After the death of the fourth prince, the political landscape within the Twilight Empire reached a stalemate. The first and third princes, now allies, refrained from making any direct moves against Bella or her subordinates. Instead, they focused on solidifying their own power, actively defending their position, and occasionally leaving deliberate flaws and openings in their defenses. These tactics were designed to lure Bella into making a rash attack, exploiting her well-known pride and greed.
Bella, feeling the tug of her sins, found it increasingly difficult to resist the temptation to strike. The strategic gaps left by her brothers were infuriating, designed to provoke her into action. Her pride demanded that she respond to these challenges, to prove her strength and dominance. Her greed whispered promises of swift victory and the spoils of war. It was a dangerous combination, threatening to cloud her judgment and lead her into a trap.