THREE DAYS LATER - COUNCIL CHAMBER
"The Kingdom of Arca is threatening secession."
Lily dropped the diplomatic packet on the table and looked like she hadn't slept.
To be fair, none of us had. Not properly.
Not after rooftop honesty. Not after suddenly acknowledging that the emotional situation in our household had, in fact, become a real situation and not just a carefully ignored disaster.
The council chamber was packed. Representatives from eight alliance nations, two trade blocs, one temple oversight commission, and Ezra, who was technically not required to be present but claimed all major diplomacy needed "at least one unstable genius for balance."
"No one asked for your balance," Director Chen said without looking at them.
"And yet here I am. A public service."
Lily cut through before anyone could start a second war over Ezra's personality.
