Chapter 485
Josephine faced the reporters with steady, professional calm.
“War means killing,” she said clearly. “We should not initiate another conflict without legitimate cause. The funds allocated for weapons should be used to feed the poor and advance technology for public welfare p>
“See?” Lyra muttered. “She’s basically an angel. And I heard she still cries in secret sometimes. People say she still feels guilty about Alex’s death. She visits his tomb almost every month p>
Lyra took a sip of her drink, lowering her voice. “Writing poetry, too. Stuff like—
‘To be alive, and to know you are gone-
This is the greatest torment p>
You know that went viral p>
“That damn man,” Sophia muttered. “Even dead, he still leaves people heartbroken p>
“Oh damn Alex,” Lyra started again, wiping her eyes. “I seek you in the heavens, I seek you in the earth below; But nowhere in this vast world can your shadow be found p>
Sophia sighed.
“Your death has bound my life in frost,
Yet still I call your name p>
Then, as if her heart couldn’t take any more, she abruptly switched topics.
“I heard Keaton Knight already handed the Los Angeles governorship to Kelly Knight p>
Lyra shot her a look. “You really don’t keep up with anything outside Paris, do you?” she sneered lightly. Lyra had the best intel in the entire capital.
“Kelly became Vice Governor two years ago. She’s been running Los Angeles ever since. And last month she officially took full control p>
“Yeah,” Sophia breathed out. “Everything changed so much in just three years. Technology, culture… life itself p>
“I heard something else,” Lyra said quietly. “Bella is going to become Queen p>
“What? How? I never heard that p>
“Come on, Sophia. Aren’t you paying attention?” Lyra leaned forward. “Samuel Prescott, Logan, Keaton – they’re all backing her. They drove the massive reforms across Estoria. Three years of nonstop progress, all with the King’s full support. And while they rebuild the nation, the King stays silent, doing nothing, just playing with his women p>
Their bracelet-phones vibrated at the same time.
Lyra tapped hers first. A holographic three-dimensional document unfolded in front of them, glowing in the dim room.
The message was short, urgent, and brutal:
“Final decision on the Estoria – Prussia War. Mandatory meeting for all governors. Tomorrow morning p>
“Well,” Lyra muttered, exhaling hard. “We knew it would come down to a vote. Now let’s go there and give that bitch a big, loud no. I’m not marching into a damn war if it means I lose my money. Hell no. Never p>
Sophia nodded. “No one needs a war p>
And after three long years, it finally happened.
For the first time in decade, every governor in Estoria gathered in one place.
Each governor arrived with their military leaders, generals, and security teams. The atmosphere felt like a storm waiting to break.
When the voting began initiated by Bella Kent herself – lines were drawn immediately.
Most of the old governors sided with Samuel Prescott and Logan, following their push toward Bella’s proposal.
But the five female governors stood firm in opposition:
Jasmine Kingston.
Josephine Everheart.
Sophia Lancaster.
Lyra Thompson.
Kelly Knight.
Their resistance froze the vote in deadlock.
And it had stayed locked for months.
“No matter what you say,” Jasmine declared, her voice ringing across the chamber, “I will never support a war p>
Josephine echoed gently but firmly, “I also refuse to approve military action p>
Bella suddenly grabbed her microphone. Her tone dropped into a cold, deliberate command.
“I want the six of us in a private room. I will tell you exactly why I’m pushing for war with Prussia p>
“No,” Jasmine shot back instantly. “If you have a reason, say it here. The public deserves to hear your truth p>
“Trust me,” Bella said, voice steady. “You’ll want this conversation to be private. You’ll regret refusing p>
Josephine folded her arms. “Governor Bella, the people deserve transparency. You cannot hide everything from the public p>
Bella didn’t argue. Instead, she pulled out a single sheet of paper and began writing a short message.
When she was done, she slid the paper toward Jasmine.
“What I’m about to reveal,” Bella said quietly, “you do not want anyone else to know p>
Jasmine glanced down.
She read one word.
Her expression changed instantly. Her eyes sharpened like a blade. “You’re certain about this p>
“Follow me,” Bella said. “If you want the rest p>
Jasmine stood. “Alright p>
Gasps rippled through the room – Jasmine and Bella were infamous rivals. Water and fire. They never agreed on anything. And now Jasmine was following her willingly.
Josephine reached for the paper next. After reading it, she went silent – then rose from her seat and followed Bella without another word.
Sophia, Kelly, and Lyra exchanged a tense look.
Then they stood as well.
One by one, the five women followed Bella Kent into the restricted room –
leaving the entire assembly murmuring in confusion and dread.
Each of them had already seen the single word written on the paper.
“Alexander p>
The moment the door closed behind them, Lyra snapped first. She couldn’t hold herself together anymore.
“I knew it!” she shouted, voice cracking. “I knew he was still alive! Now tell me where he is p>
Bella didn’t answer. She simply activated the room’s private screen.
A name appeared:
Alexander Leonhart —
Current Identity: Alexander Saint-Clair.
Then a video played.
Alex walked through a snow-lined Prussian street, dressed like any other civilian calm, alive, unmistakably himself.
“He’s in Prussia,” Bella said. “On a covert Kingwell mission. He’s been smuggling Prussian technology back to Estoria p>
Jasmine froze. Her breath hitched. Her heart — dead for three years – suddenly kicked back to life with a painful, burning thud.
“Are you saying Jasmine whispered, eyes locked on the screen, “he’s the one who import all that technology these last three years p>
“Yes,” Bella replied. “That’s his job. He’s a kingswell. He follows every order the King gives p>
Josephine’s eyes flooded instantly Her whole body trembled. The guilt she carried for years the guilt of believing she caused his death crashed over her like a tidal wave.
“You mean… he didn’t die?” she asked, voice shaking.
“He didn’t,” Bella confirmed. “But he had to fake his death. Clean his identity. Only then could he infiltrate Prussia p>
Kelly stepped forward, jaw tight, fury hiding behind her composed expression.
“He wouldn’t die from a stab wound.
I knew he was hiding – I just didn’t
know where. So why do you need a W vas with Prussia? Is he in trouble? If it’s to save him, then I’m with you. You have my vote p>
Bella’s expression turned deadly serious.
“He isn’t in danger,” she said. “We are p>
She switched the screen to another video.
Alex.
Kissing a woman.
A beautiful Prussian woman.
“Sofina Scheinwald,” Bella said sharply. “He married her. And from what I’ve seen, he actually loves her. If he stays there any longer, they’ll have children. And he’ll remain inTM Prussia for the rest of his damn life p>
Bella’s voice hardened to steel.
“That’s why I need to attack Prussia. Break their defenses. Push their gates open.
And drag him back to our side p>
The screen zoomed in on Alex and Sofina locked in a tender kiss.
In an instant, every woman in the room went still.
Shock.
Hurt.
Betrayal.
Then their eyes ignited — all at once with the same emotion.
Rage.
Burning, feral, murderous rage.
Every single one of them.
And so, for the sake of one man,
The nations gathered to war.
Because in the end, it isn’t armies that push countries into battle-
it’s the burning passions of a few.