Alex''s head throbbed the moment the final report came in.


    His own governors had already drafted a full war n against Prussia-


    timelines, strategies, objectives. They wanted the entire operationunched within


    a year.


    Then Samuel and Keaton appeared on the holo-channel, their faces tight with urgency.


    "Your Majesty," Samuel said. "As you can see, the governors are nning a war with Prussia. The vote is at one hundred percent approval."


    Alex stared at the three men, frustration burning behind his eyes.


    "Can you stop them? We don''t need another war."


    Keaton shook his head slowly. “I might be able to stop my daughter. Maybe. But the rest? No. They''re moving on their own mandate."


    Samuel added, "I can vote against it, but that''s only ten percent against ny. The war will still go through."


    Logan leaned forward, arms crossed. "You know where I stand. As a governor, I want this war. I want to return to my hometown — and this is the only way."


    Alex sighed. He was the king, yes - but forcing every governor to obey him would turn him into a dictator overnight.


    And the political fallout would tear Estoria apart.


    He exhaled sharply. "So we don''t have a choice."


    Samuel lifted a brow. "There is one possibility. If we bring Alexander Leonhart- the Kingswell agent currently stationed in Prussia—back to Estoria, the female governors might abandon the invasion n. Their man would be home. Safe from Prussian''s women."


    "Great idea," Logan said immediately. "But let''s be honest — it''s impossible."


    Alex rubbed his forehead. "Fine. Then tell me straight. How good are our chances of winning a war against Prussia within one year?"


    Logan - always hungry for a fight — pulled up a digital report. "ording to our top analysts, the smartest people we have, Estoria can win this war."


    Alex blinked. "Our smartest people? Who exactly made that assessment?"


    Logan listed them without hesitation.


    "Top number two: Be Kane.


    Top three: Jasmine Kingston.


    Number four: Lyra Thompson.


    Number five: Kelly Knight."


    Alex stared at him, stunned.


    Alex wasn''t even sure if those women could truly be called the smartest in the country - but he knew they were miles ahead of their peers. Their calctions carried weight. Their decisions moved nations.


    "So who''s number one then?" Alex asked. "Who''s even smarter than Be?"


    Logan, Samuel, and Keaton exchanged a look.


    Not one of them opened their mouth.


    Alex let out a slow breath. "Fine. If you don''t want to answer, then let them finish their war n. I''ll decide whether we actually go to war or not. I still have one year."


    And so time moved on.


    That night — Renata''s first day back - Sofina Scheinwald finally cleared her schedule. She booked a dinner to wee her old friend. A luxurious, high-end reservation for the three of them.


    As Sofina''s husband, Alex had to join. Which only darkened his mood. Thest thing he wanted was to sit across from Renata again


    But duty was duty, and Sofina was excited. So he prepared himself in silence and went with her.


    Only when they arrived did Alex realize where she''d booked the table.


    The Celestial Garden of Paradise Hotel.


    A ce so exclusive it usually hosted royalty, diplomats, and the wealthiest elites. Private suites weren''t even a thing there — the ballroom itself was the standard.


    They walked inside beneath the glittering crystal lights.


    A momentter, Renata swept into the room.


    "Sofina Scheinwald!"


    "Renata!"


    The two of them rushed together, hugging like


    hadn''t seen each other in


    years. Theirughter bounced off the marble walls, their hands sped tightly as they slipped into old memories. It took a while for the storm of excitement to calm.


    Then Renata smacked Sofina lightly on the arm. "You reckless spender. You seriously booked the Celestial Garden just for dinner?"


    Sofina giggled, bright and delighted. "You''re here! Of course I had to splurge!"


    Alex stayed quiet, watching the two women glow with happiness - and bracing himself for the long night ahead.


    Renata shed a bright grin. "You''re my best friend, Sofina!"


    Sofina lifted her hands in a small, embarrassed shrug. "To be honest, I''m not even qualified to dine here. I asked Count Marlena Von Adler to make the reservation for me."


    "Oh?" Renata''s eyes slid toward Alex, amused. "Here I was thinking Alex pulled some strings again and magically booked the Celestial Garden for us."


    "Alex?" Sofina blinked, confused for a moment before realizing what Renata meant. "Oh-right. From time to time, old friends of Alex''s parents pop to help But old already him not to rely on that past


    anymore. We need to stand on our


    own."


    "I do work," Alex protested, offended. "Don''t forget-I''m a gardener at Eden Group."


