Attachment 414

In **Chapter 414: The War Is Over**, Mina experiences an unusual lightness in the air, signaling a shift in her household’s mood following the end of a long-standing war. Upon returning from a hunt, she discovers her family in high spirits, with Calista taking the initiative to cook breakfast—an uncommon occurrence that surprises Mina. As they share the meal, Rowena expresses disbelief and cautious hope about the war’s conclusion, while Calista excitedly discusses the handsome Alphas from Fenra, indicating a newfound sense of freedom and possibility.

As the conversation unfolds, the atmosphere shifts from lightheartedness to a deeper realization of the war’s impact. Corvin mentions the defeat of the Roses, bringing Mina a wave of unexpected joy. However, her moment of happiness is interrupted when she accidentally drops her plate, drawing attention to herself. Despite feeling embarrassed, she cannot hide her smile as she absorbs the news of the war’s end, experiencing a mix of emotions ranging from joy to anxiety about her own place in this new world.

The chapter captures Mina’s internal struggle as she grapples with her identity as a witch without magic in a world that is beginning to open up again. The oppressive atmosphere of Montrose is lifted, allowing Mina to dream of a life beyond fear and isolation. She recalls a peaceful stream she had almost forgotten about, symbolizing hope and the possibility of reclaiming her joy. Deciding to visit the stream, she feels a sense of liberation as she immerses herself in the warm water, contrasting her past hardships with the newfound peace surrounding her.

However, her moment of tranquility is abruptly interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, heightening her sense of vulnerability and fear. Mina’s heart races as she instinctively covers herself in the water, signaling her internal conflict between the desire for freedom and the lingering shadows of her past. The chapter concludes on a tense note, leaving readers eager to discover who—or what—has intruded upon her moment of solace, further emphasizing the theme of uncertainty in a world that is slowly healing from the scars of war.

**Attachment 414**

**Chapter 414 The War Is Over**

**MINA**

Today was different. A sense of lightness hung in the air, a rare occurrence that caught my attention.

+10 Free Coins

I could tell they were in high spirits because they had risen early, an unusual feat for our household. After heading out for another hunt—my previous night’s catch of boar had been disappointing—I returned home to the enticing aroma of food sizzling in the pan. This was a delightful surprise; usually, I was the one cooking, ensuring everything was ready by the time they stirred from their slumber.

I laid the large birds I had hunted on the kitchen floor, their presence filling the space with a promise of a hearty meal.

Rowena glanced up at me, a soft sigh escaping her lips. “Well, go on,” she urged, flicking her wrist dismissively toward the floor, as if inviting me to take charge.

Seizing the moment, I grabbed a plate and heaped it with food, eager to enjoy their cheerful mood before settling into my usual spot on the floor.

As we began our meal, Calista skewered her eggs with a fork, flipping her hair over her shoulder with a flourish. “See? I told you I could cook,” she proclaimed, her eyes sparkling with pride as she directed her words toward Corvin.

“I just don’t do it because it’s a waste of my time,” she added with a playful smile, her confidence radiating.

Corvin pursed his lips, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. I took a bite of the eggs, only to find them too salty for my taste. It was surprising that Calista had taken the initiative to cook; she rarely bothered with such things.

I chewed slowly on the crust of my bread, my mind wandering back to the inexplicable shift in their mood.

Something had definitely changed.

“I still can’t believe that the war is over,” Rowena declared suddenly, leaning back in her chair, her eyes reflecting a mix of disbelief and hope.

I froze, my heart skipping a beat.

“We’ll see a shift soon. Fenra promised they would help us rebuild the nation,” she continued, her tone filled with cautious optimism.

Calista straightened, her face lighting up with excitement. “I’ve always liked Fenra! The Roses were far too overbearing. It’s been like this for too long. They deserve to be defeated,” she said, her voice brimming with conviction.

They deserve to be defeated.

**IVOV ZI**

**Chapter 414 The War Is Over**

She had a point there.

