Year of 1202
It was a bright, sunny day in the city of Starfell, the royal capital of the South. Illaria was patrolling the streets with her troops, moving through the city at an unhurried but alert pace. Their numbers were nothing impressive compared to the forces commanded by her elder brother, yet she felt an unmistakable pride leading them. She still remembered how much effort it had taken to earn even this small command.
Ever since her return from Kelzar, Illaria had changed completely. Her days revolved around fighting beasts, refining her spiritual core, mastering sword techniques, and learning medicine. Sewing, beauty, art, and literature had faded into distant, almost unfamiliar concepts. They no longer held any appeal for her.
The South was not as restrictive towards women as the North. Southern culture, much like the Southern Empire itself, was warm and open. Legally, a woman could pursue any profession she desired. Yet despite this freedom, there was not a single female soldier in the army. Military affairs and politics were still firmly controlled by men. Many ministers believed that Illaria, as a princess, had already crossed a boundary by training in Kelzar. No matter her interests or abilities, they felt she should now behave like a proper princess.
Illaria could never understand their opposition. To her, there was no sense in forcing herself into a role that did not fit her. It was obvious why she was different from other noble ladies. She had faced death countless times in Kelzar, surviving brutal climates and ferocious beasts. Her spirit and resolve had been tempered like steel. How could anyone expect her to suddenly become fragile and ornamental? Even as a child, she had preferred swords to dolls. A quiet life at court had never been meant for her.
After her return, she learned of an important change. Her elder brother, Edric, had completed his own training and returned home. A year later, their father had granted him the highest military rank in the South, appointing him Chief General.
No one was surprised. Edric was the crown prince, the future emperor. He was intelligent, perceptive, and highly skilled, yet also kind and fair. He was not greedy or arrogant, and to Illaria, he was the best elder brother she could have asked for. She believed without doubt that he would one day be as great an emperor as their father.
Their father had made Edric Chief General because the day would come when he would inherit the throne. It was better that he already commanded the army. If, in the worst-case scenario, the West attempted an invasion after the emperor’s death, Edric would be fully prepared to defend the South and crush them.
As emperor, their father bore countless responsibilities beyond the military. He oversaw harvests, trade with the North and West, relief during droughts and floods, the maintenance of peace within the city, and much more. The burden was endless. He was relieved to entrust the army to Edric, knowing it was in capable hands.
For the first four months after her return, Illaria lived freely. She met old friends, read books she had missed, visited her mother’s grave every week, and prayed for her peace in the afterlife. The cold reception her martial skills had received made her feel it was better to stay away from combat and live quietly. She did not want to create trouble for her father or brother by insisting on a place in military affairs.
But four months passed, and the unease within her did not fade. Instead, it grew stronger. She felt out of place, as though she did not belong in the life she was trying to accept. She had thought time would dull the feeling, but it only intensified. Eventually, she understood the truth: she wanted to escape. More than that, she wanted to be part of the army, regardless of the consequences.
What was the worst that could happen? People would gossip for a few weeks and then move on. On the other hand, she would finally be doing what she was meant to do. She could train soldiers, lead them, and fight alongside them. Her skills were more than sufficient to earn her the rank of general. Serving under her brother and supporting him felt right to her.
She still remembered the day she went to her father’s chambers. The conversation that followed was etched clearly into her mind.
“Father,” Illaria had said, “your daughter has never asked for much. But today, I want to ask for something.”
Her father replied jokingly, “Never asked for much? I allowed you to learn the sword when you were barely five years old. Do you even remember how badly your mother scolded me for that? And after that, you kept pestering me to let you train in those mountains. In the end, I gave in. For months afterward, all the ministers looked at me as if I were heartless. They were probably thinking what a cold-blooded father I was. Your mother was furious. I swear, if she hadn’t loved me so deeply, she would have eaten me alive.”
Illaria smiled faintly. “Ryan Longsword, the great and benevolent Emperor of the South. Father, it still amazes me that despite being an emperor, you can joke so casually.”
Ryan chuckled. “What is wrong with joking? We Southerners are blessed to live on land warmed by the sun all year long. Why should I be cold and rigid like those Northerners? We are meant to be warm, open, easy to approach. And besides, my daughter—who used to throw endless tantrums over weapons when she was a child—has come to visit me. I can make dad jokes with her atleast.”
Illaria felt a twinge of guilt, knowing she was about to make a request that echoed those same childhood tantrums. She lowered herself onto one knee, pressed her hands together, and said, “Father, I apologize for troubling you so much throughout my childhood. I have not been a good daughter.”
Ryan’s expression immediately changed. “Oh gods, Illaria, what are you doing? Stand up first. How many times have I told you not to apologize for such trivial things? You call me father, yet you treat me like an emperor even when we are alone. You used to be so bright before you went to those mountains.”
Illaria rose slowly. “Did you like me more when I was a carefree child?”
