The men exchanged looks, then nodded.
"Yes, your majesty."
Alaric took a breath. "The man who raised the Architect has been identified."
Marcus and Carlden exchanged a look. They already knew where this was going.
Alaric continued anyway. "Master Orin has been taken into custody."
Aidan stiffened. "Daphne's teacher?"
"Yes," Alaric said. "My wife's teacher is the man who raised the Architect."
Gideon cursed quietly. Kael shook his head.
"So it's all connected," Aidan said. "The access, the timing, and how he stayed ahead of us."
Carlden spoke calmly. "It explains how the Architect knew the palace so well."
Alaric turned to Arin. "Which is what brings us to next update."
Every man straightened.
"Again, what you are about to hear," Arin said, looking at each of the men, "must not leave this room. Not to your wives, not to your closest friends."
Marcus nodded once. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Arin exhaled, then said the words that had been tearing him apart for days.
