VAELDRIC POV
There is no sound louder than silence. Not a single word was spoken on the ride home.
Father sat across from me, equally silent. I turned my gaze toward the window instead. Unfortunately, my own reflection was far more unsettling than anyone else's face.
Who delayed the consent?
The question echoed relentlessly inside my head. Everyone knew it was a simple question, one with an answer I knew perfectly well. But answering it would have been the same as committing suicide.
I must have looked like a fool, taking so long to decide.
"You stayed silent for too long." Father finally broke the silence. "In war, hesitation kills faster than any sword."
I clenched my fists. "I almost answered. I can't keep lying."
For the first time, I heard Father grind his teeth. He was clearl
