"...You may leave now. I'll send you the details through the Soul Society if we ever require your presence again."
His tone was calm, firm, and carried that unmistakable finality that made it clear the discussion was over.
".....!!!!" Helen's eyes opened very slowly —painfully slowly— as though her mind was struggling to assemble the words she had just heard into something sensible. It was the reaction of someone who genuinely doubted her own senses.
"Wait!!" Serafina jumped in front of her lady and waved frantically, her movements sharp and panicked. Then she spun around toward Caesar at almost unnatural speed. "Marshal— what are you saying?! Please, for the love of all that's holy, choose your words more carefully!"
Serafina's heart hammered like a wild storm beating against her ribs. No one understood the scale of her lady's pride better than she did.