Ryan shook his head. “No, it’s not that. You simply grew up too fast. You are thirteen now, yet you speak like a responsible adult. Both you and your elder brother trained in Kelzar, but when we are alone, Edric still jokes and laughs. You, on the other hand, have grown distant, almost cold. I hear you only speak freely with me, Edric, and Robert. To everyone else, you offer nothing but a cold shoulder. To be honest, I miss your old, cheerful self.”
He took a deep breath, then smiled softly. “But when I look at you now, I see a daughter I can rely on. I see someone who would fight to the end for her family, no matter the cost. I see a brave and powerful warrior. You are the only girl across the entire continent of Merwan to have completed that training. No other father can claim such a daughter. They must all envy me. I am proud of you, Illaria. I always knew you would grow into someone remarkable. I simply didn’t expect it to happen so soon. But remember this—no matter who you become, I will always love you.”
Illaria kept her expression steady, but her heart swelled. Hearing her father say he could rely on her filled her with quiet happiness. And hearing him say he would always love her filled her heart with an indescribable emotion.
“Thank you, Father,” she said. “For trusting me. I will do everything I can to never disappoint you. It makes me very happy to know you consider me worthy of sharing your burdens.”
Ryan waved a hand lightly. “Enough of this. Tell me what you came here for.”
Illaria inhaled slowly. “Father, please allow me to help my elder brother. I want him to be able to rely on me as well. I request that you appoint me as a general under Brother Edric.”
Ryan fell silent. For a moment, he said nothing at all. Then he spoke carefully, “Why do you want this, Illaria? Could you not ask for something easier? I am sorry, my dear, but I cannot grant this request.”
“Why?” Illaria asked immediately. “Is it because of what the court will say? Let them talk. I will endure their slander. They will complain for a few months and then forget.”
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Ryan shook his head again, his voice low. “It is not just about them, Illaria.”
Illaria said firmly, “Our laws allow me to choose any profession I wish, and I believe I am more than capable of this post. Father, do you—or anyone else—doubt my abilities? If that is the case, arrange a fight. I will prove myself once and for all.”
Ryan frowned. “How can you say that? Of course I know how skilled you are. I have seen you spar with Edric countless times over the past few months. This has nothing to do with doubting your strength.”
“Then what is it, Father?” Illaria pressed. “Why must you deny me so harshly? Is it about knowledge? If so, I have studied the military texts—the art of war, battlefield strategy, army formations, command structures, weapons, food logistics, and city defense—over the last two months. As for the remaining three or four volumes, I will finish them by the end of this month—”
“Enough, Illaria,” Ryan interrupted gently but firmly. “It is not about books. Your brother has not even finished three of them, yet he still commands the army.”
Illaria fell silent, and Ryan continued, his voice heavy. “The reason I cannot appoint you as a general is simple. No one will accept you. You are a sixteen-year-old girl, and most soldiers will not respect such a young woman leading them. Your brother is accepted because he is the crown prince. He will one day be emperor. You, however, will eventually be married into another noble family. If I appoint you as a general, it would mean that the soldiers and the lands under your command would effectively fall under the influence of whichever family you marry into.”
Illaria’s eyes hardened. “Then I will not marry. I wish to spend my life serving you and this kingdom.”
Ryan sighed. “You are too young to understand matters like marriage. You have not experienced love yet, but one day you will. And what if you fall in love with someone who is our enemy? Would you not then be torn between loyalties? What of the troops under your command? In the event of war, who would lead them? Can I, as emperor, compromise the security of our kingdom on such uncertainty? And besides, I want you to have the freedom to marry the person you choose, not be bound by duty and fear.”
“Father, I truly do not wish to marry,” Illaria said quietly. “Please—”
“Even if you never marry, my answer would remain the same,” Ryan said. “I still cannot allow you to become a general. Generals spend most of their lives with their troops. They are sent to border regions and remain away from their families for months, sometimes years. Your brother is the chief general; that is why he can remain closer to the palace. As for you, I have already allowed you to be away from me for six long years. I will not allow it anymore.”
“But Father—” Illaria began.
Ryan raised a hand, stopping her, his expression resolute yet filled with concern.
“Illaria, if you were to take the post of general, then no matter what happened in the palace, you would not be allowed to return until your mission was complete. Loyalty to the country comes before family. When your mother died, she wanted to see you one last time. But you were not here, and by our training laws, disturbing a prince’s training is considered a crime. As a responsible emperor, I could not call you back. It hurt me deeply.”
He paused, his voice growing heavier. “If you take this post, I fear that one day either I will be standing before your corpse, or you will be standing before my grave, crying. I can barely endure the thought of Edric facing such a fate, but he is the crown prince. If war comes, he must fight. You, however… I cannot bear to see you hurt. So please, as your father, I ask you to forget about this post.”
Illaria felt her body go numb. Her father was right, and yet she could not remain silent. “Father, then what am I supposed to do?” she asked, her voice trembling. “I don’t feel like I belong here. I feel more at ease with a sword in my hand than sitting around all day listening to meaningless gossip. Ever since I returned, I feel restless. I want to do something. I want to help people, but I feel trapped. I feel suffocated. Please help me, Father.”
