Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 99

Chapter 99: Chapter 48: Unspoken Truths_2

That caught everyone’s attention as the former Chancellor’s expression darkened, his sharp gaze pinning her down. “Are you telling me you knew who orchestrated the broadcast?”

The old Dragon Captain slammed his hand on the table. “Then why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

His voice carried frustration, not just for what she knew, but for the implications of her silence

But Yenna remained unshaken. “I only found out after the broadcast aired.”

“And by then, there was no time to gather everyone, no time to prevent what was already set in motion. The only thing I could do was prepare.” Her voice was even, unwavering. “So, I warned the former Supreme Commander of what might happen… and he took precautions accordingly.”

She leaned back, letting that sink in while the room fell into silence once again even Helen, who rarely felt shaken, was momentarily speechless.

The former Dragon Unit Captain was the first to break the silence. “So you’re telling me that even before the surge happened, you were already preparing countermeasures?”

“Yes.” Yenna nodded. “And thanks to that, Valdara Province will remain stable—at least for now.”

Helen let out a slow breath as this changed everything and if Valdara Province wasn’t going to fall under Rienfeld control, then they weren’t completely surrounded.

They still had a foothold outside Central Province soon the old Chancellor was the next to speak. “And what about the other three provinces?”

Yenna’s expression darkened slightly, her fingers drumming softly against the polished table. “Therndale is already lost to the Rienfeld family and that much is certain.”

Her words carried finality, and Helen tensed. “Why are you so sure they’ll go there?”

Before Yenna could reply, the former Chancellor—Helen’s father—spoke instead, his voice calm but firm. “Because Richard’s grandson—Henry’s son—is already stationed there as the provincial governor. Their influence is deeply rooted. They don’t need to fight for control—they already have it.”

A grim silence followed as Helen clenched her fists under the table. “So, that means they’ll head there after leaving Central Province.”

Yenna nodded. “It’s the most logical course of action.”

The former Chancellor pressed forward. “And what about the other two? Borealis and Vandrim?”

Yenna paused, thinking carefully before responding. “Borealis… I’m uncertain.”

Her words caused a flicker of concern in Helen’s expression.

“Why?”

“Because Borealis is divided.” Yenna let her words hang, giving them weight before continuing. “Both sides have influence there. The Rienfeld family has a stronghold through Henry’s son-in-law, who holds political power. But we also have trusted individuals stationed there who have built their own support over the years. This means it won’t fall easily into one faction’s hands.”

She exhaled slowly. “Borealis will be unstable for a long time. The province is fragmented—neither side can claim full control anytime soon. So, for now, we don’t need to concern ourselves with it.”

The room acknowledged this with slow nods. A province in chaos meant it wouldn’t immediately pose a threat.

Helen rubbed her temples, absorbing the information. “And Vandrim?”

This time, Yenna’s lips curved into something unreadable. “Vandrim is… different.”

A ripple of curiosity passed through the room. “Even though Richard’s other son is there and has influence, it won’t matter.”

“Why not?” Helen asked.

Yenna’s expression sharpened. “Because Vandrim is about to become a warzone.”

The tension in the room spiked as the former Dragon Unit Captain frowned. “Explain.”

Yenna’s voice was calm, but resolute. “Aiden is heading to Vandrim.”

Helen stiffened. “What?”

“And he won’t allow Vandrim to fall under Rienfeld control.”

The relief in the room was palpable, but the old man, who had remained silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke up.

His sharp gaze locked onto Yenna, piercing through her careful words. “What aren’t you telling us?”

The room fell silent again because they all knew Yenna never held back information unless it was deliberate.

She met the old man’s gaze, and after a moment, she spoke. “Because Aiden isn’t the only one in Vandrim.”

Helen’s eyes narrowed, sensing the true weight behind those words. “Who else is there?”

Yenna hesitated, but only briefly. “The person responsible for the broadcast.”

The silence that followed was thick and suffocating.

Helen stared, her expression unreadable, but her mind raced. “You mean… the one who warned the world before the surge?”

Yenna nodded. “And I’m certain that Vandrim will fall under their control in no time.”

Her voice was quieter now, a note of apprehension creeping in. “And you’re still sending Aiden there? Even though you think they have enough control over Vandrim to pose a serious threat?”

Yenna remained silent.

Helen’s throat tightened. “Then why?” she pressed. Her voice faltered, uncertainty threading through her words. She had never imagined a scenario where Aiden would be at a disadvantage. “You wouldn’t send him there unless…” She trailed off, the full weight of the situation sinking in.

The former Dragon Unit captain, who had been listening carefully, finally leaned forward. His voice was calm but carried an edge. “Is there anyone actually capable of defeating Aiden and his team?”

He wasn’t asking out of doubt—he knew Aiden’s strength better than anyone. He had trained him, after all. And he knew the kind of warriors that made up Aiden’s current unit. They were already stronger than the predecessors who had once stood as legends.

Still, Yenna remained silent.

The old man let out a tired sigh before speaking again. His voice was softer this time, yet it cut through the tension like a blade. “Is she your student?”

A collective breath was drawn. Shock rippled through the room. They all knew exactly who he was referring to. Yenna had only ever taken one student in her life.

Helen’s eyes narrowed. “She was detained,” she said, her voice uncertain. “She should still be in the detention center. That means…” Her expression hardened. “That means what Henry said in the council meeting was true about her team has gone missing.”

Yenna finally met Helen’s gaze and, for once, didn’t hold back the truth. “I found out a few days ago,” she admitted. “She broke out. And she didn’t just disappear—she gathered her entire unit. Right now, she’s in Vandrim province.”

A ripple of disbelief spread through the room.

Helen exhaled sharply. “Amira?” she whispered, as if saying the name would make it more real.