A Start After the End
The Villainess Ascends the Throne
The smell of smoke and blood hung heavy in the air.
Ash rained from the skies like snow. The once-golden banners of House Veyra lay palace trampled in the mud, their royal crest soaked red. The sound of swords clashing had faded now—replaced by a deafening silence that seemed to choke the ruins.
At the heart of it all, she stood
Her long black hair, tied high in a sleek ponytail, swayed in the dying breeze. Her crimson dress was torn, slashed from battle, yet it clung to her like armor.
Gold and obsidian accessories gleamed faintly against her pale skin, smeared with blood that wasn’t hers.
In her hand, the twin crimson red blades pulsed faintly—like living things thirsting for more.
She wasn’t rushing.
She wasn’t smiling.
Her amber eyes—cold, void, expressionless—scanned the fallen soldiers before her.
Mira Veyra -
“Your hero didn’t come,” she whispered.
His once-golden armor was cracked, stained with his own blood. His blue eyes—once so warm—now stared up at her in disbelief.
Mira Veyra -
Seeing him again clawed at her chest—the familiar pain twisting where her heart used to be.
But her amber eyes… they held nothing. Not love. Not hate. Not even a flicker of what once was.
Cairn Veyra-
“Mira… you—you’re a monster.” He coughed, blood dripping down his chin.
Cairn Veyra-
A monster like you supposed to die.I— I made sure.
Mira Veyra -
yeah right, isn't It?!
Mira Veyra -
She tilts her head.
Her lips curve into a small, cruel smile.
"He didn't expect it. After all his plans and hard work on it. After he thought he finally achieved it, how can he?!"
Mira Veyra -
What? Didn’t expect me again?
Cairn Veyra-
"His eyes widened "
Mira Veyra -
You don't even know what's going on, right? ...And what's about to happen?!
Mira Veyra -
She raises her sword high.
"Not only you… no one will know"
💥 SCHING!
His head rolls across the dirt
The last of the royal guards hesitated, their swords trembling. One by one, they dropped them to the ground.
The kingdom they thought she stole… had been hers all along.
And yet—she felt nothing. No triumph. No grief.
Just an unending void.
Her fingers traced the armrest of the obsidian throne—polished black with streaks of gold.
The crown weighed heavy on her head, yet her expression remained still. Calm. Empty.
She heard their whispers.
She didn’t care.
They saw her as a usurper, a murderer of their beloved Prince Cairn.
Their “savior.”
Their “hero.”
Survival over pride
The hall was quiet. Too quiet.
Mira sat on the black throne, back straight. Her robes spilled down the steps like dark waves. The gold crown felt heavy, but her face showed nothing—no joy, no grief. Just calm.
The people below didn’t dare to move. Ministers, generals, nobles—they all stood frozen.
Every eye in the room stayed down. Every head bowed—not for her, but to the dead king. Their savior. Their hero.
Some looked at her with fear. Others with hate. But no one spoke. No one even breathed too loud.
Her amber eyes slowly scanned the room. The air grew thick. Heavy.
She let the silence grow until it was loud enough to choke them.
Finally, her voice broke through the silence.
That wasn’t a request. That was a command.
.
Mira Veyra -
on your knees
This time a few shifted uneasily, but most remained frozen—knees pressed to marble, fists clenched tight. It wasn’t respect. It wasn’t fear. It was defiance.
Mira Veyra -
Her lips curved—barely. “You all look surprised”
A murmur rippled through the hall. Someone finally gathered courage.
General
You… you’ve seized the throne by bloodshed. Do you expect loyalty, Your Majesty?” The last words dripped with venom.
Mira’s lips curved—barely.but,It wasn’t a smile.
Mira Veyra -
"Loyalty?" she chuckled.
Mira Veyra -
Not loyalty. I expect silence and obedience
She rose, while her black and red robes flowing along with the throne which belongs to her.
