The room was quiet—too quiet for a place holding such monumental presence. Within the hidden chamber beneath Virencia's imperial garden, Luke stood before Emperor Ares and Empress Adamantia, the former sovereigns of the realm, now cloaked in shadow and secrecy. Ilyrana stood nearby, silent but attentive, her silver hair catching the low light like threads of moonlight.
The faint hum of enchanted sconces lined the curved walls, casting a gentle glow across old tapestries and shelves brimming with aged tomes. Here, beneath the very heart of Virencia, truths not meant for the public eye were buried deep in stone and silence.
Luke took a breath, steadying himself.
"I know we've… touched on them before," he began, his voice echoing faintly in the chamber. "The Association of Schadenfreude. You told me the basics—what they are, what they've done. But this time… I'm not asking for the surface."
He looked between them, gaze unwavering.
