'Is Florian in trouble? But… I can't sense anyone new inside the palace… or…'
Charles's laughter cut through the wind—wild, unrestrained, and cruel. The sound made Heinz's jaw tighten. His hand twitched, itching to burn the man to ashes right where he stood.
But even Azure, who moments ago raged like a storm, hesitated. The dragon stepped back midair, wings flaring uneasily.
"I only needed a few minutes, Your Majesty," Charles said, his laughter still echoing. His tone was mocking, confident—too confident.
'He could be bluffing,' Heinz thought, his hand slowly lifting toward Azure. The dragon's muscles tensed in sync with his own. 'He knows my weakness, he could be using it against me.'
Charles tilted his head, that infuriating grin never fading. "And if you think this is a bluff… well," he said, his voice softening into something almost taunting, "can you really afford to lose him again?"
Heinz froze.
The words struck deep, deeper than any weapon.
