The Mercy of a King
Close he moved once more, softening his words till they crawled under flesh like a chill.
"If you're willing to give me everything…"
Stillness pinned the man under Leon's stare, like a breath caught mid-air. That slight curve on Leon's mouth? Cold. Precise. Not quite kind.
A small silence settled. His grin stretched slightly, almost unnoticeably.
"…then I'm willing to give you something too."
A hush fell. The minister stood still, hearing nothing but the beat inside his chest. Words came slow, pushing past shaky lips.
"W-What… what will you give me?"
A flicker danced in Leon's gaze - not laughter, exactly. More like the quiet thrill of a hunter observing prey twist under pressure.
"I'll let you live."
A weight settled, deeper than steel. Heavy silence followed after.
The way his throat moved made it seem like swallowing hurt more than it should. A gulp down felt close to failing.
"I-I… live…?"
