The next morning, chaos erupted within the palace due to a dreadful event. A thick rain of ash began to fall from the sky, blanketing everything in a fine, suffocating powder. Panic spread quickly among the palace staff, who scrambled to get inside, abandoning their tasks as the air became increasingly choked with ash.

I bit my nail in anxiety, unable to control the growing sense of dread gnawing at me. I paced back and forth in front of the closed window, my mind racing with thoughts of what this could mean. The ash outside continued to fall, darkening the sky and adding a heavy weight to the already tense atmosphere.

"Your Majesty, the entire city is now affected by this ashfall. It seems to have started in the nearby village, the one close to the farm that burned down recently. People are becoming increasingly concerned, and they’re looking to the palace for guidance," Henry’s voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. I turned sharply to face him, my heart quickening at the seriousness of his report.

"Are all the doors and windows of the palace secured?" I asked, my voice laced with tension. I could feel the stress creeping into my features, every muscle tight with worry, "Yes, Your Majesty," Henry replied, his tone grave. Though his voice was calm, I could see the strain etched on his face, betraying the concern he was trying to contain.

I gave a curt nod, already thinking of the next steps. "Send a few knights to deliver messages to the city and to the affected village," I ordered firmly, my voice brooking no argument, "Make sure they wear cloaks, and have them wrap wet cloths around their faces to block the ash," I added, quickly moving to the desk where I began drafting an official order.

"The affected areas must be placed under lockdown. The people need to remain inside their homes. If it’s absolutely necessary for them to go outside, they should use protection—a mask to cover their faces," I dictated, rolling up the parchment with a swift motion. Turning to Henry, I handed him the sealed scroll. "Ensure they understand the gravity of the situation. They have to be careful," I said, my voice steady but commanding.

Henry nodded, his expression firm as he bowed his head respectfully before leaving the room. As soon as he was gone, I slumped into my chair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing heavily on my shoulders. Rubbing my temples, I tried to think clearly. Now, there is another issue-how would people get their daily food supply?

I closed my eyes tightly, overwhelmed by the enormity of the problems at hand. If there’s truly a God in this world, I silently prayed, please, send us rain to wash this ash away.

In the meantime, I realized that all merchants and vendors would have to stop their business temporarily. The risk was simply too great. I let out a long, weary sigh, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. My head was starting to throb from all the problems piling up.

"Your Majesty!" a voice interrupted my thoughts once again, and I stood up immediately as Sarah burst into the room. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with fear, and panic was written all over her expression.

"Calm down," I said gently, trying to keep my own voice steady in an attempt to soothe her. She took a shaky breath, but her body trembled uncontrollably, and soon, tears began to well up in her eyes.

"A-Ang pamilya ko, Your Majesty," she choked out between sobs. The desperation in her voice tugged at my heart. I pressed my lips into a thin line, my fists clenching as I struggled to maintain my composure. I couldn't let my emotions take over—I needed to stay strong.

I took a deep breath and approached her, placing my hands gently on her trembling shoulders. "Hush now, there’s no need to worry," I said firmly but kindly, hoping to offer her some comfort. "I’ve already sent knights to the city. Your family just needs to stay inside their home for now. This ashfall won’t last forever, so stop crying," I reassured her, my voice unwavering as I tried to instill a sense of calm.

She nodded repeatedly, her sobs subsiding as she wiped the tears from her face. "Paumanhin, Your Majesty," she whispered, her voice raw from crying, as she bowed her head in apology.

I watched her for a moment, my heart heavy with the burden of leadership. There were so many lives depending on the decisions I made today, and the weight of that responsibility was almost crushing. But I couldn’t afford to falter now. There was still so much more to be done.

Agad kaming napalingon sa pintuan nang makarinig kami ng kaguluhan. I immediately turned on my heels and made my way out of the office, my mind racing with thoughts of the sudden commotion. As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I noticed the maidservants hurrying away, their steps quick and anxious. They were clearly panicking, their faces pale with worry.

I glanced over at Edward, who stood silently by the wall, his expression unreadable but attentive. As soon as he noticed me looking, he bowed respectfully. "What was that, Edward?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing in concern and curiosity.

"I heard that some of the maidservants collapsed, Your Majesty," he revealed, his voice calm but tinged with a hint of seriousness.

My eyes followed the path the maidservants had taken down the hallway, disappearing around a corner. Without wasting any more time, I began walking swiftly, my footsteps echoing through the corridor. My pace quickened as I headed toward the maidservants' headquarters. The thought of the collapsing maids weighed heavily on my mind.

After a few minutes, I arrived at the maidservants' quarters. The door was wide open, and I stepped inside, immediately noticing the chaotic atmosphere. The moment they saw me enter, the room fell silent, and all the maidservants bowed their heads respectfully. However, the fear and concern on their faces were still evident.

