Chapter 957
Leroy seethed with frustration. Today's negotiations had been his opportunity to seize the initiative: demand accountability, impose unacceptable conditions, and declare the talks a failure. He would then return to Westhaven and declare war.
Instead, not only had his plan failed, but the negotiations had also shifted to a disadvantageous position. To make matters worse, his niece, the Grand Princess, looked down on him. The humiliation gnawed at him.
Jeremiah, who had been sitting quietly, felt a sense of resolve. If they could negotiate peacefully, that would be ideal. The massacre in Fawnrun City was Starhaven's fault, and they were willing to offer apologies, compensation, and amends—but only if given a chance for peaceful negotiations.
Westhaven had distributed case files regarding the Fawnrun City incident, containing numerous firsthand accounts from soldiers captured alongside the late Westhaven Crown Prince Arthur. Some survivors had given detailed testimonies reconstructing the events. Not all villagers had perished; some escaped, yet even they witnessed the brutality.
The case files referred to the Crown Prince as "Artie," a pseudonym understood by Rafael and Davis. For Rafael and his group, the files were harrowing. Despite Aurora and Zeke's repeated interrogations, some details remained hidden—the methods used to force villagers to betray the Crown Prince, the torture, and the cruelty inflicted upon him.
Lisandra recognized Jeremiah and ordered Penny to give him a copy of the files.
At Rafael's signal, officials from the Diplomatic Affairs Department distributed files concerning the Sinclair family massacre. The Sinclair family's destruction was intricately tied to Victory Pass, making this issue inevitable during negotiations.
A heavy silence fell, broken only by the rustling of turning pages. Lisandra, a seasoned stateswoman not easily moved by compassion, found her eyes welling with tears as she read about the Sinclair family massacre.
What struck her most was that every male member of the Sinclair family had died for the kingdom, leaving only the elderly, women, children, and servants—all of whom had also suffered brutal deaths, their bodies mutilated beyond recognition.
Leroy skimmed the file. Reaching the detail of 103 cuts, he looked up, his voice cold as he said in Westic, "You all seem to understand why there were 108 cuts. General Artie’s wounds also totaled 108. While none were fatal, each wound represents a degradation."
The translator relayed the message, though Rafael and the Diplomatic Affairs Department officials understood.
Rafael responded equally coldly: "What you said is chilling, Mr. Stellwyn. We have never covered for Aurora. Are you trying to cover for the spies who wiped out the Sinclair family? If you want to make comparisons, those 108 cuts should have been returned to those who committed the crime, not inflicted upon innocent women and children. Your words make one wonder if you truly wish to seek justice for the innocent victims."
Leroy bristled at the remark. "The Sinclair family wasn't just any common family! Even if they were widows and orphans, they were a noble house."
"And so?" Rafael retorted. "Are the lives of a noble family worth more than anyone else's? You hold an official title, Mr. Stellwyn. Does that mean your life is worth more than commoners'? Are you saying they are beneath you?"
Leroy's frustration flared. "That's not what I meant! Why are you so anxious, Hell Monarch?"
Rafael ignored him, focusing on the files. Lisandra and the other envoys, equally engrossed, showed no interest in engaging Leroy.
Once everyone finished reading, both sides sincerely expressed regret. The massacres in Fawnrun City and the destruction of the Sinclair family were both tragedies. Since the kingdoms were negotiating, respecting the facts was essential. Neither side disputed the known truth.