Two weeks had passed since Van woke from his deadly illness.
His body hadn't fully healed, but his spirit emerged from the fire stronger, as if the sickness had stripped away what remained of his weak past.
On a quiet morning, while Nirin was preparing him honey soup, Kaiden burst into the palace wing, his face tense.
He spoke sharply:
"Renmal city — one of the western cities of Peace — has declared rebellion.
The soldiers withdrew. The locals expelled the regional leaders.
The black flags were burned in the squares."
He paused, then added:
"And they declared that Prince Van is merely a usurper of power… and that Nirin is the sole legitimate queen."
Nirin froze, placed the soup on the table, then quietly said:
"I ordered nothing… but my people remember me."
---
Seth, looking at Van, said:
"I suggest sending Kaiden to end this quickly. No need to show yourself publicly… your body hasn't healed yet."
But Van, without hesitation, stood up.
His steps were heavy but firm.
He looked at them all and said:
"If I don't show myself to the people of Peace, they will think I'm hiding behind palace walls.
I will go myself.
Not only with swords… but with words as well."
---
Van arrived at Renmal after two days of travel.
He entered the city on his black horse, without armor or crown… just a gray cloak and dark scarf.
The locals greeted him with heavy silence and angry eyes.
Then Van climbed a small platform in the middle of the square, where his banner still burned — half in flames, half in ashes.
He said loudly:
"I am not from your land… and I know I came with a sword, not a rose.
But when I entered, I didn't steal your homes, cut down your trees, or kill women or children."
He stepped forward and continued:
"I am not an executioner.
But if you want to fight me… so be it.
I will fight you today, and bury you tomorrow…
Or… we start something new. Together."
---
There was a long silence.
Then an old sheikh from the front rows approached and said:
"And if we believe you… what do you give us besides promises of conquerors?"
Van looked at him and said:
"I give you one promise…
That Renmal will be the first city ruled by its people, not by my men."
He raised his hand, took the Valdera emblem from his dagger, and gave it to the sheikh:
"Rule in our name… but for your people."
---
The next day, a new banner was hung in Renmal:
Black mixed with white.
With Van's emblem, and next to it an olive tree — symbol of Peace land.
The rebellion ended… before it even began.
On the way back, Nirin rode beside Van for the first time, without restraints.
She said:
"I don't know you anymore…
You surprise me more every time."
He quietly replied:
"And I… don't know myself anymore."