The Queen and the Lion - Chapter 74
Aslan knelt before Lysian.
“King Aslan Yilmaz, having received your command, is ready for departure.”
“King!”
The courtiers were taken aback by Aslan’s sudden appearance.
They had never expected that Lysian would actually send the King. Everyone, even the courtiers who were hostile to Aslan, had acknowledged that Lysian was very fond of him.
However, seeing Aslan appear fully armed was no joke, no trick. It was clear that, just as Lysian had said, Aslan truly intended to go to war.
A queen must be equal to all and maintain objectivity. Even in a situation where her beloved Aslan was preparing to depart for war, Lysian addressed the courtiers with an unwavering voice.
“Aslan knows the terrain of Heiban well as a native of Heiban, and his experience in war is unparalleled. Communication with Heiban will be much smoother with him. Therefore, I will entrust him with full command of this war.”
“But he is the King! For the King to join the war, it’s far too dangerous—!”
“But wasn’t the King also captured as a prisoner by Florea? If the King were captured by Bullet, it would be disastrous. We would have no choice but to comply with their demands.”
As soon as Lysian finished speaking, the courtiers rebelled.
They knew that Aslan, the black lion, was a fearsome warrior, and that Florea had struggled greatly because of him. But given that his initial capture had been a significant event in Florea, the courtiers were understandably worried.
Amidst the commotion of the courtiers, Aslan raised his voice confidently, cutting through the noise.
“If I am captured as a prisoner, I will surrender. But rest assured, that will never happen.”
Though his added words were somewhat arrogant, he was certainly qualified to say them.
Aslan had been captured by Florea because the difference in military strength had been so vast. Even then, Aslan had inflicted significant damage on Florea’s forces.
If Aslan were to lead Florea’s army, the power would be much more balanced, and it would be like giving wings to a lion.
Aslan looked at Lysian with confident eyes and spoke.
“Aslan Yilmaz, having received your command, will punish the Bullet Kingdom.”
Aslan’s golden eyes shone brightly, like a guiding star illuminating the path to victory. With no room for retreat, both Lysian and Aslan stood firm, and the courtiers ceased to argue, falling silent.
Lysian nodded gravely and murmured,
“Victory to the Black Lion, glory to Florea.”
The starlight twinkled in the night sky.
Lysian anxiously wondered if the star glowing unusually red in the night sky could possibly be an ominous sign. Lysian still could not read the stars, and predicting the outcome of the battle based on their movements was something she could not do either.
She did not believe in superstitions, but her uneasy heart made everything seem unsettling.
After making the decision to send Aslan to battle and firmly pushing him forward, Lysian still carried many worries. Sadness lingered in her pale pink eyelashes.
“The weather will be clear tomorrow. Thank goodness. There’s nothing that lowers morale more than going to war on a rainy day.”
Aslan spoke as he approached behind Lysian.
Lysian wanted to ask Aslan what the meaning of that red star was, but the fear that it might truly be a bad omen kept her from speaking. After all, worrying about the stars wouldn’t change anything.
“I trust Aslan.” Lysian reassured herself inwardly, pulling her gaze from the star and turning to look at Aslan.
“Tomorrow is finally the day of departure.”
Aslan nodded gravely. Lysian embraced Aslan’s waist and murmured,
“I still don’t want to send you off.”
“Lysian.”
Aslan wrapped his arm around Lysian’s back as she clung to him. The night’s chill had already begun to cool Lysian’s skin.
In the fleeting moment, like the vanishing mist of the night, Aslan tightened his hold on Lysian. Lysian rested her forehead gently against Aslan’s solid chest. She could hardly believe that she could feel such warmth today, as she had grown accustomed to Aslan being by her side. And it was the same for Aslan.
Lysian gently pushed against Aslan’s chest and slipped out of his embrace. A faint smile, like a waning crescent moon, lingered on her lips. It was the light of the new moon, about to fade away.
