The council chamber did not welcome him gently.
It never did.
But today, the air carried something sharper.
Expectation.
Disapproval.
Pressure that had been waiting for him to walk through those doors.
Kael did not slow as he entered.
Did not acknowledge the weight of their attention as it shifted toward him.
He simply took his place.
Silence followed.
Not respectful.
Not patient.
Waiting.
“You took your time.”
The voice came from the far end.
Measured.
But edged.
Kael didn’t look at him.
“I came.”
“That is not the same thing.”
Now he did look.
Slowly.
“It is today.”
A quiet ripple moved through the room.
They were not used to this version of him.
Not in this space.
Not when they were the ones pressing.
Another voice stepped in.
More careful.
More diplomatic.