I glanced over at the beds lined up in the room and saw four maidservants lying unconscious, their faces pale and motionless. Near them, four physicians were attending to their needs, focused and efficient.

I approached the head physician, my heart pounding in my chest. "What happened to them?" I asked, my voice steady but filled with worry.

"They’re suffering from allergies and asthma, Your Majesty," the physician explained, his tone calm but professional.

My eyes then landed on one of the women lying on the bed. Her nose and neck were red and swollen, as if she had been scratching them. "What happened to her?" I asked, my gaze narrowing as I focused on her condition.

"She experienced irritation in her eyes, nose, and throat due to the ashfall, Your Majesty," the physician assigned to her replied, "In her panic, she fainted."

I clenched my fists in frustration. This was one of the consequences I feared—the ashfall would not only affect livelihoods but also pose a significant threat to people's health.

I turned my attention to the other maidservants who stood quietly against the wall, their faces still clouded with concern for their fallen colleagues, "As much as possible, stay indoors," I said firmly, my tone authoritative but reassuring, "As for your families, do not worry. I’ve already sent knights to ensure their safety. We will not abandon them."

The maidservants all bowed deeply, gratitude evident in their voices as they spoke in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

I nodded briefly, acknowledging their words before turning to leave the room. The weight of responsibility still pressed heavily on my shoulders, but there was no time to hesitate. There were more problems to address, and the palace needed swift action.

Lumipas ang dalawang araw, hindi pa rin tumigil ang pag-ulan ng abo kaya nagpadala ako ng mga kabalyero sa mga apektadong lugar upang magbigay ng tulong, tulad ng pagkain at mga pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan. I even brought a supply of goods from the merchants to ensure we wouldn’t run short. But as expected, their stock was also running low.

The knights informed us that the air outside remained relatively normal, and it might take a few more days before the ashfall completely subsides. However, the nearby residences close to the burned farm may take longer to recover. According to reports, the fire almost spread to their homes, but fortunately, everyone worked together to contain it. A light rain during that time also helped, and it seems luck was still on their side.

A week passed, and the ashfall still hadn't stopped. Because of this, we had to prepare again to visit the homes in the city and nearby village. In times like this, the people are truly suffering, especially those whose jobs involve outdoor labor.

"Your Majesty, several people are asking for help because some of their family members have fallen ill," Henry's voice broke the silence, and I frowned at his words. "Why? Didn’t I specifically order them to only go outside if absolutely necessary?" I reminded him, my voice sharp and commanding.

"Based on the reports, the illness of their family members wasn't caused by the ash, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice soft yet thoughtful.

I massaged my temples, feeling the weight of the situation. Right, sickness can occur regardless of the conditions outside, or it might be a pre-existing illness aggravated by something else. I sighed, troubled by the complications piling up. "Then, instruct the assigned knights to deliver medicines, along with some of the remaining stockpile of goods," I ordered, my voice steady with determination. Henry bowed before leaving the office.

"Your Majesty, narito na ang iyung tsaa," Sarah interrupted, carefully placing the tray of tea and cookies in front of me.

I took a deep breath and nodded, appreciating the brief reprieve. I was still in the Emperor’s office, even though it was already late in the evening.

I glanced at the records of our latest purchases from the merchants. It indicated that the last batch of goods we acquired was all that they had left. I took another deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation press down on me again. Reaching for the teacup, I took a sip, savoring the taste. It brought a slight relief, soothing my frayed nerves.

I had been pushing myself too hard, stressing over everything that was happening. But how could I not? The palace was depending on me to make decisions, and I couldn’t afford to fail them.

When the exhaustion became too much to bear, I finally decided to rest. I had been up for too long, my mind running in circles, and it was clear I needed sleep to think clearly for the coming days.

The following day, a surge of anger welled up inside me upon hearing the terrible news. The knights I had sent on a mission to the village were ambushed, leaving only three survivors. The bandits had taken all the goods and medicine.

Determined to prevent further losses under my command, I made the decision to go myself. I could not afford another failure.

"Your Majesty, I beg your pardon, ngunit hindi ko gusto ang iyung pasiya," Sarah expressed, her voice tinged with worry, and her concern was evident on her face.

I paused from fastening the sword around my waist and turned to face her. I gave her a reassuring smile. "Do not worry, Sarah... I am stronger than you think," I said with calm confidence, and after securing my sword, I headed out.

My face was wrapped in a damp cloth as protection against the falling ash, and I wore a jingasa hat to shield myself further. A cloak draped over my body to conceal me from the elements. As I stepped outside my chamber, I found Edward waiting. He was one of the knights who would accompany me on this journey.

"Let’s go," I said, leading the way.

We reached the palace entrance, where we were met by the palace physician just before we could leave.

