Chapter Sixty-Three – Overstepping boundaries
That evening, the house felt different.
It wasn't loud. It wasn't busy. But there was a tension that sat quietly in the air, like something waiting to happen. The twins were upstairs with Angel, playing quietly in Angel's room. Their laughter floated down the hallway in soft bursts, innocent and unaware.
Zahid was in his study.
The room was dim, lit by a standing lamp near the desk. Heavy curtains blocked out the evening light. The walls were lined with shelves holding books and old documents from El-Zanirah. This was the part of the house that belonged fully to the ruler in him.
Chief Raul sat across from Zahid, his posture relaxed but alert. He leaned back slightly in the chair, one leg crossed over the other, his hands resting calmly on his knee.
They had been talking for over an hour.
"Several trade routes were disrupted while you were away," Raul said calmly. "Some governors acted without approval."
