Alas
Aurora’s sliver of hope soon shattered completely.
+15 BONUS
A bonfire was lit outside, and the wooden door was violently pushed open. A tall figure, exuding a powerful and oppressive presence, slowly entered. Even with his back to the fire, Aurora could make out his silhouette and knew who he was.
It was Liam, the Westhaven marshal with whom she had signed the treaty in Fawnrun
City.
Aurora trembled violently, her back pressed against the wall as she stared at Liam in terror.
During the treaty signing, this man had exuded an aura of strength and bravery, creating a sense of pressure. At the same time, he also carried an air of elegance. The negotiations and treaty signing had gone smoothly and quickly. He agreed to some clauses she proposed without hesitation, with only one condition: that she release the prisoner promptly after signing.
He had been so agreeable then, making her believe the heavens were gifting her these military accomplishments.
But now, his face was dark and murderous, with a cold ruthlessness in his eyes she had never seen before. The oppressive aura he emitted felt like the presence of death itself.
Just one look from him filled her with icy fear.
Liam removed his leather gloves and tossed them to the soldier behind him. He turned to Edmund, who had accompanied him in. “Drag them down. Use whatever means necessary. These people have all harmed your brother. On the day the treaty was signed, I memorized each of their faces.”
Edmund gritted his teeth. “Understood, Uncle Liam. I will avenge my brother.”
Then, he looked at Aurora and asked, “What about her?”
Liam smiled coldly. “Her? I’ll deal with her personally
Edmund nodded, then turned to his men. “Take them all out and strip them. I want to hear their pleas
for mercy.
Everyone’s faces turned ashen, and they collapsed in despair. Yet, they maintained their soldierly pride and did not beg for mercy.
On the other hand, Aurora trembled even more violently.
“General Tudor… W–We signed a treaty. There is peace between our nations…peace… Y–You can’t harm me! Let me go. If you release me, we can renegotiate the border!”
“Aurora!” Zeke roared as he was dragged out. “How can you say something so spineless? You’re unworthy of being a general! The border has been settled! It’s not up to you to change it!”
Liam glanced at Zeke coldly. “We of Westhaven keep our word. Since the border has been established, there is no need to change it.”
Westhaven had already suffered this loss. If they went back on their word and launched an attack on
Victory Pass, it would tarnish the reputation they upheld since the founding of the kingdom.
+15 BONUS
As Zeke was dragged away, he threw a look of deep disdain at Aurora. Knowing there was no way he would make it out alive this time, he shouted, “Aurora Yates, you’re a disgrace to Starhaven and the Yates family!”
your family
Edmund stepped on his hand, and sneered coldly, “What high moral ground are you and trying to claim? When you destroyed villages in Fawntun, did you call that disgraceful? When you tortured a prisoner of war, did you call that disgraceful?”
These people were all despicable–every last one of them deserved to die.
Zeke endured the pain without uttering a sound. His face was ashen, and he trembled uncontrollably.
As the wooden door closed, Aurora curled up, raising her pitiful eyes to Liam in a desperate attempt to plead for mercy. However, Liam’s words cut off her pleas.
“Begging for mercy will only make your death uglier. Since Hector’s family sacrificed themselves, Starhaven only has one useful military officer–the Hell Monarch. Your king must be blind to have used you. What military achievements do you have? You’re nothing but a beast driven by a hunger for false glory.” 2
Being called a beast driven by a hunger for false glory shattered everything Aurora had ever prided herself on.