Chapter Text
1786
“Raise the flags, for we are victorious.” Kimiko announced to her generals. With Yelizaveta being dead, her young son becoming king in her place, and a looming government system shift, the war was easy to finish. Even with the untimely, mysterious disappearance of Queen Stefania, Kimiko had already built up enough of a stockpile of firearms to end the war.
After the news of victory had spread, the people all joined in celebration. Parades happened across the entire kingdom, and festivities lasted for days. The people celebrated their queen and their homeland.
The queen stood before her empire to make a grand speech at one of these events. “My people, we have won. Your lives will be great from here on, as we have reservoirs. A new era for my empire is born, and a new age of prosperity shall commence.”
The crowd roared in cheer. After years of scarcity, they would have excess.
“You may be wondering what is to come of Greši and the northern territories, so if you are uninformed, some commoner named Aristarkh will be ruling under no monarchy. They will be of no threat to us. And as for our new territory, I shall be traveling there in the near future, as is my duty as queen.”
Kimiko arrived by train to her new land and, upon stepping out, took a deep breath. The air was crisp and cool.
Upon reaching her lodgings for her trip, she collapsed onto the bed. She looked at the ceiling and pictured a map there, map under her complete control, and smiled. She knew not to expect to control the globe, but she could dream.
The next day, she got in her carriage to go around the local conquered town. It was a move to establish dominance and demand respect and submission.
In the carriage, she waved at the people who looked at her with scorn. Kimiko didn’t mind the dirty looks, and even welcomed them. She knew that these people would not like her, for she conquered their land, and she enjoyed seeing them upset. Getting to see all those people who lost the war needing to face their new reality was thrilling and satisfying. Some were screaming, but it was in Grešivi, so she couldn’t understand them. She assumed the screams were negative, and that made her grin.
The town wasn’t large; this wasn’t a densely populated area of the world. The buildings rarely exceeded three stories. She saw men and women perched atop the buildings all along the road, behind, next to, and in front of her.
Kimiko looked out of the side of the carriage at a young boy. He glared at her with disdain, and she smiled. Suddenly, she her a loud bang from atop one of the buildings in front of her. She couldn’t turn her head before she felt the pain in her abdomen.
Her ears were ringing. She could faintly hear her guards scrambling to find the perpetrator, detaining all the citizens, citizens screaming, though she couldn’t tell if it was out of fear and shock, or out of elation.
She knew she was going to die. The pain made that much obvious. The question wasn’t if, but when.
She closed her eyes.
1786
“Queen Kimiko…” a voice came from above her. It sounded sympathetic and kind.
Kimiko’s eyes fluttered open. “Huh?” Everything was still blurry, but she saw a figure standing above her. She blinked. “Queen Stefania? But how? Your…” she trailed off as she looked at her late ally in the eyes. They were different, inhuman. She was an eloquent person, but for once couldn’t think of anything to say.
“Don’t freak out, Kimiko.” Stefania held her hands out in front of her as if telling Kimiko to halt. “You are… how do I say this…”
“Dead.” A voice came from the door in the room she was in. “The word you’re looking for is dead.” He leaned against the doorframe.
“King Amalric?” She held her hand over her mouth in disbelief. “Dead? Wait, I’m with you two?”
“Well, not just us two…” Stefania seemed uncomfortable.
“Well, who else is here?” Kimiko asked.
“So, there’s King Aimery of Hebeden…”
“Uh huh,” Kimiko nodded.
“And… uh…” Stefania bit her lip.
“Yelizaveta.” Amalric finished. “The Brutal Maiden herself.”
Kimiko, again, had no clue what to say. Her enemy was with her. Her head was overloading with questions and concerns.
“Before you go walk out the door, we can’t leave this stupid house,” Amalric added, and then he slipped away.
“I’m sorry, Kimiko. Take all the time you need. This isn’t easy.” Stefania said quietly, in a motherly tone.
On Kimiko’s mind was her husband.