Leon had already reached the painful conclusion that Ravyn's hatred toward Seraphine had grown far beyond anything that could be softened through reason, patience, or negotiation, although a stubborn part of him still clung to the fragile hope that someone like Voren might step forward and show enough fairness to prevent whatever humiliating challenge Ravyn clearly intended to throw at her.
The tension in the room had become thick enough to feel like a weight pressing down on everyone present, and Leon found himself watching Ravyn with quiet unease, because the cold satisfaction written across the man's face made it obvious that he had been waiting for this moment.
Seraphine turned her gaze toward Leon and offered him a warm smile that carried genuine gratitude, and the softness in that small expression eased some of the tightness that had settled in her chest since the moment Ravyn announced the challenge.
