The sun slipped towards the horizon, painting the sky orange and yellow, fitting the clouds with golden rims. It seemed huge before it finally disappeared, setting everything aflame in a short moment of glory.

But this sunset marked the end of an era. It was the beginning of something new.

A soft metallic rattle interrupted my thoughts and warned me of a soldier's arrival through the spiral staircase. Blaster gun in paw, I slipped into the shadows.

Asario's slender silhouette emerged from the tower. He glanced left and right before striding on open ground.

"Your Royal Highness?" His silvery voice was kept low, quieter than the green and brown flag floating above our heads.

I revelled for the thousand times in the perfection of his profile, in the way his silky pink mane brought out the purple of his eyes, and in the stubbornness of his lips, before I stepped out of my hiding place. "General."

He jolted around, a hand on his trouser pocket. Gods, I loved startling him.

"General, is that a blaster in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?" I teased.

He placed his closed fist on his opposite shoulder to salute me. "Princess Bankha-yen. We're ready."

Rolling my eyes at my lover's formality, I cupped his face and leaned over for a kiss. "Princess, uh? Am I in trouble?" I purred, my muzzle tickling his forehead.

He sighed and threw his arms around my neck, before firmly pushing me away. "Yen, how am I supposed to lead the rebellion if all I can think about are your kisses?"

At the word "rebellion", I turned again towards the south. The moons were rising from the reddened horizon and added eeriness to the silhouette of the King's Tower.

He was there according to my spies, preparing himself for the Summer Ball. First, a scented bath. Next, a concubine. Then, another concubine. Finally, his valet would dress him up. All in my father's bedroom. My blood boiled at the thought of the Usurper strolling in the corridors of the castle, sauntering to the Great Room, and welcoming his guests from the throne. My throne.

Tonight, my elite Shotorian troops would infiltrate through the secret passage whose existence was orally transmitted to each royal family member the day they reached adulthood. Or in my case, the day Fellor's army of mercenaries stormed the castle and slaughtered my parents and siblings. I'd be dead if not for Asario's father, our Master of Arms, who led his son and me to safety, by order of his king and friend.

But that was all in the past. Twenty-seven years had passed, and I had trained relentlessly alongside the loyal soldiers who had deserted the Usurper. I had become a ruthless warrior, my mind set on one thought.

"I will drink in his skull."

The words escaped my mouth, the threat hanging in the air before dissipating in the warm night.

Heavy steps announced the approaching guard who was supposed to surveil the curtain walls this evening, but that we would quietly get rid of.

"Are you ready, my love?" Asario whispered, his hand hovering on his blaster handle. On my nod, he swiftly disintegrated the guard before the latter could realize what was happening.

I aimed at the Usurper's flag with my gun and set it ablaze to signal the beginning of the assault.

"I was born ready."