Chapter Twenty-Three: Death or Alive
848 Words
The next morning, under Lillian’s encouragement, Diamond and Claire obtained their marriage certificate. Yet Claire confessed she wasn’t ready to assume the title of First Lady—not until she had given birth. Diamond, meanwhile, was torn about whether to allow Harper Laris to continue as acting First Lady. She had lied to him and was also pregnant, though her belly wasn’t as pronounced as Claire’s. Oddly enough, both women had conceived on the same day and were now six to seven months along.
Diamond called for an emergency meeting. There, he announced Nolan Howard’s dismissal from service and appointed General Curtis Everett as his immediate replacement. Curtis departed with his men shortly after, unaware of the fierce loyalty the Eastern region held for Nolan. The people, already trained and armed, joined forces with Nolan’s loyal soldiers. They ambushed Curtis and his men, engaging in brutal combat. Refusing to accept Curtis’s authority, they slaughtered his entire unit.
Curtis was captured, tortured, and had his eyes gouged out. He was then dragged before Nolan, who executed him with a blunt knife. The gruesome act was recorded and sent to government officials along with a chilling warning: anyone who dared enter the Eastern region would meet the same fate. The Easterners demanded autonomy.
The national House of Representatives defiantly refused and declared Nolan Howard wanted—dead or alive. This ignited a full-scale war between Nolan’s conquered cities and the rest of the country. Though clearly at a disadvantage, Nolan was determined to prove himself a capable leader. He had long prepared for this moment, hiding his followers in an underground city he had built in secret. He rigged traps and planted bombs to target the soldiers of Beguisra.
As casualties mounted, Lillian grew increasingly distressed. This was the very outcome she had feared—the one Ashton Lincoln had sought to provoke through her son. Now, she deeply regretted it. She knew she had to act before more blood was spilled.
Summoning her courage, Lillian walked into Diamond’s study. “President Rutherford,” she said solemnly, “I believe there’s a better way to end this war. It involves uterine brothers—blood shouldn’t be split between them.”
Diamond raised an eyebrow, curious and concerned. He too was troubled by the conflict. “How do you suggest we go about it?” he asked.
Lillian took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. “I suggest you withdraw your soldiers—”
“No way!” Diamond interrupted, his voice sharp. “Beguisra must remain united. It cannot be split!”
Frustrated but composed, Lillian continued, “Just look at how many soldiers you’ve already lost. And how many more are yet to fall?”
The room fell silent—so quiet that the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.
Diamond rubbed the bridge of his nose, exhaling deeply, eyes closed in thought. Lillian stood and gently said, “Rest early. Don’t overwork yourself.” She quietly exited the study.
Diamond, who had never known a mother’s love, was moved by Lillian’s care. Watching her lonely figure disappear through the door, he reflected on their shared pain. She had been denied the love of the man she cherished, and he had been denied the love of a mother. Even his father had ignored him, lavishing attention on a woman who never returned it.
He sighed heavily. “Lillian,” he murmured, “how nice it would’ve been if you were my mother.” He chuckled softly, then sat in silence, pondering her advice.
Suddenly, Arnold burst in, panicked. “Mr. President! We’ve received a report from the Eastern region. One hundred and seventy-two of our soldiers were bombed today. Thirty-eight died instantly. The rest were rushed to the hospital, but eleven more have died.”
“And Nolan’s hideout?” Diamond asked.
“Still unknown,” Arnold replied.
Diamond stood decisively. “Call for an online meeting. Now.”
Arnold hesitated for a moment, then obeyed.
The meeting began, and arguments erupted across the platform. But Diamond stood firm. “I can’t keep losing soldiers every day,” he declared. “I’m granting the Eastern region autonomy. From now on, Beguisra is no longer responsible for them. No citizen or soldier should enter their territory.”
The new Chief Judge asked, “And what about Nolan Howard? Won’t he be punished?”
The Secretary responded swiftly, “How do you expect Nolan to be punished? The Easterners are fiercely protective of him.” He turned to Diamond with admiration. “Mr. President, you’ve made the right decision.”
Others nodded in agreement, and the meeting concluded.
After the war subsided, a mass burial was held for the fallen soldiers, including General Curtis Everett. Ninety-four caskets lined the field. Families gathered to mourn, including Curtis’s widow and his only son, six-year-old Alistair Everett. The boy was presented with his father’s legendary medal—a symbol of legacy he would carry when he came of age.
The soldiers were laid to rest, and their families received condolences and compensation.
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