[Lavinia's POV—Western Darn Castle—Two Days Later]
Western Darn was supposed to be a battle.
Instead, it bowed.
The moment our banners crossed the final hill, the gates swung open—not with defiance, but relief. People lined the roads, cheering, bowing, and thanking us as if we were salvation rather than conquerors. Quite surprising… though perhaps not, considering the decree I'd sent two days before:
"Any abandoned territory falls under Elorian protection. Taxes are suspended. Food shortages will be supplied. Anyone harming civilians will be executed."
The people weren't welcoming me.
They were welcoming a future.
One they hadn't had under their own king. It was the first castle in this war that fell without bloodshed. And ironically… the most populated one.
Now, in the council hall of Western Darn—the once-throne room of the coward who fled—I stood before my generals.
Haldor stepped forward first, posture hard, eyes sharper than steel.
