She continued, unaffected.

"You have stabilised the continent as a whole by locating them and personally bringing them," she calmly said, " you should be proud, you have prevented a war from happening just because of a greedy and foolish king,"

She tilted her head slightly.

"The reward for their capture still holds as said in the notice," she said, "this is also a sign of goodwill, I will not attack your kingdom unless provocation happens. As a thank you for your favor."

Her gaze shifted to King Neill then back to Terah King, who held her gaze.

"I do not wish for something like this to ever happen again. I will not be merciful next time," her gaze swept across the hall," I want you all to remember that. I do not care about the treaty, if you attack me, I will attack back, a hundredfold."

Everyone knew what it was without needing to be told. This was addressed to all the kingdoms in every continent and to those who thought she was a piece on their board.

It was clear that they had all sent spies into the palace even those who weren’t visible. She wanted the message to spread.

Terrah King watched carefully, even though he looked mildly impressed although he was being threatened with riches at the moment.

His eyes met his advisors who nodded.

"I shall accept your humble gift your majesty," he calmly said.

Llith smiled. Her shadow picked up the chest and handed it over to his guards.

Her gaze went to the still chained royals.

"Take them away," she calmly said, " the execution will be held tomorrow as planned. Let the people see the one who abandoned them."

The family never had the chance of escape.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence after the family was dragged away.

She leaned back leisurely.

"I do not wish to cause such a flourishing kingdom harm," she quietly said, "I offer you a choice."

That immediately changed the atmosphere. Even the nobles straightened.

Atheline raised an eyebrow.

"Accept restoration under my authority." Her gaze swept across the hall then settled on the familiar older duke, who had been the one to receive them the first time.

Duke Orion Baringham.

"Or remain political liabilities until the execution cycle completes," she continued calmly.

The duke’s face tightened when he noticed the gaze on him.

"You mean surrender the kingdom."

Lilith considered.

"Yes."

The word landed like stone. Terah King exhaled quietly. He knew this moment, this was where kingdoms broke. This wouldn’t be a simple change in rulers.

It was probably going to be an overhaul, a fate more cruel than anyone wanted to admit. The fact that it was another species, worsened it.

A courageous young noble finally spoke.

"What happens if we refuse?"

Lilith looked at her.

"I’ll still take it. I’m giving you a conflict-free way out but I do not mind war," she calmly said, " my people have been thirsting for blood lately. "

Simple and absolute with no dramatization, just facts thrown at their faces.

Everyone in the hall didn’t know how to react. Most paled, colour and strength drained from their bodies. The last five days had destroyed any morale the kingdom had built and now fear was the only thing dominating.

Just as she had expected.

The duke lowered his head. For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then a sound cut through the hall. A sword being pulled out of a scabbard then hurried steps. Someone inside Gladia nobles lunged forward.

In a fast but desperate motion. The attack wasn’t aimed at Lilith but at Terah King. He was the transfer authority and the fragile diplomatic chain holding everything together.

This was an attempt at disruption and a final gamble to collapse attribution.

If Terah King died here, if chaos erupted then blame would fracture. War would ignite uncontrollably.

The attacker moved almost unimpeded then suddenly stopped. He only managed a few steps forward then collapsed instantly without warning. Blood flowed from his neck where a small gap in his flesh became visible.

The hall froze.

Terah King stepped back instinctively as his main guard stepped closer, tension in his shoulders.

The nobles gasped and the duke visibly recoiled.

Lilith did not react at all. She only sighed softly.

"Again."

Atheline closed his eyes briefly, his wind settled with a sigh. Someone was getting too predictable.

A shadow knelt beside the body.

"Contracted operative," it reported, "No royal affiliation."

Relief spread unevenly across the room. Suspicion replaced it just as quickly.

Lilith stood from the throne and instantly the room became still.

She stepped down slowly, each step measured. She stopped in front of the still shaken duke.

"You will appoint a new ruler."

The duke blinked.

"What?"

"Within three hours."

She paused.

"Not of the former king’s bloodline."

That sentence changed everything. The duke’s expression cracked slightly.

"That is impossible."

Lilith looked at him calmly.

"Then you will fail."

Terah King finally spoke carefully.

"If they comply?"

She turned slightly.

"Then the kingdom continues," she glanced once at him," Under my structure."

Silence filled the room.

The duke understood immediately. This was not destruction, it was absorption. Gladia’s kingdom would remain but not as it was.

Lilith turned away from them as if the matter was already settled. Then paused once more.

"And if there are further attempts to interfere with transfer proceedings..."

She cast a glance toward the corpse. The implication was clear. Next time, there would be no distinction between actor and nation.

Then she walked away from the throne. Atheline followed.

Terah King remained behind with his guards and his full chest of treasure, already realizing he had just completed one of the most politically dangerous deliveries in continental history.

Outside the throne room, the air felt lighter. Lilith walked ahead and Atheline matched her pace. For a moment, none of them spoke then he finally exhaled.

"So the kingdom is ours now?"

She glanced at him.

"Temporarily."

"That sounds permanent."

"It always does."

He smiled slightly.