The air in Valbara's courtyard grew colder by the minute, but the tension between the two men only burned hotter. Glen stepped back, straightening the collar of his rumpled shirt with a deliberately calm gesture, one meant to provoke.
"You do realize," Glen said, his voice flat yet heavy with authority, "that because of your little stunt, killing that boy's father, the imperial council now suspects him of the murder. And if you recall, he once traveled south to meet a Duke who conveniently died in prison … doesn't that give you the answer to the worst mistake you've ever made? I'll be returning to the palace to cut their tongues out one by one. But I can't be in two places at once."
Kael narrowed his eyes, sensing a hidden weight behind the Emperor's words. "And what the hell does that have to do with me? Even if they push the accusation, there's no way they'll drag Duke Etien into a cell."
