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Rowan’s jaw tightened. “So many men died carrying out my orders… and Cedric His voice caught before he forced himself to continue.

“The one man who has stood beside me through everything is now fighting for his life because I sent him there p>

He fell silent once more, unable to shake the crushing guilt that had followed him ever since Cedric had been carried back through the palace gates covered in blood.

“But you didn’t know that would happen Rosalind said gently, not wanting him to continue blaming himself for something he could never have foreseen.

She stepped a little closer, her voice softening as though she hoped it alone could ease the burden pressing down on him. “You only wanted Griswold brought to justice for everything he has done. None of this was ever what you intended p>

“But at what cost?” Rowan asked quietly.

The words carried far more weight than anger. They were filled with guilt.

Rosalind looked at him for a moment before answering. “I’m sure Cedric wouldn’t want you feeling this way,” she said. “He chose to put his life on the line because he believed capturing Griswold was worth the risk, and he understood exactly what that responsibility demanded. He’s always been loyal to you, Rowan, and if there is anyone who would willingly carry out your orders without hesitation, it would be him p>

“That’s exactly the problem,” Rowan muttered bitterly.

His gaze remained fixed on the fading sky as regret settled deeper inside him.

If only Cedric had thought of himself first p>

If only, for once, he had abandoned the mission and retreated.

Perhaps he wouldn’t be lying unconscious now.

“I don’t want him to die,” Rowan admitted quietly.

The words escaped before he could stop them.

They had come too far together for it to end this way. Cedric had remained by his side long before he became king, through betrayal, hardship and every battle they had endured together. There were very few people left from those days, and Cedric was one of them. Losing him wasn’t something Rowan was prepared to face.

Rosalind’s heart ached as she listened. “Then he won’t,” she said with quiet certainty. “I believe he’ll wake up p>

Without thinking any further, she stepped closer until she stood directly behind him before gently wrapping her arms around his waist. Rowan’s body stiffened for only a brief moment before he slowly relaxed into her embrace, releasing a long, weary breath he hadn’t realised he had been holding.

“Have faith too,” she whispered softly against his back.

Meanwhile, Griswold remained tied securely to a wooden chair deep within the dungeon, where darkness surrounded him almost completely. Hours had long turned into days, yet Rowan never came.

At first, he had expected the king to storm into the cell almost immediately, consumed by fury after everything that had happened. Griswold knew he had committed treason against the crown, orchestrated countless crimes and nearly cost the Lord Commander his life, so he had been certain Rowan would personally come to unleash his anger upon him.

Instead p>

Nothing.

Only silence.

The dungeon itself became its own punishment.

The damp stone walls carried the smell of rot, mould and stale blood, while the darkness seemed endless, making it impossible to tell whether it was day or night. Every so often, horrifying screams echoed through the prison as other criminals were dragged away for interrogation, their cries ringing through the narrow corridors before gradually fading into silence. Each time it happened, Griswold instinctively opened his eyes, convinced that his own turn had finally come.

Yet no one ever entered his cell.

The waiting slowly became more agonising than the torture he had expected.

Food was withheld from him, and when thirst became unbearable, he repeatedly called out to the guards standing watch outside. “Water p>

No one answered.

Eventually he began begging, but the guards merely ignored him as though they couldn’t even hear his voice.

With every passing hour, his body weakened further, yet despite the hunger gnawing at him and the dryness burning his throat, a slow smile still crept across his lips.

It wouldn’t matter for long.

Soon enough Rowan would have no choice but to release him.

After all p>

Everything had already been prepared long before Cedric captured him.

On the third day of his imprisonment, the kingdom finally began to witness the next stage of his plan.

Across Eryndor, the men who had secretly sworn loyalty to Griswold abandoned the shadows and began moving openly. Villages were attacked without warning, homes were burned to the ground, caravans were ambushed and robbed, bridges were destroyed to cut off travel between regions, while panic spread from one settlement to another faster than the royal messengers could respond. At the same time, whispers travelled through marketplaces, taverns and crowded streets until they became impossible to silence.

“Your Majesty p>

Another messenger hurried into the council hall, his breathing uneven from exhaustion.

“Westmere has also been attacked. Many homes have been destroyed, and several families have already fled p>

Rowan’s expression darkened immediately.

Westmere p>

That was Rebecca and Julian’s home.

His jaw tightened.

Before he could respond, another official stepped forward.

“The rumours continue to spread throughout the kingdom. People are being told that Your Majesty is responsible for everything happening and that once the queen gives birth, Julian will also be killed p>

The hall fell into uneasy silence.

“Who are these people?” Rowan demanded, his voice calm but carrying unmistakable authority. “And what exactly do they want p>

One of the councillors bowed before answering.

“We believe they are Griswold’s followers, Your Majesty. Every group we’ve encountered has demanded only one thing p>

He hesitated briefly. “They want Griswold released p>

“And if he remains imprisoned p>

“They’ve sworn the attacks will continue until he is set free p>

A dangerous silence settled over the chamber.

“There is no world in which I release that traitor,” Rowan said coldly, each word leaving no room for argument.

The councillors lowered their heads.

Once the meeting had been adjourned, Rowan wasted no time making his way towards the dungeon himself.

This time p>

It was his turn to pay Griswold a visit.

The guards immediately bowed before unlocking the heavy iron door. They dragged Griswold out of the darkness and forced him onto his knees before Rowan.

Griswold slowly lifted his head.

Instead of fear p>

He laughed.