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For Rafael and his group, the files were difficult to read. The details of the slaughter were heartbreaking. Even though Freya and Zeke had been repeatedly interrogated and forced to reveal every detail, there were still things they had kept hidden-such as the methods used to force the villagers to betray the crown prince, the torture, and the cruelty.
The files also excluded how they had tortured Arthur.
Lisandra recognized Jeremiah, and ordered Penny to give him a copy of the files for his review.
At Rafael’s signal, the officials from the Diplomatic Affairs Department began distributing the files concerning the Devin family massacre. The Devin family’s destruction was intricately tied to Victory Pass, and it was inevitable that this issue would be brought to the table during the negotiations.
The room fell into a heavy silence, only broken by the rustling of pages turning.
Lisandra had been managing state affairs for many years, and she wasn’t one easily moved by compassion. As she read through the Devin family’s massacre, however, she felt her eyes well up with tears.
What struck her as the most tragic was the fact that every single male member of the Devin family had died for the kingdom, leaving behind only the elderly, women, children, and the family’s servants. And even those people’s deaths had been brutal-bodies hacked beyond recognition, with the children having met the same grim fate.
Leroy skimmed through the file quickly. When he reached the part that detailed the 108 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 added up to 108. While none of them were fatal, each wound represents a degradation.”
The translator relayed the message, though Rafael and the officials from the Diplomatic Affairs Department understood the meaning without needing the translation.
Rafael met Leroy’s words with an equally cold response, “What you said is chilling, Mr. Stellwyn. We have never covered for Freya. Are you trying to cover for the spies who wiped out the Devin family? If you want to make comparisons, then those 108 cuts should have been returned to those who committed the crime, not inflicted upon innocent women and children. The way you speak makes one wonder if you truly wish to seek justice for the innocent victims.”
Leroy felt the sting of the remark and bristled, “The Devin family wasn’t just any common family! Even if they were all widows and orphans, they were a noble house.”
“And so?” Rafael shot back. “Are the lives of those from a noble family life worth more than anyone else’s? You hold an official title, Mr. Stellwyn. Does that mean your life is worth more than commoners’ lives? Are you saying that they are beneath you?” Leroy’s frustration flared. “That’s not what I meant! Why are you so anxious, Hell Monarch?”
Rafael didn’t respond and continued to focus on the files. Lisandra and the other envoys were engrossed in their reading as well; they showed no interest in engaging with Leroy.
Once everyone had finished reading, both sides expressed their regret over what had happened. Their attitudes were sincere.
The massacre of the villages at Fawnrun City and the destruction of the Devin family were both tragedies. Since the two kingdoms were sitting down to negotiate, it was essential to respect the facts as they stood. Neither side would dispute the known truth.
Lisandra spoke first.
She believed Starhaven had violated the agreement between the two kingdoms, which was to not harm civilians or execute prisoners of war. The slaughter of civilians and the brutal treatment of a war prisoner during wartime were actions that would outrage both man and god. Similarly, the massacre of the Devin family by Westhaven’s spies was a grave mistake.
“We seek peaceful negotiations, and for that to happen, both sides must acknowledge these facts. Only with that understanding can we proceed with talks for peace between our kingdoms.”
Once the translator relayed her words, both Rafael and the negotiating officials from Starhaven agreed with her.
Thus, the negotiations officially began.
Westhaven put forward five conditions. Firstly, Starhaven must issue a formal apology to the people of Westhaven for the lives lost.
Second, Starhaven was to pay compensation of 10,000 gold coins.
Third, compensation of 3,000,000 bushels of grain was to be delivered to Westhaven by Starhaven representatives.
Fourth, the treaty signed at Fawnrun City was to be rendered null and void. This meant the border should revert to its previous terms before the agreement.
Fifth, Blake, Freya, and Dominic must be handed to Westhaven for punishment.
Even though Starhaven had prepared itself for tough terms, these demands were still too much to accept.
“We can agree to the first two conditions, but we cannot accept the terms of delivering 3,000,000 bushels of grain or shifting the borderlines,” Rafael said. “We acknowledge our fault, but the massacre of the Devin family is also tied to the situation at Victory Pass. This is a shared responsibility.
“As for the fifth condition, Freya may be handed over to Westhaven, but General Sullivan does not bear the main responsibility. At the time, he was severely injured and unable to control his subordinates. Therefore, he should be dealt with by our kingdom.”
Garrick retorted, “The Devin family’s massacre was a direct result of your violation of the agreement. Westhaven is at fault, yes, but you must also take responsibility for this incident.”
