บท 206: Incompetent Lord

The atmosphere in the chamber was oppressive, the silence broken only by the faint crackling of the fireplace. Izan sat in his high-backed chair, his piercing gaze fixed on Lord Leo, who knelt on the cold, unforgiving marble floor. Beads of sweat trickled down the nobleman's face, his trembling body betraying the storm of panic within him. He dared not raise his eyes, knowing full well that he was at the mercy of the crown prince.

Martin stood a few feet behind Izan, arms crossed and watching with an air of detached amusement. He wasn't one to pity men like Lord Leo, especially those who had once been loyal to the late Empress Uhleksis. And judging by the Crown Prince's unyielding stare, Izan wasn't feeling particularly merciful tonight.

Minutes ticked by, each second stretching longer than the last. Lord Leo's knees ached from the prolonged kneeling, but he dared not shift or complain. He knew better than to test Izan's patience.