Her tone was calm, almost careless. "Two towns affected. Five hundred lost. But we contained it. Gad stands ready to assist the Empire… if the Empire can prove it knows what it's doing."
The words were light, but the challenge beneath them was sharp.
Before Alaric could speak, Arin's voice cut through the air like tempered steel.
"The Empire knows," he said evenly. "The Imperial Capital remains untouched, for now because we acted before panic could take root. Our scholars, physicians, and soldiers are already coordinated under one command."
"Her Imperial Highness, Princess Daphne Blake, leads the investigation and containment efforts."
The silence that followed was immediate, and then shattered into uproar.
"Impossible!"
"She's pregnant!"
"Your Imperial Majesty, this cannot..."
"How can she lead when the plague hasn't even touched the capital?"
Even the monarchs exchanged glances, some uneasy, others openly doubtful.
