[Kaelren's POV—Meren Capital—War Chamber, Present Night
A cup shattered against the floor.
Not because Kaelren threw it. Because the hand holding it squeezed hard enough to crack solid glass.
The royal messenger knelt before him—forehead glued to the icy floor, shaking so violently it was a miracle he could still speak. "R–Red Wall Castle has… f–fallen, Your Highness…"
Kaelren said nothing.
Not a word.
He just stared ahead—expression blank, eyes glowing gold like a beast cornered. The silence stretched long enough for the messenger's breath to tremble with terror.
"...and the one who seized it was—" He didn't finish.
Kaelren finished it for him. "—the Elorian Crown Princess."
The words dripped from his tongue like poison. A child should not sound that calm. A child should not sound that deadly.
And yet… Kaelren smiled. A small, perfect smile. Cold and bloodless.
He whispered, very softly, "So… the spine of Meren was finally broken by that Elorian princess."