"Your Majesty, take this. It will help filter the air and provide a pleasant scent," he said as he handed me a small bundle wrapped in cloth. It contained lavender, and as he approached me again, he asked respectfully, "Allow me, Your Majesty." I nodded, and he carefully tucked the herb-filled cloth into the wrap covering my face. The soothing scent of lavender instantly filled my senses.

Once he had adjusted it, he stepped back and bowed. "Please be careful, Your Majesty. The Empire is fortunate to have a ruler as brave, dedicated, and kind-hearted as you," he said, his voice full of respect and admiration.

I acknowledged his words with a nod and proceeded outside, with Edward following close behind. The air outside was thick with ash, casting a gray veil over the surroundings.

I kept my breathing steady and shallow to avoid inhaling too much of the tainted air. We had five carts with us, and my knights were mounted on their horses, all equipped with jingasa hats tied securely under their chins, and their faces wrapped in damp cloths to protect against the ash.

I climbed into one of the carts, surrounded by the remaining goods and medicine we had managed to secure. Time was of the essence, and without wasting another moment, we set off. Our destination was still far, and the journey ahead would be arduous.

──── •✧• ────
Third Person's Point of View
──── •✧• ────

"My Lord, the Empress has joined the convoy to deliver aid to the village," announced a man to the older figure standing before a map fastened to the wall.

The old man grinned maliciously. "She’s reckless in her actions. I thought she had changed, but I was wrong. She’s still as foolish and brainless as ever," he sneered. Without hesitation, he ordered his troops to intercept the Empress. Malinaw ang kanyang intensiyon: ang dakpin ang emperatris.

He could already taste the beginning of his victory, his excitement mounting as the plan unfolded.

The enemy forces swiftly caught up with the knights accompanying the Empress. They charged without warning, but the knights, led by Edward, fought back fiercely. Steel clashed against steel, and the sound of swords meeting shields echoed across the battlefield. Edward stood at the forefront, his sword cutting down one enemy after another, his face set with grim determination.

A few of the enemies broke away, searching the carts in desperation for the Empress. Tinaob nila ang mga goods at supplies, but found no sign of her.

Unbeknownst to them, Celestia watched from a distance, a smirk playing on her lips. She was mounted atop her horse, hidden behind the towering trees, with her shadow warriors flanking her, each on horseback and ready for battle.

Her expression remained calm, though her heart thrummed with the anticipation of combat. She gripped her golden sword tightly at her side, its polished blade gleaming even in the dim light. To her left, Lyra, a fierce warrior who wielded dual daggers, smirked, her eyes locked on the chaos unfolding in front of them. On her right stood Sirena, a master archer, her bow drawn, an arrow nocked and ready to fly at a moment's notice.

"Steady," Celestia commanded in a low but authoritative voice. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed the battlefield. The knights were now surrounded, and the enemy forces were closing in. She raised her hand slightly, the signal her warriors had been waiting for.

"Now," she ordered with finality.

Sirena released her bowstring, and a deadly arrow whistled through the air, striking its mark with precision. The other archers followed suit, sending a rain of arrows into the enemies. At the same time, Celestia and her shadow warriors charged forward, their horses thundering across the ground.

The enemy forces were caught off guard by the sudden attack. Celestia moved swiftly, dismounting from her horse in one fluid motion. As an enemy soldier lunged toward her, she spun around, delivering a powerful kick to his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. Her golden sword flashed as she engaged another foe, striking with deadly accuracy, cutting through the armor of those who dared to come too close.

The battle was intense, but Celestia's movements were swift and precise. She danced through the chaos, her sword a blur as she cut down her opponents. Her shadow warriors fought alongside her with equal ferocity, their skill and coordination evident as they overwhelmed the enemy forces.

Edward, still in the heat of the battle, glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of the Empress. He watched in awe as she effortlessly dispatched her foes, her golden sword slicing through the air with unmatched grace and power. Hindi man niya inaasahan ang mga hukbo ng emperatris ngunit wala siya sa lugar upang kuwestiyunin ito. For a moment, the battlefield seemed to slow as Celestia became a force of nature, her presence commanding and undeniable.

Within minutes, the enemy soldiers were defeated, their ranks decimated by the surprise assault. The remaining few scrambled to retreat, but it was too late. The shadow warriors had already surrounded them, their blades drawn and ready to finish the fight.

As the dust settled, a voice from behind broke the silence. "I didn’t know you were this skilled in combat, Your Majesty."

Celestia turned to see who had spoken. The moment her eyes met his, she recognized him immediately. She smirked. It appeared he had been among them all along, hidden beneath a jingasa hat like the other shadow warriors.

"Does that mean I’ve impressed you, Duke?" she teased, her voice light and playful despite the intensity of the battle they had just fought. She heard him chuckle as he drew closer to her. Removing his jingasa, he placed it over his chest and bowed respectfully.

