The Seat That Waited for Him
"Forgive me, my Lord. I did not realize… I thought—"
Leon lifted a hand, not with authority, but with quiet patience. The gesture alone dissolved half the tension.
"It's alright," he said, voice steady, warm. "You had no intention to disrespect me. You were only guarding what's yours to protect. I trust you."
Those words didn't strike like command — they settled deep, carrying both weight and comfort.
Captain Black drew in a long breath. His shoulders — always rigid, always squared — finally eased. When he spoke again, his voice had lost its edge and carried something close to reverence.
"Thank you, my Lord."
From the far side of the table, movement broke the stillness.
