So If I Win… Does That Mean We’re Dating?!

Aeneas let out a breath, swung his red cloak over his shoulder, and fastened it as he studied himself in the mirror.

“Well then…,” he muttered and stepped toward the door.

As he opened it, he flinched.

“L-Lady Eshmunet? What are you doing here? Did something happen?”

The handmaiden, who had already raised her hand to knock, slowly lowered it, blinking awkwardly.

“N-no…”

Aeneas tilted his head.

Huh? What’s wrong with her? She’s usually so composed.

Suddenly, she stepped forward with a determined look, forcing him to stumble back into his chamber.

“Prince Aeneas, please forgive me! I never meant to hurt you.”

Ah… that’s what this is about.

He waved his hands with a reassuring smile.

“I-it’s fine! I know it wasn’t intentional, and I’m not upset. It’s just a small bump, really, don’t worry about it.”

But she shook her head.

“No. That’s not enough. Please, let me make it up to you.”

Aeneas blinked.

“M-make it up to me…?”

She nodded eagerly, lowering her voice to a whisper.

“You… want to get closer to Lady Elissa, don’t you?”

Aeneas’ eyes widened, his cheeks flushing red.

Is it really that obvious?!

“Well, I...”

“I will help you,” she cut in immediately. “I’ve known her since we we're children.”

“A-ah, really…?” he managed.

“But first, we need to deal with the current crisis. Though I assume you must already have a plan.”

A plan?!

“Uh… well…”

But Eshmunet had already stepped back again. With a calm bow, she turned to leave.

“Thank you for standing by my lady’s side, Prince Aeneas.” She paused. “I will help you… when the time comes.”

Then she walked away, as composed as ever.

He watched her for a moment and sighed.

I have a really bad feeling about this…

🏛️🏛️🏛️

Not long after, Aeneas found himself in the throne hall, where the war council was already underway.

Queen Dido listened attentively to the suggestions of her advisors.

“…The Gaetulians have already crossed the Plain of Bagradas and will soon be here. Is there any way left to resolve this conflict peacefully?”

“If war is inevitable, then we should not hesitate! Strike first and crush them before they can act!”

“Strike first? Against a cavalry army? That’s madness! Behind the walls of Carthage, we're safe!”

“And what about the trade routes?! Sea trade is only part of our economy! We can't afford to shut ourselves in for months, it would ruin us!”

Voices clashed and overlapped.

Dido ignored the chaos, as her gaze drifted calmly across the hall.

How I once complained about dealing with trivial matters…

She let out a quiet sigh.

What a fool I was. I’d give anything to argue over copper disputes again.

Aeneas’ thoughts raced as he watched the uproar.

Every suggestion ends in war… Is there really no other way? Damn it. I don’t have the faintest idea how to fix this! If only there were some way to convince that vain Iarbas to withdraw…

Unconsciously, his hand brushed over the hilt of his sword.

Wait. What if...

He swallowed.

I guess that's the only way.

Aeneas stepped forward.

But before he could speak, Dido rose from her throne.

“There will be no war,” she declared in a clear voice.

One of the advisors frowned.

“Then… you intend to marry him after all?”

She shook her head.

“No. I will settle this matter personally. Alone. Face to face. Queen to king.”

Murmurs spread through the hall.

Aeneas’ eyes widened.

Alone…?!

Brasidas stepped beside her.

“Your Majesty… are you certain? With all due respect, even we can't protect you if...”

“I have made my decision.“ Her voice allowed no argument. “The council is dismissed.”

With that, the assembly dissolved.

But the murmuring returned at once.

Only Aeneas remained where he stood, his hand slipping slowly away from the hilt of his sword.

🏛️🏛️🏛️

Trumpets rang out across Carthage as Queen Dido rode slowly at the head of her retinue, dressed not in armor but in ceremonial purple, crowned with a golden laurel wreath.

Her gaze was clear, focused straight ahead.

The people must see that I am still their queen. I can't fail them now.

When they reached the great square before the gates, already filled with curious onlookers, she rode on alone.

From beyond the gates came the snorting and neighing of countless Gaetulian horses.

Her heart beat faster as she took a deep breath.

“Open the gates!”

Aeneas stood among her retinue, gritting his teeth as the massive gates slowly opened.

I told her we’d find a solution… and now she’s going out there all by herself...

