"I’m not surprised you care about her." His brother smiled faintly. "I’m surprised you admitted it that quickly. When you first got married, I could see your fear, though you tried to hide it. That was why mum overreacted a little."

Atheline looked away slightly. Except for occasional letters, he hadn’t spoken to his parents and his words brought home the nostalgia.

"I didn’t know it was that noticeable."

"It was entertaining to watch and it worked out for the best anyway. I mean, look at you," he gestured up and down at Atheline with his eyes," you’ve grown even taller. What do you eat around here?"

"Stop it. Don’t even think about it."

"You’re really something else, you know that," Helther said.

"What?"

"You used to be this cute little thing following around me but now here you are all big and married to a woman who threatens kingdoms casually. Your standards for cruelty have also become questionable."

He rolled his eyes at that. Helther’s expression softened slightly afterward.

"She’s calmer with you."

Atheline blinked once then a proud smile graced his lips.

"You noticed?"

"The entire continent noticed."

Atheline knew that was inevitable. They were living together and some of her behavioral changes were bound to be noticed.

Helther continued before he could respond.

"Before your marriage, Her Majesty solved most political disagreements by terrifying people until they stopped speaking." He paused. "Now she occasionally listens first."

"You say that like it’s a bad thing."

Helther visibly sighed at his statement.

"I guess it’s progress."

Atheline looked quietly toward the ceiling, where the council chambers were located, and where Lilith currently sat, surrounded by council members who were probably reconsidering every life choice that had brought them into that meeting.

Then he smiled faintly at the imagery.

"...She feels peaceful."

His older brother stared.

"...The woman threatening to erase kingdoms feels peaceful to you."

"Yes."

"That may be the most concerning thing you’ve said today."

Probably fair.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, at lilith side, the council chamber had become significantly more tense since she entered.

Council members sat rigidly around the enormous black table while General Thelum viewed reports spread across the table brought by Lilith.

Since this was a wider-scale problem the council chamber had more people. Extra nobles and military commanders under different factions.

There were at least twenty people in the room.

Lilith sat at the head calmly, one leg crossed over the other with her expression unreadable which terrified everyone more than anger would have.

The noble elder cleared his throat carefully, his earlier bravado reduced by a notch.

"Your Majesty... The Terah kingdom has begun border mobilization."

"They’re nervous."

"Yes."

"Reasonable."

Another council member spoke cautiously.

"The Titam kingdom has requested diplomatic clarification regarding your ultimatum."

Lilith rested her cheek against one hand lazily and rolled her eyes inwardly. Everything just felt exhausting and repetitive to her at the moment.

"Denied."

The man visibly deflated.

"...Immediately?"

"They heard the ultimatum already."

"Yes, but..."

"They can listen to it twice if necessary. I don’t think I used riddles, the message was straightforward enough. "

Silence.

The military commanders nearby looked increasingly entertained while the diplomats looked spiritually exhausted.

The outspoken female councilor finally leaned forward.

"Your Majesty... with all due respect... if this escalates further, the high elves may become involved."

The room quieted slightly because her response on the topic mattered.

Lilith’s gaze shifted calmly toward the woman.

"They already are."

Nobody could argue with that. Her marriage alone guaranteed that and the fact that they created a pact between the kingdom meant they would be the first choice if a war broke out.

The female councilor continued carefully.

"The high elves approved the marriage alliance, yes, but they still value stability above all else. If war spreads beyond the Gladia kingdom..."

Lilith tapped one finger lightly against the table.

"You assume they oppose me."

No answer came immediately.

Because honestly? No one knew anymore.

Atheline’s growing influence over the dark elves and his natural influence in the elven kingdom complicated everything.

General Thulem finally smirked lightly.

"His family had enormous influence among the high elves and also holds substantial military power. What’s there to worry about? You think they will abandon him and break the pact."

Councillor Renault sighed.

"High elves are two-faced. What if they decide it’s not worth it?"

"They won’t."

Lilith listened quietly while measuring the points of both sides. She didn’t care much about the high elves but she wouldn’t tolerate betrayal.

It would be better if they remained neutral. Her gaze shifted to her feet where her shadow moved.

Her shadows brought news on what was happening in Gladia every thirty minutes. They were already spreading through human kingdoms.

One had already infiltrated Terah royal palace while another moved through Gladia military remnants searching for traces of the missing royal family. And deeper still, others searched for something far more important.

The people truly responsible.

Because despite her public accusation, she knew the mastermind was either in the human kingdom or right under her nose.

Her gaze moved from one councillor to another assessing. She accidentally met Councillor Renault gaze who smiled and went back to discuss contingency plans with the others.

She rubbed the bridge of her nose in irritation. It would be useless to start doubting at the moment.

Her eyes darkened slightly. Everything was just annoying.

A noble finally spoke.

"Your Majesty... should we prepare full mobilization?"

The room stilled.

War.

That single word hung unspoken between them. Lilith leaned back slightly in her chair.

"...Prepare everything."

Several commanders smiled immediately.

"But do not move first."

That cooled the room somewhat. The noble elder looked visibly relieved.

Lilith continued calmly. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"If humanity wishes to panic, let them panic," dark aether flickered faintly around her fingertips as she seriously spoke, "But the moment they force my hand..."

The entire chamber temperature dropped instantly.

"...I will not stop halfway."

Nobody doubted her. And somehow, that certainty frightened even the dark elves that had been around her far longer than they could remember.