Destiny lies with you, Princess.

The surrounding sounds became blurred and ethereal, the shouts of drunken soldiers mingling with the sound of a blazing fire, but only one voice remained in Vivian's mind.

Driven by this voice, she stepped forward as if bewitched, emerging from the shadows and walking step by step toward the burning estate.

The sudden appearance of her figure startled the Chief of Imperial Guard, and the soldiers guarding the estate stopped their uproar, their greedy eyes falling on Vivian.

Her exquisite features, the luxurious court-style gown, and her inherent royal aura were all illuminated by the blazing flames, and her determined gaze held their attention. Among the rabble-rousers, many had previously lamented the Duke's family and their guards' staunch resistance, regretting the loss of those delicate beauties, but compared to Vivian approaching them, the people in the estate lost their allure.

The soldiers in the front row whistled flippantly. Seeing this, the Chief of Imperial Guard ordered the Forbidden Guard to position themselves between the soldiers and Vivian.

Through previous interactions, he had learned that deep down, Vivian was a kind girl, and this was no place for her.

"Didn't I tell you to stay in the Royal Palace and not wander about? What are you doing here?"

The Chief of Imperial Guard used his large frame to shield Vivian from the malicious gazes, reprimanding her. He knew all too well what fate awaited someone like Vivian if she fell into the soldiers' hands.

The situation was dire; it seemed the soldiers had no intention of letting this prey slip away. Armed with weapons, they edged closer, confident that the guards would not dare act against them in the Royal Capital due to orders.

As victors, they could choose any prize they desired at will.

"I am Vivian Gallog, and in the name of the Gallog Dynasty's successor, I warn you to cease your atrocities!"

Vivian did not retreat but raised her voice clearly, reaching everyone present, even causing a stir among the guards.

The successor of the Gallog Dynasty—that was the current princess, but they all knew Vivian was not part of the royal family; she had only appeared tonight. Her warning failed to stop the soldiers; instead, it excited them more.

They had never experienced the taste of a princess before.

"Well, if it isn't the Princess. Since you command it, we might spare them."

"Hehe, the timing is perfect; we hope you can do us the honor of accompanying us."

"You could discuss national affairs with us."

...

The jeering echoed unceasingly, and the Chief of Imperial Guard's heart sank to the depths. These soldiers were unruly even in ordinary times, and now, intoxicated, they were emboldened by their drink.

"You there, take her back to the Royal Palace immediately."

Before the words were fully spoken, the soldiers grasped the guards' intentions, and the street that was empty saw a commotion, as several more squads arrived, completely cutting off their retreat.

"Since you're here, why don't you join us for a few drinks before you go!"

This was undoubtedly a prepared response, knowing the guards had arrived and ready for a confrontation. The numerical disadvantage was undeniable, compounded by orders that made the guards hesitant. Moreover, the Chief of Imperial Guard feared these foreign soldiers might have been tipped off by treacherous ministers.

After all, his ties with the Duke weren't a secret; after the shift in royal power and factional divisions, he had repeatedly refused their olive branches.

"Withdraw from the Royal Capital immediately, and no one will get hurt!"

Vivian issued another warning, her eyes glinting with an unusual light. This was likely the first time in her life she was so reckless.

Ethan's words lingered in her mind.

But what is destiny?

Perhaps it is to fulfill her duty as the dynasty's successor, no matter the number of enemies or dire circumstances she faces.

Currently, the Gallog Dynasty stood on the brink of survival, and none of what was happening now had been detailed in Siwalant's history. In fact, records about the young king during the late dynasty were scarce, perhaps due to his brief reign or because historians of the period were reluctant to recount this shameful chapter.

Yet now, she seemed to see a historical trajectory that existed only in the imagination of the Sivallantin people.

Imagining the dynasty's people rallying from the Great Guardian's death to repel the invaders, not signing those humiliating and nation-crippling treaties.

So how could this be achieved?

Even romantic novelists found it difficult to conceive a way to turn the tide of defeat.

Soon, a blinding golden flame, like the sun, provided the answer.

Almost at the moment the soldiers launched their attack, a meteor fell from the clouds and landed here. The apocalyptic scene froze Vivian's gaze. The scorching heat that should have burned everything to ashes in an instant did not affect her or the guards one bit, while outside the fiery barrier, it was a different kind of hell.

Wailing erupted one after another; almost at the instant the meteor fell, the spreading heatwaves engulfed the jeering soldiers. Their skin blistered and melted, and the flames seemed alive, refusing to extinguish no matter how they struggled.