The emphasis on loyalty made Percy's skin crawl. The words were smooth, but there was something about them that didn't sit right. Was this a test? Some kind of trap? Percy's stomach twisted. He couldn't just accept this because it was what he wanted—it wasn't that simple. There were always strings attached, and Fudge knew exactly how to pull them.
Percy opened his mouth to say something, but the words didn't come. He stood up instead, his mind spinning, and he could feel the room closing in around him. He wanted to say thank you, to express gratitude, but instead, all he could do was nod. His composure felt fragile, his thoughts a chaotic mess of doubt and disbelief.
Fudge's smile was warm, but Percy couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't a smile at all. "I'm sure you'll make the right choice, Percy."
As Percy left the office, his footsteps felt heavier than ever. The hallway stretched out before him, long and quiet. His heart beat erratically, caught between a strange mix of excitement and fear. The promotion was real. It was a chance to rise through the ranks of the Ministry, to have influence, to prove his worth, But the doubts gnawed at him. The higher you rose, the further you could fall. Could he trust Fudge? Was this really an opportunity, or a trap disguised as one?
The elevator ride back to the main floors seemed endless. Percy leaned against the cold metal walls, his thoughts still spinning. He had no answers—just the weight of the offer and the suspicion that there were far more strings attached than Fudge was letting on.
What did it mean to accept? Would it make him indispensable, or would it tie him to a Ministry that was rapidly losing its grip? Would he be a loyal servant, or just another pawn in a political game?
Percy finally exhaled slowly, determined to put the questions aside, at least for now. He had made it this far. He could handle whatever came next. The promotion was a huge deal, yes—but so were the consequences.