Inside the grand hall of House Lysander, the air was thick with tension. Golden light poured through the tall stained-glass windows, casting colored shadows on the polished stone floor. The royal envoy, clad in the red and gold of the crown, stood stiffly in the center of the room, holding a scroll with the king's seal. Across from him, seated in a carved wooden chair lined with velvet, was Duke Jason Lysander.
The Duke's expression was calm but firm, his sharp gaze never leaving the envoy's face. Behind him, several of his trusted knights and advisors stood silently, watching the exchange with careful attention.
"No," Jason said, his voice carrying the weight of certainty. "We are not going to move our knights to attack Lady Miller's family. My answer is final."
