forward to her future. However, now that she was freed from her traditional bridal training and lessons, she wanted to learn more. Being a pretty and somewhat useful doll wasn't what she ever aspired to be, especially not after seeing the Empresses of Arcadia at work. If Cassmira ever wanted to truly be one of them, she had to study hard. That was why her days were filled with lessons. History, foreign affairs, and diplomacy became her favourite subjects.

  However, she also decided that she had to become stronger. With just a tiny help from Theon, she became a Moonlight Sentinel. An advanced class that was a fusion of Pathfinder and an Arcane Archer. In a very short time, she stopped being defenceless and found a sense of belonging she craved even more than freedom. Her place and her heart were in Arcadia. She was already part of the Empire that had been forged in endless wars since its infancy. That was probably why she understood more than her mother why Arcadia was still officially in a state of war despite the recent victory over Vestargo.

  "Defeating Vestargo does not mean that the war against the Ancient Forest is over, Mom." She tried, yet again, to explain the obvious to her mother.

  That was another thing that changed thanks to Theon. Cassmira's mother, the former Empress of Metaka, could live a normal life. She often visited her in Avalon or her brother in Twilight City. They were sitting in the Palace's greenhouse, enjoying the summer's warmth despite the still cold days of late March.

  "Compared to Vestargo, the remaining Dungeons shouldn't pose any significant threat to Theon's armies. So in my opinion, he should officially declare the end of the war." Matilda retorted, making Cassmira groan.

  "But what for? What would that change, Mother?"

  "Well, he would be able to reduce his army. That should allow him to help increase his population." She pointed out.

  "Oh..." The young woman chuckled. "That's not how Arcadia operates, Mom. There is no difference between a state of war and peace for Arcadians. If anything, he will increase the number of soldiers, especially in the Navy. But that wouldn't negatively affect the population."

  "That's the problem." Matilda sighed as she took another cookie. "The southern nations have become increasingly worried about Arcadia. They perceive that as a sign of Arcadia preparing for another war."

  "If you ask me, that's their problem." Cassmira waved her hand dismissively, making her mother stare at her in shock. "Theon wants peace but he also needs to secure his vast Empire. It's not their business to dictate how vast an army Arcadia has."

  "You know that's a delicate matter." Matilda sighed.

  "Frankly, I don't care, Mother." Cassmira took a sip of the excellent orange juice. "We do not threaten them in any way. Arcadia doesn't even have an established relationship with those countries."

  "That's another reason why they are nervous." Matilda pushed the issue. "Theon was so busy that he never sent his envoys to the southern kingdoms. Now, when Arcadia has become the biggest of the Empires of Aderon, second only to the infamous Dark Empire that ruled the entirety of Aderon, those small countries are terrified. Arcadia has only waged wars from their point of view."

  "Wars that we always won." Cassmira smiled smugly.

  "My daughter, until you become an official wife of the Emperor, I advise you to refrain from calling Arcadia your country. I want to remind you that you are Metakan by birth." Matilda grinned in amusement while Cassmira slightly cringed.

  "I think that Cassmira can think of Arcadia as her country." The Emperor suddenly appeared with Lady Cahrona and Lady Mia. He smiled at the older of the two women. "Hello, Matilda."

  "Hello, Theon." Matilda just lightly inclined her head. Her time of being startled by her potential son-in-law suddenly appearing was long gone. Instead, she gave him a pointed gaze. "I assume you’ve decided to marry Cassmira?"

  "I’ve already promised her that, but she can still enjoy her freedom if she wants." Theon smiled at Cassmira who blushed but happily grabbed his hand. "Besides, why the rush?"

  Matilda simply waved her hand. "Better tell me what you're planning now. You know, once you officially end this war."

  "Enjoy peace?" Theon asked with disbelief painted all over his face. "That should be obvious."

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  "Do you really plan to expand your military?" Matilda rolled her eyes.

  "That's not particularly secret information, so I can confirm it." He shrugged causing Cassmira to chuckle and let go of his hand to cover her lips. Meanwhile, Cahrona took a seat near Theon while Mia sat near Cassmira.

  "You know that expanding your already impressive Arcadian army will make the southern countries nervous?"

  "That's their problem," Theon said with a shrug, causing Cassmira to grin while Matilda rolled her eyes. Seeing their reaction he rubbed his face and, after misinterpreting it completely, he added. "What? If they are nervous enough not to mess with me, then I will gladly let them simmer."

  "Not really... It's just that Cassmira said almost the same." Matilda sighed.

  "Seriously, Matilda. It's no one's business what I'm doing inside Arcadia." Theon said with a slightly annoyed expression. "I have never threatened any of my neighbours unless provoked and, even then, I advocated for a peaceful solution."

  "It's not about you raising a larger army than it is already but the fact that no one has any idea what to do!" Matilda groaned.

  "What?" Theon leaned back in his chair with a complete shock painted on his face.

  "Hmmm..." Mia leaned slightly forward and her ears flicked in amusement. "Let me guess!"

  "If anyone can explain the issue to your husband, it would be you or Tia." Matilda nodded and took a sip of her tea.

  "If I'm guessing right, the southern countries expected Arcadia to send their envoys right after Theon took over Cridia. However, once he was done with the Kingdom of Cridia, Berna invaded so he focused on another war, completely ignoring the neighbouring kingdoms. While Arcadia grew and became one of the founding countries of NATO, the southern countries started growing anxious. They fell into their own trap where they were too proud and stubborn to start the diplomatic relationship with the Arcadian Kingdom early because they believed Theon should try to appease them and, now, they are terrified that they are too small and insignificant so Arcadia won't even want to talk with them."

