Kael smirked and placed a hand firmly on William's face.
"You don't know anything, do you?" he said, eyes gleaming with disdain.
William stared back at him silently, refusing to flinch.
Without another word, Kael turned and left the house, his knights following close behind. But just moments after their exit, a loud crack echoed through the building—then flames erupted. The ground floor was engulfed in fire, smoke curling up the walls as heat began to consume everything.
Outside, people screamed, rushing to throw water, trying desperately to fight the blaze.
Upstairs, Edeline grabbed William's hand tightly, dragging him toward the window.
"Jump, William!" she urged.
He resisted, tears in his eyes. "No, Mother! I can't leave you—come with me!"
She cupped his face with trembling hands. "Save yourself. Don't worry about me. Live your life."
