The World Is Mine For The Taking

Due to the speech she gave during the livestream, Titania had gained admiration from a surprising number of people—not because of the policies she wanted to implement, but because of her raw confession. She openly admitted that her reason for running for the presidency stemmed from nothing but a selfish, wish-fulfillment dream. A reason that, by her own admission, didn't deserve widespread support. Yet, that very honesty had made her even more beloved, precisely because she was real enough to admit it.

I could understand the appeal. No one becomes somebody without a reason, and most of the time, those reasons aren't as selfless as they claim. People often have hidden motives driving their actions, and Titania's admission of hers made her feel more human—flawed, relatable, and genuine. It was no wonder she'd earned such an outpouring of praise and affection from her supporters.

With the election just days away, the competition between Titania and Myrcella was tighter than ever. The race was neck and neck, a fierce battle between two equally determined forces.

"Leon," Trill said, clutching my arm and pressing her soft breasts against me as we walked. "Do you think Nia has a chance of winning?"

Her concern wasn't misplaced. Myrcella was a formidable opponent, after all. It was natural for her to worry, but honestly, it wasn't something we should stress about.

"Nia said she'd be satisfied with whatever the outcome is, right?" I reminded her. "I think the question isn't whether she has a chance of winning but just wishing her the best, no matter what happens."

Titania had made it clear that regardless of the results, she would accept them. Winning or losing didn't change the fact that she'd poured everything into this effort.

As we continued walking toward class, someone suddenly called out to me.

"Leon."

I turned to see Johanne standing a short distance away.

"Johanne," I acknowledged. "What's up?"

His eyes flicked briefly to Trill, who was still latched onto my arm, and for a moment, his expression shifted to something I couldn't quite place. But just as quickly, he composed himself and gave me a smile.

"Can I borrow you for a moment? There's something I need to talk to you about."

I glanced at Trill, silently signaling her with my eyes. She shrugged, releasing her grip on my arm, and walked ahead toward the classroom without me.

"What's it about?" I asked Johanne.

"The Princess wants to talk to you."

I raised an eyebrow. "The Princess? Why? Not Titania"

"It's not Princess Titania," he clarified, shaking his head. "She specifically asked for you."

I had no idea why the Princess would need to speak with me, but considering the current situation, it was probably about the election.

With no reason to refuse—and with plenty of time left before class officially started—I decided to see what this was about.

"Sure," I said.

"Follow me," Johanne instructed, leading the way.

***

The Gold Dormitory was a whole different world compared to the others. The Bronze Dormitory, where I lived, was cramped and basic. The Silver Dormitory had decent-sized rooms, nothing fancy but comfortable enough. But the Gold Dormitory? It was pure luxury. Every detail was elegant and refined, making it easy to see why so many aspired to reach the Gold Class. Living here would mean basking in extravagance every single day.

Even with that, the Princess's room was on another level entirely. It was perched at the very top of the dormitory, complete with its own balcony garden. She sat there now, at a round table, sipping tea with an air of elegance that only she could pull off.

The room itself was grand, with towering pillars connecting the floor to the high ceiling. A chandelier hung above, casting a warm glow across the space. The bed was massive, practically fit for royalty, and off to the side, I spotted what looked like a full-sized walk-in closet.

"Here he is, Princess," said Johanne as he bowed deeply to her.

I stepped closer, watching as Johanne quietly exited the balcony like a proper royal knight, leaving me alone with her.

"Mr. Leon, you came. I'm glad," Princess Myrcella said, lowering her teacup onto its saucer. Her voice was warm, and her elegant smile radiated a practiced charm that could make anyone feel at ease—or lower their guard.

"It's hard to refuse an invitation, especially from a beautiful princess like you, Princess Myrcella," I replied, keeping my tone light.

A soft blush crept up her flawless cheeks, her expression momentarily sweetened by the compliment. "Such a charmer," she said with a small laugh. Then, with a tilt of her head, she added, "But don't you think such words are better suited for your girlfriends? Or..." Her gaze turned sharper, a teasing edge laced in her voice. "Do you want me as well?"

