The Princess' Harem
Chapter 127: The Princess’ Harem

Chapter 127: The Princess’ Harem

As the last of Rayne’s forces disappeared over the horizon, a strange sense of quiet descended upon Viana. The constant presence of the Valendale army, their military efficiency, had been a significant factor in the city’s defense.

Now they were gone. A new phase had truly begun.

Viana retreated to the solitude of her chambers once more, though this time, the quiet felt less oppressive.

The system, her secret and silent companion, had been dormant during the chaos of the battle. Now, as the tension eased, a familiar ’Ring!’ sounded in her mind, and a transparent screen shimmered into existence before her.

[You have successfully defended Elysia Kingdom from Invasion and The Blight.]

[Primary Objective: Survive and Protect Elysia, achieved.]

Viana read the words, a faint smile touching her lips. It was a stark, clinical summary of days of brutal fighting, of death and despair, but it brought a quiet satisfaction.

[Reward: The last trust, the Third Trust granted.]

"Third Trust?" Viana murmured, intrigued. She remembered the system’s initial promise: guidance, a second chance, a "kind and wealthy husband." So far, it had been vague, guiding her subtly.

The screen flickered, showing a stylized image of a beautiful, sprawling palace, nestled among lush gardens just outside the city walls.

[Recommended Resource: Imperial Palace of Elysia.]

Viana blinked. The Imperial Palace? That was a highly symbolic, ancient structure, now largely used for ceremonial purposes and occasional royal retreats.

It had been unoccupied for decades, too grand for mere daily living. An idea, daring and rebellious, began to form in her mind.

***

Later that afternoon, a special assembly of nobles was called in the castle’s main hall. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and celebratory wine, but a murmur of anticipation rippled through the gathered lords and ladies.

King Clive Yanis, his voice resonating with pride and gratitude, addressed the assembly.

"My lords, my ladies! We stand victorious! Elysia has been saved! And the architect of this miraculous defense, the shield of our people, is none other than my beloved daughter, Princess Viana!"

A thunderous applause erupted, genuine and heartfelt. Viana, standing beside her parents, bowed her head gracefully. She had earned their adoration.

"In recognition of Princess Viana’s extraordinary courage, her unwavering leadership, and her invaluable contribution to the survival of our kingdom," the King continued, his voice swelling with emotion, "I hereby grant her, by Royal Decree, full ownership and rights to the Grand Imperial Palace just outside the western gates! It shall be her personal residence, a testament of her heroism!"

A ripple of exited whispers went through the room. A palace!

A fitting reward for a princess who had saved them all. Many imagined grand balls, stately receptions, a princess finally settling into her regal role.

Viana stepped forward, her voice clear and strong, cutting through the murmurs.

"Your Majesties, my Lords and Ladies, I am deeply honored by this magnificent gift." She paused, letting her gaze sweep across the assembly, noting the expectant faces. "And I have already considered its purpose."

Her voice gained a quite resolve. "The Imperial Palace will serve not merely as my residence, but a s a dedicated training ground. A place where Elysia’s promising talents, both warrior and scholar, can hone their skills to face the unseen threats that still linger. A place where we will forge the future defenders of our kingdom."

A few nobles nodded, approving this practical use. But then, Viana continued, her gaze firm, "And it will also serve as home for those who had stood by me, fought by my side, and proved their unwavering loyalty. My chosen companions, my most trusted men, will reside there. They will train alongside me, live under my roof, and be prepared for the darker war yet to come."

A stunned silence fell over the hall. Then, the murmurs began again, louder this time, tinged with disbelief and growing outrage.

"Her men?"

"Reside with her?"

"But she is unmarried!"

"Unseemly!"

The whispers quickly escalated into open protests.

"Your Royal Highness," Lord Fenwick, an elderly, stout noble known for his traditional views, stepped forward, his face flushed. "This is... highly unorthodox! A princess of Elysia, unmarried, to take men, even her soldiers, to live under her rood? It goes against all custom! All decency! What kind of example would this set?"

Other nobles joined in, their protests echoing his sentiments. "Indeed! Such a place should be for your husband, Princess! For the family you have yet to start!"

Viana let them speak, her expression unyielding. She waited for the crescendo to reach its peak, the raised a hand, her voice ringing out with an unexpected steel. "Silence!"

