Florian swallowed hard as the massive obsidian doors began to creak open, the deep groan of ancient hinges echoing through the corridor like a warning bell. A cold draft swept out from the widening gap, brushing against his skin and raising goosebumps along his arms.
'Here we go,' he thought grimly, forcing himself to stand straighter even as unease coiled tight in his gut.
Inside, even before he could fully see the throne room, Lucius's voice rang out—sharp, clear, and commanding:
"His Majesty has arrived," Lucius announced, his words slicing cleanly through the heavy air.
Instantly, the low hum of conversation from within fell silent, as if someone had slammed a door on it. The abruptness of it made Florian's heart hammer harder against his ribs.
'Well. That got their attention,' he thought dryly, though the bitter edge in his mind couldn't mask the tension winding tighter inside him.