“What you say shows a lack of respect for the facts we all just agreed upon Mr. Horton,” Davis pointed out “Grand Princess Lisandra herself said that the foundation for these talks is mutual respect for the facts. The Devin family massacre was carried out by Westhaven spies. Regardless of their reasons, it is unforgivable to carry out such a brutal act against innocent women, children, and the elderly.”
“We respect the facts, and as such, we are willing to follow the first two conditions in regard to the massacre of the Devin family,” Lisandra said firmly. “We will apologize to the remaining Devin family members and compensate them with 40,000 gold coins. With this, the first and second conditions are balanced out.
“However, I ask Starhaven not to overlook the most important fact that you killed war prisoners and massacred villagers, breaking the agreement first. Therefore, you bear the main responsibility. The compensation must be increased accordingly.” “Balanced out” meant that the Devin family’s massacre should not be brought up again.
However, Rafael certainly wasn’t about to agree. His goal was to remove Dominic from those first two conditions and to place the Devin family issue on the negotiating table. The primary aim was to absolve Dominic from the matter entirely.
“Since we’re talking about respecting facts,” Rafael said, his tone calm but firm, “I ask that Westhaven also respect General Sullivan’s role in the Fawnrun City incident. He was only guilty of not being able to control his subordinates. He neither gave the order nor participated in the massacre of war prisoners and civilians.”
Dominic wasn’t one of Westhaven’s primary targets. Bringing him into this conversation was a strategic move to gain leverage in negotiations, so naturally, Westhaven wouldn’t back down easily.
Not only did they refuse to back down, but they also dragged Blake into the conversation. They argued that as the general overseeing Fawnrun City’s actions, he too bore some responsibility for the situation.
Given the strategic nature of the talks, it was clear Blake had to be protected. Agreeing to hand him over on the first day would open a dangerous precedent. For now, Starhaven only agreed to surrender Freya and nothing more.
And so, the first day of the negotiations ended without significant progress. The only agreement reached was on the first two conditions-mutual apologies and compensation.
Before the day concluded, Lisandra made one last remark, “If you think the massacre of the Devin family can fully cancel out the events at Fawnrun City, that is impossible.”
Rafael responded in kind, his voice just as resolute, “These are human lives we’re talking about. It’s not possible to cancel one tragedy with another. To do so would be a profound disrespect to those who died in such brutal circumstances.” As such, the negotiations for the day ended without any meaningful breakthroughs.
After the Westhaven envoys left the Diplomatic Affairs Department and returned to their lodgings, the Starhaven negotiators remained behind and continued discussions about the next round of talks. Jeremiah was involved in the conversation, his voice calm but firm.
“If we’re going to compensate with grain, we can’t offer such a large quantity. Last year, there was a poor harvest and the military wages were insufficient. If we give them 3,000,000 bushels of grain, we’re essentially funding their war efforts. We can compensate, but it can’t exceed 300,000 bushels.”
He paused, then added, “Also, His Majesty insists that we cannot make any concessions on the border issue.”
Having delivered his points, he left the room. From the way Rafael had been conducting the negotiations, Jeremiah felt confident in the direction they were heading.
Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Justice, Blake requested a meeting with Patrick.
After his conversation with Freya the previous night, Blake had been troubled. Freya had mentioned a plan to convince Westhaven to take Dominic, but Blake couldn’t understand how she could pull that off. So, he turned to Patrick for advice. “She really said that?” Patrick asked, coming to meet Blake in person. “Did she say how?”
Blake shook his head. “She didn’t say, and when I asked, she just refused to explain. But she has mapped out an escape route, and it’s clear she’s confident she can convince the Westhaven envoys to take General Sullivan with them.”
At that point, Patrick still didn’t know the outcome of the negotiations. However, he knew Dominic would definitely be brought up at the table. If Starhaven refused, Westhaven wouldn’t be able to take him.
But if the talks ended without a resolution, what could Westhaven do to take Dominic after the fact? More importantly, how could Freya be so sure she could persuade the Westhaven envoys?
“That doesn’t seem likely,” Patrick said. “If she’s taken, she’ll be in a prison cart. The Westhaven envoys hate her with a passion. No matter what she says, no one will listen.”
Blake frowned. “I agree, it seems unlikely. But she’s convinced that Westhaven will take General Sullivan. I just don’t get how she’s so sure. I’ve been locked up here, so I want to ask you to send a message to my wife… No, to Madam Zoey, and ask her to investigate the servants at Valor Estate.”
“You suspect that Freya has been in contact with someone outside through the servants, perhaps even conspiring all along?” Patrick asked, his expression thoughtful. Blake thought it over, but couldn’t untangle the mess in his mind.