Adrian lingered in the chamber after the other nobles had left, the tension finally fading into silence. Queen Alannah stood beside him, her regal demeanor momentarily softened.

Her shoulders, free from the sharp accusations and doubts of the council, eased a bit. She gazed at him, her face showing both gratitude and tiredness.

"Thank you, Adrian," she said in a quiet but sincere voice. "Without you, I don't think they would have come to a decision at all, let alone one in my favor."

Adrian shook his head, leaning against the edge of the table. "They would have come around eventually. They know you're the best choice, even if some of them won't admit it."

Her lips curved into a faint smile. "You're being generous. They're more concerned with their own power and how they'll position themselves once the dust settles."

"That's true," Adrian admitted, folding his arms. "But they also know what's at stake. If Zarpha falls, none of their ambitions will matter."

Alannah's gaze drifted to the stained-glass windows, the vibrant colors muted in the evening light. "Varos would have hated this," she murmured. "He despised politics. He always said it was a battle without honor."

Adrian watched her carefully. "Do you believe that?"

She sighed, her hands clasping tightly in front of her. "I don't know anymore. There's honor in protecting the kingdom, in doing what's necessary to keep people safe. But the endless maneuvering, the manipulation... it's exhausting."

Adrian stepped closer, his voice steady. "You've carried this burden for a long time, Alannah. Longer than anyone realizes. You've kept Zarpha standing, and you'll continue to do so. You're stronger than you think."

She turned to him, her eyes searching his face.

For a moment, she seemed on the verge of saying something more, but then she nodded, her composure returning. "Thank you," she said again. "I'll try to remember that."

**************

The rest of the day was spent resting and getting up to speed on the situation of the kingdom during their absence. Later that evening, Adrian sat at a polished wooden desk in his chambers, a blank parchment spread before him.

A single candle flickered nearby, its light casting long shadows across the room. The quiet was almost oppressive, broken only by the occasional creak of the old wooden chair beneath him.

He picked up the quill, dipping it into the inkwell, and began to write.

To Zack,

My trusted friend,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. The days here in Zarpha feel burdensome, and I need your help again.

The Shadow Court is becoming more secretive every day. We've heard rumors about a private meeting, but we don't know much about it yet. If there's any truth to this, I'm counting on you to find out what it's about and who will be there. We need all the information we can gather.

Zarpha is in a risky situation. With King Varos gone, the kingdom is vulnerable, and the Queen is facing a heavy burden all on her own. The council, which has always been divided, has finally agreed to support her leadership, but their backing is shaky at best.

I need to ask you for more help. If you can spare any resources—troops, supplies, or weapons—we would greatly benefit from them. Zarpha's defenses need to be strengthened if we want to prepare for what's coming. I know this is a big request, but your support could really help us.

As always, I trust you to handle this discreetly and to stay loyal. You've always stood by me through tough times, and I can't thank you enough.

Stay sharp and keep your instincts keen.

-Adrian

************

Adrian leaned back in his chair, letting out a slow breath. The words on the page reflected not just his request but the gravity of his responsibilities. He wasn't just fighting for vengeance against the Shadow Court anymore.

He was fighting for Zarpha, for Alannah, and for the goddesses who had entrusted him with their power and safety.

The weight of it all settled heavily on his shoulders. He thought of the Queen's tired eyes, the despair in the faces of Zarpha's people, and the laughter of Lilith and Abyss in the quiet moments they'd shared.

Each of them counted on him in their own way.

Adrian folded the parchment carefully and sealed it with wax. He called for a messenger, instructing them to deliver the letter to the Count with the utmost urgency.

As the door closed behind the courier, Adrian turned to the window, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. Somewhere out there, the Shadow Court was planning their next move.

And he would be ready for them.

*****************

The moon was high when Adrian finally left his chambers, the cool night air brushing against his skin. The palace was quiet now, the earlier tension replaced by an almost eerie stillness. He wandered the corridors aimlessly, his thoughts a whirlwind of strategy and reflection.

He thought of Zack, who he had met during this quest but was one of the few people he trusted completely. If anyone could uncover the Shadow Court's plans, it was him.

But even Zack's intel and help wouldn't guarantee victory. This battle would require more than intelligence—it would require unity, strength, and resolve.

Adrian's hand unconsciously went to the hilt of his sword, the familiar weight grounding him. He thought of the goddesses, their power flowing through him like a second heartbeat. They were his greatest weapon, but they were also his responsibility.

If he failed, it wouldn't just be Zarpha that fell—it would be all of them.

He clenched his jaw, determination hardening his features. Failure wasn't an option. The Shadow Court had taken everything from him once before. They wouldn't get the chance to do it again.

As he walked back to his chambers, the faint strains of a melody reached his ears. He followed the sound, his steps quickening as he rounded a corner and found himself in the garden.

There, beneath the glow of the moon, was Queen Alannah.

She sat on a stone bench near the fountain, a small harp in her hands. Her fingers moved gracefully over the strings, producing a hauntingly beautiful tune that seemed to echo the sorrow and hope intertwined in her heart.

Adrian hesitated, watching her from the shadows. There was a vulnerability in her that tugged at something deep within him. She carried so much, and yet she remained steadfast.

When the song ended, she looked up, her eyes meeting his. "Couldn't sleep?" she asked softly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.