The clash between the knights of Ruthiana and Frontier spread like wildfire across the continent.

Within one night, the entire kingdom was filled with rumors and panic. People spoke in whispers, unsure of what had really happened.

Only the high nobles seemed calm, but the rest of the citizens were shaken, wondering why a sudden battle had broken out with no warning.

By the next day, an official announcement spread through every city and village that Ruthiana had declared war against Frontier.

The news struck like thunder.

The entire kingdom moved into a state of high alert. The king ordered his generals to push forward and draw soldiers from every region to the northern borders.

Camps that once guarded villages and trade routes were suddenly empty.

Those army bases were meant to deal with rebel groups, monsters, and bandits. They were the ones who kept the peace and made sure the people could live safely. But with the sudden withdrawal of soldiers, security weakened.

Many feared that law and order would soon crumble.

Not long after, another order was issued. Nobles were told to take care of their territories and manage any trouble that might rise during the war.

In a quiet manor far from the capital, Sophia sat near the window. The sunlight fell softly on her face as she rolled her hand gently over Lia's round belly, making the wolf-girl giggle and squirm.

"Why are they even fighting?" Sophia asked softly.

Ethan sat across from them, reading a parchment that bore the royal seal. His face was grim. It was an imperial order sent to all nobles, including him.

"It's not written clearly," Ethan said after a pause, "but Julia's letter mentioned that it's about a treasure they discovered in the northern lands."

"So the kingdoms are fighting over a treasure?" Lia asked, frowning slightly. Her long, fluffy ears twitched as she spoke. "Wouldn't it be better to just share it?" she said innocently.

Sophia smiled and reached out to play with Lia's ears, rubbing them gently. "Oh, my dear Lia," she said in a warm but sad tone.

"You're so sweet and innocent, but the world doesn't work that way."

Lia giggled softly at first, but then noticed Ethan's darkening expression. The parchment in his hand was trembling slightly.

"My Lord," she said carefully, "what happened? Is there something wrong?"

Sophia also turned toward him, seeing how tightly he was holding the paper.

"Fuckk it," Ethan muttered under his breath.

Sophia frowned and quickly scolded him. "Ethan, please! There's a child here."

Her voice carried a firm motherly tone. In this world, they believed even unborn children could be affected by harsh words. Ethan exhaled and calmed himself before speaking again.

"That ba..I mean King," he said slowly, his jaw tightening, "has halted my ennoblement until after the war. He claims it's a critical time and that the matter will be discussed only once the war is over."

"What!" Sophia's voice rose in disbelief.

"Huh?" Lia's golden eyes widened in shock.

Both women looked completely stunned.

Sophia sighed heavily after a moment. "Ethan, you know what that means, don't you?"

Ethan nodded quietly. He leaned back and rubbed his forehead. A dull headache throbbed behind his temples.

'We will discuss it after the war...my asss,' he thought bitterly. 'What if we lose? What if Ruthiana falls? What then?'

His thoughts grew dark and heavy.

'That foolish King,' he cursed silently. 'He doesn't understand the cost of his own greed.'

Ethan had never met the King in person, but he had seen portraits and heard enough to form an opinion.

The man was far from fit to rule. He only sat on the throne because every worthy successor had died in wars and accidents. The King was weak, greedy, and more concerned about his own pleasures than the welfare of his people.

The only good thing he had was that crafty sinister brain.

Still, he managed to keep his crown because of powerful supporters — Duke Monopolis, one of the most influential men in the realm, and the Star Knight, the kingdom's strongest warrior.

Without their strength, Ruthiana might have already fallen into chaos.

Sophia studied Ethan's face. "You look troubled," she said softly.

He nodded.

"This war has nothing to do with us," Sophia continued. "Ruthiana is strong enough to hold its ground. It might not win, but it won't lose either. Duke Monopolis controls the military well. He won't let it fall apart."

Ethan forced a faint smile but didn't answer. Inside, he couldn't calm the unease that had started to grow within him.

In his world, wars weren't common, and every one of them left the land torn apart.

The amount of terror the two World Wars had created was enough to give PTSD.

Especially the half moustache failed painter.

Now this was his first time facing such a thing here, and the thought alone made him feel heavy.

He turned to look at Lia. She was sitting quietly now, her hands resting over her belly. The faint movement inside reminded him of their child — their future.

Ethan clenched his fists.

'For my love and for my child,' he thought, 'I can't stay still. I have to be ready.'

The faint sound of rain began to fall outside, hitting the window softly.

The atmosphere in the room turned colder and heavier.

Sophia stayed silent, staring into the grey clouds beyond the glass. Lia gently rubbed her belly, her eyes full of quiet hope.

Ethan rose from his seat and looked out the window. The world beyond seemed darker than before.

He closed his eyes and whispered, almost to himself, "If the storm is coming,all I can do is to be prepared for it."

Outside, the wind howled faintly. The news of war had spread everywhere, and the kingdom of Ruthiana was slowly changing. The soldiers were moving, nobles were preparing, and rumors were spreading across every corner.

No one knew how long the war would last, or how many would fall before peace returned.

Powerless,all they can do is to pray for their safety.

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