Back to the present time. The golden glow of the setting sun spilled across the room, casting long shadows on the floor. He still stood before the window, one hand resting on his hip, gazing out at the view with an unreadable expression.
He had been through so much since those days. Once a prince pushed to the sidelines, he was now Duke Florence — one of the most powerful figures in the entire Empire. Yet even after all this time, those memories felt as vivid as ever.
Reynald huffed softly, then a faint smile tugged at his lips. He chuckled under his breath, as if brushing off the nostalgia that had just drifted through his mind.
Without turning around, he spoke clearly, his voice carrying a little across the room. "Ben, you're just outside the door, aren't you?"
Moments later, the door swung open again. A middle-aged man stepped inside and bowed his head respectfully.
