It's good to see you finally… getting along," King Liam said slowly.
But there was doubt in his eyes.
Suspicion.
Unspoken.
Then his expression hardened.
"Leave us," he commanded. "I must speak with Lady Elora."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Kabul replied.
The two brothers turned.
Their footsteps echoed across the throne room floor.
One step.
Two steps.
Three—
"Wait."
The word cut through the air like a blade.
Both princes froze.
The tension returned.
Heavier this time.
Unavoidable.
Lady Elora's gaze shifted to Nancy, then back to the King.
She felt it.
Something was coming.
King Liam stepped forward.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
His eyes locked onto Abenator.
And this time—
There was no warmth in them.
King Liam stepped closer.
Slow.
Measured.
His presence alone shifted the air in the room.
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper—low, firm, and deadly calm.
"Don't think I don't know… what you did."
For a single moment—
Time stopped.
Abenator's expression flickered.
Shock.
Fear.
Gone as quickly as it came.
Replaced with control.
With silence.
King Liam straightened.
"You'll answer to me later," he said coldly. "Now leave."
Abenator bowed stiffly, his movements tight.
"Yes… Your Majesty."
The two princes turned and walked toward the exit.
Their footsteps echoed through the throne room—slow, fading.
Until finally—
They were gone.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
King Liam remained still for a moment longer.
Then slowly, he turned back to his guests.
His posture eased—just slightly.
Throne Room – Continuous
Lady Elora's eyes wandered across the vast chamber.
Towering columns.
Gilded banners.
The soft flicker of torchlight dancing across polished stone.
"You have a beautiful castle, Your Majesty," she said sincerely.
King Liam let out a quiet chuckle.
"I owe it to my people," he replied. "Their hard work shaped this kingdom into what you see today."
Elora nodded.
But something else caught her attention.
Her gaze lifted—
And settled on a portrait.
Then another.
And another.
The same woman.
Repeated.
Honored.
Remembered.
"I've seen quite a number of paintings of this woman," Elora said gently. "Is she… from here?"
King Liam's breath faltered.
Just for a moment.
But it was enough.
Nancy gasped softly.
"Oh no…"
Understanding dawned instantly on Elora's face.
"We didn't know," she said, her voice softening. "Please… accept our deepest condolences."
Liam forced a faint smile.
But the sorrow in his eyes could not be hidden.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "Your words mean more than you know."
He paused.
Struggling.
"Her demise…" he exhaled slowly. "It hasn't been easy."
Silence filled the room once more.
Even the flames of the torches seemed to dim in respect.
"Of course," Elora said softly.
King Liam straightened.
The king returned.
The grief retreated.
"Enough about me," he said, his tone shifting.
Serious.
Focused.
"I've heard your lands are crumbling under raider attack…"
His eyes locked onto hers.
"Is it true?"
The air changed.
From mourning—
To urgency.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Elora replied, her composure wavering just slightly.
"Our lands have fallen under raider captivity."
Her voice trembled.
"They've poisoned our rivers… burned our vegetation…"
A pause.
"And slaughtered thousands of innocent people."
Nancy stepped forward.
Her fists clenched at her sides.
"They attacked our royal court days ago," she said, her voice tight with emotion. "They nearly killed us."
She swallowed hard.
"We escaped only because of my brother."
Her voice broke.
"Now he's been captured…"
A tear slipped free.
"And tortured in Arzebreus…"
Her words lingered.
Heavy.
Painful.
"That apocalyptic wasteland… just two miles from our borders."
And with that—
The weight of war entered Taytozena.