I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 266: Serious planning

The polished stone of Saelira’s war room gleamed under the cold light of hanging crystals.

Deep blue tapestries lined the walls, stitched with silver constellations and ancient runes, while a massive black-onyx table dominated the center of the room.

Maps, reports, and scrolls were already spread out across its surface, weighted down with polished obsidian markers.

Elysia shifted Kaelith more securely in her arms, her heart tightening.

She didn’t want to bring Kaelith here.

She didn’t want her anywhere near the words that were about to be spoken.

But until they made proper arrangements, there was no other choice.

Malvoria entered the room beside her, her face set in the calm, ruthless expression she wore only during wartime. The sight of it made Elysia’s chest ache and swell with pride all at once.

This was the Demon Queen of legend.

This was her wife.

And soon... they would need her in full.

Saelira was already at the head of the table, her posture rigid, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Beside her stood Raveth, arms crossed, a deep frown etched into her brow.

Veylira arrived a moment later with Lara trailing behind, both still faintly rumpled from lunch, but now wearing expressions as sharp and cold as blades.

The door swung shut behind them with a thud, locking automatically with a heavy pulse of magic.

Malvoria broke the silence first.

"Report."

Saelira’s lips thinned. "The spy I sent three days ago... has not returned."

The room stilled.

"Confirmation?" Malvoria asked quietly.

"No body," Saelira said grimly. "No signal spells. Nothing. Either captured—or killed."

Elysia hugged Kaelith tighter without thinking, her heart hammering painfully against her ribs.

"This confirms what we feared," Veylira said darkly. "Lucindra has secured the palace. She controls it entirely."

"But not legally," Raveth added quickly, her voice rough. "You are still the recognized Demon Queen, Malvoria. She holds it by strength alone, not law."

"Which means," Saelira said softly, "we still have leverage. If we can rally the right forces... if we move carefully... we can take it back."

"And if we don’t move carefully?" Lara asked.

Saelira’s mouth twisted into a humorless smile. "Then we die. And so does anyone loyal to Malvoria still trapped inside."

Another heavy silence.

Kaelith whimpered quietly against Elysia’s chest, sensing the tension even without understanding it.

Malvoria stepped closer to the table and planted both hands on the cold surface, her grey eyes sweeping over the maps.

"No direct assault," she said. "Not yet. We don’t know enough about the current fortifications, or the state of the guard. Lucindra wouldn’t leave the walls unguarded."

"She would strengthen them," Veylira agreed. "She always preferred overwhelming force."

"We need information," Malvoria continued. "Precise, reliable. Otherwise we’re walking into a slaughter."

"But how?" Elysia asked, frowning. "If even Saelira’s spy couldn’t get out..."

"There might be other ways," Raveth said slowly, her brows drawn tight. "I still have some old contacts among the castle staff. Secret ways in and out. Hidden tunnels."

Malvoria glanced at her sharply. "You’re sure?"

"Sure enough to try."

Malvoria nodded once. "Good. Start working on a list. Anyone you trust—find them."

Raveth inclined her head.

Saelira leaned forward. "We’ll need to coordinate outside forces too. Families loyal to you, Malvoria. Neighboring holdings. Mercenaries if necessary."

"And what about Kaelith?" Elysia asked softly, her voice cracking a little around the edges.

Everyone turned to her.

"We can’t bring her into a battlefield," she continued. "No matter how strong she is. She’s a baby. She needs to be safe."

"No question," Malvoria said immediately. "She stays here. In Saelira’s castle. With wards around every wall, every door, every window."

Saelira inclined her head solemnly. "I will personally guarantee her safety. No force in this world or the next will breach these walls while I draw breath."

"And me," Veylira added quietly, her hand brushing the table’s edge.

"And me," Lara said, her voice fierce.

Elysia bit her lip.

"But I want," she said slowly, choosing each word with care, "to leave enough of us behind. A rotation. Saelira can’t guard her alone if something happens."

"I agree," Malvoria said.

"We’ll split," Saelira confirmed. "Half focus on recon, half focus on defense."

"And what about me?" Elysia asked.

Malvoria looked at her sharply. "You’ll stay here. With Kaelith."

Elysia lifted her chin. "No."

Malvoria’s hands tightened into fists. "It’s too dangerous."

"You promised," Elysia said quietly. "You promised you would help me train. Prepare. Fight alongside you."

"I didn’t promise to bring you into a warzone."

"I’m not asking to be reckless," Elysia said, her voice steady. "I’m asking to stand beside you. To protect what’s ours. Together."

Their eyes locked across the table.

The room held its breath.

Finally, slowly Malvoria exhaled.

"Fine," she said, her voice like cracking stone. "But we move together. Always."

