The World Is Mine For The Taking

Angelica was standing at the far end of the corridor, her armor faintly clinking every time she shifted her weight.

The faint light from the high windows cast long shadows, stretching across the polished stone floor.

The moment her eyes locked onto mine, she moved quickly, her boots echoing with urgency.

"How was it?" she asked.

"I failed," I told her bluntly, my voice heavy with exhaustion but void of self-pity.

Angelica blinked. "For someone who failed again, you don't seem all that... sad."

I let out a faint sigh, the corners of my lips twitching into something between a tired smile and a grimace. "I've been doing this for months, Angelica," I said, keeping my voice even. "At this point, I don't have the luxury to cry just because they rejected me. Again. But that doesn't mean I'll throw in the towel. The safety of our kingdom, of everyone who calls it home... it's what's on the line here. I'm not allowed to give up."

"R-Right..." she stammered softly, her eyes wide. There was something in her gaze... something almost childlike. Like a worried daughter watching her mother head into battle.

I couldn't help but chuckle lightly, "Fufufu, you really don't have to worry about me so much. I'm not going to lose. I'll make those stubborn old bastards bend. I'll shove the proposal down their throats if I have to. I'm not giving up until they accept it."

My tone had sharpened by the end.

I wanted her to feel it. My resolve, I mean.

I wasn't bluffing, and I needed her to know I meant every word.

If I had to fight until my last breath, so be it.

We walked together down the corridor, the quiet tapping of our shoes the only sound between us.

Then, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

The words My Love glowed against the black display.

I pressed the answer button without hesitation, lifting the phone to my ear.

"Yes," I said, my voice dropping slightly and more personal. "As expected, they didn't buy it. Just like you said... they're as stubborn as ever."

I paused, listening to the familiar warmth of his voice coming through the line. Just hearing him made the tension in my shoulders ease a little.

"Right now, I'm heading back to the academy," I told him, my pace slowing slightly. "Yes... I'll meet you there soon."

The call ended with a quiet beep. I stared at the phone for a second, then slipped it back into my coat and turned to Angelica.

"Angelica," I said, stopping in my tracks. "You can go back now. I'll handle the rest from here."

"But—" she started, concern etched all over her face.

"You don't have to worry about Leon," I interrupted gently. "He's my fiancé now, remember?"

The reason I called him that… Well, let's go back. Just a little. Three months ago, to be exact.

***

It was a calm morning.

It was too calm for what was supposed to be the grand opening of the academy. But that first day was cut short.

It was canceled, thanks to the Rise of the Republic and their brazen attack on the Holy City.

Leon and I had arranged to meet in front of the academy.

"You're very early," I said, walking up to him with a small smile. The breeze teased at my hair. "Did I keep you waiting?"

"No," he replied, standing casually with both hands in his pockets. "Actually, I think you're right on time."

"I see. I'm glad, then."

Without another word, we made our way toward somewhere more private. Somewhere away from curious eyes and listening ears.

Once inside my dorm room, the atmosphere changed immediately.

Angelica, ever vigilant, stayed glued to my side like a shadow.

She didn't say anything, but her posture was rigid. Tense, actually.

She didn't trust Leon. I guess not yet. Her fingers brushed against the hilt of her sword more than once, as though waiting for an excuse to draw it.

I appreciated her devotion, but... it was too much. I turned to her and gently placed a hand on her armored shoulder.

"Angelica," I said, voice calm but firm. "Wait outside for a bit. Please."

Her expression twisted into one of silent protest. But eventually, she gave a reluctant nod and stepped out, though not without a final, lingering look at Leon that all but screamed 'If you touch her, I'll kill you.'

As soon as the door closed behind her, Leon looked at me and chuckled.

"You've got one hell of a loyal guard."

"Fufufu. I've heard the same about you," I said. "I wonder what kind of man earns that kind of loyalty?"

He grinned in response, and then reached into the bag he carried.

"I brought this with me," he said, pulling out a bottle with a rich crimson label.

My eyes widened slightly. "That's... Leonamon's Wine, isn't it?"

"A special version," he explained. "It's been brewed and aged for a whole year. The flavor's deeper, smoother... and a lot more expensive."

"Would it be alright for me to have a taste?" I asked, intrigued.

"Of course. This meeting between us... it's something important. I thought it deserved to be celebrated properly. I only hope you're not the type to get tipsy too quickly, Princess."

I smirked, flipping a strand of hair behind my ear. "I can hold my alcohol just fine, thank you very much."

With that, he poured the deep red liquid into two crystal glasses, then handed me one. I brought it to my nose and inhaled. The aroma was intoxicating, to say the least. Sweet and rich, with hints of berries and a subtle, earthy depth.

Then I took a sip.

The flavor hit instantly with an explosive blend of fruits, warm spices, and aged complexity danced on my tongue. It was smooth, and left a heat in my chest as it slid down.

"It really does taste good..." I murmured, genuinely surprised.

"Right?"

We drank a little more in silence, just enjoying the moment. Then, his expression shifted, his eyes locking onto mine, steady and serious.

"Now then," he said, voice firm. "I suppose it's time we talk about the real reason we're here, isn't it?"

"Right," I replied, straightening my back and setting my glass down.

"The Republic that just rose up tomorrow... it's turning out to be quite a formidable thorn in our side, isn't it?" I muttered, my voice low as my gaze drifted toward the horizon outside the window.

"Not just troublesome," he replied. "Actually, the real reason I disappeared for four entire months... is because I was in their world."

I blinked, my brows pulling together. "Their world?" I echoed, trying to process what I'd just heard.

"Another world," he said. "A world so different from ours. It's a place that's futuristic... and heavily militaristic. I didn't get the chance to visit every nation there, but I'm almost certain the one I ended up in is the one currently holding the Principality under their control."

A cold chill spread across my spine. I crossed my arms and looked at him, narrowing my eyes. "That's... deeply unsettling. If they truly came from such a world... and now they're bringing that technology, that ideology here to twist and tear apart the balance... it's terrifying. The very thought that they've got the audacity—the gall—to initiate chaos here is just... beyond me."

He nodded. "From what I've gathered, they've been studying our world for years. Meticulous observation, careful notes, building strategy... all of it done in secret. And now, with their research complete, they've decided it's time to act. This invasion—this interdimensional war—it wasn't sudden. It was engineered. I believe their forces far outnumber the Empire's. And even worse was that they possess technology that can suppress magic. It's like... some kind of power dampener."

"This is... a catastrophe in the making," I murmured. "What do you think we should do, Leon? Because clearly... this isn't something we can just brush off."

"We'll need to rally a force bigger and stronger than both the Empire and the Republic combined," he said.

I tilted my head slightly and let out a soft chuckle, a smirk touching my lips. "Hehehe... That's certainly a strong proposition. But how do you plan to actually make that happen?"

"First, you need to loosen the restrictions," he replied. "Make it so anyone who wishes to become a magic knight can do so. While you handle that, I'll move on my end. I'm going to unite the strength of Milham, Bethlan, the Elven Kingdom, the Feliann Clan, and Leonamon. With all of their power combined under one banner... we'll have what it takes to repel any force, no matter how advanced or overwhelming."

For a moment, silence filled the space between us. Then, I caught a glimpse of the smirk curling on Leon's lips.

It was a wicked, dangerous smile that seemed to shimmer with confidence and defiance. Oddly enough, it made my heart skip a beat. That expression... that certainty... it was maddeningly attractive.

"Fufufufu... I suppose I didn't make a mistake after all in choosing you," I whispered, my tone dripping with satisfaction. My eyes sparkled as I stared at him. "Well done... my heart."