The dusk had barely settled over the Persia Dukedom when Sion returned, the weight of blood and fury still clinging to him. The path behind him was scorched—an entire kingdom razed not for power, but for love. The people of the estate stood in silence as he passed, whispering prayers, not out of fear… but reverence. Their young master had returned, no longer just nobility—but a storm in human form.
Janet lay asleep in the royal guest chambers under divine care. As Sion stepped in, the room lit with faint holy light. Raphael stood quietly by the bedside. Janet stirred. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Brother?" she whispered, voice trembling.
"I'm here," Sion replied, kneeling beside her.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She clung to him tightly. "You came… you destroyed them all for me."
"I promised," Sion murmured. "No one hurts you and breathes."
Mary entered behind him, and for the first time in years, she wept—deeply, silently. "Thank you," she whispered to her son, holding both her children close.
Later that night, a high council was held inside the grand hall of Persia's palace. The King sat at the head, flanked by Duke John and Duke Jonathan. Everyone present knew the truth—Sion had done what armies failed to do in centuries.
The King stood and declared, "For your unmatched service, I name you, Sion Ragnar, the Duke of the former Leaf Dukedom. The territory shall now be governed under Clover Kingdom's rule—with you as its rightful sovereign."
The hall echoed with a mix of awe and stunned silence. The nobility bowed.
Among the guests, Princess Rebecca of Sidom could not hide the gleam in her eyes. The memory of Sion riding through the flames, wrath incarnate, carved itself into her heart. What began as admiration had bloomed into something deeper—obsession. Her heart was no longer her own. It belonged to the Duke of Leaf.
Outside the council, Sion stood on the balcony under the moonlight. Raphael joined him.
"You've changed the tides of this continent," the angel said quietly.
"I didn't ask to," Sion replied.
"No... but now the world will ask something of you."
Just then, the estate guards signaled the arrival of royal envoys. Sion turned to see the Royal Family of Sidom approaching by nightfall. Their carriages bore the sacred sigils of Elven royalty. They had come not out of protocol—but urgency.
They were here to meet the man who brought down a kingdom alone.
The Duke of Leaf.