  Mia started laughing as she finished and picked up a chocolate chip cookie she placed on an elegant small plate that was placed in front of her. The Noble Slime Maid, standing nearby with a diligent, soft smile, attended her so perfectly that she remained unseen.

  "Huh..." Theon considered what Mia said for a full minute before he started laughing himself. "This is so ridiculous, I can totally imagine a band of snob nobles who can't decide what to do now."

  "This is not a laughing matter!" Matilda protested with a sour expression.

  "On the contrary, Matilda." Cahrona chuckled but then she looked at the former Empress with her usual calm and gentle gaze. "Since you agree with Mia, I can safely assure you that the fault in this particular matter lies with them not with us. In due time, Arcadia might try to establish diplomatic relationships with the southern countries but, for the time being, we are going to focus solely on the internal affairs."

  "Exactly!" Theon firmly nodded. "There are a lot of things we have to deal with, some more important than others, so we simply don't have time to coddle their fragile egos."

  "You might be right however Blanca asked me to relay to you that some of the southern countries that retained autonomy from Ibrevell, sent their envoys to Metaka and Aclium asking about Arcadia's plans." Matilda grimaced. "I'm not here in any official capacity, but I wanted you to know that the Southern portion of Aderon is terrified by your expansion, Theon."

  "In that case, remind them that every single time Arcadia went to war was as a direct response to being attacked. Politely, if you must." Mia shrugged. "Still, our answer would be the same: the size of our army and our internal affairs are Arcadian business and no one else’s. If anyone believes that they have any right to interfere with our internal affairs, I advise them to consult with the former rulers of Cridia, Berna, and Verksa."

  "Now that is an open threat, Mia." Matilda shook her head in disapproval while Cassmira was grinning widely. "You can't conduct international relationships like that in the long run..."

  "Matilda..." Theon sighed with his face expressing a slight astonishment and mild irritation. "Don't tell me you came here just to lecture us on how we should conduct the foreign policy!"

  "No. But I probably should have." Matilda responded with an irritated huff in kind. "With an attitude like that you would be perceived as an unreliable, unpredictable, and, most importantly, aggressive nation. You would scare not only your potential allies but also the existing ones."

  Cassmira took a look at Theon who considered her mother's words for a while. His expression softened slightly but his eyes expressed a strange sadness.

  "I have seen this before, Matilda. Fake politeness and meaningless words are used to appease the ego and vanity of world leaders. Alliances were formed and broken overnight because emotions were more important than facts and even actual national interests." Theon said with disgust. "This created international strife, allowing the corruption to grow and, ultimately, started wars. I don't want to see that repeat in Nilmerthis, Matilda."

  It was Matilda's turn to be surprised.

  "I didn't know that you had any reason to behave like that." She said with an unhappy grimace. "Although..."

  The former Metakan Empress clenched her hands on her cup and pursed her lips.

  "In all honesty, that's how international politics already looks in Aderon." Mia sighed heavily, interrupting the awkward silence.

  "That's another reason why I'm so eager to not simply put a stick in the anthill but to blow it up completely." Theon rubbed the back of his head. "I want to write the rules of diplomacy anew. I would hear other nations' unfiltered thoughts rather than their pointless flattery. The problem is that I have no idea how to change that."

  "Gradually is the only option." Mia shrugged. "However, I believe that some changes will be beneficial for everyone in the long run. A little more honesty and straightforwardness would certainly make life easier."

  "In that case, I can only ask for you to inform your allies beforehand." Matilda sighed heavily.

  "Honestly, that was our plan before you started chastaising us about Arcadian politics." Theon shrugged.

  "I told you, Mom." Cassmira grinned.

  "Yes, yes..." Matilda waved her hand in a slight irritation but smiled after a deep sigh. "Anyway, while I mainly wanted to visit Cass and Leo, Guad asked me to inquire if you planned to call another NATO summit anytime soon."

  "That's probably a good idea. I could at least officially confirm that Vestargo was defeated and he is forever sealed. I think that we could schedule a meeting in a month since we aren't in a hurry-" Suddenly, Theon's eyes went wide as he stood up. "The First Legion, tasked with securing the site of Vestargo's former Dungeon just reported that a brand new Dungeon was born. The barrier is exactly the same as the one that I remember so there is no mistake."

  "Why there?" Cassmira furrowed her brows then looked at Theon. "Is it possible that there is a Ley Lines cardinal point there?"

  "Honestly, I don't know. There might be." Cahrona slowly shook her head.

  "So far we haven't confirmed the correlation between Dungeons and Ley Lines cardinal points." Mia slowly shook her head.

  "Galahad is on the site so he will contact the new Dungeon as soon as the barrier allows us to enter." Theon sighed. "But I agree... This is too convenient to not be suspicious. Once we establish contact, we will conduct a thorough search in the Shadow Realm."

  "I will join the investigation group." Cahrona said seriously. "Luna will likely go as well."

  "All right..." Theon sighed.

  "Could I go with you?" Cassmira looked at Cahrona who smiled softly and then at Theon.

  He hummed slightly and finally slowly nodded.

  "Only if you promise me to stay with Cahrona and Luna."

  "I promise!" Cassmira agreed eagerly.

  "That sounds dangerous." Matilda said with a slightly tense voice.

  "Considering that they will be escorted by the entire Praetorian Battalion and they will be travelling onboard Victory to the place that is supervised by Galahad with three Legions and the entirety of the First Fleet... Let's just say that, this time, any danger should be afraid."

  I wish you all a great day and as always I wait for your comments.

  A big thanks to who edited the chapter!

  The map of Aderon is on my Discord :)

  https://discord.gg/G6SVrBeDdG