The Housewife Strikes Back

The hum of the chopper's rotating blades roared through the sky.

Elizabeth Kaiser stood tall inside the helicopter, dressed in her military uniform, shoulder straps gleaming faintly under the sunlight.

She glanced down at the battlefield below-now quiet. Tanks and armored vehicles rumbled forward, carrying determined soldiers onward.

After three brutal months of fighting, they'd finally taken back the last piece of territory for Aethelgard.

Evan Sands stepped up beside her and gave a sharp salute. His voice was respectful as he reported, "General Kaiser, the Emperor has given the order. If you insist on retiring, the central district of Axis Center will be granted to you. You'll also be named Supreme Commander of Aethelgard. As for the rest of the rewards-whatever you want, just name it."

Axis Center was elite territory in Capitol City, and the central district even more exclusive-home to only the most powerful and wealthy.

This kind of offer, along with the title of Supreme Commander, would put Elizabeth at the very top of the nation's power hierarchy-just below the throne. No one could touch her.

She gave a light nod, her face calm, expression steady.

She had walked into the killing fields of war long ago, joining a blood-soaked organization that trained warriors for hell on earth⁠-and survived it, thrived even. All these years, she'd clawed her way through death to get where she was.

But now all she wanted was to go back home. To reclaim what should've been hers.

The memory of that night, ten years ago, still ripped her heart open.

She could still see herself-tiny, helpless-kneeling in that massive, over-decorated villa, crying at her father's feet. "Dad, please... please let Mom out. She didn't do anything wrong..."

"She never did anything to deserve this!"

Tears streamed down her little face, eyes filled with desperate hope.

Lucas Kaiser sat coldly on the couch, not even twitching at the sound of her sobbing. His eyes swept over her fragile frame and pale cheeks like they were a problem he didn't have time for.

Zero pity in his gaze. Just pure annoyance.

"Don't mention that damn woman to me again. She asked for it. I won't spare her."

Ice coated every word.