Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 491: Blackmare’s stance

In Blackmare Kingdom....

The chamber was quiet in a way that carried weight, not peace, but restraint, the kind that settled over a room where every word spoken had consequences beyond the walls that contained it. The heavy curtains were drawn just enough to allow a dim wash of light across the long table at the center, where King Highmoor sat with his hands resting calmly before him, his posture composed, his expression steady, yet beneath that calm sat a mind that had not known rest in days.

Across from him, the empress sat with equal poise, her gaze unwavering, her fingers lightly interlocked as she listened, though the tension in her eyes betrayed the thoughts she kept carefully measured. To the side stood Commander Alexander, tall and rigid as ever, his presence firm and unyielding, while Captain Varran remained a step behind, his stance less formal but no less attentive. Henrietta stood near the far end of the table, quiet, observant, her sharp eyes moving between each speaker as the discussion unfolded.

King Highmoor exhaled slowly before speaking, his voice calm but carrying the authority of someone who had already weighed every possibility. "So they have made their stance clear," he said, his gaze shifting slightly toward Alexander. "Blackmare will not commit troops."

Commander Alexander inclined his head slightly, his tone firm as he replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Their envoy made it clear that they will not involve themselves directly in the conflict against the usurpers, at least not under the current circumstances."

Captain Varran let out a quiet breath, his lips tightening slightly as he said, "Not surprising. They have never been eager to fight battles that do not serve them directly."

The empress’ gaze shifted toward him, her voice measured as she spoke. "This is more than reluctance. This is calculation. They are watching, waiting to see how far Valerion falls before deciding what benefits them most."

Henrietta nodded slightly at that, her voice calm but sharp. "And we cannot blame them entirely. From their perspective, Valerion has not been an ally worth risking resources for."

A brief silence followed that statement, not out of disagreement, but because it carried truth that none of them could deny.

King Highmoor leaned back slightly, his expression unchanged as he said, "They still hold onto the past."

Commander Alexander’s eyes narrowed faintly as he responded, "The accusation against them was not a small matter. Being blamed for an attempt on Prince Darius’ life created a wound that has not healed."

Captain Varran gave a small nod, his tone thoughtful as he added, "To them, we accused them of treachery without proof, and now we stand at their gates asking for aid. In their eyes, they are already being generous by allowing our displaced forces to remain within their borders."

The empress’ fingers tightened slightly against one another as she said, "Generous, or strategic. Housing our soldiers gives them leverage. It keeps us dependent without forcing them into open conflict."

Henrietta’s gaze flickered toward her, a faint hint of agreement in her eyes. "And it allows them to observe our condition closely. If we weaken further, they will know before anyone else."

King Highmoor remained silent for a moment, his eyes lowering slightly as he considered their words, then he spoke again, his voice steady. "Then we proceed without them."

Commander Alexander straightened slightly as he replied, "That would be the only course left if they remain firm in their decision, though it will make matters significantly more difficult."

Captain Varran crossed his arms loosely as he said, "Difficult, yes, but not impossible. We have faced worse odds before."

The empress looked toward him, her expression calm but probing. "And what would you suggest, Captain, given that we now face not only the usurpers but also the uncertainty of allies who refuse to stand with us?"

Varran held her gaze for a moment before answering, his tone steady. "We gather strength where we can, reinforce what remains loyal, and avoid overextending ourselves until we understand the full scope of what we are dealing with."

Henrietta tilted her head slightly as she added, "Which brings us back to the most important unknown."

Her words drew the room’s attention back to the center.

Valerion.

King Highmoor’s gaze sharpened slightly as he spoke, "We are still operating without a clear picture of what has become of the capital. Reports are scattered, unreliable, and incomplete."

Commander Alexander nodded once. "Most of what we have are secondhand accounts, and none of them align fully. Until we have confirmation, any large-scale decision would be premature."

The empress’ voice softened slightly, though the weight behind it did not lessen. "And that confirmation depends on him."

No one needed to ask who she meant.

Lucas.

A brief silence settled over the chamber, heavier than before, because unlike the discussions of alliances and politics, this carried something more personal, something less certain.

Captain Varran finally spoke, his tone quieter now. "If he has reached Valerion, he will return with answers."

Henrietta’s gaze lowered slightly as she added, "If he is able to return."

The words were not spoken with doubt, but with realism, and they lingered in the air for a moment before King Highmoor responded, his voice calm but resolute. "He will return."

There was no hesitation in his tone.

