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SHE GAVE A DYING DRAGON HER LAST WATER—THEN THE CURSED KING TOUCHED HER / Chapter 14 / 20

Chapter 14 - The Reconstruction of the Outer Wards

Three weeks after the incident in the Sea-Gate tunnels, the capital underwent a massive architectural and social renaissance.

Under the joint decree of King Evander and Mira Halden, the outer rings—long neglected by the previous regime—received direct funding from the royal treasury. Granaries were filled, public clinics were established on every corner, and former temple paladins who renounced Malakor’s extremist doctrines were reassigned to public works and peacekeeping.

In the sunlit courtyard of the newly established Healing Academy, Mira stood before a large group of apprentices—young men and women from both noble houses and common farming families—teaching them the fundamentals of herbal medicine and elemental stabilization.

"Never forget," Mira instructed, walking slowly between the rows of eager students, "a healer’s duty is not to judge the sickness, but to restore the balance. Magic and medicine are not weapons to control people; they are tools to preserve life."

At the back of the courtyard, leaning against a stone pillar with his arms crossed over his chest, Evander watched her with an expression of profound admiration. The heavy, crushing burden of the crown no longer weighed him down; the constant isolation of his youth had been replaced by a partnership built on mutual trust and shared purpose.

Captain Soren walked up beside the king, holding a rolled-up parchment bearing the royal seal.

"Sire, the trade caravans from the eastern provinces have arrived safely," Soren reported. "And the magistrates have finalized the new charter for the city council. Every district now has an elected representative, exactly as you and Lady Mira requested."

Evander nodded, his eyes never leaving Mira as she smiled at a successful potion mixture made by one of her young apprentices. "Good. Let the council meet tomorrow. I have an announcement of my own to make to the court."

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Soren raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile touching his lips. "An announcement, Sire? Should I prepare the ceremonial guard?"

"Prepare the entire city, Soren," Evander replied quietly, a genuine warmth spreading across his face. "The era of the solitary king is over."

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Chapter 15 - Whispers of the Royal Decree
Chapter 16 - Shadows of the Eastern Border
Chapter 17 - The Lunar Eclipse
Chapter 18 - Battle of the Central Courtyard
Chapter 19 - The Final Verdict
Chapter 20 - The Eternal Spring

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