    Sofinaughed and slipped her arm through his as they walked deeper into the Celestial Garden.


    The ce was breathtaking. Natural.


    Lush. A sanctuary carved out of light and pure air. Every corner overflowed with living greenery arranged in perfect harmony, and


    the scent of rare herbs floated


    through the room like a soft rebirth.


    Even the dishes here were crafted from rare medicinal nts-made not only to taste exquisite, but to heal, rejuvenate, and strengthen the body. A meal here wasn''t just dinner. It was restoration.


    Renata sighed, taking it in. "The Celestial Garden is wless. The only sad part is the requirements to get in. I heard it''s only open to VIP members, right?"


    "Yes," Sofina admitted with a nod. "Honestly? This is my first time here too."


    Renata reached out and squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Sofina. Truly."


    They settled into their private alcove, the air warm and quiet around them. Dinner was peaceful, undisturbed-exactly what Sofina hoped for, a gentle reunion wrapped in luxury and old friendship.


    Halfway through dessert, Renata finally spoke up.


    "Sofina... how about joining our ss reunion this year? We hold it every year, but


    you haven''te for thest two."


    Sofina paused, spoon halfway to her lips.


    The memory hit her with full weight.


    Three years ago.


    Their ss reunion.


    Everyone in that room hade from the capital-Counts, Viscounts, old money,


    pure bloodlines, aristocratic pride. Not a singlemoner in the entire ss.


    And Sofina had walked in with Heinrich.


    Her husband.


    A man without a title.


    A man with nothing that impressed aristocrats.


    She remembered the way they looked at him-disdain hidden behind polite smiles, whispers leaking between wine sses, the silent judgment that wrapped around Heinrich like knives.


    After that night, Heinrich never let her attend a reunion again.


    And Sofina understood exactly why.


    "For this year''s ss reunion, I''ve been pushing themittee to hold the event


    in Winchester,” Renata said casually. "What do you think?"


    "Why Winchester?" Sofina asked, puzzled.


    Renataughed, brushing her hair back with effortless arrogance. "Because I feel


    like it. And in case you forgot—I''m still the head of the ss union."


    Of course she was. As the Duke''s daughter, Renata naturally ended up leading every organization she touched. People simply followed.


    "But that''s not the only reason," Renata continued, leaning forward. "The real reason we''re hosting the reunion in Winchester is Tobias Bluthelm."


    "Tobias Bluthelm?" Sofina blinked. "The son of Count Bluthelm? What happened


    to him?"


    "You know his family owns a


    war-machine factory," Renata said, eyes gleaming. "He rebuilt one of their old human driverbat robots, the mobile suit. And he''s


    entering it in this year''s Robot War Machine Championship. The event''s being held at Winchester Stadium."


    Renata winked at Sofina. "So we thought we''d support him. Firstunch, first spotlight. It''s going to be crazy-fights, machines getting smashed apart. And Alex, you shoulde with us."


    "No. I don''t think I will," Alex said immediately.


    Before Renata could argue, a man approached them with two women hanging off


    his arms. He carried himself withzy arrogance — the kind that came from money, title, and too much undeserved confidence.


    “Sofina. Renata," he greeted, smiling in a way that made the air colder. "I never expected to see you both here."


    “Ragnar,” Renata replied sharply, her voice dripping with dislike. "What are you doing here?"


    "Funny, I was about to ask you the same," Ragnar said—before his gaze slid to


    Alex, inspecting him like a bug on ss. "Ah. This man. So he must be Sofina''s new husband."


    "Stop it, Ragnar," Sofina warned.


    "Come on," Ragnar said, feigning innocence. "I just want to introduce myself. What''s wrong with that?"


    He grabbed two sses of wine from a passing server.


    "Alexander Saint-ire, I presume?" Ragnar stepped closer, offering a ss with


    an oily smile. "I''m Ragnar Eisenwall. My father is Duke Eisenwall."


    Alex reached for the ss-


    But Ragnar suddenly lifted it—and poured the entire drink over Alex''s head.


    Red wine streamed down Alex''s hair, his face, his suit.


    Ragnar smirked, eyes gleaming with cruelty. "You''re not worth an introduction


    from me. But let me make one thing clear-I was Sofina''s first man. I''m the one who taught her what sex is."


    He leaned in, voice turning colder, crueler.


    "And you''re just picking up what I left behind."