No uncertainty.

Commander Alexander gave a slight nod, accepting that statement without question, while the empress remained silent, her gaze steady, though something unreadable flickered briefly beneath it.

King Highmoor leaned forward slightly, his hands resting against the table once more as he said, "Until then, we hold our position. We do not act on assumptions. We wait for clarity."

Captain Varran exhaled slowly, nodding as he replied, "Understood."

Henrietta straightened slightly, her voice calm. "Then everything depends on what he brings back."

The chamber fell quiet once again, not from a lack of words, but because all that needed to be said had been spoken, and now, there was nothing left but patience.

For now, they had to wait for Lucas to bring reports of Valerion’s condition.

The meeting eventually came to an end, not with resolution, but with a quiet understanding that nothing more could be decided until new information arrived, and as the chamber doors opened, Henrietta stepped out into the corridor with the same composed expression she had worn inside, though her thoughts remained active, turning over every word that had been spoken. The guards stationed along the hall gave slight bows as she passed, their presence a reminder that even within Blackmare’s territory, they were still guests rather than allies, tolerated but not embraced.

She did not linger.

Her steps carried her out of the inner structure and into the open air of the settlement that had been designated for the Valerion forces, a modest town set at a distance from the capital, far enough to ensure they remained contained, yet close enough to be monitored. The difference was clear in every detail, from the lack of grandeur in the buildings to the subtle but ever-present watch of Blackmare soldiers stationed at key points, their gazes never hostile, but never welcoming either.

Valerion soldiers moved through the area in small groups, their armor worn, their expressions a mixture of fatigue and quiet frustration, yet they maintained discipline, because despite everything, they were still soldiers of a kingdom.

Henrietta’s gaze passed over them briefly before settling on a more familiar group gathered near the edge of the settlement.

Lira, Nyx and Selene

The three of them stood together, their presence drawing subtle attention even in a place filled with trained warriors, each of them carrying their own distinct air, yet united by the same underlying tension that had not eased since their arrival in Blackmare. They turned as Henrietta approached, their attention sharpening immediately, because they could already tell from her expression that the meeting had not brought the answer they had hoped for.

Selene was the first to speak, her voice calm but direct as she asked, "What did they say," her eyes fixed on Henrietta with quiet intensity.

Henrietta stopped before them, her posture straight as she answered without delay, "Blackmare will not support us. Not openly, not now," her tone steady, though the weight of the words was clear.

Lira’s brows drew together slightly, a faint frustration surfacing as she said, "So they’re just going to sit and watch while Valerion and other kingdoms burns," her voice carrying more emotion than the others, though she kept it controlled.

Nyx tilted her head slightly, her expression more thoughtful than reactive as she said, "Not just watch. They’re calculating," her gaze shifting briefly toward the distant structures of the town. "If we fall, they gain something. If we survive, they align later. Either way, they lose nothing."

Henrietta gave a small nod. "That’s exactly it. From their perspective, they are already being generous by allowing us to stay here. They see no reason to risk their own forces for us."

Selene’s eyes lowered slightly for a moment before lifting again, her voice quieter now, but no less firm. "Because of the past."

Henrietta met her gaze. "Yes. The accusation against them still lingers. They have not forgotten it."

Lira let out a soft breath, shaking her head slightly as she muttered, "So we’re paying for something we didn’t even prove," her frustration evident now, though not uncontrolled.

Nyx crossed her arms lightly, her tone calm. "That’s how politics works. Truth matters less than perception, and to them, we accused them of treachery. That kind of stain doesn’t fade easily."

There was a brief silence after that, the weight of the situation settling over them again, heavier now that it had been confirmed.

Selene broke it, her voice steady as she asked, "Then what now," her eyes searching Henrietta’s face for something more, something beyond refusal.

Henrietta did not hesitate. "We wait."

Lira frowned slightly. "Wait for what," she asked, though she already suspected the answer.

Henrietta’s gaze shifted briefly, as if looking beyond the town itself, before she said, "For Xavier of course."

Selene’s expression softened just slightly, though her composure remained intact, while Lira straightened a bit, the earlier frustration giving way to focus, and Nyx’s eyes sharpened with quiet interest.

Henrietta continued talking , her voice even. "He’s the only one who can give us a clear picture of what’s happening in Valerion. Until he returns, the king will not make any major decisions."

Lira folded her arms, nodding slowly as she said, "That makes sense. Acting blindly now would just make things worse."