Lucian had never imagined a day where he'd willingly step back from the reins of his empire. For so long, he had been the one at the helm, making the decisions, driving the vision, and ensuring that every corner of his kingdom operated in unison. Yet here he stood, in the grand hall of his citadel, surrounded by advisors, generals, and leaders he had personally groomed over the years. It was time to acknowledge that the empire had grown far beyond the scope of what one man could handle alone.
The weight of his responsibility had shaped him into the man he was today—hardened by battles, sharpened by betrayal, and softened by the love he had found in Isolde. But now, Lucian felt something shift within him. A desire for peace, for something quieter and more personal. A life where his legacy wouldn't be determined by the vastness of his empire, but by the impact he had made on the people he cared about, and the world they had all built together.
