"So… this is the duke now…"
Riley's voice was quieter than usual as he looked through the bars. His eyes lingered on the chains, then on the faint, unsettling aura leaking from the man's body.
"Yes."
Rose didn't look at him. Her gaze stayed fixed forward.
Riley narrowed his eyes slightly, studying the energy more carefully.
"…I can see why you said it felt off. At first glance, it lines up with demonic influence… but this—" he paused, tilting his head a little, "—this feels different. It's heavier. Not chaotic in the usual sense."
He stepped a bit closer, his expression sharpening.
"If anything… it leans closer to something divine in structure. Twisted, but structured. So evil worship…?" He let out a quiet breath. "I don't remember your father having any ties to that kind of thing either."
"Neither do I," Rose replied, her tone low. "Even I was surprised by how things turned out."
A brief silence passed before she added,
"My plans with him are ruined now…"
