Obey Me Now

The sky was thick with clouds, a blanket so dense it left no room for the sun to break through. The somber atmosphere mirrored the tension that gripped Amelia. Her pale fingers clenched into fists repeatedly, cold sweat dampening her palms. Forcing herself to stay grounded, she whispered words of reassurance under her breath.

“It’s fine. Everything is fine. I can do this. I’ve worked for this.”

But the mantra faltered, her carefully built resolve wavering under the weight of self-doubt.

What if I make a mistake? What if I slip, even for a moment? What if it all ends before it even begins?

Her chest tightened, and her mind spun with the creeping shadow of failure. Unbidden, a familiar presence entered her thoughts. Before she could linger on it, a knock on the door startled her back to reality.

“My lady?” came Mami’s gentle voice.

Amelia instinctively turned, her breath catching as hope surged.
“Is His Grace here?”

Mami stepped inside, her expression puzzled.
“No, my lady. Actually, the maids mentioned they haven’t seen the Grand Duke all morning. Did you have an arrangement with him?”

“Oh… no. It’s nothing,” Amelia replied, turning her gaze away, trying to mask her disappointment.

Why did I think he’d come? Did I actually expect him to encourage me?

The irrational hope she had felt began to dissolve. He had always been there in moments of need, offering steadying support that she had unknowingly started to depend on.

But where is he? Could it be I won’t see him until the trial starts?

“What is it, Mami?”

“A letter arrived—from Nanny Rosa.”

“A letter? Really?” Amelia’s face lit up, her earlier tension momentarily forgotten.

Mami relaxed at the sight of her smile.
“I was worried you might be too tense because of the trial, but it’s good to see you like this.”

“Nanny always knows,” Amelia said with a fond smile, clutching the letter. “She somehow sends these at just the right time.”

“She really does. I’ll leave you to read it in peace.”

Mami slipped out, leaving Amelia to savor the moment. Alongside the letter was a fresh violet, vivid and delicate. Smiling, Amelia hesitated for a moment.

How does Nanny always know where I am? Did Mami tell her? I don’t remember mentioning it.

She shrugged off the thought, opening the letter eagerly. As always, Rosa’s words were filled with warmth and encouragement:

“My lady, to command respect, you must shine on your own. Never falter, never doubt. Believe in yourself, because I always believe in you. You will achieve greatness—I know it. Always remember, I am by your side, my precious and cherished little violet.”

The timing of the letter was uncanny, perfectly aligning with her current situation.

“Nanny always seems to know everything… just like His Grace,” Amelia murmured softly.

Her thoughts strayed to Iclite again. He had an uncanny way of understanding her, of offering quiet belief that steadied her when her doubts grew too loud.

Why does he keep coming to mind?

They had spent so much time together in training recently, but it felt as though his presence had grown larger in her heart. Just as an unfamiliar emotion brushed against her consciousness, Amelia drew a hard line.

“We’re walking the same path,” she said aloud, her voice cold and resolute.

“We’re using each other. That’s all this is. I think of him because trust is necessary for us to achieve our goals.”

Resolving to focus, Amelia gripped the letter tightly and repeated Rosa’s words to herself:
“To command respect, you must shine on your own.”

This was her moment. She had to trust in herself completely. Revenge, after all, demanded absolute conviction. As her eyes fell on the violet, she steeled herself.

There’s no room for anything else.

The door creaked open, and she assumed it was Mami returning.

“Mami, I—”

She froze as her eyes met Iclite’s. His striking blue gaze, as steady as ever, locked on her.

“Were you waiting for Mami? Should I call her for you?” he asked casually.

Amelia’s heart surged with unexpected warmth, and she couldn’t suppress the relief and joy at seeing him.
“No… I was waiting for you too.”

The subtle flicker of surprise in his eyes was followed by a softness that reached even his smile. Her own lips curved upward instinctively.

“Today’s the day,” she said. “Thank you for all your help, teacher.”

“Teacher?”

“Yes, teacher. You’ve been an incredible teacher, helping and guiding me through everything. How can I ever repay you?”

“Once you become head of the family, formally reward me,” he replied.

His unshakable confidence in her swept away the remnants of her anxiety.

“You’re not worried? I never even fired a single shot during training,” she said with a small laugh.

