(Narrator's POV)
The silence in King Magnus's chambers stretched like a bowstring pulled to its breaking point. Princess Sophia remained on her knees, her sobs echoing off the stone walls while armed guards filled the doorway behind her. The threat hung in the air like smoke from a funeral pyre, confess or watch innocent men die for her choices.
Lord Cassius stood perfectly still, his silver eyes watching the scene unfold with the detached interest of a predator observing wounded prey. His calm composure was a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding him, as if mass executions were merely an interesting diversion rather than a matter of life and death.
Prince Adrian's jaw was clenched so tightly that tendons stood out in his neck like carved stone. His good hand had curled into a fist, and those close enough could see the slight tremor running through his injured frame, barely controlled fury fighting against iron discipline.
