Lorenzo and Marcello arrived for the introduction ceremony.Although Lorenzo held a higher rank by blood, but she came to the garrison a soldier. She had risen to the second highest rank, First Officer to the Commander.
She was the youngest, yet by far the most experienced. She had saved her commander's life and shown more valor than any man under his command.
Her eyes were calm. Lifeless.She had seen every kind of horror.
They bowed before the king and his adviser.The king, her cousin, Alfonso I, sat on the throne with a glass of wine in his hand. Beside him stood his adviser, her uncle, pretending to be her father: Orlo.
Alfonso smirked as they knelt, heads lowered. He stood and walked straight toward Lorenzo.
"Rise, brother," he said. "A prince of blood bows but never kneels."
Lorenzo rose and replied evenly "I was raised a soldier. A sword in your arsenal. Forgive my brutish manners. My blood is for the Empire and for you, Brother Emperor."
Alfonso looked momentarily embarrassed, then laughed and turned to Orlo. "Uncle, your son is here. Will you not greet him?"
Orlo exhaled sharply and stepped forward. He kissed Lorenzo on both cheeks, holding her face with a false smile.
"My son… my firstborn," he said loudly. "You have grown into a fine officer. Come...meet your siblings."
As he led her away, Orlo deliberately let his hand press against Lorenzo's chest. He leaned closer and whispered, "I was surprised to hear the young First Officer often trains bare-chested. I am pleased you and your commander grew wise."
Marcello lowered his head, his hands clenched into fists. He could barely endure seeing his child humiliated seeing the true sovereign of the empire treated like a trinket.
Orlo had two other children: Uraca and Sancho.
Uraca studied Lorenzo with curiosity and then stepped forward, gently taking her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, brother."
Lorenzo kissed her hand. "The pleasure is mine, sister."
Uraca smiled and arched a brow. "My older brother is quite mean. He never visits."
Sancho scoffed and stepped closer. "Are you really the First Officer everyone talks about? You look fragile. Small. Like a woman."
He shoved her.
Lorenzo caught his wrist effortlessly. "You should learn to respect your elders," she said calmly.
Alfonso laughed loudly. "Come now, Lorenzo. Uncle spoiled him. But he does have a point. All I know of you is rumour and from what I see, you look young for your age. Frail."
Marcello dropped to one knee. "If doubt is cast upon my First Officer, then my head should fall first. I raised and trained him myself. I took him to battle. He has saved my life more times than I can count. If false testimony has been given, I should be the one to die."
Alfonso smirked and sipped his wine, handed to him by a servant girl who clearly knew his chambers well. "A demonstration will suffice."
Lorenzo lifted her chin. "Fair enough. But I ask one thing, Brother."
"Granted," Alfonso said lazily. "What?"
"I do not wish to fight one of my garrison," Lorenzo replied coldly. " Victory would cost the empire a good soldier"
Alfonso's eyes lit with intrigue. "That is my kin! A man of valour. Let it be so."
Marcello approached Lorenzo and murmured ,"Do what you must."
Lorenzo removed her chest piece. Then her coat. Then her leather vest and shirt, revealing a strong back, scarred skin, and disciplined muscle.
Marcello whispered, "Is this necessary?"
Lorenzo took her sword. "I give them my chest so they stop wondering what lies in my trousers. I am done answering nonsense from those who already know the truth."
Alfonso smirked knowingly.
Orlo stepped forward. "Hector."
Hector emerged wide, powerful, confident. A man who had won many fights.
Orlo moved beside Marcello and whispered, "Well played, old fox. No one would believe this is a woman. How young was she when you gave her the seeds?"
Marcello said nothing.
"I hope Hector finishes what my father failed to do," Orlo added. "Traitor."
Marcello turned toward him, ready to strike, but only said, "Hector's blood will be on you."
Hector bowed to Lorenzo. "You called for a fight to the death. Reconsider, my lord. I would rather not kill you."
Lorenzo drew her blade. "Forgive me. Your life will be lost but I will ensure your family is cared for."
The fight began slow.
Hector pressed hard, His strength, and reach, were that of an experienced man.
Then Lorenzo's face went blank and her aura changed.
Her movements sharpened. Turned ruthless. Precise.
