Pride's golden eyes narrowed as Ludwig stepped into the palace carrying neither uncertainty nor hesitation. There was no exploratory caution in his gait this time, no testing of boundaries, and no reckless charge disguised as confidence. He walked like a man retracing steps he had already memorized, and that alone changed the air between them.
"This world… how come it… returned?" Pride asked, and for the first time, Ludwig heard something in his voice that had never existed before. It was recognition, not full understanding, not yet, but enough instinct to realize that something fundamental had shifted. The palace itself seemed quieter because of it, as though even the mirrors and golden halls understood that Pride was not greeting an intruder anymore. He was observing an anomaly.
