"Hmmm…" Hedrick let a very faint smile appear on his lips, so subtle it was almost invisible, yet it was clear enough to show that his mood had shifted ever so slightly.
There is nothing more terrifying for the leader of a nation at war than sensing—even for a moment—that his followers have lost the will to continue fighting. Such a feeling means morale is dropping, loyalty is weakening, and the possibility of betrayal grows… and ultimately, it means defeat creeping closer with every heartbeat.
In truth, he was ready for negotiations—after all, that was the entire reason he accepted to come here today—but he intended to negotiate freely, on his own terms, in a way that safeguarded his interests and delivered justice for every fallen soul who had died throughout this brutal conflict. He absolutely did not come here to raise a white flag or admit surrender.
