The council's echoes had long since faded.
In the highest wing of the Gorris manor, where the stone softened into polished obsidian and the air was warmed by controlled flame rather than natural sunlight, silence no longer felt suffocating.
It felt intentional.
Serf stood near the wide window overlooking the kingdom below. Gorris stretched endlessly under its muted sky dark towers, quiet streets, a civilization that thrived without warmth.
He did not turn when the doors opened.Because he already knew who it was.
Dixie stepped inside.
No guards followed her. And she made no announcement that preceded her.
She simply entered, closing the door behind herself with a calm, practiced motion.
The moment the latch clicked, the atmosphere shifted but not into fear. Simply Into familiarity, she often speaks first . Yet she didn't have the energy to say anything.
Serf's voice came after a pause. "You left the chamber early."
