Not long after—
Inside one of the palaces of the Stellamaris Kingdom.
Queen Thalassa stood beside Ethan, both of them cloaked in the soft glow of the palace's crystal chandeliers.
"Thalassa, I've got two tasks for you," Ethan said quietly, his gaze steady on her.
"Yes, my Lord. I'm listening," she replied, bowing her head slightly.
"First, I want you to keep a close eye on the Crimsonstar Kingdom. Watch their every move. Look for weaknesses—any opening we can exploit."
"Crimsonstar Kingdom?" Thalassa blinked, caught off guard. Then her expression shifted, eyes widening in realization. "My Lord… don't tell me you're planning to—?"
She didn't finish the sentence, but the implication hung heavy in the air.
Ethan gave a small nod, not bothering to hide it. "Yeah. I'm planning to make a move on Crimsonstar. Not right away, but soon."