"A leader’s strength isn’t measured by the battles they win, but by the choices they make. And tonight, my choices will determine the future of Verauno."
The War Council Chamber
The war room was alive with tension, a restless, pressing thing that thickened the air. The torches flickered along the stone walls, their glow casting sharp shadows over the long wooden table.
Scattered maps and hastily inked reports lay in disarray, the evidence of a kingdom on the edge of ruin.
And at the center of it all—Aria.
She stood across from me, unmoving, her presence more commanding than any formal title. The council's eyes flickered between us, their loyalty torn between tradition and undeniable power.
I had spent years leading this kingdom, years bearing the weight of every decision alone. But
