Not long ago, in the corridor of the Lord Angus’s manor.
“As I suspected, the enemy’s ultimate goal in inciting this disturbance can only be a few things: me, you, and this Sorus City. Of course, there might also be something I’m unaware of—something more valuable that’s worth all this trouble to them. Therefore, it would be unwise to act rashly.”
Cecilia laid out her deductions plainly, then made a concise summary.
Lord Angus pondered for a moment; indeed, he hadn’t considered other possible motives the enemy might have.
He couldn’t refute Cecilia’s reasoning, but he couldn’t accept her conclusion either, to the point that he momentarily forgot his manners and asked in the bluntest way.
“So, Your Highness’s meaning is this: to protect your safety and mine, I shouldn’t personally lead the frontline command? We should just let that hidden unit you mentioned tear through my city unchecked?”
Cecilia shook her head. “Lord Angus, that’s not what I meant. But before reinforcements arrive, protecting my safety, uncovering that hidden unit, and commanding the entire army—these three cannot be achieved simultaneously. We can only minimize the damage as much as possible.”
Seeing Cecilia backtrack, Angus asked, “Then what do you propose?”
“Do you have the Map of Sorus City?” Cecilia asked.
“There’s one in my conference room,” Angus replied, leading the way.
The group arrived at the conference room, and Cecilia immediately strode to the map spread on the table, picking up a pen to begin marking on it.
“This is the starting point for the night patrol soldiers. Here is the entire patrol route. If the enemy can just manage to cut off every single route, then this would be their optimal path.”
As she drew the first line, Angus’s expression grew noticeably more serious.
Just a few strokes, and everything suddenly became clear.
Cecilia continued drawing and explaining.
“To intercept the messengers, these routes are the best ambush points. Connecting them like this… yes, right here. If we dispatch troops to cut off these spots now, it’s still not too late.”
“If we are the enemy’s target, then the assault on the Lord Angus’s manor is inevitable. If the enemy wants to break through the manor’s defenses, they will act like this…”
“And if the enemy really has an elite unit, then the soldiers must avoid these places. These areas are outside surveillance. If we manage that…”
Angus watched as the map under Cecilia’s pen was gradually transformed beyond recognition. The seemingly random lines now resembled lifelines for the soldiers. This was no longer just a map—it had become the hope of Sorus City.
As the city’s lord, no one was more familiar with its layout than he was, yet it was impossible for him alone to analyze it this thoroughly.
Noticing Angus’s gaze on her, Cecilia was momentarily taken aback. “Lord Angus, are you listening?”
“Your Highness, if I may be so bold, how do you know all this?” Angus’s tone turned more respectful.
Cecilia had wanted to say now was not the time, but Angus’s serious expression made it clear he wouldn’t let it go. So she spared them the back-and-forth and gave him the answer directly.
“Because on my very first day in Sorus City, I was nearly attacked by a nightmare demon. The next day, there was an assassination attempt on me. With no one trustworthy, I had to protect myself as best I could. Learning about this city was the first step—it’s what I’ve been doing lately. These locations are perfect for crimes. Combining that with the soldiers’ routes, the distribution of barracks, and other clues, it wasn’t difficult to reach these conclusions.”
Thud.
Angus suddenly dropped to one knee before Cecilia and lowered his head, startling the nearby soldiers who were unsure whether to kneel with their lord or just stand by and watch.
“Your Highness, I have a request.”
Cecilia was taken aback by this unexpected gesture. She took a deep breath to steady herself.
“Speak.”
“I will personally lead the troops to stop that hidden unit within the city. Please forgive me if I cannot protect your safety.”
Though Cecilia tried to conceal her emotions, she couldn’t help but frown at this.
“Lord Angus, this is a last resort. If you personally lead the frontline, then no one can command the entire city, and no one can protect the Lord Angus’s manor. The losses will only increase.”
“Precisely why I want to boldly ask you to hand over command to me. Until I return, all forces in Sorus City will be under your direction. This way, you can allocate enough troops to protect yourself and save Sorus City from disaster!”
Cecilia was genuinely shocked.
Handing over command was no small matter. To prevent rebellion, the kingdom forbade major cities from stationing troops inside the city; instead, military camps were established outside. Command was only given to officers, never the city lord. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be facing this dilemma of having distant reinforcements unable to help nearby troubles.
Putting aside her royal identity, she was not even a soldier and knew nothing of battlefield matters. To recklessly accept command now was something she truly dared not do.
“Your Highness! This is the best solution! Are you worried that if I’m not by your side, I won’t be able to protect you—”
“That’s not it!” Cecilia felt her voice trembling. Besides that fool Rita, she hadn’t lost composure like this in many years.
But even in this state, she couldn’t accept such a huge responsibility.
“I… I can’t.”
“Several defense officers are missing, and if the city’s strongest force stays here, losses will only grow worse. This is the best way right now. I know I have no right to command you, but for the sake of all the city’s people, please think it over.”
“Which is exactly why I—” Cecilia wanted to continue refusing, but when she noticed everyone—the Elite Guards protecting her, the maids caring for her—all kneeling just like their lord, looking at her with nearly pleading eyes, her words caught in her throat.
This was not a trap to push her forward but a genuine belief that she, the cursed princess, could bring them a new dawn.
Cecilia closed her mouth, lips pressing lightly together.
“I understand. I will try.”
…
Now.
“Your Highness, the situation has basically stabilized. Would you like to rest a little?”
An Elite Guard who had been standing vigil beside Cecilia looked at her swaying figure with concern.
“N-no.” Cecilia steadied herself against the table and waved him off.
Commanding was far more exhausting than she’d imagined. The oppressive atmosphere and mental strain brought on by the night, constant vigilance of the battle, and the massive analysis of enemy movements had worn Cecilia down like an overburdened machine part, ready to shatter at any moment.
“Lord Angus said to hand over all command to me until he returns. Now is not the time to rest.”
Cecilia leaned back against the chair again. The map in front of her was covered in countless auxiliary lines like a spider’s web, blurring her vision.
For some reason, since just now, Cecilia felt overwhelmingly tired.
She closed her eyes and lowered her voice.
“And we still don’t know if the enemy has any tricks left.”
“Of course they do.”
A woman’s voice whispered by Cecilia’s ear, tickling the shell of her ear.
Cecilia jerked her head up. When had the large conference room been tinted with a faint pink glow? The soldier who had been speaking to her moments ago was now lying unconscious on the floor.
Had she fallen asleep? Or was her mind briefly dazed?
More importantly, if the soldier was down, then who was speaking?
A maid? There shouldn’t be another woman in this room besides herself.
Why did it feel like… her consciousness…
Cecilia steadied herself against the table and turned her head.
The first thing to come into view was the heart-shaped tail swaying right in front of her eyes.