Everyone still stood in reverent awe at what had just unfolded. The ashes of King Cassius Tenebris had barely settled when Valerian rushed forward, wrapping Anastasia in a warm, fierce embrace. His heart overflowed with relief, pride, and something deeper he could no longer deny.
Then, with youthful excitement, little Peter raised his voice:
“Long live the Princess!” he shouted, hands cupped around his mouth.
A heartbeat later, the cry was picked up by every voice present, echoing joyfully across the quiet woods of Havenwood:
“Long live the Princess! Long live the Chosen One!”
Anastasia, blushing and breathless, exchanged joyful embraces with all who surrounded her—Peter, Elder Jacob, her parents, and Prince Adeodatus. In that moment, all divisions fell away. They were simply a family
