Dawn had just touched the towers of Terra when news of the capture of the traitors and Earth agents began to circulate. The nobles trembled in their chambers, but Lord Edwin Lauenbrug, the head of the stubborn old faction, chose to walk toward the main hall, where Iris Gaia sat on an emergency throne. He knew this was his last chance to demand the old rights—or fall along with the name he defended.
Iris, her body weary and her belly beginning to swell, sat without a crown. She no longer looked like a goddess, but rather a tired woman who still radiated undeniable authority. A sense of tension filled the room, and the damp wood aroma mixed with a hint of spices from the previously prepared dishes. Around her, the Knights of Genesis and the pillars stood alert. Yet Iris's gaze was solely fixed on Edwin, unflinching. The sound of Edwin's footsteps on the marble floor echoed softly, as if disturbing the looming silence.
Edwin bowed—not out of respect, but due to the burden of age and the anger gnawing at his body. His old, slightly dusty cloak followed his movements, reflecting the bitter reality of his years.
"Allow me to speak, Queen Gaia," he said, his voice bitter. The emotional tremor was evident in his tone, revealing his anger and despair.
Iris nodded calmly. "Speak, Lord Edwin. The world is too weary to spin in pleasantries." Her voice was calm yet powerful, piercing through the tense atmosphere that silenced the room. The light streaming through the window cast shadows on Iris's face, accentuating the wrinkles on her forehead.
Edwin stared straight ahead, his eyes challenging, like a fighter preparing to face his enemy. "You win tonight, Iris. But at what cost? Holding the nobles by their roots, binding the old families with exile magic, and silencing anyone who disagrees with your new world! Is this Gaia you wish to pass on to your child? A kingdom without honor, without history?" Edwin's voice raised a terrifying echo of anger, as if each word was a bullet aimed directly at the heart of Iris's beliefs.
Iris held her breath, gently stroking her belly beneath the table. Cold sweat trickled down her temples, reminding her of how close this threat was, how much was at stake. "You speak of honor, Edwin," her voice felt firm yet trembling, "but you forget who closed the door when the people sought protection. The sound of footsteps outside grew louder, a sign of the creeping tension in this room, the noise of unspoken despair. Who allowed hunger, who traded names for gold? The fragrant aroma of incense enveloped the room, but behind it lay a biting bitterness. I will not repeat that history just because you fear losing the old crown."
Edwin gripped his staff tightly, his fingers turning white, reflecting the anger blazing in his eyes. "Fitran is a killer. The people remember him as a hero, but the nobles remember him as a shadow. He is not of Gaia's blood. He has no roots here." His voice echoed, as if trying to shatter the suffocating silence. The tension crept between them like a dry wind carrying news of sorrow.
Iris slowly stood, and the entire room held its breath as she moved—despite being pregnant, her gaze was like the roots of Genesis penetrating the earth, seeking truth to its core. Her long gown made of shimmering silk followed her movements, symbolizing her high status and the colorful hopes that would not fade. A gentle breeze rustled softly, as if supporting each of her steps.
"And you, Edwin, have long forgotten that this world is not built from noble blood, but from tears, courage, and the sacrifices of the people. Her soft voice was now filled with unexpected strength, penetrating the walls of arrogance. I chose Fitran because he stood with the people when all the nobles hid behind your golden walls. He has deeper roots than anyone in this room—roots of meaning, not just lineage." The tremor in her voice reflected her unwavering conviction.
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Edwin stepped forward, his face flushed, as if angry yet confused by this unexpected challenge. "Do you think the people will always be loyal to the name you choose? They will forget you just as they forgot the kings before you. You are just a woman, Iris, and now even weaker because you are pregnant!" His voice was filled with a mocking tone, emphasizing his narrow view of women's strength. The tension escalated as his words flowed, like poison seeking to taint Iris's soul.
There was a growl of anger from the Knights of Genesis, the sound of metal clashing reminding them of injustice, but Iris raised her hand, holding them back. In her heart, every passing second was marked not only by tension but also by a growing resolve within her, as if she were the protector of hope that would not shatter under any threat.
She stared at Edwin sharply, her gaze filled with determination mixed with tension. "It is precisely because I am a woman and because I am pregnant that I know how to build a world from destruction. You will never know what it feels like to carry two worlds in one body—the old world you desperately cling to, and the new world that will be born, even if all the noble blood rejects it." The atmosphere in the room began to feel heavy, tears of emotion and anger dancing at the edges of Iris's eyes, while the aroma of dust and old wood deepened the tense atmosphere.
Edwin fell silent, trembling at the tip of his staff, his fingers quivering as if holding the entire burden of history he was forced to bear.
Iris approached, her voice low and full of energy, as if the waves of her emotions could flow from her mouth. "If you still wish to be part of Gaia, I do not close the door. But if you choose to stand against the new roots that are growing, remember—those roots will continue to grow, even if they must break through stone and bone." As Iris's voice echoed in the hall's walls, the rustling of her emerald green gown touching the floor made her presence stand out even more among the silent nobles.
The room fell silent, as if time had stopped along with her embrace of new hope. Lord Edwin bowed his head, finally feeling truly old and defeated, the lines on his face showing a determination that was now fading. He knew Gaia had chosen. And it was not his blood that would win the world, but the courage of a mother who refused to give up, even on the darkest night when the shadows of darkness enveloped all hope.
Iris turned to the pillars and the people present, her loud voice breaking the thick silence. "Today, the old world ends. Whoever wishes to stay, stay with heart. Those who wish to leave, go without resentment. Gaia is a home for those who choose hope, not fear." As she spoke, the flickering candlelight reflected on the determined eyes of the listeners, creating a sacred atmosphere that swept them away.
Edwin slowly retreated, his steps heavy as if carrying the weight of history, then exited the hall, taking with him the shadow of a history that had finally crumbled. He could feel the temperature in the room growing colder, as if his own steps invited the sorrow of the past that had gathered among them.
Iris sighed, then sat back down, gently cradling her belly as if wanting to protect what was about to be born. The soft footsteps from outside the hall reminded her of the world waiting—a world she fought for with all her heart. The aroma of wood from the old building enveloped her, adding depth to her feelings, as if not only the walls witnessed the struggle but also the souls that had once been here.
For the first time, Iris felt—the world she fought for would truly be born, not from blood, but from meaning and courage. A wave of hope filled her chest, while her small hand touched the texture of her simple yet beautiful gown. All those details brought her visions of a bright future, as if every thread in her gown whispered about dreams that could be achieved.
She remembered how difficult moments shaped her; she could feel the dust of her upbringing, hear the laughter and tears, all forming who she was today. Her heart beat, reflecting a faint yet palpable awareness that hope and fear coexist, and only courage would guide her into this new journey.
