Kiaria and his companions entered the pseudo palace together.
Kiaria walked ahead without haste and seated himself at the ruler's seat at the head of the dining hall. The others followed naturally, taking their places without instruction. Fairy Fu Cai sat to his left, Diala to his right, Princess Lainsa beside Diala. Across from them sat Aizrel, with Azriel and Mu Long flanking her, while the twin subordinates occupied the remaining seats. Everyone's posture loosened.
Relief settled in the room.
Kiaria laughed quietly.
The sound was light, unguarded–out of place after everything that had transpired.
Fairy Fu Cai did not relax.
"Patron," she asked, eyes steady, "why are you laughing?"
Her voice carried no accusation, only a question that had been weighing on her since the declaration.
"You accepted a war. And you refused assistance from outside forces. Why?"
Princess Lainsa nodded.
"I share the same doubt."
