Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 957

Leroy was seething with frustration. Today's negotiations had been his opportunity to take the initiative by demanding accountability and making unacceptable conditions, then declaring the talks a failure. After that, he would return to Westhaven and declare war.

Yet now, not only had he been unable to follow through with his plan, the negotiations had also shifted into a disadvantageous position. To make matters worse, his niece, the grand princess, was looking down on him.

The humiliation gnawed at him.

Jeremiah, who had been sitting quietly to the side, felt a sense of resolve settle over him as he watched the proceedings. If they could negotiate peacefully, that would be ideal. The massacre in Fawnrun City was Starhaven's fault, and they were willing to offer apologies, compensation, and make amends—but only if given a chance for peaceful negotiations.

Westhaven had distributed the case files regarding the Fawnrun City incident, which contained numerous firsthand accounts from soldiers who had been captured alongside the late Westhaven crown prince, Arthur. Some had survived, and they had given detailed testimonies to recreate the true events.

Not everyone in the villages had met a tragic end. Some had managed to escape. Even those survivors had seen part of the brutality that had unfolded.

The case files referred to the crown prince as "Artie," but Rafael and Davis understood it was a pseudonym.

For Rafael and his group, the files were difficult to read. The details of the slaughter were heartbreaking. Even though Aurora and Zeke had been repeatedly interrogated and forced to reveal every detail, there were still things they had kept hidden—such as the methods used to force the villagers to betray the crown prince, the torture, and the cruelty.

The files also excluded how they had tortured Arthur.

Lisandra recognized Jeremiah, and ordered Penny to give him a copy of the files for his review.

At Rafael's signal, the officials from the Diplomatic Affairs Department began distributing the files concerning the Sinclair family massacre. The Sinclair family's destruction was intricately tied to Victory Pass, and it was inevitable that this issue would be brought to the table during the negotiations.

"And so?" Rafael shot back. "Are the lives of those from a noble family life worth more than anyone else's? You hold an official title, Mr. Stellwyn. Does that mean your life is worth more than commoners' lives? Are you saying that they are beneath you?"

Leroy's frustration flared. "That's not what I meant! Why are you so anxious, Hell Monarch?"

Rafael didn't respond and continued to focus on the files. Lisandra and the other envoys were engrossed in their reading as well; they showed no interest in engaging with Leroy.

Once everyone had finished reading, both sides expressed their regret over what had happened. Their attitudes were sincere.

The massacre of the villages at Fawnrun City and the destruction of the Sinclair family were both tragedies. Since the two kingdoms were sitting down to negotiate, it was essential to respect the facts as they stood. Neither side would dispute the known truth.