"MY GRANDFATHER HATED the idea of fighting—" Lily's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, "—of harming the imperial family. Out of respect for the monarch my great-grandfather once befriended, he never allowed a single act of retaliation, no matter how much injustice we suffered." Her voice was calm, steady—too steady. "We could have coexisted peacefully in this empire. You needed help, and we gave it. You needed strength, and we lent it to you. Freely. Without a single coin in return."
She tilted her head faintly, as though examining a puzzle. "But the moment you found a chance to align yourselves with others—those you believed to be more powerful—you cast us aside. You branded us as enemies. And then, you murdered the only person willing to forgive, to let bygones be bygones." She blinked slowly. "Tell me... was it truly worth it?"