He glanced at the crowd behind them.

Merchants. Workers. Soldiers. Doubt in their eyes, but also hope.

His fingers tightened around the reins.

Damn it…

With a sudden motion, he spurred his horse forward.

Dido turned her head in surprise as he pulled up beside her.

“A-Aeneas?!”

“You don’t have to do this, Elissa!” His voice was steadier than he felt. “T-there’s another way.”

She blinked.

“Another way…?”

He nodded, gaze firm.

For a moment, something unspoken passed between them.

He can’t possibly mean…?

A brief glimmer flickered in her eyes, but just as quickly she lowered her gaze, a faint, almost sad smile appearing on her lips.

“I’m sorry…” she said quietly. “But I can’t ask that of you.”

“Why not?!” he burst out. “Y-you said it yourself, Troy is Carthage’s ally! If there’s a way to resolve this without war, then...”

“...then I must decide how that is done.”

Her voice was calm, but firm.

“But...”

“Look into the eyes of my people.”

She gestured toward the crowd, on the walls, in the streets.

“They still follow me… but not as they once did.”

Her fingers tightened on the reins.

“They’re asking themselves: ‘Does our queen act solely for Carthage’s good? Is she truly capable in times of crisis? Or can't she stand on her own?’”

A gust of wind made her cloak flutter.

“If I hesitate… if I hide behind others… they will lose faith in me. That’s why I must show them that I am the one who decides how this ends.”

Aeneas lowered his gaze.

She’s right. If I interfere like this, it’ll look like she needs saving. Like I’m taking the decision away from her…

He looked up again, an idea flashed through his mind.

“…Then decide it.”

Dido blinked.

“What?”

His eyes met hers.

“Decide that I will fight for you!”

Her breath caught.

“You want to show them you’re in control, right?” he said softly. “Then show them. Command it.”

Suddenly, he jumped down from his horse and knelt before her.

“Command me, Your Highness!”

She stared at him, wide-eyed, her fingers trembling slightly.

"C-command you? But...”

“I know men like Iarbas. He’s a vain peacock. You’ll never convince him with words. But if I challenge him… if I say…” He hesitated, his cheeks turning red. “…that I claim you. Then he’ll surely accept a duel.”

Dido's cheeks flushed as well.

“…C-claim me?”

Aeneas broke out in a cold sweat.

YOU IDIOT, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING?!

“J-just to prevent the war!” he added hastily. “N-not for real or anything! I’d never think of doing something like that, ha… ha…”

For a moment, she looked at him with a longing expression.

“I… wouldn’t mind…” she said softly, then immediately looked away as if she hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

Aeneas' heart skipped a beat.

He blinked, lifting his head.

“W-what?”

Dido turned her face away, one hand brushing lightly against her cheek as she cleared her throat.

“…That's… beside the point for now.”

Before he could respond, she straightened in the saddle, her voice regaining its regal clarity.

“But if that's truly what you wish, then I shall grant your request.”

She quickly rode a few steps away, still slightly flustered, then raised her voice so all could hear:

“Aeneas of Troy! As my sworn ally, I hereby command you to stand by Carthage and its people in this crisis, and grant you leave to resolve this conflict in my name, by whatever means you deem appropriate!”

A murmur spread through the crowd.

Aeneas rose, nodded once without a word, then turned stiffly toward the gate as he put on his helmet.

She wouldn’t mind…

She wouldn’t mind…

She wouldn’t mind…

Her words echoed in his mind again and again as he walked out onto the plains before Carthage, until it finally sank in.

He stopped.

She really said that, right?! So if I beat this guy… does this mean we're dating? FOR REAL?!

BOOM.

Startled, Aeneas spun around as the gates slammed shut behind him.

Up on the walls, Queen Dido stepped forward to the battlements, followed by her retinue, and his fellow Trojans.

“SHOW HIM WHAT YOU’VE GOT, MY PRINCE!” Korydros shouted down, a confident grin on his face.

Only now did Aeneas fully realize where he was.

Slowly, he turned back around.

Before him, an enormous army.

Riders, so many that they darkened the entire plain.

And right in front of him:

A black stallion, upon which sat King Iarbas in his dark armor, a massive spear in hand, brows furrowed.

Aeneas swallowed as the Gaetulian king glared at him, his confidence vanished instantly.

He sighed.

Yeah… I really talked myself into this one…