A Start After the End Draft

The Next Day

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.

Mira Veyra -