The World Is Mine For The Taking

"Are you ready?" I asked Captain Angelica, who was getting set to stream me live. My face would be broadcasted across the internet, revealing the truth about what was happening inside the Capital City.

Her hands shook as she clutched the smartphone, her gaze darting between me and the screen. "W-What am I supposed to do again to start the stream?"

"Just press the red button, then aim the camera at me. After that, you’re good."

"O-Okay... I think I got it." She nodded, lips pressed tightly as she steadied her hands.

"Let me know when it’s live."

She counted to three under her breath, "One… two… three. It’s starting."

I took a deep breath, and with a determined gaze, I began my speech.

***

Titania’s POV

We were back at the Leonamon, where Trill and I would be sleeping tonight. I was lying on my stomach, scrolling through my phone, legs kicking the air absent-mindedly.

"Do you think everything’s going to be alright, Trill?" I asked, glancing over at her. She was on the other bed, lying on her back, also glued to her phone.

"Well, as long as Leon’s there, I don’t think we need to worry," she replied. "Leon’s crazy strong, you know?"

"Yeah, I know," I said.

Leon was incredible, no doubt about it. He was powerful, which made me feel reassured, even though the thought of him out there fighting still stirred a bit of anxiety in me.

"It’s understandable to feel that way," Trill said, like she could read my mind. "It’s kind of like sending your husband off to battle, not knowing if he’ll come back. But I have complete faith in Leon. Whatever he’s up against, he’ll handle it. I mean, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with him otherwise."

"That’s just like you," I chuckled.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated. A live stream notification popped up. When I checked, I recognized the face on the screen immediately. It was Princess Myrcella of Milham, someone I knew well. In just a month, we’d be competing against each other for the student council presidency at the academy.

"Why is Princess Myrcella streaming?" I mumbled to myself. The stream had just started, but viewers were pouring in, flooding the chat with the same question:

why was she going live?

"Greetings, people of Milham, and everyone tuning in,"

Princess Myrcella began.

"I want to inform you about the current situation unfolding in the Capital City. Some of you may already be aware of the unusually large crowd gathering there, filling the streets and blocking anyone from entering."

She paused, closing her eyes as if to let the weight of her words sink in.

"Please understand,"

she continued,

"this crowd isn’t here by chance. This is a deliberate ploy to prevent information from flowing in and out of the Capital. It’s not that people want to get into the city. Rather, it’s an organized effort to contain any news to just inside the Capital."

The Princess glanced over her shoulder, casting a wary eye out the window behind her, her expression grave.

"Right now, a massive cult is preparing a ritual that could endanger not just the kingdom, but the entire world,"

she declared, her voice steady yet lined with tension.

"Some of you might’ve come across articles about the cult called Eclipse. I know there’s been plenty of skepticism, but let me assure you—those warnings were as real as it gets. Just outside this very castle, followers of Eclipse are standing guard, preventing anyone from getting in or out, blocking any attempt to investigate. They look innocent enough, but they’re brainwashed, forced to carry out the twisted orders of something they blindly worship—something that might not even be real."

She turned to person holding the camera. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Could you zoom in on the scene for everyone, Captain?"

"H-How do I…?"

"Just pinch the screen, and spread your fingers out,"

the Princess instructed.

The view zoomed in, focusing on the castle grounds where crowds of people dressed head to toe in thick, shadowy cloaks loomed, like a silent, eerie army.

"This… isn’t funny in the slightest," Trill murmured, sliding beside me on the bed, her gaze fixed on the screen. "Brainwashed people… whoever orchestrated this is seriously messed up. How’d they even manage to brainwash this many?" She cast a sidelong glance my way. "You think Leon’s out there, facing whoever’s behind this situation?"

"I hope he is," I replied. "But… what if even Leon isn’t immune to the brainwashing? If it’s a mental attack, not even he might be able to resist."

Trill’s ears twitched, her tail going rigid—an unmistakable sign of worry.

The camera panned back to Princess Myrcella, her gaze fierce, eyes sharp with urgency.

"To everyone watching this stream, I hope you’re safe. And to those who have the power to help us, please—"

She drew a steadying breath before lowering her head in a solemn bow.

"Help us reclaim our capital."

The chat box burst into a frenzy, comments flooding in disbelief. A Princess bowing—it was unheard of. Royals never stooped; to do so was to show weakness, to open up questions about their right to rule, to display submission. They were supposed to embody unshakeable strength. They were meant to stand unbending. But here she was, bowing, clearly showing just how dire things had become.

As another Princess, I couldn’t help but feel a swell of respect for her courage. Now, I wasn’t so sure I’d stand a chance against her in next month’s election.

I looked over at Trill.

"Leon told us not to get involved, though," she reminded me.

"I know, but…"

"Alright, alright. I’m coming too," she said, a determined glint in her eyes. "No way am I letting some asshole get away with brainwashing half the city to do his bidding."

A grin spread across my face as I pulled her into a hug. "This is why you’re one of my best friends, Trill!"

This situation was too dire to ignore. Leon might not ask for help, but he needed it—or at least, a distraction to ease the pressure. And for my future husband, I’d do whatever it took.