Adam's words carried over the crowd.
When they faded, no one spoke for a long moment.
Many of the citizens of Ravenfell lowered their heads. The anger that had filled their hearts for decades seemed to have collapsed all at once, replaced by something far heavier.
Shame crept across countless faces as the truth finally settled in. Some people covered their mouths, their eyes turning red. Others openly wiped tears away that they could no longer hold back.
For forty-five years, they had cursed the man standing before them. They had called him the Deceitful One, blamed him for the tragedy that had scarred their city, and carried that hatred like a banner.
Across the square, quiet sobs began to appear among the crowd as the realization cut deeper than any accusations ever had.
The Dark King they had once adored… was the very man they had wronged the most.
Adam scanned the change in reactions, his gaze sweeping through the crowd.
