The morning after the wedding dawned with a serenity I hadn't felt in years. The palace was quiet, the usual bustle of servants muted as the kingdom celebrated the union of Primeria and Xaria. The golden sunlight streamed through my window, warming my skin as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out at the gardens below. For the first time in what felt like forever, I could breathe freely.

My father was gone-his shadow no longer looming over me, no longer dictating my every move. The mission that had defined my existence for so long was finished, not because I had completed it but because I had chosen not to. Lia was alive, safe, and happy, and for once, I didn't feel the crushing weight of guilt pressing down on me.

I wasn't sure what came next-what my life would look like now that I was free from my father's control-but for the first time, I wasn't afraid to find out.

Later that morning, I found Lia sitting in the gardens, her gown trailing behind her as she leaned over a bed of blooming roses. She looked radiant in the sunlight, her cheeks still flushed from the happiness of the previous day.

"Calli!" she called out when she saw me approaching. Her smile was bright and genuine, and it warmed something deep inside me.

I joined her on the stone bench beneath the shade of a willow tree. She turned to me with an expression of pure joy, her eyes sparkling.

"Isn't it beautiful today?" she asked softly.

"It is," I agreed. "But you're even more beautiful."

She laughed lightly, a sound that felt like music to my ears. "You always know what to say."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching as butterflies flitted between the flowers and birds sang from the treetops. The peace of this moment felt almost surreal after everything we had been through-the lies, the betrayals, and the danger that had threatened to tear us apart.

"I feel... lighter," Lia said suddenly, her voice thoughtful.

I glanced at her curiously. "Lighter?"

She nodded slowly. "Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. For so long, I've felt like everything was out of my control-like I was just a pawn in someone else's game. But now... now I feel like I can finally be myself."

Her words struck a chord deep within me because they mirrored my own feelings so perfectly. "I know what you mean," I said quietly.

She turned to me with a soft smile. "You don't have to worry anymore either, Calli. He's gone-and he can't hurt us anymore."

Her words were simple but powerful, and they brought a sense of relief that I hadn't realized I needed. My father's death had been traumatic and messy, but it had also freed me from his grasp-and from the mission that had consumed my life for so long.

"I don't know what comes next," I admitted softly. "But whatever it is... I'll be here for you."

Lia reached out and took my hand in hers-a gesture so small yet so profound that it brought tears to my eyes. "We'll figure it out together," she said firmly.

As we sat there in the gardens, Nathaniel appeared from one of the winding paths leading toward us. He looked more relaxed than usual, his formal demeanor softened by the warmth of the morning sun.

"Good morning," he greeted us with a polite nod before joining us on the bench.

"Good morning," Lia replied brightly.

Nathaniel's gaze flickered to me briefly before settling on Lia. "You look happy."

"I am," she said simply.

He smiled faintly-a rare but genuine expression-and leaned back against the bench with a sigh. "I think yesterday went well."

"It did," Lia agreed eagerly. "It was perfect."

Nathaniel glanced at me again before speaking more softly: "Thank you for everything you've done for her."

His words caught me off guard, but I managed a small nod in response. "It's my duty-and my privilege."

He studied me for a moment longer before turning back to Lia with a softer expression. "I'm glad you have someone like her by your side."

Lia smiled warmly and squeezed my hand gently-a silent affirmation that meant more than words ever could.

---

### A FUTURE WITHOUT FEAR

As the day wore on and life in the palace began to return to normal, I found myself reflecting on everything that had led us here-the lies I had told, the choices I had made, and the bonds we had forged despite it all.

For years, my life had been defined by fear-fear of failure, fear of discovery, fear of losing myself entirely to my father's control. But now? Now there was hope. Hope for something better-for a future where loyalty wasn't just an obligation but something freely given.

Lia's trust in me remained unshaken despite everything she knew about my past-a gift so precious that it brought tears to my eyes whenever I thought about it too deeply. And Nathaniel? He might never fully understand who I was or what I had done-but his respect for Lia extended to me as well in ways that felt surprisingly genuine.

As evening fell and we gathered together for dinner-a quiet meal shared between friends rather than political allies-I realized something profound:

For all its chaos and uncertainty... this is my home now.

And while there would undoubtedly be challenges ahead-questions left unanswered and dangers still lurking-I knew one thing for certain:

I would protect Lia with everything I had-not because it was my mission but because it was my choice.

And for once... that choice felt like freedom instead of chains.