EPISODE 19

Continuation.

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The days turned into weeks, and the castle began to hum with life again. The banners that once hung limp in the wake of Lucien’s terror now fluttered proudly in the breeze. Villages under Valerie’s protection thrived as they rebuilt, their people finally daring to hope for a brighter future.

But for Valerie, the journey of rediscovery was slow and uneven.

Each morning, she threw herself into her duties. Diplomats sought her guidance, knights awaited her orders, and refugees from Lucien’s fallen empire turned to her for aid. She faced it all with a calm exterior, but inside, she felt like a stranger in her own skin.

Liam noticed.

One evening, as she reviewed reports in the council chamber, he entered unannounced. He placed a tray of bread, cheese, and wine on the table in front of her, then folded his arms.

“You’re going to work yourself into an early grave,” he said bluntly.

“I have responsibilities,” Valerie replied without looking up, her tone clipped.

“And those responsibilities won’t matter if you burn out,” Liam countered. “You can’t lead a kingdom if you don’t take care of yourself.”

She set down the parchment with a sigh, finally meeting his gaze. “What would you have me do, Liam? Take a holiday while the world still smolders from Lucien’s chaos?”

He leaned against the edge of the table, his expression softening. “I’d have you remember you’re more than just a sword or a title, Valerie. You’re a person. And people need moments of peace, too.”

His words struck a chord she wasn’t ready to admit existed. She glanced at the tray and then back at him. “Fine. One break. But only because you’re insufferable when you’re right.”

Liam’s rare smile warmed the room. “That’s all I ask.”

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The break didn’t come easily to Valerie. But later that week, Liam convinced her to accompany him on a quiet ride to the nearby hills. They rode in silence at first, the wind carrying the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass.

When they reached a small clearing overlooking the valley, Liam dismounted, tying his horse to a low-hanging branch. He gestured for Valerie to follow.

Reluctantly, she joined him. The view was breathtaking, the land stretching out in a patchwork of fields and forests. Below, villagers tended to their crops, their laughter faint but audible.

“Do you see that?” Liam asked, his voice calm.

“What?”

“The life you’ve rebuilt,” he said, gesturing toward the valley. “You did that, Valerie. These people can laugh and grow because of you.”

She didn’t respond immediately, her eyes fixed on the horizon. “It doesn’t feel like enough,” she said eventually. “There’s still so much to fix, so much to atone for.”

Liam stepped closer, his voice quiet but firm. “You can’t fix the world in a day. And you don’t have to do it alone.”

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of his words settling between them.

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That night, as Valerie returned to the castle, something shifted in her. She began allowing herself small moments of reprieve—quiet walks in the gardens, evenings spent in the library without a sword in her lap. She even found herself smiling more, though the scars of her past still lingered.

Liam remained her constant. His presence was steady, unyielding, and she began to rely on him in ways she hadn’t expected.

But peace was a fragile thing.

One morning, a messenger arrived at the castle gates, his face pale and his hands trembling as he handed Valerie a sealed letter.

She broke the seal and scanned the contents, her expression hardening with every line.

“What is it?” Liam asked, appearing at her side.

Her grip on the letter tightened. “A warning,” she said grimly. “Lucien’s allies are regrouping. They want revenge.”

Liam’s jaw clenched. “Then we prepare.”

Valerie’s gaze was steely, her resolve unshaken. “This time, we won’t just defend. We’ll end this once and for all.”

And as the castle prepared for another storm, Valerie Valentine knew one thing with certainty: no matter how dark the road ahead, she wasn’t walking it alone anymore.

To be continued...

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