EPISODE 18

Continuation.

.

.

The battlefield lay silent now, the acrid scent of blood and smoke hanging heavy in the air. Valerie stood motionless, her blade still slick with Lucien’s blood. Around her, the surviving soldiers moved like ghosts, gathering the wounded and securing the surrendered enemies.

Liam stayed close, watching her carefully. He could see the weight of her victory pressing down on her shoulders. This wasn’t the triumph she had imagined—it was something darker, heavier.

"Valerie," he said gently, his voice cutting through her thoughts.

She blinked, finally lowering her sword. Her hand trembled as she wiped the blade clean and sheathed it. “It’s over,” she murmured, more to herself than to Liam.

“For now,” he agreed, echoing her earlier words. “But we need to return to the castle. Your people need you.”

Her people. The words felt foreign to her, a responsibility she wasn’t sure she was ready to bear. She nodded slowly, letting Liam guide her away from the battlefield.

---

The ride back was somber. Valerie barely noticed the journey, her mind replaying the moment Lucien fell over and over again. She had waited so long for this—dreamed of it, planned for it—and now that it was done, she felt... hollow.

The gates of the castle opened to cheers from the townsfolk, who had gathered to welcome the returning soldiers. Valerie tried to summon a smile, but it felt wrong. She dismounted her horse and allowed herself to be led into the great hall.

Inside, the wounded were being tended to, their cries mingling with the hum of whispered conversations. Valerie’s arrival brought a hush to the room.

“You did it,” someone said, their voice full of awe.

“The nightmare is over,” another whispered.

Valerie didn’t respond. She couldn’t. The weight of their expectations pressed down on her like a physical force. She nodded vaguely before retreating to the privacy of her chambers.

---

That night, Valerie sat by the window, staring out at the stars. The world seemed so still, so indifferent to everything that had happened. She traced the scar on her shoulder absentmindedly, her thoughts a tangled mess.

A knock at the door broke the silence.

“Come in,” she said softly, not turning away from the window.

The door creaked open, and she heard Liam’s footsteps. He approached quietly, placing a cup of steaming tea on the table beside her. “You should rest,” he said. “You’ve been through hell.”

“So have you,” she replied, finally looking at him. “So has everyone.”

Liam pulled a chair closer, sitting across from her. His face was etched with concern. “But you carry more than most.”

Valerie looked down at her hands, her voice barely a whisper. “I thought killing him would bring me peace. I thought it would fix everything he destroyed. But now...”

“Now you feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself,” Liam finished for her.

She met his gaze, startled by how well he understood.

“Revenge isn’t the same as healing, Valerie,” he said gently. “What Lucien did to you, to all of us, can’t be undone. But you’ve given people hope. You’ve given them a future.”

Valerie let his words sink in. “And what about my future?” she asked quietly. “What am I supposed to do now?”

“Live,” Liam said simply. “You’ve spent so long fighting for others that you’ve forgotten how to fight for yourself. Maybe it’s time to figure out what you want.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. For the first time in years, Valerie allowed herself to consider the possibility of a life beyond vengeance.

---

The days that followed were filled with rebuilding. Valerie threw herself into the work, overseeing repairs to the castle, organizing aid for the villages ravaged by war, and helping the injured recover. It was exhausting, but it gave her a sense of purpose.

Liam was always nearby, a steady presence at her side. He didn’t push her, didn’t ask questions she wasn’t ready to answer. He was simply there, offering support in the quiet way he always had.

But the nights were harder. The silence of her chambers was suffocating, and the memories of Lucien haunted her dreams. She often found herself wandering the halls, unable to sleep.

One night, she found herself in the castle’s library. The room was dimly lit, the scent of old parchment and leather soothing in its familiarity. She ran her fingers along the spines of the books, searching for something—anything—that might bring her clarity.

“You’re up late again.”

Valerie turned to find Liam standing in the doorway, his arms crossed.

“Couldn’t sleep,” she admitted, her voice barely audible.

He stepped into the room, his gaze steady. “Do you ever let yourself rest?”

She gave him a faint smile. “I’m not sure I know how.”

Liam took a step closer, his expression softening. “Then let me help you.”

For a moment, she hesitated, the vulnerability in his eyes catching her off guard. But then, for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to lean on someone else.

Maybe Liam was right. Maybe it was time to start living again.

And as the dawn broke over the horizon, Valerie Valentine realized that while her war with Lucien was over, her journey was only just beginning.

To be continued....

.

.

.

Hello guys, till now I hope you guys are liking this story and I also hope you are doing well please comment and also give your suggestions. Please like 🫶🏻, subscribe ✨, vote 💐, share ♥️....

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***