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I paused mid-bite, my ears perked up, absorbing every word. The war had begun only this year, ignited by the Roses’ declaration to obliterate Fenra. Yet the struggle had cast a long shadow over Montrose for years, initiated and perpetuated by the Roses themselves. They were the reason for the hunger that plagued our people, the reason witches were confined within their homes, and the reason Montrose had become a place of fear and isolation.

If it was truly over…

Calista clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes sparkling with joy. “I’m in such a good mood because I saw the Alphas this morning! They were so handsome,” she gushed, her voice tinged with dreamy excitement.

I tilted my head, intrigued.

The Alphas were here?

“I’ve always wanted a werewolf boyfriend,” she continued, her voice filled with pride. “I’ve heard that those from Fenra live such good lives. Once one of them becomes my boyfriend, I’ll take you two there!”

“You can have one,” Rowena chimed in approvingly. “Montrose will open its borders again soon. You’re pretty enough, dear, and you have good manners.”

I kept my gaze lowered, not daring to meet their eyes for too long. Calista could talk endlessly about boys and the handsome strangers who cast her glances. The idea of choosing someone I liked, of dreaming openly and without restraint, felt utterly alien to me.

“What about the ladies?” Corvin interjected suddenly, his voice curious.

“Are any coming to help?”

“No,” Calista replied quickly. “I heard they were already mated.”

Corvin slumped back in his chair, a look of resignation on his face. “Thought so.”

I finished the last bite of my bread and delicately brushed the crumbs off my shirt. Rising to my feet, I felt the urge to steer the conversation away from charming Alphas and toward the more pressing matter of the war’s conclusion.

In my haste, my plate slipped from my grasp and clattered to the floor, causing them to jump in their seats, startled by the noise.

“What the heck was that?” Calista exclaimed, her eyes wide.

“It’s over?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “The war… is really over?”

Rowena’s scowl deepened instantly. “Don’t interrupt,” she said, her tone sharp.

I ignored her irritation; I needed to know. For years, Montrose had been suffocated under the Roses’ oppressive rule.

Corvin clicked his tongue in thought. “Wolves from Fenra came here last night. They dismantled the Roses’ last outposts, and it’s confirmed that Azalea and Kyle Rose are dead.”

My head jerked up in surprise, a wave of unexpected joy washing over me. In that moment, my hood slipped off, brushing against my shoulders. Before I could fix it, I felt their eyes on me, as if I were some wild creature they had never seen before.

Silence enveloped the room for a heartbeat, and Corvin stared at me, his mouth slightly agape.

But then Calista recoiled, her expression shifting. “Cover your face, will you?” she said, her tone a mix of embarrassment and concern.

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I quickly pulled my hood back down, murmuring an apology as I sank back onto the floor.

Yet even as my gaze fell, a smile crept onto my lips, betraying my joy.

They resumed their chatter, gossiping and giggling, pretending I was invisible once more.

But I heard every word.

“I heard the Alpha who’s going to spearhead everything is named Elias,” Calista said dreamily, her voice filled with admiration.

“I saw him too,” Rowena added, her tone playful. “You would make a very good match.”

I pressed my lips together, my heart racing at the mention of his name.

Elias.

I whispered his name softly, “Thank you.”

***

It truly felt like the war was over.

It was a sensation I had never anticipated experiencing in my lifetime. We resided far from the bustling city center, nestled deep in the bend of Montrose where the land flattened and the forests thickened. Yet even here, at the edge of everything, there was a palpable difference in the air.

For the first time in years, Montrose didn’t feel like it was holding its breath.

The wind felt lighter against my skin. The dirt roads were no longer reverberating with the heavy stomps of the Roses’ soldiers. I no longer heard the distant shouts or the explosive crack of magic, nor the fearful silence that always followed.

I hadn’t realized how much I had longed for the sound of peace until it enveloped me.

And just then, a memory flickered to life in my mind.

The stream.

