As the hours passed, Sigrid conducted a thorough and intense interrogation of the maid, aided by skilled interrogators from the royal guard. The maid's resolve crumbled under the relentless questioning, and she eventually confessed to being a part of a covert plot orchestrated by agents from the Kingdom of Florence.

The shocking revelation sent ripples of anger and concern throughout the kingdom. King Thomas wasted no time in convening his advisors, including trusted generals and advisors, to discuss the gravity of the situation.

"It is clear that the Kingdom of Florence is attempting to rattle us," declared one of the Generals. "This assassination attempt coupled with the declaration of war is grounds for us to go on the offensive. We cannot sit back and wait for them to send more assassins after his majesty and the rest of the royal family."

King Thomas listened carefully to the voices of his advisors, each opinion weighing heavily on his shoulders. "Our priority," he finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of his responsibility, "is to protect our people and our land. However, we must consider the ramifications of initiating an offensive. We risk allowing intervention from other countries and that could have far-reaching consequences."

The room fell into a contemplative silence, the gravity of the situation settling on every individual present. The temptation to strike back at the Kingdom of Florence, to ensure the safety of their realm, was undeniable. Yet, caution and diplomacy were virtues that should not be cast aside lightly.

Princess Vivian, her voice resolute, added, "We must not act out of vengeance, but out of the responsibility we bear for our people. Our actions should be guided by the goal of securing a lasting peace."

The room remained tense, caught between the urgency of protecting their kingdom and the desire for lasting peace. Princess Vivian's plea for restraint resonated with some, but not all, present in the council. Among those who voiced a differing perspective was Duke Gifford, Vivian's fiancé and a prominent figure in the kingdom. He did not share Vivian's cautious approach. His voice rang out with conviction. "While I understand the importance of peace, Your Highness, we are already at war. The Kingdom of Florence has declared their intentions through this assassination attempt and their declaration of war."

Vivian, torn between her beliefs in diplomacy and the mounting pressure to retaliate, attempted to sway the nobles present. She argued passionately for the value of diplomacy, the need to explore every avenue for a peaceful resolution.

However, Duke Gifford's perspective gained traction, with many nobles siding with his call for a swift and decisive response. The room's atmosphere grew increasingly contentious, and Vivian felt disheartened as she saw her plea for restraint falling on deaf ears.

Duke Gifford, undeterred by the opposing voices, concluded the argument with a steely resolve. "Your Highness, if you are to rule this kingdom, you must understand that there are times when blood must be shed to protect our people and our way of life. Peace is a noble aspiration, but it is not always the best course of action. We are well passed diplomacy at this point."

As the debate continued to brew, Vivian's frustration grew. She could sense a divide forming, a division between her ideals of peace and the call for more aggressive action. However, she was not prepared for what came next.

"He's right you know." Vivian heard Laura's voice aligning with that viewpoint too. She turned to Laura, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You too, Laura?"

Laura, standing resolute, met Vivian's gaze. "Princess Vivian of course I agree with him. You're up against an opponent that will use dirty tricks like assassination. If I may be honest for a second, I don't understand why you still continue to look for a peaceful resolution when there clearly isn't one to be found."

Sigrid, ever the stern and disciplined figure, attempted to chastise Laura for her openness. "It's important for the royal bodyguard to stand united with the crown. You can't just mouth off to princess Vivian in front of everyone."

However, Duke Gifford intervened, his perspective shedding light on a different aspect. "Captain Sigrid, Laura is right," he stated firmly. "We need diversity in our thoughts and approaches, especially in these troubled times. It fosters a more robust decision-making process."

For one of the few times in her life Vivian was glad she was required to wear a veil because she knew her expression at that time would not be something praiseworthy. More nobles, emboldened by Duke Gifford's viewpoint, began to express their alignment with a more offensive stance. Their voices resonated within the chamber, echoing a sentiment that had gained momentum. They urged the need to retaliate decisively against the Kingdom of Florence to secure their realm's safety.

As the voices of dissent swelled, King Thomas, torn between his daughter's ideals and the growing consensus for a decisive offensive, struggled to maintain control of the situation. He had always been a king who sought diplomacy over warfare, but the circumstances were testing the limits of his patience and beliefs.

Finally, as more nobles rallied behind Duke Gifford's perspective, King Thomas realized that he could no longer hold back the tide of their determination. With a heavy heart and a reluctant nod, he conceded to their demands. "Very well," he said, his voice filled with resignation. "We shall go on the offensive. But let us remember that our ultimate goal is to protect our people and secure a lasting peace."

As Vivian lowered her gaze beneath her veil, she felt a profound sadness. The path to peace had been obscured by the shadows of war, and she couldn't help but wonder if there would ever be a way to reconcile her ideals with the harsh realities of their world.

In a moment of impulsive desperation, Vivian made a decision that would alter the course of events in ways she couldn't fully anticipate. She turned to Laura, her voice trembling with a mixture of concern and determination. "Laura, you're going to participate in the war too."

Laura, was taken aback by the sudden order but she nodded in agreement nonetheless. She had advocated for an offensive so she had to put her money where her mouth was, plus she couldn't go against an order from Vivian.

Duke Gifford, seizing the opportunity, saw the advantage of having a demon in his ranks. He approached Laura with a cunning smile. "Your presence on the front lines will be invaluable, Laura. Demons are notoriously difficult to kill, and your abilities will strike fear into the hearts of our enemies."

At the same time in a dimly lit meeting place, five figures concealed within hoods sat around a table, their faces obscured by shadows. Their conversation was filled with a sinister intent, their goals shrouded in malevolence.

"It seems our plan is proceeding as anticipated," said one, their voice cold and calculating.

"Indeed," another replied, "the blame has been successfully shifted to the Kingdom of Florence. The impending war will fuel the chaos we need to achieve our objective."

A third figure spoke up, "Hundreds of thousands must perish to plunge the realm into a state of pandemonium. Only then can our true purpose be realized."

The fourth person added, "The chaos will weaken the foundations of these kingdoms, allowing us to seize power and reshape the world to our liking."

Amidst this dark discussion, the mention of Laura's late mother, Rita, sent ripples of acknowledgment through the group. "Rita was a valuable ally," said the fifth figure, their voice tinged with remorse. "Her sacrifice will not be in vain."

"We must ensure her daughter, Laura, remains an unknowing pawn in our scheme," another added, a cruel determination in their tone.

"The plan is set in motion," the leader declared, their voice cold and commanding. "Each of you knows your role and what needs to be done. Let us not falter in our commitment to this cause."

The figures nodded in agreement, their determination unwavering.

Meanwhile, far from this clandestine meeting, Laura prepared for her departure to the front lines. As she readied herself to carry out her orders the wheels of fate were set in motion. Unknown to her, the shadows of this malevolent plot loomed in the background, threatening to engulf her in a web of deceit.