“How can I convince you to believe me?”

“Pardon?”

“I believe in you,” he said simply. “And I know you’ll make sure I shine just as brightly beside you.”

Her heart calmed, but it began to beat with a different rhythm entirely. Iclite glanced at the violet on the table.

“Do you know the symbol of the Fiore family?”

“Yes, flowers. It surprised me, honestly.”

“What’s surprising?”

“A military family with a flower as their symbol? It’s beautiful, but it seems fragile. Even the Fortische family uses a hawk to represent agility and strength.”

“The most beautiful things are often the strongest and the most dangerous,” Iclite said, lifting a violet robe and draping it over her shoulders.

“Flowers are beautiful, but they’re resilient—just like you.”

He gently pulled her closer, his gaze holding hers. His scent, faintly reminiscent of violets, surrounded her. His fingers brushed against her cheek as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering as though cradling her face.

His voice, low and steady, resonated deeply.
“Show them. Show them your flower. I want to see it.”

The raw sincerity in his words lit something within her, driving away all fear.

“Watch closely,” she said with quiet determination. “I’ll give you something extraordinary to see.”

For the first time, the weight of her doubts vanished entirely.

“I’m always astonished,” he murmured.
“Every moment I look at you.”

The Trial Begins

The grand domed arena was filled with nobles, the air buzzing with anticipation. Below the towering spectator stands lay an arena resembling a dense forest—a perfect setting for the Musketeers to showcase their abilities. Today, it would decide Fiore’s next head.

In the waiting room, four candidates stood ready. The crowd’s attention, however, was focused on two: Messarina and Amelia.

Messarina, clad in an elegant black dress, her fiery red hair gleaming, exuded confidence. Amelia, in stark contrast, wore simple trousers paired with the violet robe Iclite had given her. Messarina’s smirk was laced with disdain.

“Even if she’s destined to fall, she could at least have preserved her dignity as a lady,” Messarina thought, sneering.

The Musketeer captain, Isana, stepped forward, his vibrant smile brightening the tension.

“Greetings,” he began. “I am Isana Blanc, captain of the Fiore Musketeers. I will explain the rules of today’s trial.”

He gestured toward the arena.
“The rules are simple. Scattered throughout the grounds are 100 shadow knights. Your task is to eliminate as many as possible. You have 30 minutes. The candidate with the highest count will win.”

“Any method?” someone asked.

Amelia’s question drew a bright smile from Isana, who nodded lightly.
“Yes. You may use any method with your firearm to eliminate the shadow knights.”

“Even without taking cover?”

“That’s entirely up to you.”

Messarina stifled a laugh at what she considered an absurd question.
“No cover? How does she plan to attack, then? She’s probably panicking now that the moment is here. She’s just stalling for time.”

“Any other questions?” Isana asked, glancing around. “If not, we’ll begin the trial. Oh, one last thing—just so you know, although the shadow knights are magically created, their swords are still lethal. Getting struck by one could be fatal, so do be cautious.”

His warning, though grim, was delivered with a buoyant and cheerful tone.

The order of the trial was announced: Messarina would go third, and Amelia last. Messarina smirked as she glanced at Amelia.
“Time to pay for not knowing your place.”

Amelia stepped closer and patted Messarina’s shoulder with a calm smile.
“I still stand by what I said last time.”

“What?”

“I’ll make you cry.”

Messarina’s Encounter

Messarina moved quietly toward the arena’s rear entrance, preparing for her turn. Suddenly, a hand gripped her wrist and yanked her into the shadows. She gasped as she was pulled into the arms of none other than Edzoff.

“Your Grace,” she whispered, her voice breathless with both surprise and delight.

Edzoff silenced her with a deep kiss before murmuring against her lips,
“Win. I want to hold you in my arms as the next head of Fiore.”

His fingers trailed dangerously along the edges of her gown, his touch sending a shiver through her. Messarina, unable to contain her urgency, clung to him.
“Don’t worry. I’ll win. I’ll crush her and deliver Fiore into your hands. What’s mine will be yours.”

She stopped herself from saying what lay buried in her heart:
“Whatever Amelia can give you, I can give you too. Just love me… only me.”

