At first, nothing seemed to happen.
But within the next second, the tiles trembled underfoot as the entire bathroom began to descend, smooth and silent, the sound swallowed by an intricate enchantment matrix. This was no crude mechanism; it was an engineered masterpiece designed by a now-dead enchanter because she knew too much.
The descent took a full minute. A long, heavy minute filled with the low vibration of hidden machinery.
When it stopped, the marble walls parted like sliding doors.
A hidden corridor stretched before him, lit by clean white lights and lined with reinforced metal panels. The smell of cold steel and sterilized air replaced the lavender scent of his bathroom.
Maximilian stepped out with the corners of his mouth curling upward.
Let them investigate. Let them send their little agents with their warrants and cameras and empty righteousness.
He wasn't stupid enough to keep anything important above ground.
