The royal war chamber had never been silent for long.
Advisors came and went. Messengers carried reports. Commanders debated strategies across the long ironwood table at the center of the room.
But today—
Silence hung over the chamber like a blade.
At the center of the room stood three restrained girls under heavy guard.
Their hands were bound.
Six soldiers surrounded them.
And every noble in the chamber watched carefully.
At the far end of the room stood the ruler of Rovenwale.
King Aldric.
The Crown of Iron rested upon his brow like a jagged halo. Dark metal edges caught the firelight, casting thin shadows across his stern expression.
Before him stood the most unexpected problem the kingdom had faced in years.
Three strangers.
Who had appeared directly inside his private chamber.
Nine shifted slightly where she stood.
Then she leaned toward Rhea and whispered,
"He really does wear it all the time."
Rhea closed her eyes briefly.
"…Nine."
Theresia tilted her head curiously, staring openly at the crown.
"It's bigger up close."
Several soldiers looked horrified.
Valen's eyes narrowed immediately.
Rowen blinked in disbelief.
Lucien quietly lowered his head, hiding the faintest hint of amusement.
The king studied the three girls in silence.
Measured.
Unhurried.
Then he spoke.
"You appeared inside my chamber."
His voice was calm.
But every person in the room felt the weight behind it.
"Explain."
Theresia raised her hand slightly.
A soldier tightened his grip on his spear.
But she only asked,
"Before we explain… may I ask something?"
Valen frowned immediately.
"You are not in a position—"
The king lifted one hand.
Valen fell silent.
Theresia looked up at the crown resting on the king's head.
Her eyes brightened with curiosity.
"Is that the Crown of Iron?"
The room went completely still.
Several soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
Valen's expression hardened instantly.
Rowen blinked in surprise.
Lucien's eyes sharpened with quiet interest.
The king did not answer immediately.
Instead, he studied her more carefully than before.
Then he spoke.
"Yes."
Theresia nodded with clear fascination.
"Oh."
Nine leaned slightly toward Rhea and whispered,
"…She's going to get us executed."
Rhea closed her eyes briefly.
"Theresia," she murmured gently.
"Perhaps we should focus on answering His Majesty's question."
Theresia blinked.
"Oh. Right."
She looked back toward the king.
"We didn't come here on purpose."
Valen spoke immediately.
"That is convenient."
Nine glanced toward him.
"You think we planned to appear surrounded by guards?"
"You bypassed the defenses of the Iron Palace," Valen replied coldly.
"That alone is reason for suspicion."
Nine shrugged.
"Fair."
The king continued watching them carefully.
"Two explanations exist."
"The first is that you are enemies of this kingdom."
"The second…"
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"…is that you are connected to one of the Five Crowns."
The room grew quieter.
Even the guards seemed to hold their breath.
"The Crown of Tides," the king continued, "is capable of bypassing barriers through spatial distortion."
Nine tilted her head.
Across the continent, power was divided among the ancient authorities known as the Five Crowns.
Each crown belonged to a different kingdom, granting its ruler dominion over a fundamental force that shaped the world itself.
Rovenwale bore the Crown of Iron, an authority tied to structure, order, and the enduring strength of stone and steel. Under its influence, fortresses stood unbroken and cities were built to last generations.
Far to the west lay Thalassa, kingdom of the sea, whose Crown of Tides governed currents and flow. Its vessels were said to command water, movement, and in rare cases even the subtle distortions of space itself—slipping through barriers the way water slipped through cracks.
If anyone possessed the power to enter the Iron Palace without triggering its defenses—
The Crown of Tides would be the most convenient explanation.
Even if the truth was far more complicated.
Nine tilted her head.
"So you think we came from Thalassa."
"I am considering the most reasonable explanation," the king replied.
Nine sighed.
"Well unfortunately for that theory…"
"We're not from Thalassa."
Lucien leaned lightly against the wall, studying them.
No hesitation.
No nervous glances.
If it was a lie—
It was a remarkably confident one.
The king spoke again.
"Opinions."
Duke Garron Dravenhart answered first.
"They appeared inside the king's chamber," he said bluntly.
"That alone makes them a threat."
Valen nodded immediately.
Rowen spoke next.
"But they have shown no hostility."
Several heads turned toward him.
"If they intended assassination," Rowen continued calmly, "they had opportunity the moment they arrived."
His gaze shifted toward the trio.
"Instead, they did nothing."
Theresia raised her hand again.
"We were actually trying to figure out where we were."
Nine closed her eyes.
Lucien turned his head slightly, shoulders shaking faintly.
The king ignored the interruption.
"And you?" he asked.
Lucien folded his arms loosely.
"They are either extremely dangerous…"
"…or completely lost."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Both possibilities deserve investigation."
Silence settled across the chamber.
At last, the king spoke.
"You will be detained."
The words fell like iron.
"Until your identities are verified."
Theresia tilted her head.
"So… prison?"
"Yes," Valen replied flatly.
"If you are enemies of this kingdom, your fate will be decided later."
Nine leaned slightly toward Rhea.
"Well."
"That went about as expected."
Rhea bowed respectfully.
"We understand."
The king turned toward the guards.
"Place them in the lower cells."
His voice remained calm.
But the order carried absolute authority.
"Double the guard."
"No one enters their cell without my authorization."
The soldiers saluted immediately.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As the guards moved to escort the prisoners away, Lucien watched them quietly.
Three strangers.
Appearing in the most secure room in the kingdom.
No fear.
No hostility.
Only confusion.
A faint smile crossed his face.
Yes.
This was going to be interesting.