While Selene secured the city's military dominance and Ela handled its economy, Elise had the arduous task of restructuring its governance. The Arbiters had ruled with tyranny and cruelty, and their administration was riddled with corruption. The city's people had lived under their oppressive laws for a long time, and while they now had freedom, they lacked the structure to move forward.
But they wouldn't be moving forward alone.
The rightful ruler of the city, Lira, daughter of the last true king and queen before the Arbiters seized power, would take her place as the city's new leader.
Though she had spent years in hiding, watching her home fall deeper into ruin under the Arbiters' reign, Lira emerged not as a helpless princess but as a determined leader ready to rebuild what was lost. She was young and sometimes uncertain of her own worth, but her heart was with the people—and that mattered most.