The teasing lilt in her voice was deliberate, her words dripping with subtle seduction. I didn't answer immediately, unsure of her intent. Princess Myrcella may have looked angelic, but I knew better. Behind that divine exterior lay a cunning and calculating mind. With her charisma and status as the kingdom's princess, it was only natural to tread cautiously around her.

Finally, I broke the silence, choosing my words carefully. "I already have two flowers in my hand. Adding another might be too difficult for me to handle. And if I ever tried, I'd risk destroying their beauty. Flowers are incredibly fragile, after all."

Her smile widened, growing warmer, but there was a glint of something unreadable in her eyes. She gestured toward the empty chair across from her, her movements graceful yet commanding.

"Why don't you take a seat before we dive into such delicate matters?" she said.

I nodded and took the seat she offered, feeling the weight of her gaze settle on me as I did.

Once I was seated, Myrcella rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward, propping her chin delicately on her intertwined fingers. Her intense stare was unsettling, her expression slightly off—more enigmatic than usual.

"Princess Titania made quite the impression with her speech," Myrcella began, her tone soft yet deliberate. "It's no wonder she's garnered so much support. Even I was moved—imagine that. My heart pounded at the words of someone on the rival side. It caught me off guard, I'll admit. She's changed so much in such a short time. It's remarkable."

I met her gaze, unflinching. "I wouldn't say Nia has changed that much," I replied. "She's always been cute, and she still is. If anything, I think she's just fixed what needed fixing instead of changing completely."

"Fixing rather than changing..." Myrcella repeated, her lips curving into a thoughtful smile. "That's an intriguing perspective. It's true—fixing what's already there is often wiser. Change can introduce uncertainty, and there's no telling if it'll even work. Sometimes, it's better to refine than to reinvent." Her eyes softened for a moment. "That's why her speech resonated with me. It felt genuine—grounded in something real."

At this moment, she genuinely looked like the princess she was born to be.

"I admire her perspective too," she began, her voice a seductive mix of admiration and apprehension. "Instead of dismantling what's already established, she refines it, polishes it. She manages to do things differently while keeping them the same. It's clever—too clever. Honestly, I'm afraid of her now. Her capability makes me feel like I might actually lose this election."

Her words carried a faint trace of resignation, but her eyes betrayed her resolve. Princess Myrcella wasn't the type to give up easily, not without a fight.

"But you don't want to lose to her, right?" I asked.

"Of course not," she replied, her voice firm and unwavering. "I need to become the President, no matter the cost. You know the perks that come with the position, don't you? Especially for someone with political ambitions. The political clout alone is invaluable. Most of the previous presidents ended up in prominent political roles, some even landing prestigious jobs. A few became captains of the Magic Knights just a year after graduation. For me..." She paused, her gaze sharpening as it locked onto mine. "You probably already know why."

I did. She didn't have to say it outright. Myrcella was a royal, and in the game of thrones, her siblings were her rivals. If she wanted to secure the crown, she needed credibility—achievements that would rally the people to her side.

"No one becomes somebody without a reason," I said, leaning back slightly. "And more often than not, those reasons aren't as noble as they seem. People hide their true motives, and honestly? That's what makes them human."

"Exactly," she said, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "No one does something monumental without a deeper, selfish agenda. Unless, of course, they're a saint. But no human is a saint. Saints are saints, and humans... well, we're something else entirely."
Your next journey awaits at empire

Her words hung in the air, the weight of them undeniable. I stayed silent, studying her. Her determination to ascend the throne was unmistakable. Even now, long before the royal game truly began, she was already laying the groundwork for her victory.

"I don't want Princess Titania to lose," she continued, her voice softening for a moment, "but I can't let her win either." Her gaze turned sharper, more focused. "That's why I'll be holding back nothing. And that's why I asked you to come here—so I could tell you that."

I blinked, caught off guard. "I'm confused. Why don't you just tell Nia this yourself?"

Her response was a smile—powerful, radiant, and calculated. It wasn't just any smile. It was the kind of smile that could topple kingdoms and sway hearts.

"Because," she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper, "I wanted to see you, Mr. Leon."