[Third Person].
Later that afternoon, Dennis strode into the palace still dusted with travel and battle.
He bowed briefly. "Your Majesty. My Queen."
Draven gestured for him to rise. "Report."
Dennis did not waste ti. "We eliminated most of the Vampires at the border. But a small group escaped." His jaw tightened. "They moved with coordination. Like they were protecting soone."
Draven and redith exchanged a look. Then, Draven spoke evenly. "The female vampire who escaped... was likely Estella."
Dennis blinked. "Estella?" His brows furrowed. "That was her?"
redith nodded once. "She led the attack on the palace."
Instantly, understanding dawned slowly on Dennis’s face. "No wonder," he muttered. "They knew exactly where the palace was located. And how to move around Stormveil."
Draven nodded. "She grew up here. That was her advantage."
The weight of that settled heavily. Then, Dennis exhaled sharply. "So, she ca ho to wage war."
"Yes," Draven replied. "And she will return in the future." He continued calmly, "We will go to war with her and the vampire factions that stand behind her."
Dennis’s eyes hardened. "If that is what she wants," he said through clenched teeth, "then she will get it."
A brief silence passed, then Dennis asked, "What happened when she invaded the palace?"
Draven leaned back slightly. "She challenged directly."
And so they told him in detail about the invasion and the duel. Of how redith stepped into the hall and subdued Estella and her factions.
Dennis listened without interrupting. But when Draven ntioned redith nearly crushing Estella’s heart, he turned to her sharply.
"You revealed your fae powers?"
redith held his gaze steadily. "Yes."
Dennis exhaled slowly. "The Elders will not like that."
"They haven’t made a move yet." A faint smile tugged at her lips. "They are waiting for their King’s summons," she added calmly.
Draven nodded. "Fortunately, we have a few days to rest and think before I send for them."
Dennis looked between them both, thinking that while there was war outside, politics played inside.
---
~Oatrun Estate~
The mont Dennis stepped through the doors of the Oatrun Estate, Helena was already hurrying toward him.
She didn’t slow down until she got to him and threw her arms around him.
Dennis caught her easily, holding her tightly, and briefly buried his face in her hair as if grounding himself in sothing real after blood and steel.
"You’re safe," she whispered, pulling back just enough to look at him.
He cupped her face and kissed her deeply. When he withdrew, he stared into her eyes deeply. "I told you I would be."
But she didn’t release him imdiately. "I heard about the invasion," Helena said softly. "The entire capital is talking about it."
Dennis nodded. "The vampires didn’t just infiltrate Stormveil. They attacked the palace."
Her eyes widened. "The palace?"
"Yes."
She stiffened. "How is his Majesty? And the Queen?"
Dennis exhaled. "They were targeted directly. Estella led it."
Helena froze at the na. Before they got married, Dennis had told her a little bit of his family’s history, especially the parts which concerned him in particular. So, she was aware of what Estella was.
"Your sister has returned?" Helena asked.
Dennis nodded grimly. Then, almost imdiately, a strange mixture of pride and awe crossed his face.
"Fortunately, redith arrived in ti. She fought Estella."
Helena blinked. "And...?" she prompted.
Dennis hesitated only a second, then said, "She was forced to reveal her fae powers in front of the Alphas. The Elders. Everyone in that hall."
Helena’s breath caught. Then, she slowly stepped back, processing it. "That will not sit quietly," she said at last.
"No," Dennis agreed. "It won’t." Then, he ran a hand through his hair. "We need to help them. Soon the news will spread among the people. It’s only a matter of days."
Helena nodded firmly. "Then we will help the Queen," she said. "Whatever narrative rises, we counter it. If the people see strength and protection, they won’t fear her bloodline."
Dennis studied her for a mont and smiled faintly. "This is why I married you. You are so supportive of my plans."
Helena lifted her chin slightly. "Good. Because I’m not going anywhere."
He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers briefly before stepping back. "I need to speak with Father."
Her expression sobered. "Go. I will serve your lunch."
---
Randall’s Study...
Randall stood near the window, hands clasped behind his back. The mont Dennis entered, he turned sharply.
"It was her," Randall said imdiately. "Wasn’t it?"
"Yes," Dennis replied. "Estella led the attack."
Randall’s jaw tightened. "I should have killed her when I had the chance. Instead, I showed rcy," he continued bitterly. "I thought banishnt was enough."
Dennis shifted slightly. He did not want to tread into old wounds. And now wasn’t the ti to bla his father or be mad at him either.
"If you want details, you should go to the palace," he said calmly. "She attacked the throne directly. Forced redith to reveal her powers in front of the Alphas and the Elders."
Randall’s eyes darkened as Dennis folded his arms and added, "And I’m certain those ungrateful old n are already whispering."
Randall exhaled sharply. "They are not whispering. So of them called ," he corrected.
Dennis’s expression hardened. "Let guess... to make complaints?"
"Yes." Randall’s voice dropped with controlled anger. "They are saying a Queen with fae blood cannot remain on Stormveil’s throne."
Dennis scoffed. "If it weren’t for her exposing herself to save them, they would have been corpses."
Randall nodded once. "That is precisely what I told them." Then his eyes flashed. "If it weren’t for her, they would be in the grave now. And yet they dare question her legitimacy?"
The room grew tense. Dennis stared at his father carefully. "So, what will you do?"
Randall’s gaze shifted toward the direction of the palace.
"I will go to Draven," he said. "Before those elders convince themselves they are brave enough to act."
Dennis nodded in agreent. If the Council moved against redith, Stormveil would fracture from within. And Estella would not need to lift another finger.
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