Aerik slowly turned toward the Duchess, whose trembling grew more pronounced, her composure cracking under the weight of his words.
He spoke quietly but with sharp certainty,
"Right, Mother?"
The Duke's gaze sharpened, piercing through the Duchess's facade.
"Are you hiding something from me?" he asked, his voice low but filled with suspicion.
The Duchess's lips parted, but no words came—only silence, thick and damning.
Her hands trembled in her lap.
Sweat pearled at her temple.
And then—
CRASH.
The doors blasted open with a splintering crack.
Kael flew into the room like a storm, landing knees-first on Aerik's chest with a heavy thud.
"AH—! You lunatic!" Aerik wheezed, clutching his ribs.
Kael didn't even glance at Aerik.
"Father, the first brother has rebelled," he said urgently, eyes blazing.
"You need to see this immediately."
The tension snapped.
