"Really?"
The Emperor leaned back slightly in his chair as he looked at Keyla with curiosity and amusement.
"I want a woman of good virtue in our mansion within two weeks," Keyla said confidently.
She stood upright, her sword resting calmly against her shoulder.
"Taking the privilege of being your niece… this is not a request."
The entire table grew quiet again.
Several princes exchanged glances.
The Emperor tapped his finger lightly against the table.
"And if I don't?"
Keyla answered immediately.
Her tone turned cold.
"Then we will have a duel."
Her eyes remained steady on the Emperor.
"Whoever wins… the other must fulfill their wish."
The Emperor's lips twitched slightly.
The answer clearly amused him.
But he did not laugh.
Instead, he turned to look at Don.
"Say… brother."
He folded his arms.
"You raised a replica of yourself, didn't you?"
"If she weren't a lady I would swear you were twins."
Don scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
The Emperor then looked back at Keyla.
"Very well."
"I will grant your request."
Don immediately looked relieved.
"But…" the Emperor continued.
"There will still be a duel."
The princes leaned forward slightly.
"Not with me."
He pointed toward the young man sitting beside Keyla.
"With my son."
"The Crown Prince."
Keyla bowed slightly.
"Then I thank you on behalf of my father, Your Majesty."
The Emperor smirked faintly.
The conversation ended there.
A few minutes later breakfast ended.
The royal family remained seated, casually talking while digesting their meal.
One of the younger princesses leaned forward curiously.
"Lady Keyla…"
Keyla looked toward her.
"Yes?"
"You don't dress like a lady."
"Why?"
Keyla tilted her head slightly.
"Is there a fixed rule for how a woman must dress?"
The princess nodded immediately.
"Of course!"
"As a lady you must wear fine silk, jewelry, curl your hair, apply beautiful makeup and—"
Keyla smiled and gently cut her off.
"By the time you finish doing all that…"
She rested her chin on her hand calmly.
"I would have already killed ten men."
Silence.
The princes slowly turned their heads to look at her.
A beautiful young woman had just casually spoken about killing as if she were talking about brushing dust off her shoes.
One identical thought appeared in all their minds.
Someone… please tell me she's joking.
That afternoon Don returned home.
"I'm going to rest," he told Keyla.
She nodded.
"I'll stay in the study."
The mansion's study room was quiet and spacious.
Large windows allowed sunlight to pour in, illuminating rows of tall shelves filled with books and scrolls.
Ancient documents.
Military reports.
Poetry.
Philosophy.
Maps.
Everything was neatly organized.
At the center of the room stood a large wooden desk.
On it were blank scrolls, parchment papers, ink bottles, and a feather pen.
Keyla picked up a long blank scroll.
Instead of writing…
She decided to paint.
She thought about what she had seen inside the palace.
Soon the brush began moving.
She painted a white horse.
Strong.
Elegant.
Calm.
On its back sat an old man dressed in white robes, holding a long staff wrapped with cloth.
The scene looked almost peaceful.
After finishing the painting, she placed the scroll aside to dry.
Then she folded it carefully and stored it with the others.
Afterward she relaxed on the couch and began reading.
She read everything.
Scrolls.
Books.
Documents.
Page after page.
Word by word.
With no schedule for the coming days, she decided to read every single text she could find.
Nine Days Later.
The mansion was suddenly lively.
Servants hurried through the halls.
Decorations were hung everywhere.
The General's residence was preparing for a wedding.
Keyla's request had been fulfilled.
The Emperor had personally arranged the marriage.
By evening the mansion courtyard had transformed.
Golden lanterns hung from tall poles.
Silk banners decorated the walls.
Musicians played traditional instruments while nobles and dignitaries gathered to celebrate.
Dukes.
Lords.
Commanders.
Members of the royal court.
Even the Emperor and the Royal Family attended.
It was a grand event.
At the center of the courtyard stood a ceremonial platform decorated with white flowers.
General Don stood there.
For perhaps the first time in many years… he looked slightly nervous.
He wore formal ceremonial armor instead of his usual clothing.
Keyla stood nearby watching with amusement.
"Look at him," she whispered to herself.
"The old man is actually nervous."
Soon the bride arrived.
She stepped forward slowly.
Her name was Lady Dhalia.
She was a noble widow.
Ten years ago she had married a noble knight… but he died only one week after their wedding during a border conflict.
Since then she had lived quietly without children.
She was now a little over thirty years old.
Old enough to carry dignity…
Young enough to still possess grace.
She wore a traditional noble wedding gown of pale silver silk.
Her hair was decorated with delicate jewelry.
But her expression held mixed emotions.
Nervousness.
Uncertainty.
Hope.
She had never expected to marry again.
Especially not someone as famous as General Don.
As she approached the platform she glanced at him.
Don gave her a gentle reassuring smile.
That simple gesture calmed her heart slightly.
A court official stepped forward to conduct the ceremony.
The music softened.
The crowd grew quiet.
The vows were simple but meaningful.
They promised mutual respect.
Protection.
Loyalty.
Support.
Don spoke his vows firmly.
Lady Dhalia's voice trembled slightly at first, but grew steadier as she continued.
When the vows ended the official raised his hand.
"From this moment onward…"
"You are husband and wife."
The crowd erupted into applause.
Fireworks shot into the night sky.
Music began again.
Don turned toward his new bride.
For a moment he looked slightly awkward.
Then he chuckled.
"Well… welcome to the chaos of my house."
Lady Dhalia smiled softly.
"And thank you… for accepting someone like me."
Don shook his head.
"No."
"I should be the one thanking you."
Keyla watched from nearby with folded arms.
For once…
She looked genuinely satisfied.
"Well done, old man," she muttered quietly.
Several princes approached her.
"You really forced the Emperor to arrange this marriage," one of them said.
Keyla shrugged.
"Someone had to."
The celebration continued late into the night.
There was music.
Games.
Drinking.
Fireworks lighting the sky above the mansion.
Even the usually serious generals laughed and relaxed.
Finally, around the twentieth hour, the celebration ended.
Guests slowly departed.
The royal family returned to the palace.
Don and his bride were escorted to their chamber.
The doors closed quietly behind them.
A new chapter of their lives had begun.
Keyla returned to her room.
She lay down on the large bed.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Mission accomplished."
Within minutes…
She fell asleep.