"I am more than impressed, always, Your Majesty," he said with a mischievous grin before placing the hat back on his head.

She gazed at him for a moment, shaking her head in amusement. He hadn’t changed one bit even in a battlefield—still as playful and unpredictable as ever.

The battlefield had grown eerily quiet, the clashing of swords and the cries of men now replaced by the soft rustling of wind through the ash-covered trees. The enemy had been vanquished, their once overwhelming numbers reduced to lifeless bodies scattered across the ground. Celestia stood amidst the fallen, her golden sword still gleaming, untouched by the grime of battle, as if to remind all that it was not just a weapon, but a symbol of her unwavering strength and authority.

Her shadow warriors, ever vigilant, moved swiftly among the remaining enemy forces, ensuring that none of the wounded enemies posed any further threat. Lyra, with her dual daggers, finished off a few stragglers who attempted to crawl away. Each movement she made was quick and efficient, her gaze cold and calculated as she ended their futile escape attempts.

"Clear the area," Celestia commanded. Her voice was calm but carried the weight of absolute authority. Without hesitation, her warriors began gathering the enemy’s weapons and securing the remaining horses and supplies. They worked with military precision, a testament to their loyalty and discipline under her leadership.

Edward approached her, his armor slightly dirtied but his expression resolute. "We have them on the run, Your Majesty. None of their reinforcements have arrived, and it seems this was the bulk of their forces." He scanned the area, his eyes sharp. "We should be safe for now."

Celestia nodded, breathing deeply as she sheathed her sword. Though the battle had been fierce, they had anticipated the ambush. She had made sure their forces were ready and had used the element of surprise to their advantage. It was a victory she had calculated, but that did not lessen its significance.

"Good," she replied, her voice steady. "Make sure the prisoners are secured, and have the wounded treated. Ayusin niyo ang mga kariton. We’re close to the village; we can’t afford any delays."

Edward bowed slightly before turning to carry out her orders. Meanwhile, Sirena approached, her bow still strung across her back. "The archers held their ground well, Your Majesty. The enemy didn’t stand a chance once we took position."

Celestia smiled faintly, appreciating the praise but knowing there was still more to be done. "You did well, Sirena. Every shot counted."

Just as they finished speaking, Duke Sebastian, still wearing his jingasa, lumapit ito ang kanyang mga mata ay sumingkit, palatandaan na nakangisi ito. He glanced at the fallen enemies and then back at her, his eyes filled with admiration.

"It seems you’ve not only impressed me, but the entire battlefield, Your Majesty," he remarked, his voice tinged with playful respect. "Though I must admit, I wasn’t expecting such a decisive victory this quickly."

Celestia raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "And here I thought you knew me better, Duke," she replied coolly. "I don’t take unnecessary risks without a plan."

Sebastian chuckled, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer. "Of course. I’ve never doubted your brilliance, but witnessing it in battle... well, it’s quite a sight."

Before she could respond, one of the knights rode up on horseback. "Your Majesty, we’ve secured the last of the enemy forces. They’ve been disarmed and bound. What are your orders?"

Celestia surveyed the battlefield one last time, her expression unreadable. She knew that victory here was only a small step in the larger conflict brewing across the empire. The man who had sent these forces would not stop until he had taken everything. But for now, this fight was over.

"Interrogate the prisoners. I want to know exactly who sent them and what their true objective was," she ordered, "Bring them to the capital, lock them to the palace's dungeon."

The knight bowed and galloped off, leaving Celestia to stand among her warriors, her mind already moving forward to the next challenge. She could feel the weight of the responsibility on her shoulders, but she also knew that she had the strength to carry it.

As the cleanup continued, Sebastian stayed beside her, watching her in quiet admiration, "You truly are a force to be reckoned with, Your Majesty," he murmured, his voice sincere for once, devoid of the playful banter he usually displayed.

Celestia turned to him, her gaze steady. "I’m doing what’s necessary to protect the empire, Duke. Nothing more, nothing less."

Sebastian nodded, acknowledging her resolve. "I know. But don’t forget to take care of yourself amidst all this," his tone softened, almost tender.

She regarded him for a moment, then nodded. "I will." With that, she mounted her horse again, signaling that it was time to continue their journey.

Habang ang kahati ng mga knights naman ay babalik sa capita, dala ang mga bihag.

The village still awaited their aid, and though the battle had been won, the war was far from over. As the shadow warriors and half member of the knights gathered behind her, ready to follow her lead once more, Celestia looked ahead, determined and unyielding.

The enemy may have fallen today, but she knew there would be more challenges waiting just beyond the horizon. And she would face them all with the same unshakable will that had brought her this far.

Author's note: Minsan talaga mapapasubo ka na lang, like; bakit ko nasulat to? HAHAHA mas naging mahirap tuloy ang mga trials and more headache to come haha.