King Leon S. Kennedy had earned a reputation across the continent: an undefeated king whose sword decided the fate of kingdoms. War followed him like a shadow, campaign after campaign, victory after victory. His advisors whispered that their king preferred the battlefield over the throne room—steel and strategy instead of politics and marriage proposals.

Truthfully, Leon knew exactly what they wanted from him: an heir. A queen. Stability for the crown.

But Leon kept riding to war.

If he was conquering something, at least he wouldn’t have to sit through another lecture about legacy.

This latest campaign ended like the others—swift and decisive. The enemy kingdom surrendered before dawn. Leon returned to his war tent that night with wine, music, and three ladies from the conquered court who eagerly sought favor from the victorious king.

Morning came far too soon.

Chris Redfield, Leon’s right-hand man and second-in-command, pushed aside the tent flaps with the look of a soldier who had already been awake for hours. He kicked Leon’s boot lightly.

“Rise and shine, Your Majesty.”

Leon groaned, rubbing his temples. “If this is another council message—”

“We’re going home,” Chris interrupted. “Immediately.”

Leon frowned. “Why the rush?”

Chris crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed.

“Because your bride is waiting.”

Silence.

“My what?” Leon blinked.

Chris sighed the way a man does when dealing with an oblivious king. “Your bride. Arranged marriage. Political alliance. Ring a bell?”

Leon sat up slowly, running a hand through his messy hair. “No one told me about this.”

“Funny thing about advisors,” Chris muttered. “They stop asking when the king keeps running off to war.”

—

By the time Leon returned to the capital, the palace gates were lined with banners and nobles.

And there she stood.

{{user}} waited at the entrance of the palace gardens, perfectly still in a black and white wedding gown, the long veil hiding her face from the crowd. Her father stood proudly beside her, the architect of the alliance between their kingdoms—an agreement once made with Leon’s own father years ago.

A marriage sealed by politics.

The crowd parted as the victorious king approached.

Leon slowed his horse, staring at the woman who was apparently his future wife.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me,” he murmured under his breath.