All Chapters of REVENGE AFTER REBIRTH-THE LORD'S FORSAKEN BRIBE: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

The council chamber is still in fear. Damien’s outburst still echoed in the nobles’ minds, his wine-stained threats and madness staining his dignity beyond repair. He had stormed from the room, spouting, and left silence in his wake.I remained.I stood tall before them, hands steady at my sides, though the storm inside me threatened to tear me apart. Cassian’s face flashed in my mind pale, sweating, trapped between life and death but I could not show any sign of weakness yet. Not before them. Not now.They looked at me with searching eyes, torn between fear and hope.And hope, if offered, was a leash no power could resist.“My lords, my ladies,” I said, “You saw it yourselves. The duke is not well. His grief, his fury, his pride, they have consumed him. I will not speak ill of him, for he is still my husband. But neither will I let his shadow consume this realm.”A murmur swept the chamber, sharp, restless.“The serpents have coiled into our halls. They strike at our tables, at our c

. The chamber glowed with the first light of dawn, golden and gentle as it spilled across the pallet. For the first time in weeks, the air did not choke of herbs and fear.Cassian sat braced against pillows, pale still, but his eyes steady, his hand warm in mine. He looked less like a dying man, more like himself again, the soldier, the shield, the storm.I brushed a stray lock of hair from his brow, my lips curving despite the weight still crushing the world outside. “You frightened me,” I whispered.His mouth quirked faintly. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”I let out a shaky laugh, pressing his hand against my heart. “You don’t get to leave me, Cassian. Not like that. Not ever.”His gaze softened, shadows and light warring in those steel-gray eyes. “Serina… I swore I’d always follow you. But now…” He paused, his voice thick. “Now I realize I don’t just follow. I stand with you. Even if the world turns to ash.”The words hit deeper than any blade. “Then let it turn. As long as I have

For the first time in weeks, the air did not suffocate me. It was heavy still with fear, with doubt but it bent toward me, not away. The nobles assembled quickly, their voices quieted down, and their eyes looked between one another. Damien had not come. He was too drunk, perhaps too broken, perhaps too proud. But his absence was its own declaration.I sat at the head of the table.Lady Miriel tilted her head first. “Your Grace, the people grow restless. Whispers of serpents in the palace have reached the streets. They look for assurance.”Lord Alaric added, “And for leadership. If the duke will not rise, you must. The realm cannot drift any longer.”I glanced toward Cassian. He stood at my side, his hand braced lightly on the table, his face pale but steady. He had insisted on being here, even against the healers’ advice. His presence was an anchor, his quiet strength a reminder I was not alone.I rose slowly. “Then I will not let the realm drift. As of this moment, the council will h

Cassian leaned heavily against the wall, his face drawn with pain, but his eyes sharp. “They had help. No one slips this deep into the palace without doors opened for them.” I nodded grimly. “Which means there’s still a serpent among us.” By dawn, the smoke had been beaten back, the fires quenched, but the cost was heavy. The storehouses were gutted. Half the council’s ledgers were missing. And Captain Duren’s body lay cold in the chapel, his blood staining the marble. The nobles gathered in the chamber, voices sharp with fear and accusation. “The serpents are encouraged!” one cried. “They strike at our very heart!” another shouted. “We are not safe, none of us is safe!” I silenced them with a single raised hand. “You think yourselves hunted prey?” I said, my voice ringing. “Then become predators. If they hide in our halls, we will root them out. If they burn our stores, we will rebuild stronger. If they slit our throats, we will answer with steel.” The chamber stilled, th

Above, the council chamber burned with light. I sat at the head of the table, Cassian at my side, his presence was quiet but unshakable.The nobles argued fiercely.“The prisons must be purged,” one shouted. “Every serpent sympathizer must executed before they can strike again!”“No,” Lady Miriel countered, her voice sharp. “Spill blood blindly, and we become them. Order must be kept, not slaughtered.”I raised my hand, silencing them.“Fear is what the serpents want,” I said. “They thrive on chaos, on panic. If we kill without trial, we give them their victory.”Murmurs rose, uncertain. Some nodded, others scowled.Lord Alaric leaned forward. “And what of your sister? Will you let her rot in the dark, or will you end this charade and put her head on a spike?”My chest tightened, but my face did not say much. “She will answer for her crimes. But justice is not vengeance. I will not let this court become a pit of butchers.”The words steadied some, but not all. Already, I could see c