Chapter 418

Elara, catching their incredulous looks, simply shrugged. "I will wait. Wait for the King to wake, and then, perhaps, we shall discuss our options together."

A hush fell over the room. The Queen's words, delivered with a chilling calm, sent a ripple of shock through the men. They had expected her to take charge, to lead them with a fiery spirit, to rally their hopes and ignite their courage. Instead, she offered a different kind of strength, a patient resilience that was both disconcerting and strangely reassuring.

The men looked at each other, their faces now a mixture of confusion and a dawning understanding. They were not used to this kind of leadership, this calm in the face of a storm. But perhaps, they thought, perhaps this was the strength they needed, the strength to weather the storm, not with brute force, but with a quiet determination and a faith in their King's eventual return.