Vaelric inhaled slowly through his nose. His father's hand remained where it was. It kept him steady, anchoring him to calmness.
And after a few more breaths, the voices around him began to blur....the whispers gradually became easier to ignore.
Not because they stopped—but because he stopped letting them matter so much to him.
Bit by bit, the noise turned distant, like something happening behind a wall of thick glass.
After a moment, he exhaled. The tension did not leave him entirely, but it settled into something controlled.
When he turned his head slightly, there was a brief flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes as he met his father's gaze.
"Thank you father."
Valerian's expression softened slightly. "There is no need to thank me. I understand where your anger is coming from, I felt my own share of anger as well. But my position as king, anchored me to calm down. Losing Control here....is not the answer." Valerian said, looking towards the Vault.
