THE UPCOMING WAR.

It was a seemingly normal morning in the Kingdom of Britannia, but beneath the surface of everyday life, two futures were intricately woven together, poised to change the fate of their nations. They fought not only for their freedom but against the tyranny of the silver-haired demon, Elara. Here stood a king who had become a slave and a slave who dreamt of becoming a queen.

Michael and Juli had found a way to work in resonance, their goals aligning despite the shrouded mysteries of their pasts. Juli didn't know much about Michael, but she trusted him instinctively, sensing a connection to the deceptive stories her mother, Mary, had woven.

While they plotted, Elara remained in the throne room, a fortress of opulence and power. Her silver robe glistened in the light as she moved with an air of unchallenged authority. A guard entered, bowing slightly. "Your Highness, there is a lady at the palace gate who claims she is here to work for you."

Elara's lips curved into a smirk. "Bring her in."

She left the throne room, her heels clicking against the marble floors of the glittering hallway, each step echoing her dominion. She made her way to Michael and Juli's quarters, but the duo had prepared for such intrusions. By setting up cans in the walls to amplify noise, they could detect her approach well in advance.

"Juli," Michael whispered urgently, and she nodded in response. They swiftly packed away their papers and tools used for planning their mission, ensuring no evidence of their schemes remained visible. The door swung open, and Elara entered with a smirk that sent a shiver down Juli's spine.

"Oh Juli and Benjamin, how are you?" Elara's voice dripped with false sweetness. "I didn't come here to play, so rest easy, Juli, my toy."

The words sent a wave of traumatic memories crashing over Juli, her body trembling. Michael's anger simmered beneath the surface, but he knew better than to act on it now. Elara commanded Michael to fetch her a chair, noticing the vein bulging on his forehead.

As Michael left the room, he hissed under his breath, "Come here, Benjamin, my love." Elara bent down, picking up her heel, and with a swift motion, struck Michael on the head with the back of it, drawing blood. Michael didn't flinch; he stared at her with eyes burning with rage, like those of a lion ready to pounce. Elara felt a momentary shiver but masked it well. "Go and get me the chair, you imbecile. Protecting this miscreant will get you kicked out of this house."

Michael hurried to fetch the chair, anger fueling his steps, until he encountered a red-haired girl with eyes as green as the lush fantasy forests. Her presence stirred something warm within him, though not comparable to his feelings for Juli. When the girl turned to meet his gaze, curiosity piqued him. There was another layer to her story, but now was not the time to delve into it.

Fearing for Juli, Michael grabbed the chair and rushed back, managing to return just before the girl entered. He dusted the chair and presented it to Elara. Then, he stood next to Juli with his head still bleeding as the girl entered with the guard.

"You can go," Elara dismissed the guard, who left immediately.

Elara stood up, addressing Michael and Juli. "This is Zarah. She will be assisting you both to speed up work. I will be having many visitors who will be staying in the palace. A significant war will soon break out between Britannia and Scotland, and my nation must prepare."

Michael's heart nearly exploded with rage. His people were going to war without his consent. Why would they do that? Elara noticed his unease and smirked. "Benjamin, you seem stressed. Hope you're not from Scotland, hahaha."

Her laughter was Michael's torment. Her joy made him feel sick, and he hated seeing her happy, especially when she plotted against his homeland.

"Anyway," Elara continued, "a war will soon be waged against Scotland, and I will need to hold conference meetings with allies who will support us in this endeavor. Now, as for Zarah, she won't be sleeping here. She will have a room made next to this one. She will be a great help to you all. Now, Ben, take this chair as I leave and follow me."

Michael, seething with anger, did as Elara commanded. As they walked, she held him close and hugged him, triggering a rush of conflicting emotions. Despite everything, Elara was still his sister, and the hug reminded him of Mary. Yet, when he remembered who was embracing him, his anger surged, but he controlled it to avoid conflict.

"I am very sorry, Ben, for hitting your head with my heel, but you annoyed me. Please, don't defy me when I am disciplining Juli. You don't know the full story. It may look like I am mistreating her, but there is a reason behind my actions."

Elara pulled out a hankie from her robe and gently wiped the blood from Michael's forehead. Then, as she walked away, she raised her voice slightly, relaying a final message to Michael, "If you want to know the truth, Benjamin, come to my room, darling."

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