Blades, Shadows, and Judgment

"You will hold the authority to override, redirect, and restructure military operations when necessary."

Silence.

It didn't just fill the room—it pressed into it.

Even the air felt heavier.

Black looked at Nova. Then at Leon. A brief moment of calculation—then acceptance.

He nodded.

"Understood."

Johny didn't hesitate either.

"Agreed."

No resistance. No doubt.

Because Leon had spoken.

Nova didn't respond immediately.

Her eyes stayed on Leon for a heartbeat longer. Then she exhaled slowly, almost like she'd been holding something in—and finally let it out.

"So…" she murmured, tilting her head just slightly, "I become the blade above the army."

Leon nodded once.

"Yes."

A faint smile touched her lips—this time, not subtle. Not hidden.

Alive.

"Then I'll make sure it cuts clean."

A quiet chuckle came from Syra in the back, arms crossed, green eyes glinting.

"Of course she gets the war role," she muttered. "She was born for it."

Kyra gave a small nod beside her, more composed but no less certain.

"She won't waste it."

Nova heard them.

Of course she did.

A quiet strength grew behind her eyes. The corners of her mouth lifted, slow but sure.

Into his space she moved, near enough to feel the quiet shift between them, words softening not from need of hiding, but because truth sat better that way.

"You really gave me everything I like in one move," she said.

A flicker of surprise crossed Leon's face as his eyebrow lifted slightly.

"Oh?"

Fingers moved, tapping a quiet rhythm, as if testing each number before it landed - yet every touch carried weight far beyond its softness.

Her eyes met his, fixed without wavering. Then came the word: "First… you."

A pause. Not awkward. Not shy. Just honest.

"Second… this family."

Her eyes flickered briefly—to the others in the room. Black. Johny. The women. Then back to him.

"And third…"

That smile turned sharper. Brighter.

"War."

A quiet breath left her, almost like a laugh she didn't bother to hide.

"So yeah… I'm pretty sure this is the best position I could ever get."

For the first time, there was no edge of restraint in her expression.

Just pure, unfiltered satisfaction.

Leon watched her for a moment—really watched her.

Then he smiled.

Not a king's smile.

Something simpler.

"I know," he said quietly. "You'd love this."

Nova's eyes softened just a fraction at that.

Not weaker.

Just… seen.

And for a brief second, the war-loving woman—the one people called crazy behind her back, the one who thrived where others broke—looked completely at peace.

"Damn right I do."

A faint smile tugged at Leon's lips—small, controlled, but real. It didn't linger long, but it was enough. Enough for those watching to feel it. The weight in the room shifted, just slightly.

Then his gaze moved again.

It slowed this time.

Deliberate.

Measured.

Until it settled on her.

"Cynthia."

She stepped forward without hesitation.

Calm. Grounded. Unshaken.

Her long black hair fell neatly behind her back, smooth and controlled, not a strand out of place. Her black eyes—deep, steady—met his without flinching. There was no nervousness in her posture, no need to prove herself. She already knew her worth.

She wore a fitted dark dress, elegant but practical, the fabric tracing her figure without excess. It carried quiet authority—like her. Strong lines, subtle detail. Her long legs moved with composed grace, every step balanced. Strength sat naturally in her stance, especially in the firmness of her thighs, not exaggerated, just… real. Solid. Reliable.

Leon noticed.

Of course he did.

But his expression didn't waver into anything crude. His gaze wasn't that of a man distracted—it was that of a king assessing someone he trusted.

Still… there was a flicker of appreciation. Brief. Honest.

Then it was gone, replaced by composure.

"Yes, Leon."

Her voice was steady, low, controlled. No tremor. No doubt.

Leon's tone softened—not weak, but more personal.

"You will oversee internal intelligence and judicial balance."

There was a slight pause.

Ronan shifted subtly beside him, eyes narrowing just a fraction.

"Intelligence… and law?"

Leon nodded once.

"Information gathering. Internal surveillance. Conflict resolution. Judicial fairness."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening—not cold, but precise.

"You will be the one who sees what others miss… and corrects what others overlook."

Silence followed.

Not empty—heavy.

Cynthia didn't respond immediately.

She held his gaze.

Measured him.

Then—

Slowly…

A small, knowing smile appeared on her lips.

Not playful.

Not proud.

Certain.

"You're giving me the responsibility of truth."

Leon didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

Something shifted in her eyes at that.

Not emotion spilling out—Cynthia wasn't like that.

But something deeper.

Acceptance.

Purpose.

She nodded once, clean and final.

"Then I'll make sure nothing hides in the shadows."

Syra let out a quiet breath, folding her arms as she tilted her head, watching Cynthia with a half-smirk.

"That's terrifying."

There was no mockery in her tone—just honesty.

Aria, standing beside her, didn't even blink.

"That's necessary."

Syra glanced at her, then back at Cynthia.

"…Yeah. Still terrifying."

A faint chuckle escaped from Nova in the background, while Mia shifted slightly, clearly feeling the weight of what had just been assigned.

Cynthia didn't react to any of it.

She simply stepped back into place—calm as ever.

Leon watched her for a moment longer.

Then, quietly—almost under his breath, but not quite—

"Well suited."

Cynthia heard it.

Of course she did.

And for the first time—

Just barely—

Her expression softened.

Not enough for everyone to notice.

But enough.

A faint exhale slipped past her lips, controlled, measured… but warmer than before. She didn't look at him directly. Not yet. Still, her fingers, resting at her side, relaxed ever so slightly.

"…I'll make sure I am," she replied, her voice calm, but carrying a quiet promise beneath it.

Leon didn't answer.

He didn't need to.

His gaze moved again.

The throne hall no longer felt like a place of silence.

It felt alive.

Not loud—no, nothing chaotic.

But something deeper. A pulse. A presence.

Black crossed his arms, clearly impressed, a low chuckle slipping out of him.

"Well… damn. That wasn't just assigning roles. That was building a damn kingdom from the ground up."