The lords were speechless when Elara told them that she and Vealor had taken over the kingdom, and that they were expected to pledge their loyalty to the new king.
"I'm sorry, Elara, but I cannot pledge my loyalty or the loyalty of my house," Lord Septimus said, and Elara's eyes immediately narrowed.
"You do not fear what I will do to your people if you refuse me?" Elara asked.
Septimus sighed internally. He knew what he was about to say could get him killed, but he couldn't simply bend his knee and accept a king he did not recognize. He knew the danger of refusing Elara, especially after seeing what she had done to gain control of the Citadel.
Still, he could not betray House Obsidian simply because she had threatened him.
"I stand with House Obsidian, and if they fall, the Moon Goddess would be consulted, and the next house the new king would come from would be chosen," Septimus said.