The hall quieted, surprised by her command.

"Lord Fenwick, my Lords, my Ladies," Viana stated, her voice calm but firm. "I assure you, the palace will be the place of honor, discipline, and strategic purpose. And yes, my trusted companions will reside there, men who have proven their loyalty and courage beyond question."

Her eyes then met the disapproving gaze of her critics.

"And," Viana added, her voice softening slightly, "my dear friend Rissa, the alchemist who found the cure for the blight and tended to countless wounded through the siege with tireless devotion, will also be given residence there, overseeing the care and comfort of all who serve. As will others who have proven their worth and need a place to belong, a place to heal, and a place to grow."

To mention of Rissa, a known and respected figure for her monumental contribution during the blight, seemed to deflate some of the immediate outrage. "And others," Viana had said.

The phrase hung in the air, ambiguous enough to quell the loudest protests for a moment.

It sounded less like a brazen declaration of a private harem and more like a necessary establishment of a strategic and supportive command center, with a place for valued allies, both male and female.

The nobles, momentarily silenced, exchanged uneasy glances. They were still not entirely pleased, but Viana had played her hand masterously.

They had just celebrated her as a hero. To openly defy her, after she had offered such a seemingly reasonable (if unconventional) explanation, would make them appear ungrateful and petty.

For now, the protests died down. Viana had secured her palace, and the right to fill it with her chosen few.

The path she intended to carve for herself, and for those who would follow her, was already veering sharply away from tradition.

***

The news of Princess Viana’s new Imperial Palace spread quickly through the castle, and soon, a quiet buzz of excitement filled the air, especially among those closest to her.

For Sina, Viana’s personal maid, it was a dizzying prospect. She bustled through Viana’s current chambers, her hands a blur as she organized gowns and packed trinkets into travel chests.

Sina’s usually reserved demeanor was replaced with a wide, almost constant smile. She hummed a light tune as she worked, her movements quick and efficient, her eyes shining with a deep, personal pride.

"A whole palace, Princess!" Sina exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper, as if fearing the walls might object. "Think of the rooms! The gardens! It will be a grand place for you, and a haven for those who have served you so loyally."

Viana, watching Sina from a plush armchair, simply nodded. She picked at a loose thread on her sleeve.

The public declaration had felt like stepping onto a stage, facing the glare of a hundred critical eyes.

But seeing the quiet joy in Sina’s face, the genuine happiness of her most constant companion, made the unconventional move feel less daunting, more right.

Joel, his usual smirk tempered by a quiet respect, oversaw the inventory of Viana’s personal guard’s equipment. His men, veterans of the recent war, the mercenaries, moved with a newfound purpose.

Joel felt a surge of loyalty, a deeper commitment to her cause. He knew the palace would be more than just a home, it would be a fortress of their own, a place where they could truly train, where they could grow stronger for her, for Elysia.

Reyes, ever the stoic, moved through the castle with a calm authority, directing the transfer of strategic maps and sensitive documents to the palace’s secure wing.

His heart felt lighter, though he would never admit it. The weight of his unyielding duty often pressed on him, but now, watching Viana forge her own path, a path that unexpectedly included him, a quiet sense of hope bloomed.

He had seen the vulnerability beneath her regal composure, the strength forged in fire. To be by her side, to be chosen by her, felt like a destiny he hadn’t known he craved.

Even Cooper, the boy Viana had rescued and adopted, felt the shift in the air. He darted through the halls, his small face alight with wonder. He’d lived a shadowed life before Viana, one of fear and deprivation.

Now, he was going to a palace, a real palace, with big gardens and hidden corners, a place where he could run and play.

He clutched a small, wooden horse, his most prized possession, knowing he would finally have a safe place to keep it. He trusted Viana with an innocent, unwavering faith, following her shadow wherever it led.

As the days turned into a week, the flurry of preparations intensified.

Teams of royal architects, directed by Viana’s concise instructions, began to assess the vast structure, planning for training yards, expanded armories, and private studies. Tailors arrived to measure Viana’s guard for new, practical uniforms.

Messengers dashed to and from the various duchies, relaying news of the impending move, and discreetly inviting the "others" Viana had mentioned.

Those who had proven their worth, their loyalty, their quiet understanding of her complex path.

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