Aeris’s pov
The grand council chamber was thick with the aftermath of war—the weighty silence, the ashen faces of ministers, the lingering smell of damp stone mixed with tension. Caspian stood beside me, a silent, unyielding presence, his hand brushing mine just enough to ground me. It was a relief, though brief, to know he was there. The moment our gaze met, he nodded, a silent signal. We would lead this kingdom back to stability together, no matter the cost.
I looked to my ministers, trying to ignore the unsettling twist in my gut. I didn’t want Mistefell stretched any thinner. Reclaiming the northern territory was essential, but part of me hesitated, haunted by the battle scars still fresh on our land.
“Your Majesty,” James spoke, pulling me from my thoughts. “If we send more soldier
