The room remained silent for a few more seconds before the Emperor finally spoke.
"All of you can relax. This is just an informal meeting I called."
With a wave of his hand, drinks and food materialized on the table.
Edgar was the first to respond.
"Thank you, Emperor."
He reached for a bottle of liquor—but just as his fingers grazed it, the bottle vanished.
His smile vanished just as quickly. Jaw tightening, he grabbed another bottle without a word.
The Emperor's voice cut in again.
"You can sit too, Dante."
A hoarse whisper answered from the corner.
"I'd rather refrain, Emperor. My hips haven't been working properly these days."
'Dante? So that was the presence I'd felt earlier.'
No one responded to that. Cassian and Arkas quietly poured themselves drinks and began sipping.
I sat stiffly between them, surrounded by old legends, not sure where to place my hands.
Then the Emperor turned to me.
"Billion. Here."
