Call me Shinobi-sama!

The Vice Captain, the ten members of her Royal Guard, and even General Raikuro widened their eyes.

None of them had expected her to speak those words. At least not so quickly, and not without pause.

"Thank you, Princess Yuki. Serving you has been the honor of my life!" Captain Kagekatsu shouted, his voice ringing with emotion.

With both hands, he presented his sword, the steel trembling slightly in his grip as he held it out before her.

"Like this sword, your life is now forfeit. Do you accept your fate?" Princess Yuki asked as she took hold of the sword.

"I accept." Captain Kagekatsu replied quietly.

The room fell silent, thick with unspoken tension. Only the distant echo of marching boots could be heard, like a heartbeat growing fainter.

"Princess, I..." Vice Captain Kazanari couldn’t help but interrupt.

General Raikuro raised his hand to silence him.

The Princess could make any decision she wanted, and even the wrong decision.

But she would need to make the decision on her own and bear the consequences of her will.