The council did not argue long.
Men like them rarely did when fear aligned.
Papers were reviewed.
Reports stacked.
Risks calculated.
Not as people.
As outcomes.
"She will mature."
"Yes."
"She has already killed."
"In defense."
"She will not always choose restraint."
Silence.
That was enough.
One of them spoke the conclusion plainly.
"Remove the anchor."
Jack's gaze sharpened.
"…The father."
Another nodded.
"He is the stabilizing variable."
"Then isolate him," Jack said.
"Relocation. Permanent separation."
The councilor shook his head.
"Distance creates instability."
"His presence strengthens her control."
"His death removes her attachment."
Jack stepped forward.
"That's not containment. That's provocation."
A thin smile from across the table.
"Or revelation."
Jack felt something cold settle in his chest.
"You're testing her."
"We are preventing a future calamity."
"She hasn't become one."
"Yet."
That word again.
Jack clenched his jaw.
"You're wrong."
"Then prove it."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Final.
The decision had already been made.
They just wanted his compliance.
Or his silence.
Jack looked at the documents.
At the neat lines of reasoning.
At the calculated cruelty dressed as necessity.
Then he closed his eyes briefly.
When he opened them—
He said nothing.
And that silence was his answer.
---
Edward knew before they told him.
You don't survive fifteen years like that without learning how to read the air.
The guards were different that morning.
Less indifferent.
More careful.
One avoided his eyes entirely.
Another tightened his grip on the spear for no reason.
Edward sat on the edge of the cot.
Hands resting on his knees.
He didn't ask questions.
He already understood.
When the door opened—
Jack stood there.
Alone.
No chains in his hands.
No guards behind him.
That was worse.
Edward looked up.
"…So this is how it ends."
Jack didn't respond immediately.
He stepped inside.
Closed the door behind him.
"I argued."
Edward almost smiled.
"I know."
Silence.
Then—
"They won't listen."
"They never do."
Jack's jaw tightened.
"This isn't justice."
Edward shook his head slightly.
"It never was."
Jack stepped closer.
"You can still help her."
Edward looked at him.
"I've already done everything I can."
Jack hesitated.
Then said it—
"They're going to execute you."
The words didn't echo.
They didn't need to.
Edward simply nodded.
"I figured."
Jack watched him carefully.
Waiting for anger.
Panic.
Anything.
There was none.
Only a quiet acceptance.
"She won't survive this," Jack said.
Edward's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Then you better make sure she does."
Jack's voice lowered.
"I don't know if I can stop what comes next."
Edward stood slowly.
Chains clinking softly.
"You can."
Jack looked at him.
Edward met his eyes directly.
"Don't lie to yourself."
Silence.
Jack's grip tightened at his side.
"I'm trying to save the world."
Edward shook his head.
"No."
His voice was calm.
"But firm."
"You're choosing it."
That landed.
Deeper than accusation.
Because it was true.
Jack looked away briefly.
Then back.
"What would you have me do?"
Edward didn't hesitate.
"Protect her."
Jack let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
"They'll call her a calamity."
Edward's eyes softened.
"They already do."
Jack's voice cracked slightly—
"And if she becomes one?"
Edward stepped closer.
Close enough that the chains between them went taut.
"Then you stop her."
Silence.
"But not like this."
Jack closed his eyes briefly.
The weight of it pressing down.
Duty.
Friendship.
Fear.
All pulling in different directions.
When he opened them—
The decision was already behind him.
"I'll be there."
Edward studied him.
"At the end."
A pause.
Then a small nod.
"Good."
---
They allowed Edward one final request.
He didn't ask for freedom.
He didn't ask for mercy.
He asked to see her.
They hesitated.
Then agreed.
Under heavy watch.
---
Elsa was brought into a separate chamber.
No runes.
No mages.
Just stone.
And guards at every exit.
When she saw him—
She stopped.
For a moment—
She was five again.
Running toward him.
But she didn't move.
Not yet.
"You're hurt," she said.
He smiled faintly.
"I've been worse."
She stepped closer now.
Slowly.
As if the moment might break.
"They're going to kill you."
He didn't deny it.
Her hands trembled slightly.
The air warmed.
"I'll stop them."
"No."
The word was immediate.
Sharp.
She froze.
"I can't let them—"
"You promised."
Her voice cracked—
"I didn't promise this!"
He stepped forward.
Chains rattling.
Placed his forehead gently against hers.
Like always.
Warm.
Familiar.
"You promised not to lose control."
Tears formed.
Did not fall.
"I won't."
He smiled.
"I know."
Silence.
Then he whispered—
"I'm sorry."
Her breath hitched.
"For what?"
"For not giving you a normal life."
Her eyes widened.
"You did."
He shook his head slightly.
"I gave you a hidden one."
She grabbed his shirt.
"I don't care."
His hand rested gently over hers.
"I do."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"At first… I stayed because I was afraid."
She stilled.
"Afraid of dying. Afraid of the curse."
His voice didn't waver.
"But somewhere along the way…"
His thumb brushed lightly against her cheek.
"I forgot."
Her breathing broke.
"I raised you because I wanted to."
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Warm.
Unbearable.
"I love you, Elsa."
The words settled into her like something permanent.
Something that would never leave.
Her lips trembled.
"…Don't go."
He didn't answer.
Because he couldn't lie.
Instead—
He pressed his lips gently to her forehead.
Longer this time.
As if memorizing the moment.
When he pulled away—
She still hadn't cried.
He smiled faintly.
"You held it in."
Her voice was barely there—
"I don't want the reward."
His chest tightened.
"You already got it."
He tapped her forehead lightly.
"I stayed."
That broke something.
Not loudly.
Not violently.
Quietly.
---
The guards stepped forward.
Time was over.
Edward didn't resist.
He walked.
Elsa stood still.
Watching.
Not screaming.
Not collapsing.
Just watching.
The door closed between them.
And something inside her went completely silent.