Hector seemed to be shaking. It was like fighting a beast. Her movement and flow were almost inhumanly unpredictable.
Steel flashed.
Hector screamed as his sword fell from a severed hand.
She slashed his hand. His sword fell.
One clean motion.She beheaded him.
She then grunted annoyed that such a great warrior fell this way.
Uraca watched, enchanted.Sancho turned away as the court's eyes burned into him.
His mockery had cost a good man his life.
Lorenzo retrieved her coat from Marcello, and covered Hector's body, planted her sword before him, and knelt.
She prayed.
The sight moved Alfonso deeply.
He stepped forward and bowed his head standing beside her, a hand on her shoulder.
After that day, and against Orlo's advice, Alfonso began giving Lorenzo more favours and sending Lorenzo on increasingly dangerous missions.
One campaign ended in catastrophe; half the troops were lost. Lorenzo returned alive.
When rebellion flared in the south, he sent her again. She returned unscathed, her victory decisive and merciless. The rebellion collapsed entirely.
Alfonso rewarded her by granting her command of her own garrison. She named it the Dragon Garrison. Of Lorenzo's original garrison, only twenty remained and joined her with Marcello joining as first officer to the new appointed commander, Lorenzo.
She travelled only with them. She chose the most dangerous missions and trusted no one else at her side.
and soon after, she was nominated ambassador of the Empire.
He continued to send her into peril.
By then, Lorenzo had endured everything war could offer. Marcello had been gravely wounded and was forced to withdraw from the battlefield.
Though his injuries healed, scars remained etched deep enough to remind them both that resilience alone wouldn't be enough to survive.
They needed to make the most with what they were given.
In less than a year, the Dragon Garrison grew. Soldiers sought her out. They respected her. They followed her because she fought beside them and because she cared for them. She ensured fair pay, proper medicine, clean camps. Discipline was strict, but punishment was just.
The camps were clean. Livable.
But most importantly, they were the best trained, most organised killing machines.
Many believed Alfonso favoured Lorenzo because he trusted her.
Yes—and no.
Alfonso trusted her because she could not fail. She was cursed, after all. She had bent the knee, so he put her to work.
By placing more lives under her command, more alliances within her reach, he tightened the leash. Responsibility was the chain.
He had seen her kneel beside Hector's body. He understood her nature.
She was dutiful. Loyal. And she possessed a conscience.
That was her greatest weakness in a game built on cruelty.
Meanwhile, Uraca began seeking Lorenzo's presence more and more, finding excuses to be alone with her.
At first, it was harmless.
"You leave too early," Uraca said one evening, falling into step beside Lorenzo as she exited the council chamber. "The court barely sees you."
"I am not here to be seen," Lorenzo replied calmly. "Only to serve."
Uraca smiled at that, slow and knowing."That is what makes you interesting."
Lorenzo did not answer.
Another day, Uraca appeared unannounced at the Dragon Garrison's camp. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of steel and sweat, but her eyes never left Lorenzo as she supervised drills.
"You run them hard," Uraca observed.
"They survive," Lorenzo answered. "That is the point."
Uraca stepped closer, lowering her voice."You are different when you command. Colder. Sharper. One wouldn't believe you have a woman visiting you in your free time"
She circled slightly, studying Lorenzo like a puzzle."I like that duality."
Lorenzo finally met her gaze."My free time is mine to do as i please sister. Father never complains about it so no harm done. I am young and have needs. Marriage is not an option."
Uraca laughed softly as she caressed Lorenzo' s cheek"We could avoid scandal if you decided to keep it in the family."
That night, Lorenzo barricaded herself in her room earlier than usual.
Marcello noticed.
"She is circling you," he said later, as they reviewed reports by candlelight. "Carefully. Persistently."
"I am aware," Lorenzo replied disgusted.
"She is Alfonso's sister and your cousin."
"I am also aware."
Marcello studied her face."You must be careful. We do not know how much she knows. Desire from a woman like Uraca is not harmless. It curdles when refused."
Lorenzo exhaled slowly."Have Clara come to my chambers today."
Marcello nodded. He knew that it was the only way to keep the gossips away and also to give release to Lorenzo who although was a woman did enjoy other women company.
Uraca's interest did not fade.
If anything, it sharpened, less playful, more intent.