[Hostie~ a gentle reminder. You still have a Plot Reveal and a Stamina Boost from your last successful task! Would you like to use the Plot Reveal now?]
Nina's eyes graced the gold etchings on the doors. From beyond the doors, she could hear faint conversation. Her cat ears twitched as she strained for more information.
"What does the Plot Reveal do?"
[You can ask any question about the plot and I'll be allowed to answer! It's a one time boost, so it can only be used once! Succeed in more tasks and you stand the chance to win even more Plot Reveals~]
Nina was so tempted to use it and find out what happened between Princess Orchid and Lev.
"I don't need it."
[how about your Stamina Boost?]
Nina sighed softly. "Fine. Activate the Stamina Boost."
[Ding! One time Stamina Boost activated!]
Nina instantly felt the rush of strength through her body. Just like with the agility boost, except this time it helped her stand upright and endure the pain in her shoulders.
Alright Nina. Villainess mode, activated.
The doors opened and she walked in. Despite her injuries and her tired appearance, she radiated a cold and confident aura.
The room was large, strangely circular with floor to ceiling stained glass windows and seven high chairs arranged in a circle. There was a carpeted path that led to the center of the circle, where Lev was currently standing, his hands bound by powerful chains.
The moment Nina stepped in, all eyes turned and fell on her.
Scary! She thought, but outwardly she didn't even blink. I'm the villainess. She's not scared. Princess Orchid was never scared of anything!
Two of the tallest chairs held the king and queen. The queen laid eyes on Nina and rose to her feet.
"My dear! You shouldn't be out of bed so soon!"
Nina bowed to them. "Your majesties. I assure you I'm in good health and strong spirit." She lifted her head up, keeping her expression cool as she scanned the other faces.
Five of them. Plus the king and queen, seven.
The royal council of the eastern Empire.
Nina felt mildly intimidated. All of them looked elderly, refined and poised. Their faces are devoid of any expressions.
Nina finally glanced at Lev, but his eyes remained on the king and queen. He was shirtless, and Nina could see the numerous scars all over his body.
"What brings you here?" The queen asked, her brows drawn together.
Nina held her head high. "I overheard some rumors that this council wishes to execute my husband."
"Rightfully!" The king echoed, slamming his hand on the table. "Word is he tried to kill you twice! We should have addressed this the first time!"
But that was all my fault! Punish me and not him!
"I understand, your majesty. And I understand how you must feel right now. However, executing General Lev will greatly cripple our kingdom."
Nina turned to the council members. Her voice, smooth and sharp, carried through the air and resounded with absolute authority.
"General Lev has advanced to stage two of Nanite Corruption."
Gasps and murmurs of disbelief filled the air.
"In about six months, he will be at stage three. What I'm saying is he'll be dead in six months anyway. Why kill him now? That's a waste. And this kingdom doesn't waste anything."
"What do you suggest we do, Princess?" One of the councilors asked. He was a snake beastman, his hair fashioned like a cobra's hood, brown and gray mixed together. "After all, you are the one whose life is in danger."
"He is my husband, I ask that this council hand him over to me." She turned to the king. "Father, you will testify that General Lev is an asset to this kingdom. Under his leadership, our army has become the strongest in the world."
I don't know if that's true! I just made that shit up! Nina panicked internally. Yet she continued speaking. And seeing as no one refuted her claims, she felt emboldened.
"It's a shame that we're to lose him to Corruption. And it's an even bigger shame that he has no heirs."
"Princess, perhaps you should help us with the last part," another councilor, a sparrow beastwoman, said sweetly. "After all it's been two years since you had your husbands and the kingdom hadn't seen any tiny Orchid blooms."
Huh? Princess Orchid has been married for two years?! She's twenty now, she was married at eighteen?! Who authorized that?!
Then Nina remembered she was in a beast world. Not just any beast world, a post apocalyptic beast world.
"That is besides the point," the queen cut in. "The Princess has aided this kingdom in ways far more important than babies."
Nina had a feeling the queen wasn't being honest. But she was glad for her input.
"The matter still stands that the Princess was nearly killed on two occasions by her husband. If word of this gets out that we spared him, tongues will wag. And our reputation will suffer. In addition, the Princess is the Orchid beastbloom. Letting her assailant live is a crime against all beastblooms in the Kingdom and beyond. I say we execute General Lev."
"Then we make sure word of this never gets out," Nina cut in. "Whoever is caught whispering about it stands to lose their tongue. That should teach a few lessons."
Murmurs of approval filled the air. The King thought that's my girl.
Nina turned to Lev. His eyes found hers. They blazed, ever sharp with anger.
"System!" Nina cried in her head "how am I doing?!"
[really good hostie! Keep going!]
"That sounds like quite the punishment." Another councilor said with a pleased smile. "As expected from our vicious Princess."
"That is not all," Nina continued, gagging internally at the praise for her fake evil. "Stage two corruption is tricky to get rid of. Which is why I will take it upon myself to be a dutiful wife and Princess. I will cure General Lev of his Corruption."
"Elowin!" The king yelled, rushing to his feet. "Absolutely not!"
Elowin.
That was the first time Nina heard anyone use Princess Orchid's real name.
The council fell quiet.
Even Nina felt her heart skip.
"Father" she took a step forward, flattening her ears and making her eyes big and shiny, like a cat trying to charm her father. "I do not ask this out of the kindness of my heart, I ask this for the sake of the kingdom. We need General Lev. Let me cure him, and keep him in check, until we find a replacement or until death comes for him."
The king was torn, conflicted. Even though he was terrified of the Princess (everyone was) she was still his daughter.
She was still the apple of his eye.