CHAPTER 354: KINGDOM AND BLOOD SHADOWS

Kingdom and Blood Shadows

The women looked at each other, the gravity of the truth heavy in the darkened room. The flickering flames of the lanterns danced, casting agitated shadows on the walls, as if the light itself was afraid of what was to be said.

At last, Lira emerged. Her silver hair reflected the light, shining like the moonbeams spilling in from outside. Her face was solemn, voice low but slicing through the stillness like a knife.

"Darling... in the kingdom..."

Her hesitation was heavy, her throat constricting before she made herself say the words. "Many things have rocked Reverent. The most significant—Duke Edric Starlight has betrayed us. He sold all of the kingdom’s secrets to our foes. And when the treachery was complete, he ruined the Starlight Duchy itself. He burned it down, just as Vellore destroyed our Silver City."

The words hit like hammer blows.

Leon’s head snapped up, disbelief twisting across his face. His voice came sharp, nearly a roar. "What the fuck...? That idiot Edric betrayed our kingdom? Sold us out?!" His hand clenched into a fist, veins straining under his skin. "And Vellore... in the east border... don’t tell me—"

Tsubaki advanced, black hair flowing, eyes icy with held anger. "Not just that. Word arrived—at the eastern frontier, the Vellore King himself has arrived. A monarch-ranked cultivator. They say he concealed his presence from the beginning, waiting for the moment. But now... no more waiting. His shadow casts over the east."

Leon’s chest constricted. He took a half-step back, his brain racing, then he let out another cry, louder, more primal. "The King of Vellore himself?! Gods damn it—our kingdom’s borders are done for if that beast moves!"

The women nodded in fierce accord.

But Tsubaki wasn’t finished. Her tone grew cold, icy with repressed revulsion. "Not only that. Our king... attempted to drive back Vellore’s advance by incinerating his own subjects. He commanded the Fire Guild to send fire to hinder the invasion. And in the west, by Sky Lake, he ordered the dam be broken—he drowned villages whole simply to flood the foe away."

The room fell silent.

Leon trembled. His jaws snapped tight until blood had welled at the edge of his lip. His voice was rough, half-growl, half-whisper. "He... what? That son of a. my father commanded this? To sacrifice his own citizens like pawns?"

His voice broke on something between fury and sorrow.

Lira leaned forward, shoulders shaking. Her hair of silver covered her face but could not conceal the shame etched in her every step. She already knew this secret—her father had always been merciless. But to hear it said, to witness Leon’s anger—it rent something within her.

"I know..." she said softly, voice trembling. "I know what he has done. I detest it. In war, innocents die—but it is a king’s role to defend them. To bear their weight, not incinerate them for his own purposes. He is not the same as you, Leon... you rescued your people when Silver City was aflame. You bore them upon your shoulders. My father... he drowns them beneath his crown."

Her lips quivered. Her eyes, usually keen and unyielding, blurred with shame. She dropped her head even lower, as if she could hide her lineage.

Leon stared at her, his chest raking, then willed himself to stand up. His hand reached out, fingers quivering slightly, and touched her hair. "Hey... my love. Why is your head down? Don’t let his transgressions bind you. Lift your head."

She stiffened.

Slowly, she raised her eyes, blue eyes glazed. Leon looked into them, steady and unyielding. "Listen to me. You are not just his daughter. You’re your mother’s daughter as well. You inherit her spirit, not his brutality. Let go of that fool’s choices. They’re not yours to bear."

Off to the side, the other women breathed softly, their unspoken nods indicating they were in harmony.

But the storm wasn’t over yet.

Nova’s voice shattered the silence, smooth but weighted. "Darling... it’s not done. A decree arrived from King Aurelian personally. He’s decided—he will lead east in person. In two days, he will personally wage war against the Vellore King."

Leon bristled, looking at her. "What—he’ll lead himself?"

The women nodded.

Leon pushed a hand against his forehead, his head reeling. The face of King Aurelian appeared before him—the man wasn’t a fool. He was a king who loved his throne, to be sure, but also his life. For him to take an army to the east meant one thing.

.The Vellore King is a king," Leon grumbled. His voice lowered, thoughtful, calculating. "And in Moonstone... only Aurelian possesses that caliber. If he doesn’t act now, Vellore will cut his way right through the heart of our kingdom. He has no option but to confront him. It’s the only option."

The realization tore deep. War among kings—king against king. The east would be choked in blood.

But even as his brain spun, something more sinister fell into place.

"Daddy."

Leon blinked. He gazed down and saw Ria standing in front of him, small shape looking up, eyes wide with curiosity. "What are you thinking about?"

His breast hitched.

Slowly, he raised his eyes. All the women in the room were looking at him—eyes narrowed, suspicion sharpening.

Aria leaned her head. "As we were discussing burning kingdoms, you fell silent. And then you smiled. What was the thought which makes you smile at such tidings, darling?"

Leon’s Adam’s apple convulsed. He tried to smile, lips twisting. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

But they did not believe him. Their eyes lingered, pressing on him. Then one by one, they let out a sigh, deciding not to pry further.

Leon took a quiet breath, relief seeping in. He changed the subject. "Tell me... why didn’t Mia arrive? You told me all about the kingdom. But not her. Where is she?"

The atmosphere shifted.

Syrra, until now silent, let out a soft sigh. Her voice was as heavy as iron. "Darling... you see, when Edric betrayed us, Starlight Duchy was ravaged. Nastha had brought Mia’s mother here before that, under the protection of Nova. But..."

Leon straightened, eyes narrowing. "But what? Why isn’t she here now?"

Syrra’s lips were pursed before she said a word. "When Mia saw her mother, she discovered her condition worse than anticipated. And when she got the complete truth—that her father passed away—she collapsed. She contemplated what could have occurred, of how if her mother hadn’t gotten Nastha in time, she too could have died. That thought bound her. She drowned in guilt. She won’t leave her mother’s side.

Leon’s jaw tightened. For an instant, anger blazed--then cooled into comprehension. His shoulders slumped. ".I see. That’s why she hasn’t come."

He stood mute for a long, tortured moment, then he spun around to Nova. "Nova. Show me to her. I need to see Mia myself."

Nova blinked in reaction to the sudden heat in his voice. But she nodded slowly. "Alright. Let’s go.

The rest of the women moved forward as well, voices speaking over one another. "We’ll go too—"

Nova held up her hand, strong. "No. Not all of you. If we go together, it will just suffocate her more. Mia doesn’t need the weight of everyone’s gazes on her right now. She needs him. Just him."

Her statement quieted the room.

Rais scowled. "But—

Nova’s gaze hardened. "Do not forget she is a patient right now. Too many voices will crush her spirit. Leon can reach her. The rest of us... will only make it heavier."

The room fell quiet. One by one, the women nodded, conceding. Aria smiled faintly. "She’s right. We’ll wait here. Go, and bring her peace."

Leon’s lips curved into a gentle smile. He faced Nova and held out his hand. "Then lead the way, wifey."

Nova’s green eyes grew soft. She placed her hand in his.

The door groaned open. Cool night air poured in, bringing the smell of wet dirt and faraway pine.

Leon and Nova’s figures moved into the darkness, the lantern flame at their backs stretching their shadows before engulfing them. The women within observed in silence, the door creaking to shut, the vision of their fading silhouettes being held within their hearts.

The room grew dark once more, burdened by the strain of war, betrayal, and the uncertain journey to come.