I had nearly forgotten it existed. The sky was already shifting into a deep indigo blue, the kind that heralded the onset of night, but I knew the paths well enough. I was familiar with which tree roots to avoid and which stones were loose. I had traversed that route countless times before the war rendered everything perilous.

But now… now I could go, even if just for a little while.

A small smile tugged at my lips, surprising even me. I rarely smiled; there hadn’t been much reason to. But the thought of revisiting that place stirred something warm within my chest.

The walk was a bit far, but I preferred it that way. My steps were light against the serene forest floor, the grass still damp from the rain a few days prior. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself this fleeting moment of peace in a life that seldom afforded me such luxuries.

When I opened my eyes again, the stream lay before me, glistening under the fading light.

My smile widened without my consent.

I shrugged off my cloak and placed it neatly on a flat stone. Stepping closer, I felt the cool air brush against my skin. I didn’t strip down completely, just to my undergarments, as no one ever ventured here, especially not at this hour.

I dipped one toe into the water, followed by the other, and then I slipped the rest of myself in with a small gasp as the warm water enveloped me. The stream was a hot spring, soothing my aching muscles.

“Oh,” I breathed, a laugh escaping my lips.

It must be nice, I thought, sinking deeper, to possess some kind of power like this. Witches were supposed to have at least one gift. Even the weakest among us had something to offer.

But I had none.

It was just another chapter in my life’s saga of misfortune—born a witch with no magic.

Just then, I heard the faint crunch of gravel beneath footsteps, followed by a low groan, as if someone was either annoyed or simply weary.

A chill swept through my body, despite the warm water.

Someone was here.

Someone was approaching.

I straightened up immediately, my heart racing. My hands instinctively flew to cover my chest, and I sank deeper into the water, my eyes widening at the sound of rustling bushes a few feet away.

Another step.

Closer.

“Who’s there?” I blurted out, my voice trembling.

In the aftermath of chaos, a fragile peace began to unfurl its wings over Montrose, bringing with it a sense of hope that had long been extinguished. Mina, once burdened by the weight of war and the oppressive shadows it cast, now found herself enveloped in the warmth of a new dawn. The laughter around the table, the lightness in the air, and the promise of rebuilding spoke to a future filled with possibilities. The joy in Calista’s voice, the cautious optimism in Rowena’s words, and the unexpected thrill of freedom began to weave a tapestry of resilience. As Mina felt the stirrings of happiness emerge within her, the war that had defined her existence faded into the background, replaced by the gentle hum of life returning to normalcy.

Yet, even amidst this newfound peace, Mina’s heart remained tethered to a longing for connection and understanding. The encounter at the stream symbolized not only her desire for solitude but also her yearning for companionship and acceptance. As she submerged herself in the warm waters, she realized that the true battle was not solely against external foes but also the internal struggle of finding her place in a world that had once rendered her invisible. The presence of another, the thrill of potential companionship, echoed the promise of a future where she could finally embrace her identity. The war may have ended, but for Mina, the journey toward self-discovery and belonging had just begun, igniting a flicker of hope in her heart that she had almost forgotten existed.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the echoes of newfound peace ripple through Montrose, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the aftermath of the war and the transformations it brings. Mina’s encounter at the stream hints at an unexpected visitor, and the tension is palpable as she grapples with both vulnerability and curiosity. Will this stranger be a friend or foe? The air is thick with anticipation as Mina’s world shifts from one of fear to one brimming with possibility, and the dynamics within her group are bound to evolve as they navigate this new reality together.

Moreover, the mention of Elias, the Alpha poised to lead the rebuilding efforts, looms large over Mina’s thoughts. Will their paths cross in the wake of the Roses’ defeat? The allure of the Alphas and the prospect of rekindling connections with Fenra adds layers of excitement and uncertainty. As Mina faces the complexities of her identity as a witch without magic, readers can expect a compelling exploration of self-discovery, friendship, and the courage to embrace change. With each turn of the page, the promise of hope and new beginnings intertwines with the shadows of the past, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey ahead.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.