The Trial Begins

Cheers erupted from the gathered nobles as the trial commenced. Two candidates had already completed their turns, with one eliminating 10 shadow knights and the other managing 15. However, one of them had also been injured after being discovered by the knights.

It was finally Messarina’s turn. The atmosphere grew quiet as all eyes focused on the arena. Nobles leaned forward, opera glasses in hand, eagerly awaiting the spectacle.

Suddenly—Bang!

A deafening shot rang out, reverberating through the forest-like arena. The force of the wind generated by her magic bullet shredded a shadow knight instantly. Gasps of awe filled the air.

And then—Bang!

The sound repeated, swift and sharp. Messarina’s gunfire echoed as she struck down targets one after another, her speed and precision leaving the audience in awe.

“She’s incredible,” one noblewoman exclaimed.

“She’s so fast,” added another.

From the judges’ platform, Kallen observed the trial in astonishment.
“Less than ten minutes, and she’s already taken out ten knights. She’s even more impressive than during practice. The power of her wind magic bullets is astonishing.”

Isana, watching closely, nodded in approval.
“Her accuracy is excellent.”

“It’s clear Lady Messarina will be our new head,” Kallen said with confidence.

“Don’t forget,” Isana replied, his tone measured. “There’s still one more candidate.”

Kallen clicked his tongue in irritation.
“You still believe in Lady Amelia? After all this?”

“It’s not belief,” Isana said with a faint smile. “It’s curiosity. I’m wondering if her training really led to that outcome.”

When Messarina’s turn ended after 30 minutes, she strode out of the arena with her musket slung over her shoulder. Her poise and the precision of her performance earned the applause and admiration of the crowd, who showered her with flowers.

“Lady Messarina!”

“She’s incredible!”

“She’s bound to be Fiore’s next head!”

Though her breathing was slightly labored, Messarina held her head high and smiled with satisfaction.
“I did it.”

Having eliminated 20 shadow knights in total, her performance was unmatched. Confident in her victory, she turned her gaze to Amelia, who was stepping forward.

To Messarina’s surprise, Amelia wasn’t carrying a musket. Instead, she held two revolvers. Messarina couldn’t contain her derisive laugh.
“What’s this? Revolvers? Are you planning to shoot yourself out of embarrassment? Is this a withdrawal?”

The nobles shared her confusion, their murmurs spreading through the stands.

“Aren’t Musketeers supposed to use muskets?”

“What is she doing?”

Amelia ignored the whispers as she walked to the center of the arena. Above, the sky remained overcast, and not a single breeze stirred the air. She looked around the arena with calm curiosity.

“It really does look like they moved an entire forest here.”

Though the shadow knights hadn’t appeared yet, the eerie silence seemed to hum with latent danger.

At last, the sound of a horn announced the beginning of her trial. Yet Amelia remained motionless, standing openly in the middle of the field.

From her vantage point, Messarina shook with barely suppressed laughter, hiding her face behind her hand. The thrill of Amelia’s impending failure was too much to contain.

“She should’ve known her place. If she had just stayed quiet, she wouldn’t have to face this humiliation.”

Time continued to pass, and soon enough, the shadow knights would find Amelia.

“Revenge is only for the strong,” Messarina muttered under her breath. “And you have no strength, Amelia.”

Though part of her wanted to see Amelia humiliated by the knights, Messarina decided to compose herself. She didn’t need to stoop any further—her victory was assured.

The Observers’ Reactions

From the judges’ platform, Kallen paced furiously.
“I knew it! I knew this would happen! How dare she disgrace the sacred headship trial like this! It’s a stain on the Duke’s honor!”

But Isana, unfazed, merely popped another candy into his mouth as he continued to watch Amelia.
“So,” he said casually, “that training was meaningless? Just an insult to Fiore?”

“Sir Isana—”

At that moment, Messarina appeared at the platform. Candidates weren’t allowed to approach the judges for the sake of impartiality, and Kallen moved to intercept her.

“Lady Messarina, you shouldn’t be here—”

“I don’t think that’s a problem, is it?” Messarina cut him off, her voice icy and authoritative, as if she were already the head of Fiore.

Isana, still holding his candy, inclined his head politely.
“Lady Messarina. What brings you here?”

