Liam – POV
I stared at Esme's lifeless body. Her fair skin had turned ghostly pale.
"Wake up… Esme."
No. She can't leave me.
"Esme, wake up. You can't leave me!"
"Esme," I called again, but her eyes remained closed.
"Your Majesty," a voice said softly.
I looked up to see Samuel crouching beside me, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"Lady Esme is no longer with us. Please, Your Majesty… we need to leave this place."
He turned away. I looked around at the worn, bloodied soldiers barely holding themselves together. Morning had broken. And I was still holding Esme's body in my arms.
I couldn't speak. I felt like a failure—a man who couldn't protect his wife. I clutched her cold form close to my chest as I stepped into the carriage.
"Why did you leap into danger and give everything to save the world? What am I supposed to do without you?"
Tears blurred my vision. There was only silence in return.
