The royal court had gathered in full, the long table gleaming under the heavy chandeliers above. Axell stood at one side of the table, straight-backed and unreadable, his presence quiet yet commanding. Across from him, Waldmir occupied the far end of the rectangular table, his posture relaxed, almost indulgent, as though the outcome of this meeting already belonged to him. Syrus sat rigidly between them, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful, the tension in his body impossible to miss.
"As we all know, we can no longer delay this process," Maxim began, his voice carrying through the chamber despite its measured calm. "The matter of the King's name must be made official now."
