Chapter 204: Let's go home.
~Ava's POV~
I woke with a splitting headache. The flap of the tent spilled in light that almost blinded my eyes. Callie sat beside me, pressing wet towel on my head.
" Callie..." She jumps up the second she heard my voice and then burst into tears. Weird girl.
" Your highness... I thought we lost you..." She continuing crying mumbling between her tears of how I have been sleeping for days now. That everyone had been scared, that I wouldn't wake up.
She talks about how commander Clinton got an Intel that there were still troops at the outer post of our border. I knew, if I said we should go ahead and fight again, I might likely lose everyone. Let's not talk about how I am feeling very weak.
" Thank you, Callie. Tell everyone to prepare. We are going home." Her eyes snaps to mine and then she smiles runs off to relay my message.
I tried sitting to get ready as I hear noises outside my tent, my men cheering and packing up.
\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As we approached the kingdom gates, I could see crowds gathering along the main road. These were the same people who had whispered doubts about my leadership just weeks ago, the same ones who had questioned whether I was strong enough to protect them.
"Look! Our Queen returns!" someone shouted from the crowd.
"She destroyed them all!" another voice called out.
"The ice queen has come home!"
The people had completely changed. Now they sang praises, their voices rising in celebration as we rode through the streets.
Children ran alongside my horse, their faces bright with excitement. Merchants closed their shops to cheer. Even the elderly nobles who had criticized my rule now bowed respectfully as I passed.
To think, it took just months to rebuild Mesodomica again after Gwen became stabilize is just wonderful. My people had flock to the second realm, the minute they were summoned to return.
"Victory to Queen Ava!" their chants brought my mind out of my thoughts. I smiled at them.
"Long live our protector!"
"She saved us!"
But amidst all the praise and celebration, I felt someone, a familiar presence that made my chest tighten.
Through the sea of happy faces, I saw him standing near the fountain in the town square. I had missed him so much. I still don't know how I am going to resolve the issue with him.
His expression, however was not one of celebration. Instead, I saw disappointment etched across his features, pain darkening his eyes, and they radiate from his very soul that I felt it through the mate bond.
Through our connection, I heard him. "This isn't who you are, Ava. What have you become?"
I tried to ignore all the feelings flooding through me, his disappointment, his concern, his love that was now mixed with fear of what I had done.
But the emotions were too strong, too overwhelming. I forced myself to look away from him, focusing instead on the happy cheers of my people. I had done what needed to be done to protect them. That was all that mattered.
"My Queen," Callie said, riding up beside me, "the people wish to hold a celebration in the palace tonight. They want to honor your victory."
I nodded, still avoiding Raphael's gaze as we continued toward the palace. "Let them celebrate. They deserve happiness after what they've endured."
That evening, the great hall was filled with music and laughter. Tables overflowed with food and wine, and my people danced with joy they hadn't felt in years. I sat on my throne, watching the festivities, trying to lose myself in their happiness.
But my peace was interrupted when Gwen approached me. Her face was serious, concerned, so different from the celebrating crowd around us.
"Ava, we need to talk," she said quietly, glancing around to make sure no one could overhear us.
I sighed, knowing from her tone that this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation. "What is it, Gwen?"
"It's about the people of Lystra," she began carefully. "What you did... I understand you were protecting your kingdom, but slaughtering an entire armies? There has to be another way. Fighting isn't the only solution. There could have been a peaceful resolution."
Her words felt like a slap across the face. Anger flared up inside me.
"Peaceful resolution?" I snapped, my voice rising above the music. "Tell me, Gwen, where was the peace when they attacked our villages? Where was the peaceful resolution when they killed innocent farmers? When they took women and children as prisoners?"
Several people nearby stopped dancing, turning to look at us with worried expressions.
"Ava, please, lower your voice," Gwen said, reaching out to touch my arm.
I pulled away from her, standing up from my throne. "No! I'm tired of people telling me to be gentle, to be merciful, when no one showed mercy to us! You want to talk about the people of Lystra? What about the millions of my people who lost their lives centuries ago?"
My voice echoed through the hall now, and the celebration had stopped entirely. Everyone was staring at us, but I didn't care. I didn't know what came over me but I was too angry.
"And now," I continued, my anger boiling over, "now that I finally fight back for them, now that I protect them the way they deserve to be protected, you want me to back down? You want me to show mercy to those who showed them none?"
Gwen's face went pale. "Ava, I didn't mean..."
"Do you remember the ministers' actions?" I cut her off, my voice shaking with fury. "Do you remember how they tried to poison me? How they plotted against us to kill us? You almost died, Gwen. You would have died if not for my grandmother's intervention. And where was the peaceful solution then? Where was the mercy they showed us?"
The hall was completely silent now. The people watched with wide eyes as I lashed out in suppressed pain and anger.
"I have shed blood for this kingdom," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I have sacrificed everything for these people. And I will not apologize for protecting them with everything I have."
When I finished speaking, the silence spoke volumes. Then, without another word, I turned to leave the hall. I needed air, space, time to think without everyone staring at me.
But as I reached the great doors, I found my path blocked. His eyes met mine, and I felt that familiar pull of our bond.
"So you don't trust me that I'd stand up and fight for you?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying just enough hurt to make my heart clench.
I stared at him. All around us, my people watched and waited, sensing the tension between us but not understanding its source.
"Raphael," I whispered, his name feeling foreign on my lips after so long.
"You think I wouldn't defend you? Defend your people?" he continued, taking a step closer. "You think I would stand by and let harm come to you or your kingdom?"
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