Mira Veyra -
This empire is mine—not because I demanded it, but because I took it
She stepped down the dais, her boots echoing loud in the deathly hall.
For a moment, the hall felt like a battlefield.
Pride clashed with fear. Conscience fought against survival. Hands tightened into fists. Jaws locked.
Then her voice rang out, sharp as a blade.
Mira Veyra -
“Head down…” She paused, voice like ice. "…or heads down. You decide.”
The words hit them like a hammer. The air grew heavy.
Survival won. Knees gave way. Heads lowered.
Before they knelt, the hall felt like a battlefield for a moment. Some felt pride and looked down on Mira because she was a woman, thinking she shouldn’t rule. Others fought with fear, knowing they needed to survive. A few held onto patriotism and loyalty for their dead king, keeping his memory alive. Their conscience battled the need to stay alive. Hands clenched into tight fists, jaws tightened as they struggled with their choices. Finally, they all bowed—not out of respect, but to save their own lives or the lives of their loved ones, like family and friends.
Generals. Ministers. Proud men who once stood tall—now on their knees.
Mira watched quietly as the last man’s head touched the cold floor.
She turned, her crimson robes swirling like fire, and climbed the throne again. Her voice echoed across the silent hall
Mira Veyra -
Bring me the royal seal. Let the world know…
Her fingers curled around the throne’s armrest.
Mira Veyra -
This empire has a new ruler
Draft
The grand hall felt colder than ever. Ministers stood stiff, their heads still heavy from the chaos of yesterday.
The ministers and generals are still kneeling, silent. Mira doesn’t dismiss them yet.
Instead, she calls out key ministers by name.
Mira Veyra -
General Rathnor. You will double the city guard. Close every gate. Not even a mouse leaves without my word.
General
Y-Your Majesty… the treasury—
Mira Veyra -
Fill it. Tax the merchants if you must. Or shall I tax your estates instead?
General
y-yes, your majesty
Mira Veyra -
Minister yi , What news of the merchants?
minister yi ( finance minister)
They… they may resist, Your Majesty. Many have ties with our neighboring kingdoms. If they rebel, it will turn sour.
She leaned forward slightly, her voice cold as ice.
Mira Veyra -
Those merchants will kneel. Their gold belongs to this empire—not to foreign kings. If they rebel…” her lips curved into the faintest, most dangerous smile, “…they will learn what it means to defy their Queen.
Her crimson eyes gleamed like embers
Mira Veyra -
They’ve feasted on this empire’s riches for too long. Let them choke on it now
From the shadows, the spymaster spoke, his voice carrying quiet amusement.
Renee ( spy master)
Your Majesty, merchants are fragile creatures. Push them too hard, and they’ll fly away. A kingdom without merchants… surely, you know what that means
Mira Veyra -
Her gaze snapped to him like a drawn blade.
“Then cut their wings,” Mira said softly. “Let them try to fly. But if they do…” her tone dropped, sharp as a double-edged sword, “…bring me their heads.”
A ripple of fear swept through the hall. Ministers shifted. Hands trembled. Breaths caught in throats.
Mira Veyra -
“Send word to every trade house,” Mira commanded, her voice steady and merciless.
Mira Veyra -
Fraud, hoarding, treachery—it ends today. Anyone caught stealing from this empire will lose everything. Their wealth. Their titles. Even their families will be cast out
She didn’t stop there. Her eyes darkened with a fiery resolve.
Mira Veyra -
Dispatch notices to our neighboring kingdoms. Tell them—bow to this empire’s rule, or prepare for war.
The hall trembled. Faces paled. It was unthinkable. To threaten their allies? Even in their wildest dreams, no one had imagined this.
But Mira stood tall, her crimson robes flowing like a river of blood. Her voice echoed through the marble walls, sending a chill down every spine
Mira Veyra -
This empire will no longer bow to men, to kings, or to traitors. It will bow to me… or it will burn.
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