“I couldn’t bear to see my beloved sister get hurt. I apologize for involving Fiore in a family feud. So, let’s stop the trial…”

“The thirty minutes aren’t up yet, Lady Messarina.”

“But it’s pointless—”

“This is Fiore’s sacred heir trial. No one can stop it at will,” Isana whispered coldly, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Unless it’s by the Duke of Fiore himself or the participant’s own decision to withdraw—never.”

Messarina clenched her teeth at Isana’s insolent demeanor.

“Right. Because I’m not the heir yet.”

“So, let’s just watch.”

The noble spectators who had been watching with anticipation were gradually expressing disappointment and anger.

“What’s going on? She’s just standing there, trembling in fear.”

“Lady Messarina was right.”

“What a waste of time. The Duke has just embarrassed himself. Tsk tsk.”

Edzov shook his head at the entirely predictable situation.

“No matter how sheltered a greenhouse flower she is, to be so childish… Dragging in that fool, Eclit, too…”

There was no need to watch anymore. He had to find that monstrous child and send her back immediately—

Bang! A gunshot echoed, an impossible sound in the circumstance.

“Is it finally starting?”

“So what? With a mere revolver? And wasting such precious enchanted bullets like that?”

The nobles dismissed it as nothing, but Edzov froze on the spot.

“Did she just fire? Amelia?”

Amelia, who had fired the gun into the sky, furrowed her brow.

“I thought standing here would lure the Shadow Knights, but they’re too slow. Searching for them is such a bother. Besides…”

‘I want to show him…’

At that moment, a faint breeze carried a familiar scent. Amelia turned toward it, her gaze lifting as if on instinct. Amidst the crowd of nobles, she spotted Eclit in his robes. She couldn’t help but smile softly.

‘I thought you might be calling me.’

Even from afar, she felt his gaze fixed on her.

‘I’ll show you. So watch closely.’

The first flower I will bloom. Just then, the trees began to tremble violently as the Shadow Knights finally swarmed toward Amelia.

“They’re here.”

Calmly, she raised her revolver. Bang! Another gunshot rang out. Though it hit its mark, the Shadow Knights were already closing in, surrounding her. Unease crept across the nobles’ faces.

“She’s in the middle of them…”

“She’s going to be overwhelmed.”

But then, Bang! Bang! Bang-bang! Gunfire repeatedly shattered the air. Amelia evaded the knights’ swords with flawless precision, firing enchanted bullets in rapid succession into their heads and chests. Her revolver spat fire relentlessly. The spectators were left speechless. What they were witnessing was beyond belief.

Kallen trembled uncontrollably.

“T-That… How is that even possible?”

Since the first gunshot, Messarina’s eyes were trembling as though they might shatter.

“Unbelievable. That woman… with a failing heart, how can she…?”

As the relentless gunfire continued, Isana couldn’t take his eyes off Amelia. A shiver of exhilaration coursed through him. He had suspected, watching her train, but now it was undeniable.

“She’s not just a genius—she’s a monster.”

Amelia’s expression grew slightly troubled as she continued firing.

‘Taking them down one by one is exhausting.’

Even with her “special heart,” her stamina wasn’t limitless.

‘I feel bad ruining such a lovely place, but…’

Dodging a sword, she shot an enchanted bullet of wind at the Shadow Knights’ feet. Instantly, the wind coalesced into massive chains, binding their movements. And then, for the finale:

“I’ll just burn it all.”

Bringing her two revolvers together, she fired an enchanted bullet of fire. Boom! A massive explosion engulfed the arena in a swirling inferno. The intense heat felt like it could consume the very air. The silence that followed was suffocating, as if the fire had swallowed even the spectators’ breaths. It was no wonder—she hadn’t just fired repeatedly but had simultaneously cast two elemental spells of extraordinary power.

The stunned nobles finally found their voices.

“L-Lady Amelia?”

“The flames are too intense to see…”

“Wait, it’s raining.”

As if summoned by the heavens, rain began to fall over the fiery destruction. Standing in the scorched ruins was Amelia.

Ten minutes—no, excluding the waiting time, only five minutes.

One hundred Shadow Knights—all defeated.

Faced with such a monstrous result, she simply smiled. Amid the echoes of gunfire, she bloomed the strongest, most beautiful flower. And she smiled, as if it was nothing.