Chapter 27

Miu’s POV

I stepped closer to the men by the levee, taking in the hopelessness in their faces. Their shoulders slumped, their eyes heavy with fatigue. I knew this was the perfect moment to give them a breather.

“Your will must be exhausted from all of this work,” I said, keeping my voice calm, steady, and reassuring. “Everyone from the nearby homes has already been evacuated. A short break won’t make this situation any worse.”

I gestured toward the central area, where the staff and volunteers had set up a small camp.

“We’ve prepared hot soup, warm drinks, and blankets. Please, rest a bit in the tents.” I tried to make sure the words carried encouragement, ease, and permission all at once.

“And once everyone has regained their energy, we can work together to protect this city again,” I added, hoping to light even a small spark of determination in them.

Slowly, they began moving toward the tents. I walked alongside them, guiding each one gently. Most of the volunteers were wives, daughters, and relatives of the royal guards and the Tungsten men—people who wanted to help their loved ones in any way they could.

I saw the instant relief on their faces as they were handed bowls of soup and blankets, some leaning into their loved ones for comfort.

I let out a quiet sigh, a mix of relief and gratitude swelling in my chest. Somehow, in the smallest way possible, I had made a difference. And for now, that was enough.

“Miu.”

My thoughts were interrupted when Lena’s voice cut through the clamor of the storm and the tired murmur of the people in the tent.

I turned, and there she was, removing the hood of her raincoat. The rain had plastered her hair to her face, mud streaked along her cheeks, her clothes clinging with the remnants of the storm.

“Lena.” My voice came out softer than I intended.

“When I speak, do I sound like a barking dog to you?” she snapped, but her eyes betrayed her concern more than her words. I could see it—the fatigue and determination carved into her features.

“You crawled out here despite my order. Did you already forget that you were sick in bed up until this very morning?” Her voice rose slightly, and yet, something in it felt like she was trying not to show how much she cared.

I felt my chest tighten. Every word of hers was pulling at my thoughts, making me aware of just how much she had given of herself for the city and the entire kingdom. And then… my hand moved on its own.

I reached out, cupping her cheek gently, and Lena froze. Her sharp eyes widened slightly, her lips parting as if she wanted to speak, but no words came out.

I whispered softly, “I am proud of you… Lena.”

The words felt heavy and light all at once, carrying all the awe and gratitude that had been building in me since the moment I saw her again after all these years.

This is her. This is the Lena I’ve always admired. And I want her to know… I see her. I truly see her.

—

Third Person’s POV

With the storm easing into a steady drizzle, the people at Tungsten slowly regained their rhythm. The crack in the levee upstream still demanded urgent attention, but now, with hot soup in their bellies and warmth in their hands, they moved with purpose rather than desperation.

Faces that had moments ago carried the weight of hopelessness now showed faint traces of determination. Every sack of sand stacked seemed to chip away at the fear that had threatened to drown them.

The situation was far from resolved—the river’s current still threatened to overwhelm them—but somehow, no one dared to give up.

“Hey! We’ve come to help!” a shout rang from a distance.

Heads turned, eyes widening as a new group appeared through the thinning sheets of rain. People from nearby cities had come—volunteers responding to Captain Leon’s call for aid, reaching places his words alone could not.

The extra hands moved quickly, lifting, stacking, shoring up the levee alongside the exhausted residents.

Energy returned to the tired arms and soaked clothes, hope returning to weary eyes. The collective effort began to reshape the disaster from something impossible to something survivable.

The Queen and the people of Tungsten worked side by side, shoulder to shoulder, as if the weight of the flood could be held back by sheer will and determination.

The sight of the royal presence, of Lena herself laboring alongside them, ignited a spark of strength in the exhausted men and women. No one could afford to falter—not now.

“Don’t give up! We’re almost done now!” Lena shouted over the roar of the river, tying yet another set of sacks together. Her voice carried a raw authority, but also something warmer—a reassurance that even in the chaos, they weren’t alone.

For Lena herself, the rhythm of the work, the unity of everyone around her, stirred a fire she hadn’t felt in a long time. It was unfamiliar, intoxicating, and it hummed through her chest.

“Huh?…” a man muttered, breaking the brief trance. Heads lifted, eyes squinting at the sky.

“The rain…” Ollie whispered, but before he could finish, a familiar warmth kissed their faces. Through the thick, receding clouds, the sun broke free, its rays glinting off the wet street.

The sudden light made the water sparkle and the soaked workers smile despite their exhaustion.

Lena paused for a heartbeat, the sun warming her wet hair, her mud-streaked hands, and she knew she would never forget this moment—the city, the people, the storm they had survived together, and the quiet triumph of perseverance.

—

“Miu.” Lena called out as she approached the tent.

Miu sat wrapped in a warm blanket, still damp from the storm, her body trembling slightly from exhaustion.

The work had pushed her far beyond her limits, and even now, her voice was weak as she asked, “Is the work done now?”

Lena stepped closer, shedding her soaked raincoat, water dripping onto the muddy ground. “Well… just about. But there’s still a lot to work on for long-term reinforcement,” she said, her tone steady, calm, and yet carrying the weight of the day.

Miu watched as Lena’s gaze swept across the recovering city, taking in the tired faces of the people, the repaired levees, and the scattered supplies.

“There’s no need to panic now, at least,” Lena continued, finally turning her full attention to Miu. “I told them to rest for now. The royal staff will help finish up later.”

Then, Lena extended her hand. “Now… we should return to the palace for a while.”

Miu hesitated. Her eyes lingered on Lena’s hand, feeling the warmth radiating from it. She wanted to take it, but a small voice in her mind reminded her there was no guarantee Lena would hold it all the way—no guarantee at all.

And yet, it didn’t matter.

The day’s hardships, the storm, the exhaustion—they were all worth it just to be here, by Lena’s side, helping the people they had fought to protect.

Lena tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable but patient. “Come on… I’d really enjoy a hot bath right about now,” she said softly, waiting.

Miu finally let herself smile, a small, genuine curve of her lips as she reached forward and took Lena’s hand.

“Me too,” she whispered, feeling an unexpected lightness in her chest as the warmth of the Queen’s hand met hers.