The aftermath was quieter than anyone expected.
Aurelian was imprisoned—not executed, not exiled. His crimes were made public. His methods dissected. His ideology exposed.
Transparency replaced terror.
Some nobles withdrew from court.
Others leaned closer.
Valoria changed.
Slowly.
Irreversibly.
On the west tower that night, Caelan spoke what many were thinking.
"You didn't harden after betrayal," he said. "Most would have."
Alisha looked up at the moon.
"I adjusted," she replied. "There's a difference."
Rowan joined them. "The Shadow King will escalate."
"I know."
She felt it already—the next move forming, subtler, closer.
Not through systems.
Through people.
Through emotion.
Through bonds.
Alisha exhaled slowly.
"I won't abandon mercy," she said. "But I won't be naïve again."
The Eclipse pulsed—quiet approval.
Far away, the Shadow King watched, thoughtful.
"She learns," he said. "Good."
He smiled.
"Now let's see what she does when mercy costs her something she cannot replace."