They stood to leave. Elara stopped them.
"One more thing."
They turned back.
"I built this operation from nothing in six months. Starting with no money, no support, and everyone assuming I'd fail." She looked at each of them in turn. "You helped make it succeed. If I don't return from the capital, don't let anyone take that away from you. This is yours as much as mine."
Dimitri's eyes glistened slightly. Mira looked down. Even Gregor seemed affected.
The beast knights remained motionless, but several tails twitched—the only sign of emotional response they allowed themselves.
"Dismissed," Elara said quietly.
They filed out. The fox knight lingered.
"Your Highness?"
"Yes?"
"The beast knights. We..." He struggled with words. "We don't want you to die."
"Noted."
"I mean it. You're the first person who ever treated us like we mattered. Gave us real responsibility. Paid us fairly. If you die, we lose that."
