"The Zygorian army is already on the move," one of the dukes said. "They crossed their inner camps the moment the news spread. The emperor is dead."
Lionhead didn’t turn around. He stood beside the throne, arms folded, looking out over the capital.
"They’ve lost their memory," he said calmly. "I am the reason they stayed behind their borders all these years."
He turned then. Slowly. His size alone made the seven dukes straighten without meaning to.
"What suddenly gave them courage?"
The duke who had spoken first cleared his throat. "They believe you’re... divided."
Lionhead’s eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
Another duke stepped forward. "The empire is in transition. The emperor is gone. Princess Elizabeth is not of age to rule yet. They think your focus will be split between guarding the borders and protecting the throne."
A low silence followed.
House Valen’s duke scoffed. "Idiots. Victory doesn’t wait for coronations."
Lionhead glanced at him. "Spoken like Valen. Always thinking in straight lines."
Valen’s representative didn’t deny it. "Our sword hearts are ready. Give the word and the Zygorians won’t make it past the first clash."
House Arclight’s duke smirked. "Brute force isn’t everything. Their scouts already fear our lightning formations. One Star Pulse and their front line will scatter."
House Nyros finally spoke again, voice quiet. "They’re not testing strength alone. They’re testing uncertainty."
Lionhead looked at him. "Your shadows see something else."
Nyros nodded once. "They believe you’ll stay here. That you won’t personally stand at the border this time."
House Kaldor’s representative laughed, sharp and wild. "Let them come. My beasts are restless. They haven’t tasted foreign blood in years."
House Ironcrest crossed his arms. "Defense will hold even without Lionhead present. Our titan frames can anchor the walls."
House Seraphine smiled gently. "And our healers will make sure no loss becomes permanent. Public morale matters now more than ever."
Lionhead turned his gaze to the last figure.
House Astryon’s duke hadn’t spoken yet.
"Well?" Lionhead asked.
Astryon’s oracle finally lifted his head. "They believe the empire has lost its balance. Fate bends when a throne is empty. They think they can strike before it settles."
Lionhead exhaled slowly.
"So this is what they think," he said. "That I’ll hesitate because my niece is young. That I’ll sit on this throne room floor worrying instead of doing my job."
His voice hardened.
"They’ve forgotten who I am."
Valen’s duke grinned. "Then remind them."
Lionhead walked forward. "The empire will not fall because a child hasn’t been crowned yet. Elizabeth will rule when the time is right. Until then—"
He looked at each of them.
"—order stands."
Lionhead turned back toward the capital.
"And tell the Zygorians something else," he said. "If they think my family makes me weak, they’re about to learn how wrong they are."
None of them spoke after that.
"If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were a good man even in your past life."
Every head turned.
Rebecca floated above them, hands behind her back.
Valen’s duke frowned. "Kid, you’re not supposed to be here."
"I can be anywhere I want," Rebecca said. "You don’t get a say."
"I thought you’d punch him by now."
Two identical figures walked in.
"This is troublesome," Alex thought as his hair turned silver white.
"Why’d you change your hair?" Adam asked.
"We look confusing," Alex said. "Now they can tell."
Rebecca dropped down, eyes locked on Lionhead.
"You really don’t remember, do you?" she asked.
Lionhead didn’t look confused. He didn’t hesitate. He smiled, slow and sharp.
"Oh, I remember," he said. "Every second."
The room went still.
"You?" Rebecca asked quietly.
"Yes," Lionhead said. "Your father. The shop. The weapons. The mess. I remember the way he shook when I told him he’d been useful enough."
Several dukes stiffened.
"You used him," Rebecca said. "Then you blamed him."
"I used what was available," Lionhead replied. "He wasn’t special. Just convenient."
Adam’s smile vanished.
Rebecca’s voice shook. "You killed my family."
Lionhead nodded once. "They were in the way."
Valen’s duke snapped, "Lionhead, watch your words."
Lionhead didn’t look at him. "You all think I’m some saint because I guard borders and hold lines. That’s because this world gave me purpose. That world gave me nothing."
"You butchered children," Rebecca said.
"They ran," Lionhead said. "Bad choice."
A murmur spread.
"This is madness," Ironcrest muttered.
Rebecca stepped closer. "Say it again."
Lionhead met her eyes. "I’d do it again. Without hesitation."
Alex exhaled slowly. Adam’s gaze hardened.
"You don’t feel anything?" Rebecca asked. "No regret?"
Lionhead shook his head. "Regret is for people who lost something valuable. I gained control."
Nyros leaned forward. "Past life or not, you admit to mass murder?"
"I admit to survival," Lionhead said. "That world was weak. I was weak. I fixed that."
Rebecca laughed, broken. "So becoming Order didn’t change you."
"It perfected me," Lionhead replied. "Order isn’t mercy. It’s alignment. They were disorder."
Adam tilted his head. "You’re really saying this in front of everyone."
Lionhead glanced at him. "I don’t care who hears. Truth doesn’t bend."
"You hid behind a title," Rebecca said. "You let this world worship you."
"They needed a wall," Lionhead said. "I became it."
Rebecca’s hands trembled. "You stood there. You watched my brothers die."
"I watched you escape," Lionhead said. "I wondered if you’d come back."
"And now?" she asked.
"Now," Lionhead said, "you’re strong enough to stand here. That’s growth."
Valen’s duke barked, "Enough!"
Lionhead finally turned to them. "Stay out of this. This is older than your houses."
Rebecca stared at him, eyes burning. "You’re not a saint. You’re the same monster."
Lionhead shrugged. "Monsters win."
Adam chuckled darkly. "You’re really asking for it."
"I’m ready," Lionhead said. "I’ve always been."
Rebecca clenched her fist. "Then remember this too."
She stepped in and punched him.
The impact echoed.
Everything froze.
A/N
Thanks for reading this far, Character Illustrations would soon be out, and now I will take out time to update my other novels and fanfics, life recently have been really stressful.