Aurelius snapped the crimson seal and unfolded the sheet. “Aurelius, deliver the Ritual Manual to Soulless Valley within three days. Delay us, or set a trap, and you can expect to collect your daughter’s corpse. From Malevolent Path Hall.”

Each stroke was ragged, arrogant, and despotic, as though the writer had carved threat itself into the paper.

Thunder darkened Aurelius’ face. “Malevolent Path Hall… The audacity of that den of vermin!”

leuan stepped closer, his voice a velvet whisper. “King Aurelius, we cannot waste another heartbeat. Let’s agree to their terms for now. Within three days, we’ll deploy troops in secret, spring the trap at Soulless Valley, save Princess Lorraine, and seize the Ritual Manual back.”

Aurelius exhaled, slow and heavy. “I will think on it. Tend to your wounds first.”

leuan read the doubt still clouding the throne. He bowed, said nothing more, and slipped from Harmony Hall.

Moonlight caught his smirk as he crossed the palace steps. “Hold out as long as you like, Aurelius. The moment your patience snaps, the Ritual Manual will fall into my hands.”