As the door clicked shut behind Henry and Kaius, the office fell silent, leaving King Markus and Queen Kaia alone in its heavy stillness. They shared a glance, their carefully composed expressions unraveling into ones of shock and worry. Kaia was the first to break the silence, her compassionate demeanor showing through the tears glistening in her eyes.
“That poor boy,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “What he’s been through... Markus, how did he even survive it all, alone, in the woods, hunted, tortured, alone for so many years? And now this?”
Markus leaned back in his chair, his broad shoulders stiff as a deep furrow creased his brow. He ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. “Kaia, I’ve seen many things in my lifetime, but this...” He gestured toward the closed door. “I don’t
