“So they chose to deny and go to war?”

Francis read the formal declaration and sighed. At the start of the entire chain, he issued the Loyra Kingdom three choices. To either pay for the assassionation attempt, or to become a vassal state, or go to war. Of course, no matter how much they investigated, they never did actually find where the assassin came from. Or her allegiances, for that matter. That would be an issue down the road. Still, for now, having an excuse to go to war against the Loyra Kingdom was enough.

“You handed them impossible options.”

“What are you talking about?”

“They’d never agree to vassalisation, and the reparations you demanded are twice the nation’s entire annual income,” Haein explained, as if talking to a child.

“Well, it's favourable to us anyway. Luckily you started mobilisation early.”

“That was just in case. If someone decided to invade whilst you were getting crowned.”

“But I’m sure you agree with my appointments, right?”

“Of course. I was going to make Benjamin Wynt Minister of War sooner or later.”

“Still, do you plan on going to the front lines?” Francis asked.

“Indeed. Not going there in person is out of the question.”

“Agreed. So we’re both thinking the same in terms of tactics, right?”

“We’ll still need to formulate the general strategy with Benjamin. But are our war goals the same, yes? To seize the Greater Damsace Region? And you want to launch an attack towards the sea to take the ports on the gulf.”

Francis nodded. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a silver pocket watch by its chain. Clicking open its cover, he glanced at the clock face beneath a thin layer of glass. By nature of it being a completely different world, its numbers and words were alien as well. Though, due to the influence from otherworlders in the past, Francis could spot traces of somewhat familiar languages. Loan words from English, French, Japanese, Mandarin, Indian, Malay. He was sure that there was more that he simply did not know about. Similarly, the numbering system was a weird mix of using the Arabic numerals, whilst using the counting method of Rome. If it wasn’t for some power that the otherworlders had, it would undoubtedly have been a headache to try to learn.

“It's almost time,” Francis commented.

“I guess it is. Well then, dear, let’s get going.”

“Ready?”

“I’ve been trained in press conferences all my life. I’m a lot more worried for you.”

“Surely you can help me if possible.”

“We’ll see about it.”

They stood up from their bed. Francis wiped the sweat off his hands with a soft white towel. Haein waited for him by the door. Linking their arms as a sign of love for the public, they left their private chambers and headed towards the conference room.

Whether it was the act of affection, their clothes, or the royals themselves that attracted the attention, Francis didn’t quite know. On one hand, an act of affection was rare. The previous couple were infamous for their hatred of each other. On the other, Haein wore a rather revealing dress. With high slits riding up her legs, and the lack of fabric on her back and shoulders, it wasn’t hard to imagine why they were stared at. Francis himself wasn’t any better. Once he was handed over to the makeup crew, they had complete power over him, and were it not for the emperor’s veto, he would have ended up with something far more revealing than his wife’s. Thankfully, he bargained his way down to a conservative sleeveless dress with a long pleated skirt. On the third hand, compared to their predecessors, they hadn’t made that many public appearances.

A guard pushed the door open, and they headed towards the podium. Each step he took echoed. He glanced to his side. Haein held a calm look. Even if it was a face, it was reassuring.

“All rise for Her and His majesty!”

The room full of reporters stood up. With a formal and respectful bow, they showed their loyalty and politeness. If only there had been cameras.

“Take your seats,” said Francis.

“As I am sure you know, the Loyran Kingdom has tried to assassinate my husband recently. Thankfully, thanks to his quick thinking, he managed to survive the attempt on his life,” Haein began.

“Unfortunately, I did not escape unscathed. Even with the finest healthcare available, I will be forever scarred. But, in response, we have issued the Loyran Kingdom several options. Of those, they chose to go to war. As such, it is to my utmost regret that I have to announce that we are at war.”

“Up to the last moment, we tried to secure peace. But our words fell onto deaf ears. Our proposals, our negotiations, all ignored!” Haein had a fire in her voice. “They believe themselves to be superior! That our nation- Nay! Our empire! Can be ignored! To be thrown to the wind, like leftovers from last week.”

“We have tried.” Francis shook his head. “We really have. But this act cannot go without scrutiny! If your life was in danger, would you take it lying down? We have a clear conscience. I am certain that our light will prevail.”

“They think they can just take take and take! We will show them that they are wrong!”

The two continued their fiery speech. The reporters in the room wrote down each of their words with feverish energy. A well rehearsed speech was a step in the grand plan. There was a common theme within their words. It was always one-sided. The villain in the fight was the Loyra, it always had been.

“We will now take your questions,” Francis said.

Within moments, the reporters swarmed with questions and raised hands. These reporters acted very much like those of the modern day. Though perhaps not as bad as the paparazzi. They seemed more like investigative journalists.

“Yes, you. With the red hair.”

“Ah! Your Majesty, thank you for your grace. What sort of investigations were launched into the origins of the assassin, and how did you reach your answer?”

“We checked the assassin’s body, and it is a pity that we did not get him alive. However, inside his pocket, we found a letter with explicit instructions on how to kill me when I am asleep. Furthermore, we found evidence that linked him to the ruling group of the Loyran Kingdom. When we asked them, they denied all ties.”

“And why would they not? What sane person would admit to having sent an assassin to take the life of a friendly nation?” Haein explained. “Thank you for asking. Next question. Yes, the woman in the back.”

“Your Majesty, would it not be possible that someone is framing the Loyran Kingdom?”

“There is always that chance. However, we have found evidence that he was supported by the king of Loyra. We do not have the luxury of infinite time, and as such, we have to move forward with our decisions. The tall one in front.”

“Your Majesty, what do you plan to get out of this war?”