She dropped to one knee again, pleading.
Ryan looked at her for a long moment before speaking. “You say you want to help people? Very well. Then I have a suggestion. The mayor of our last city passed away a few weeks ago. Since then, cases of theft and robbery have increased. The new mayor, from what I hear, is inefficient. Would you like to take up this post?”
Illaria looked up, startled.
“The guards under your command would number around five hundred,” Ryan continued. “It is nothing compared to the forces under a general. With your skills and your status as a princess, this position is beneath what you could command, but I believe that even if people dislike this decision, they will have no valid grounds to oppose it. The work will be exhausting and often tedious. Your days will be spent solving disputes, listening to grievances, fighting low-level beasts, punishing criminals, and managing endless complaints. You are free to refuse.”
“I accept,” Illaria said immediately, her eyes lighting up. “Father, don’t worry. I am grateful for this position, and I will not disappoint you. Thank you. You are the best.” She sprang to her feet. “I will fetch your seal so you can issue the order.”
And with that, she ran out of the room. Ryan watched her go and murmured to himself with a faint smile, “At least you smiled for a change.”
Ever since she had taken up the post, Illaria had been happier than she had ever imagined. Who said the job was boring? There was always too much to do—so many unresolved cases, so many complaints and crises—that she barely found time to sleep. She became so engrossed in her work that she often lost track of time altogether. Many nights were spent at roadside inns, and on others she simply collapsed at her desk in the mayor’s office, exhaustion claiming her before she could even make it home.
She made it a point to visit the palace regularly, partly to ease her father’s worries and partly to report on the city’s affairs.
Three successful years had passed since then. Illaria was now sixteen. In that time, the number of soldiers under her command had grown from five hundred to three thousand. Her efficiency, her decisiveness, and her astonishing crime-solving record had impressed both her father and the court. One by one, ministers who had once doubted her began to acknowledge her worth, lending her more troops and authority. Over these three years, she had personally punished more than a hundred criminals. Her name was now known throughout the city; people no longer saw just a princess, but a protector.
The previous night had been especially draining. Too many issues had piled up—reports to file, disputes to settle, records to maintain. Somehow, she had finished everything, but only just. She had fallen asleep at her table in the mayor’s office, still near her hand.
Illaria was still asleep when Dany, her maidservant, burst into the room.
“Princess, please wake up,” Dany said urgently.
Illaria groaned, half-asleep, irritation lacing her voice. “What is it, Dany? I worked late yesterday. Let me sleep a little longer.”
Dany shook her gently. “Princess, a guard from the palace is here. He says the emperor himself sent him. He insists that you must see him immediately.”
The moment she heard that her father had sent a message, Illaria sat bolt upright. Her drowsiness vanished instantly. Her father never summoned her for trivial matters.
“Send him in. Quickly,” she said.
A palace guard was ushered into her office. He bowed deeply before speaking. “Princess, His Majesty orders you to return to the palace at once. He also instructed me to inform you that you will be away from your post for some time, so you are to appoint someone to act in your stead before leaving.”
Illaria’s heart tightened. “Why?” she asked sharply. “What has happened? Is my family safe?”
The soldier bowed again. “Rest assured, Princess. Everyone is safe. As for the reason you’ve been summoned… I am but a lowly soldier. How could I know His Majesty’s intentions?”
Illaria nodded once, her expression composed. “Very well. Dany, show him the way out. Then send Noah to my chambers immediately. And after that, pack only our important belongings.”
“Yes, Princess,” Dany replied at once.
A few minutes later, Noah stepped into the room and bowed. “Princess, I’m here to serve you.”
Noah had been with Illaria since the early days of her appointment as mayor. He was steady, kind, and dependable—the one soldier she trusted without reservation.
Illaria turned to him. “Father has ordered me to return to the palace immediately. While I’m gone, I want you to take over my duties. You’re the only one I trust with this responsibility.” She handed him a folded document. “This letter bears my seal and signature. It appoints you as temporary mayor until I return.”
Noah’s eyes widened slightly as he accepted it with both hands. “Princess, you honour me. I swear I will not disappoint you.”
“I know you won’t,” Illaria said. “Now go and arrange a horse for me. I’ll be leaving at once.”
“Yes, Princess,” Noah replied, already turning to carry out her orders.
Dany returned shortly after. Illaria faced her and spoke quickly but gently. “You’re coming back to the palace with me. But first, go visit your mother and make sure she receives the best possible treatment. You may not be able to return home for some time, so ensure everything is in order. Reach the palace by evening.”
Dany’s eyes softened with gratitude. “Yes, Princess. Thank you.”
Illaria nodded. “Good. I’m leaving now.”
Moments later, she mounted the horse waiting outside. Without looking back, she urged it forward and rode hard toward the palace, unease settling quietly in her chest as the city receded behind her.