The air in the private tasting room felt almost surreal, as if time itself had paused.
Black velvet draped across every wall, absorbing sound and light, creating an atmosphere that muted the outside world until even the memory of noise seemed like a distant dream.
The only source of illumination was a hovering orb above the center of the room, casting a soft glow reminiscent of captured moonlight.
Its silver-white light stretched shadows across the polished obsidian floor and illuminated the long table where two men faced each other.
Felix leaned back in his chair, exuding an air of relaxed confidence despite his sharp gaze.
His golden cane rested casually against the edge of the table, its head glimmering subtly under the orb's pale light.
Opposite him sat a young man clad in flowing silver robes; his features were delicate yet defined, marred only by a bitter smile.
