Several days had passed since the castle’s reconstruction was completed. The once-collapsed stones now stood proudly in a new formation, reinforced by magic and the tireless labor of undead hands. Tall dark pillars rose with carvings of bone and iron, while the eternal fire torches lit up the corridors in an eerie glow. Watchtowers were active once more, and the underground halls pulsed with steady streams of dark magic.
Yet, far from all the bustle and activity, the queen was simply enjoying her morning in her private chamber.
Sylvia’s room lay at the top of the main tower, with large glass windows displaying the sweeping panorama of the valley and the low-hanging clouds. The heavy curtains were half drawn, letting morning light pour in gently over the edge of her bed.
She wore a sheer, fine camisole its color a soft gray like mist, nearly transparent. Her black hair spilled around her in disarray, unbrushed since she’d awoken. She sat up, a report laid across her lap, and in her left hand, a steaming cup of tea.
"Hmm..." Sylvia tilted her head as she read slowly, eyes sharp despite her relaxed posture. "So the world changed this much... just from that little zombie outbreak I spread back then."
She leaned back against the cushioned chaise lounge, her slender fingers tapping the cup’s handle as she pondered.
"Ah, I almost forgot... Velthya. " She said the name lazily, though laced with faint curiosity. "I wonder what that city looks like now? Still standing... or just another ruin?"
She placed her cup down and closed her eyes briefly. With a raised finger, she called forth a thread of telepathic magic.
"Recon unit, redirect course southwest. Location: City of Velthya. Bring back visual reports. Do not engage unless ordered."
Opening her eyes again, she murmured, "What a bother without Zark here. He usually picks the best zombie for missions like these. Now... I’m left with only the new recruits. Empty faces that follow commands without that extra spark of wit."
She sighed deeply and resumed reading the report before her. Lines detailed rising magical activity in the eastern zones residual contamination from another world. Others spoke of altered energy structures beneath the castle whether from the underworld or the long-term side effects of her very presence, no one could say for sure.
A soft knock at the heavy wooden door. Sylvia didn’t turn.
"Come in," she said casually, still reading.
The door creaked open, and Celes stepped inside.
She paused for a moment.
Her eyes immediately fell on Sylvia sitting cross-legged on the lounge, hair messy yet somehow graceful, and the nearly translucent camisole barely covering what modesty remained. Morning light kissed Sylvia’s pale skin, making her look like a living painting.
Celes swallowed reflexively. Her body tensed for a split second.
"Sylvia... there’s something important," she said, though her voice was a bit heavier than usual.
Sylvia slowly turned, one eyebrow arching slightly at her friend’s reaction. A faint smirk curled at the edge of her lips.
"Your face looks like you’ve just seen a nightmare... or a dream a bit too pleasant?" she said flatly, but with teasing undertones.
Celes quickly looked away and cleared her throat. "Troops from the United Races... they’ve reached the outer edge of the valley. They seem to want a meeting."
Sylvia leaned back lazily again and twirled the cup in her hand.
"Hmm... let them be. If they’re polite, the zombie guards will escort them to the meeting chamber. If not... well, their problem."
"You’re not going to greet them personally?" Celes asked, striving to maintain her professional tone.
Sylvia gave a light shrug. "Don’t really care. I’m enjoying my morning. Besides..." She cast a sly glance toward Celes, sharp as a blade hidden in blossoms. "If I go out dressed , they’d focus more on my body than their agenda."
Celes nearly laughed but held it in. "Sadly, that wouldn’t be a bad tactic... if your goal was to break their composure."
Sylvia raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you’re suggesting I go out ?"
"No... no, absolutely not." Celes quickly stepped back. "I only meant you’re free to choose whatever... but yes, clothes. Definitely."
Sylvia chuckled softly. "I get it. But not today. Let them wait."
She stood slowly, stretching like a cat just out of bed. Her camisole lifted slightly, revealing the curve of her slim waist and flawless pale skin. The movement was entirely natural, but for Celes... it was punishment to her already strained focus.
"I’ll prepare if they do anything stupid," Sylvia added calmly. "For now, send a few elite zombies to assess their strength from afar. I want to know who they brought and whether they come bearing empty pleasantries or hidden blades."
"Understood," Celes replied quickly, still struggling to keep her gaze respectful.
At the doorway, Celes paused, then turned back. "You know, Sylvia... you could be the symbol of death. But this morning... you looked like a goddess of life. Terrifying and alluring all at once."
Sylvia gave a faint smile, this one warmer. "And you’re still alive, which means you know your limits."
Celes gave a small laugh, bowed, and closed the door behind her.
Left alone again, Sylvia returned to her seat. She gazed out the window. In the distance, the silhouettes of patrolling zombies and the blurred forms of foreign troops entering the valley came into view.
"The world is moving again," she whispered, sipping the now-cooled tea. "And I... have been sitting too long. Maybe it’s time to pull back the curtains and begin the assault."
She placed the final report on the table, then walked calmly to the wardrobe. Inside, row after row of near-identical black gowns awaited her. After putting on the gown, she lazily stood before the mirror to fix her hair. She chose slowly deliberately dragging out the moment purely out of laziness.
No matter how long they stalled, waited, or plotted...
In the end, all would kneel before the queen.