(Royal study)
Scrolls, reports, and sealed letters lay scattered across Leander's massive desk.
Leander sat alone, back straight, one hand absentmindedly resting against his chin as his golden eyes moved from line to line on a scroll. The silence was thick. Still.
Knock. Knock.
His eyes lifted.
“Enter.”
The heavy door creaked open, revealing Thomas, his closest ally and most trusted commander.
Thomas stepped in, his usual confident stride now slower and heavier. He bowed slightly.
“My King.”
Leander offered a nod, motioning toward the chair across from him.
“Sit, Thomas.”
Thomas obeyed without a word, but Leander didn’t miss the way his jaw remained clenched even as he tried to mask it.
A long silence passed before Leander finally asked,
“What’s troubling you?”
Thomas hesit