"Always," Elysia whispered back.

Kaelith burbled and drooled down Elysia’s shirt in agreement.

The moment broke into soft chuckles around the table, the tension easing just slightly.

Malvoria leaned down over the maps again. "Here’s what we’ll do..."

The tension in the war room settled into something sharper. Focused. Determined.

Malvoria traced a clawed fingertip over the map spread across the table, tapping certain points with precision.

"We’ll need to strike in stages," she said, her voice low and steady.

"One overwhelming assault will only end in blood—and not on our terms. We move carefully. Layered attacks. Distraction first, infiltration second, confrontation third."

Everyone leaned in closer, listening.

Elysia shifted Kaelith more securely in her arms, heart pounding at the quiet ferocity in her wife’s voice.

"The first wave," Malvoria continued, "will be Veylira."

Veylira straightened slightly, her expression cool but attentive.

"You’re still married to her in the eyes of old demon law," Malvoria said, her lip curling slightly. "Lucindra will see you as a familiar weakness. An opportunity to gloat. She’ll want to see you."

"And my task?" Veylira asked.

Malvoria’s smile was sharp. "Distract her. Seduce her. Pretend regret, longing—whatever you must. Keep her occupied long enough to open the way."

Veylira’s mouth twitched. "I haven’t had to seduce a traitorous snake in a while. But I suppose I can dust off my old talents."

Elysia tried to imagine the normally cold, regal Veylira batting her eyelashes and nearly choked.

Saelira, for her part, looked gleefully intrigued.

Malvoria continued without missing a beat. "While she’s distracted, the second wave will move."

She pointed at Lara and Raveth.

"You two. You’ll infiltrate through the east tunnels. They were built for water drainage, but they connect to the lower kitchens and servants’ halls. Once you’re inside, disable the interior wards and unlock the secondary gates."

Lara grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Finally. Some action."

Raveth just nodded grimly, already calculating the risks.

"Third wave," Malvoria said, her voice dropping further, "will be us."

She met Elysia’s eyes, something dangerous and fierce flashing between them.

"Elysia and I will move when the gates open. Straight to the throne room. Straight to Lucindra."

The map seemed to pulse under their collective gaze.

"And then?" Elysia asked softly.

"And then," Malvoria said, her voice like steel, "we end this."

Saelira leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers. "It’s a good plan. Risky. But smart."

"It depends on timing," Veylira said, frowning slightly. "If Lucindra grows suspicious—"

"She won’t," Malvoria said. "You’ll distract her. She’s too arrogant to suspect you yet. She thinks she’s already won."

"And if the worst happens?" Lara asked bluntly. "If she sees through it?"

"Then," Malvoria said calmly, "we improvise."

Elysia swallowed hard, her heart thundering.

She knew this was the right way.

Calculated. Layered. It played to all their strengths.

But it didn’t make it any less terrifying.

"What about Kaelith?" she asked.

Saelira answered immediately. "She remains here. Under heavy guard. I’ll double the wards around her quarters. No one will touch her."

"And me," Veylira added quietly. "If I fall... you’ll know."

The air in the war room grew heavier.

Kaelith, sensing the sudden shift, whimpered softly.

Elysia kissed the top of her head, whispering soothing nonsense until the baby settled again.

"We’ll succeed," Malvoria said firmly. "Because we must."

The others nodded, determination settling into their bones like armor.

"How long do we have to prepare?" Raveth asked.

Malvoria glanced at Saelira. "Two days. Enough time to finalize the plan, memorize the castle’s weak points, train... and say what needs to be said."

Lara looked grim. "And after that?"

Malvoria smiled without warmth.

"After that," she said, her voice a blade drawn from its sheath, "we take back our home."

Elysia squeezed Kaelith closer, feeling the fire in her blood ignite.

Before the silence could settle too heavily, Saelira’s voice cut smoothly across the room.

"I’ll stay."

Everyone turned to her.

Saelira rose from her chair with the slow, deliberate grace of a queen who feared nothing. Her silver gaze was steady as it met Malvoria’s.

"You didn’t mention me in your waves," she said, her voice cool but not accusing. "And I understand why. My place isn’t on the battlefield this time. It’s here—with her."

She nodded toward Kaelith, still nestled safely in Elysia’s arms, a small fist tangled in Elysia’s tunic.

"I’ll be her shield," Saelira said. "While you fight, I’ll ensure no shadow crosses her path."

Malvoria studied her for a long moment, then nodded once sharp and grateful.

"There’s no one I trust more with her," she said.

Kaelith gurgled happily, entirely unaware of the heavy promises being made around her.

Elysia swallowed the lump rising in her throat, her arms tightening protectively around her daughter.