The clan heirs were momentarily stunned by the news Adam had delivered.
Then relief hit.
Expressions shifted almost in unison, tight shoulders loosened, clenched jaws eased, and the hall filled with audible breaths being let out. For a brief moment, hope bloomed where tension had ruled.
Only a few noticed something was off.
Despite delivering what was supposedly good news, Adam didn't look relieved. Not even slightly.
Abigail caught it immediately, her eyes narrowing, while a handful of others sensed the same dissonance.
The rest, however, began to celebrate.
"Finally, we can leave this backwater place."
"I'm never leaving my sector again for anything."
"Thank the void we no longer need to face any monsters."
Voices overlapped, laughter broke out, and the oppressive weight that had followed them for days lifted, if only a little.
Adam let them have it.
