Aiden's Insight revealed more—Lirael's deep, unspoken resentment toward her family. They had been pushing her to marry a close family heir, an alliance that would only strengthen the Augustus family's control over her. But Lirael had no desire to be shackled by such a fate. She sought freedom, the ability to rule on her own terms. It was this inner conflict, this desire for autonomy, that made her vulnerable to Aiden's offer. She wanted power, but not at the cost of her freedom.
Aiden's eyes gleamed with understanding. Lirael didn't need him to seize the throne. She could do that herself. What she needed was a way out, a solution that wouldn't tie her to the Augustus family or force her into a marriage of convenience. And that was where Aiden could step in—offering her the means to claim her destiny without being bound by the expectations of her family.
