Barrett felt a shiver under the intensity of Liam''s gaze, and instinctively took a step back.


    Liam was obviously reluctant to engage in conversation with Barrett. He stood before Carissa, his expression aplex mix of emotions.


    "General Sinir, the massacre of your family was not my order," he began, his tone earnest.


    "The leader of our spies issued thatmand. He did it because he learned that Aurora''s forces had wiped out several viges in Fawnrun City, and that she had subjected a prisoner of war to inhumane


    treatment.


    "Our king and the entire Westhaven court uphold a strict policy: issues on the border should not involve the lives of civilians. We do not condone the ughter of innocents, especially not the elderly, women, and children of an entire family.


    "While your kingdom''s general hadmitted grievous acts, I must apologize on behalf of Westhaven for everything they have done."


    Barrett was stunned. "W-What nonsense are you talking about?"


    Liam paid no attention to Barrett, and continued to address Carissa.


    "Our king and everyone in our court holds thete marshal in high regard. Despite leading armies. against us, General Sinir strictly adhered to the agreements between our nations. He never harmed a single civilian from our kingdom. Each time he waged war, he withdrew his forces once he reached" the border your kingdom set. I am deeply sorry for the tragedy that befell your family. It is a debt that Westhaven owes you.


    He paused, then added somberly, "A debt owed only to your family-the Sinirs."


    Liam did not mention the matter of Arthur''s disgrace and subsequent suicide. The only justification for the massacre was Aurora''s destruction of viges. Westhaven owed nothing to Starhaven, only to the Sinir family.


    THE


    As a military general and soldier, Aurora hadmitted crimes against the civilians of Fawnrun City..


    However, the Sinir family was made up of the elderly, women, and children. All the men of their family had died on the battlefield.


    Liam couldn''t ept that Aurora had mistreated Arthur so cruelly, nor could he ept that Westhaven spies had ughtered the entire Sinir family.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Liam had apologized to Carissa, but Arthur would never receive an apology from Aurora.


    As for the battlefield on the Southern Frontier, their men''s killing of Starhaven soldiers might have been seen as revenge, though Westhaven soldiers had suffered greater losses.


    Nevertheless, these issues must be resolved. The two kingdoms couldn''t remain forever hostile. They were neighboring nations and major powers. They needed to engage in trade, cultural, and technological exchanges.


    That was Liam''s perspective.


    It was also Rafael''s perspective; otherwise, this meeting between Liam and Carissa would never have


    urred.


    After a long silence, Carissa lifted her head. Her eyes were red, and she struggled to hold back tears, determined not to let them fall.


    "Aurora and several hundred soldiers with her have likely been killed or severely wounded and humiliated. Your revenge isplete. However, I know that the Westhaven spies who massacred my family have returned to your country. My revenge is not yet fulfilled. What I am owed, I will have them


    pay


    with their lives," she said firmly.


    Liam looked at her, his gaze full of sorrow andplexity. "If that''s the case, then the debt is settled. I''ve killed all the Westhaven spies who returned. General Sinir, you can grieve in peace. But know that the sorrow in Westhaven can''t be measured. It is a perpetual shame and an eternal pain of our kingdom. Even if Aurora and her soldiers are killed, it will never be erased."


    Carissa nodded silently, understanding his meaning. "I am not in a position to apologize on behalf of anyone, but this matter is also a source of pain and shame for those of us in Starhaven who are aware of


    it."


    At these words, Liam''s eyes became red, as if the wind had harshly touched them. His shoulders slumped slightly. "General Sinir, your words hold great significance for me, him, and the Starhaven royal family."


    One of the young soldiers beside Liam suddenly broke down, covering his face with tears. Moments ago, he had been standing there filled with hatred and anger. Yet Carissa''s words hadforted him, leading him to lose control and weep.


    Liam, Edmund, and Carissa all had pains they could not reconcile. But for the greater good, they had to reconcile in a broader sense.


    Liam then turned to Barrett, whose face was ashen, "Do you want to know what your wife nas done? Go up the mountain. Their current state is a reflection of the sins they havemitted,"


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