Berry's footsteps echoed sharply as he led the bound infiltrators into Lucian's office.
Their heads were lowered, shoulders stiff, but even then Lucian could feel the tension radiating from them.
Fear, anger, stubbornness—all mixed into the heavy silence that filled the room.
Lucian, seated behind his desk, slowly rose to his feet.
His no-longer-small frame didn't carry any physical intimidation, yet the moment his eyes fell upon the captives, several of them gasped.
His presence weighed heavier than any chain Berry had bound them with.
Lucian stepped forward until he stood right before them. His tone was calm, not cruel, but every word pressed into their chests like a blade.
"Tell me… what made you so unsatisfied that you would raise your hands against this village?"
The revolutionaries remained silent. Their gazes darted between one another, but none dared to speak.
Lucian waited a moment, then exhaled softly.