“To take what we rightfully should have. We will regain the soil that our ancestors once held. Once again, we will have the Western Istaniland.”

The pair of Francis and Haein tackled each question with care. There was a certain objective that they wanted to achieve, and if it went well, the war would be far easier. Though it was a simple diversionary tactic, the Western Istaniland was far away from the Greater Damsace Region. If the Loyran Kingdom fell for it, most of their forces would be centred around the false goal.

They retired to their chambers after a long session of questions. It certainly was something else. Not like the quick firefights that he could do well in, the session was slow. The pressure slowly mounting, the beads of sweat on his face growing larger and larger. It was nothing like shooting a few guns and escaping. For one, a few bullets were more than enough.

Francis yawned as the guards opened the doors for them. This was his life now. Press conferences, talks, and speeches. Everything on a silver platter.

“You know,” Francis began as the doors closed, “The world is run by several things.”

“Violence and money.”

“Correct. But you forgot one last thing. Spreadsheets. In a war, is it not the will of a soldier that determines the outcome, but the efficiency and sturdiness of the logistics behind him.”

“Hmm, that is true. Certainly, even if a soldier had the skills of a master, without the food and equipment to sustain them, they will crumple.”

“Do you think Benjamin Wynt will collapse upon himself? He has the strategy and tactics, but he isn’t a logistics person.”

“I agree. Still, he’s the best we have.”

“Is it?” Francis smirked.

“You’ve found someone, haven’t you.”

“The question is, should he be under Benjamin Wynt?”

“How trustworthy is he?”

“I have reasons to believe that if we were to exile him, he would have nowhere to go.”

“Blackmail, you mean.”

He chuckled. Was it blackmail? It seemed like it. But who was going to persecute him? Himself? As if. Still, if what Runalt said was true, that he was indeed brought here, then he would be a valuable asset.

“Perhaps. Still, it's for the greater good, is it not?” Francis raised his eyebrow in the absence of a glass of wine to raise.

“Indeed, for the greater good. Still, that was a good performance. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. You did well too.”

“For someone who had no training for public speaking, you were remarkable. I hope you can perform as well now.”

“If you’re in heat, I’m not in the mood.”

She laughed out loud and pushed him on the bed. Still in their formal, presentation clothes, it wasn’t really that comfortable for sex. Though, that wouldn’t matter once they got naked.

“You listen to me.”

Haein poked his chest. She mounted him and he sighed. His mind was tired. Haein was a wild woman. There was no question about that. For a princess, she was lewd. To an extreme degree. Still, despite how often she wanted to get off, she wasn’t quite as violent as the other women he was with.

“Don’t you ever think you have power over me,” she muttered.

“Never once did I do that. Now get off before I call for my guards.”

“That Katalina woman?” Haein looked offended as she spoke her name. “Why? Why is she all you ever think of? Am I not good enough of a woman for you?”

“I don’t think you understand. The two of us- We have nothing in the way of love. The only things we have are sex, and politics.”

“Love? We don’t need love in this relationship.”

“And your point being?”

“You should be grateful that I’m even giving my body to someone my heart doesn’t beat for.”

“If you’re trying to imitate those lewd books, or even the romance novels you read, then I’m afraid that you have to try with someone else. I recall saying that I don’t mind you taking the person you truly love as a concubine whilst you’re stuck with me.”

He averted his eyes towards the windows. What could he even do in that situation? The words she spoke were true. The only power he had was the potential leverage he held over the otherworlders. But besides that? Katalina, Hye-Sung, and the primary Rayleigh family. Iris was a wildcard.

Even if she did make a move on him, he could do nothing to prevent it or stop it. The only question then, was if she knew about that. But if she knew, then if she had the standards and ethics to not act on it.

She seemed to hover over him. Contemplating. Her eyes darted over to his empty hands, then towards his body. He could feel the breathing on his skin. This wasn’t his first thing dealing with something similar. At least Haein wasn’t hitting him, well quite as much anyway.

“Fine. You’re tired. I apologise,” she said. “I went too far.”

“I could tell. You were really, really-”

“Don’t continue. I’m still a lady, and so are you.”

“Thank you. Keep that mood for tonight.”

“Oh my. How suggestive of you.”

At the eagerness of her voice, he sighed. Still, when he mentioned his dutiful knight, was that a hint of jealousy in her voice? It reminded him of the hatred in Ashley’s voice whenever he mentioned a particular woman. Haein pushed herself off of him and rolled on the bed.

“So what do you wanna do now?” she asked.

“Good question. We have time before dinner. Let’s go see Benjamin Wynt. I want to discuss war plans with him.”

“Now then. Should we get changed or do you think it's fine?”

“Does it matter? It's just Benjamin.”

She leaned on her hand. Jumping up from the bed, she stretched and looked at him. Her eyes shot towards the bed, and when he started moving, she glared. It was like telling him to stay there.

“Listen. I’m sorry for earlier. I don’t know what took over me.”

“No worries.”

“And I read that men like-” she stripped her clothes off. “This!”

“I see. Get changed, we have a minister to meet.”

“No reaction?”

“You misunderstand several things. First, even I don’t know if I am a man or a lady at heart. Second, not every man likes that.” He started speaking in a soft voice. “Some men prefer me to you.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing, don’t worry about it. Change and tell Benjamin that we’re coming.”

“Suggestive.”

“Get your head out of the clouds and control yourself for a while more. It’ll be a fucking diplomatic and political nightmare if you had an affair with Benjamin fucking Wynt of all people. Edmond for one, I could approve of. But Benjamin? He’s a scheming guy. He’ll sleep with you and use that as blackmail.”

“You have a bad idea of him.”

“The smartest and most talented people are always the most dangerous.”