THREE YEARS LATER... AVELINE I am sitting the Duke's study room, facing His Grace, who seems unusually serious today. His piercing gaze met mine, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

"These past three years," the duke began, "demons and beasts have been appearing tenfold. It's almost out of control. My military alone cannot keep up." His voice carried the weight of frustration and concern.

I hesitated before asking, "Would a dragon be able to help?"

The Duke's expression shifted immediately. "Dragon?" he asked, his tone sharp with disbelief.

I explained, "Last week, when I was fighting demons at the wall, I wandered deep into the jungle. I found a cave, and inside, I discovered a dragon—a blue fire dragon."

Before I could continue, the Duke's eyes widened, and he abruptly cut me off. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS EARLIER?" he demanded, slamming his hand on the desk. "That's dangerous!"

Standing by the door, Sir Derrick, nodded firmly in agreement. "My Lady, you should have informed us at once," he added, his tone tinged with worry.

"Well, you have been busy," I replied calmly, shrugging.

"Busy or not, you should have told me!" The Duke snapped, though his concern softened slightly. "Go on, what happened next?"

I continued, "I managed to tame the dragon using my magic."

"Tame a... dragon?" Sir Derrick interjected, his voice rising in astonishment.

I nodded and elaborated, "With my magic, I discovered I have the ability to communicate with dragons."

The duke's jaw dropped, and he leaned forward. "How? How do you have such power?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I figured it out when I was a child."

The duke's brows furrowed in thought. "Do your half-siblings—Emilia or Henry—possess this ability?"

I shook my head. "No, they don't know about my power either."

The Duke nodded slowly, then leaned back in his chair. "Aveline," he said, "I'm appointing you as commander of the army. Your abilities and your dragon could turn the tide of this conflict."

Sir Derrick immediately protested, his voice filled with concern. "Your Grace, she's still young! It's dangerous!"

The Duke glanced at him with a raised brow. "She has a whole damn dragon. What is there to worry about?"

I couldn't help but grin. "I accept," I said confidently. "But I have one request: prepare a dragon house for Elryx and her friends to live in."

Both the Duke and Sir Derrick froze for a moment. Finally, the Duke asked cautiously, "Elryx? And her friends?"

"Elryx is my dragon," I explained, "and she's bringing along some other dragons too. They'll need a place to stay."

The Duke's face was a mixture of astonishment and exasperation. "Derrick, make it happen. I want the place ready in three days."

"Three days?!" Sir Derrick echoes, his voice almost cracking. "That's impossible!"

"You'll manage," the Duke said briskly, dismissing the complaint with a wave of his hand.

Turning back to me, the Duke continued, "Visit the army in three days to check on them. Train them however you see fit."

I blinked, confused. "What do you mean by 'however I see fit'?"

The Duke smirked. "You can drill them, have a battle with them—whatever works. Just don't kill them."

I laughed awkwardly and nodded. "Understood."

As I left the study, I couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and anticipation. The thought of commanding an army—and weith Elryx and her companions by my side—filled me with determination. —————— AVELINE It's been 10 years since I was reborn into this world. Who would have thought that someone like me, born as an outcast in the House of Thorne, would one day have the chance to lead an army?

As Sir Derrick leads me toward the military training ground, I can feel my nerves creeping in. My hands are slightly clammy, and my heart pounded in my chest. I glanced at Sir Derrick, hoping for some reassurance.

Noticing my hesitation, he gives me a small nod. "Don't be nervous. You've already proven yourself to the Duke. Show them what you're capable of," he said.

Before I could respond, Sir Derrick stopped abruptly at the entrance and turned to me. "I'll stay out here and observe from a distance," he added, leaving me stunned.

"What?" I blurted. "You're leaving me alone?"

"You'll be fine," he said with an infuriating calmness before stepping aside.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the training grounds. The open field was bustling with soldiers—dozens of men in their prime, each one armed and radiating a hardened strength that made me hesitate for a moment. As I move closer, the energy shifted. Conversations stopped, and all eyes turned to me.

The silence was deafening. I could feel their gazes—confusion, skepticism, even ridicule. I stand tall and introduce myself.

"I am Aveline Maeve of Thorne, appointed by His Grace, Duke Edric, as the new commander of this unit."

Murmurs broke out immediately. Some soldiers whispered to each other, clearly doubting me. Then one man stepped forward.

He is in his mid 20s, with broad shoulders and cocky grin. "A girl, commanding us? Is this some kind of joke?" he scoffed. His tone dripped with condescension.

Another soldier, a lanky man standing beside him, chuckled. "You should go back to your manor, Miss Thorne," he said. "Do some embroidery or... whatever it is noble ladies do."

Their laughter grated on my nerves. My blood boiled, but I forced myself to stay calm. I cannot let them see they had rattled me.

"How about a sparring match then?" I challenged, my voice steady and sharp.

The crowd murmured louder. Lucas, the first soldier who had mocked me, raised an eyebrow. "You're serious? Fine, I'll entertain this little game. But don't cry when you lose."

He stepped forward, grabbing a wooden sword. His confidence radiated, as though he already won.

Minutes later, Lucas was sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.

The soldiers are stun into silence as I straightened, wiping a bead of sweat from my forehead. I turned to thre rest of them, my voice cutting through the shock like a blade. "Who's next?"

One by one, they come forward. And one by one, they fall. My swordsmanship, honed over years of survival and training under the Duke's guidance, left them no room to mock me again.

By the end, the field was littered with soldiers nursing bruises and panting heavily. I stand by the center, catching my breath as well, but not daring to show any weakness.

"Does anyone here still object to me being your commander?" I asked, my voice carrying across the field.

Silence.

"Good," I said firmly. "From today onward, you'll be under my command. And I don't care where I came from or what you think of me. What matters is that I can lead you—and I will."

There was no applause, but I saw a flicker of grudging respects in their eyes. That was enough for now. I turned on my heel and walked toward the gate, where Sir Derrick waited with a small, satisfied smile.

"Told you, My Lady," he said simply.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my face.