Garius's hand rose slowly, deliberately, as if to mark the moment in memory. His gaze shifted past his eldest sons, past the obvious heirs, and turned instead toward the back row where Javier sat.
"Javier De Armand," Garius declared, his voice carrying with unshakable calm. "Step forward. Sit at my side."
A collective gasp rippled through the hall. Eyes widened, fans froze halfway to lips, and even seasoned nobles struggled to mask their shock. Murmurs broke like waves across the chamber.
Not Marcellus? Not Cedric?
The weight of confusion and disbelief pressed on the council as every noble tried to decipher what Garius intended.
Javier rose with a long, drawn-out sigh, shoulders slouched for moment before he straightened himself. Behind him, Liana followed with quiet grace, her presence steadying yet sharp, as if reminding him not to disgrace himself under so many eyes.
Inside his mind, irritation bubbled.
