The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 666 - 103 - The War For The Holy City (1)

The full-scale modernization plan had finally been approved. After what felt like ages of tedious waiting and subtle negotiations, all three of the high priests had officially given their consent.

Honestly, I didn't think it would happen this fast. To my surprise, it had only taken them three days—just three fucking days—for them to send in their formal letters of approval.

That was faster than anything I had anticipated.

"Good," I muttered to myself, crossing my arms with a sense of satisfaction swelling in my chest. "Now there's only one last thing to handle."

I had to reach out to the engineering department at Leonamon. I'd make them handle the design of the roads, the districts, and every single part of the Holy City's infrastructure. My instructions were simple. It was to transform it. I wanted a city reborn to a modern, structured, and efficient city. Especially the roads. The city needed to breathe like a living organism, and its veins—the roads—had to be perfect.

A long breath escaped me, my body relaxing as the tension drained away.

"I think I've managed to accomplish the goal I set for myself here faster than I ever expected," I said aloud, more to myself than anyone else. "Thank fucking goodness those dirty old fucks weren't as obstinate and stuck-up as I originally thought."

"You do realize that's only because you threatened them, right?" Rose said sharply, her voice laced with dry amusement. She sat beside me, one leg crossed over the other, her gaze piercing. "Those letters probably weren't just persuasive, they had something in them that sounded like a threat, didn't they?"

I simply shrugged at her question, casually noncommittal. I neither confirmed nor denied her accusation.

Whether I threatened them or not was irrelevant.

"The only thing that matters now is that we're finally able to move forward with this," I said with a firm nod, steering the conversation back to what was important.

My eyes wandered to her and lingered for a bit. Then, a thought that had been resting in the back of my mind finally took shape.

"Say, Rose… once I become the King of this kingdom, would you want to be one of the King's Consorts?" I asked without hesitation.

"H-Huh!?"

She nearly choked on air, her head whipping toward me, eyes wide in disbelief.

"You and Gabrielle seem like solid picks," I continued, completely unfazed by her reaction. "I'm going to need competent, intelligent women beside me to help run a nation. Myrcella will most likely be tied up maintaining the country's political integrity, which means she won't have time for much else. But you and Gabrielle? You're both sharp. Strategic. You've already proven how good you are at improving things. It's not far-fetched to think you'd do well helping run the country too."

"A-Are you seriously saying this right now, Leon?!" she stammered, her voice climbing an octave. "I mean, yeah, I've helped you, sure, but don't you think that's kind of overkill? We're talking about running an entire fucking country. I'm not cut out for that kind of pressure!"

I smiled faintly. "Relax," I said coolly. "Like I mentioned, I'm not expecting you to rule everything yourself. You and Gabrielle will be doing strategic work for me—planning, managing... as well as advising. I'll give you both the titles and the responsibilities, but I won't throw you into the fire without a torch. I know it won't be easy to run a kingdom… but if there's anyone I can rely on for something this huge, it's someone I trust completely."

As soon as I said that, she looked away quickly. Her cheeks turned pink, then redder, and soon even the tips of her ears were glowing.

"I-I don't know what you're trying to imply, Leon. You're not getting through to me," she said stubbornly, looking anywhere but at me. "But… if you really trust me that much, then I guess I don't have a choice. I'll be your King's Consort."

Even though her voice was still laced with resistance, the way she said it, which was softly, like she was accepting something she couldn't deny, told me everything I needed to hear.

She's such a damn tsundere.

***

Alice's POV

The scent of soap hung faintly in the warm air as I rinsed out the last of the children's clothes. The water splashed gently against my wrists, the fabric cold and heavy in my hands. I was kneeling down beside Sister Lily, who was also washing clothes, but… she didn't look well. Her face was flushed a deep red, her chest rising and falling just a bit too fast and her gaze was unfocused.

She looked almost feverish.

"Sister? Are you okay?" I asked, turning to her with concern. "You're not sick or anything, are you?"

"Ah… no, I'm fine," she said quickly, flashing a strained smile. I could tell right away she was forcing it. Something was clearly bothering her, but I didn't press. If she didn't want to say, then I wouldn't push her.

"O-Okay, then…" I replied, still worried.

"How about you, Alice?" she asked after a pause, her voice dropping just a little. "Are you going to be alright? L-Leon… he's leaving in three days, and it doesn't look like the two of you have really settled anything yet. Are you sure you don't want to talk to him before he goes?"

I let out a soft, dry laugh.

"It's not like we're fighting or anything, Sister. There's nothing to settle between us," I said, trying to keep my voice light.

"Really?" she asked, not entirely convinced. "Because it seems like the two of you are avoiding each other. Are you absolutely certain you're not upset?"

"We're not," I said with a small shake of my head. "You really don't have to worry."

She hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, "Alright… but… if you're just keeping it all bottled up, you should say something to him. You might not get another chance. Sometimes, it's better to say what's in your heart now than to live with the regret of never having said it at all."

She was right… and I knew it deep down.

After wringing out the last of the washed clothes and hanging them on the drying line where the golden afternoon sunlight could kiss them dry, I quietly made my way back into the orphanage. My footsteps echoed faintly in the hallway, hollow with the weight pressing down on my chest. Once inside my room, I sat down slowly at the edge of the bed, my body sinking into the mattress as I stared at the floor, letting out a small, breathless sigh.

"Regret, huh…" I muttered, the word clinging to my lips like a bitter taste I couldn't spit out.

If I didn't tell Leon how I truly felt… I knew I'd regret it. I could already feel the ache, like a knot tightening in my chest, refusing to be undone. The thought of carrying this feeling with me, hidden and unspoken, was like dragging chains through my life. A silent burden. One that would haunt me with every smile I gave and every moment I stayed quiet.

But things weren't so simple anymore.

We had both changed. Our circumstances had shifted, and the gap between us wasn't just emotional, it was reality.

I couldn't afford to let these feelings slip out… not now.

So, I'd do what I had to.

I'd seal them away.

I'd hide them… forever.

***

Leon's POV

The day had come. It was finally time for us to return to the Academy City.

"Ughhh… vacation's over already? I hate this…" Titania grumbled, arms crossed, nose wrinkled in pure frustration. Her words were drawn out like a groan, the kind that carried the full weight of someone being dragged back into responsibility against their will. She stomped lightly on the ground like a child denied a toy.

Her annoyance was contagious, but I had other things on my mind.

Sister Lily was standing nearby, fidgeting with her sleeves. She kept sneaking glances at me, her face practically glowing red. Her breathing seemed just a little uneven, and every time our eyes met, she quickly looked away, as if she'd been caught doing something shameful.

"I'll come and visit every now and then, Sister," I said, giving her a reassuring smile.

"R-Really? T-That's… great to hear…" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks burning with color.

I had no idea what had her so flustered, but at that point… I decided not to think too much about it.

Then, the two girls I had brought to the orphanage stepped forward slowly. Their eyes shimmered with emotion as they bowed deeply in front of me.

"Thank you," they both said softly, their voices laced with gratitude.

I knelt down in front of them, lowering myself so I could look them in the eye. I raised my hands and gently patted their heads, offering the kindest smile I could manage.

"Now that you finally have a place to call home… do your best, alright? Live a life full of happiness," I said, my voice calm but warm. "Sister Lily and Alice will take care of you now."

Their cheeks flushed with a shy pink as they looked up at me, their smiles glowing like sunlight peeking through storm clouds.