Ian cleared his throat, shifting uneasily on the chair as the silence stretched. His eyes went from one Queen to the other, the weight of seven kingdoms staring back at him. "So… what happens now?" he asked quietly, his voice lacking its usual teasing edge.
Queen Cassie's gaze softened for the first time since he had known her. "What happens next, my Lord, is the pledge. Each of us who believes in the imperial bloodline must swear loyalty to you. It is not just ceremony. It is binding."
The words landed heavy in the room. Ian sat straighter, his fingers tightening around the armrests. "Loyalty? Binding? You mean like an oath?"
Queen Kayla stepped forward gracefully, her silver crown glinting in the candlelight. "Yes. Oaths sworn before the heavens and sealed with our mana. It is the way of queens. We bend not to men, nor kings, nor gods. Only to the true heir of the Empire."
Ian swallowed, his usual smirk nowhere to be found. "And you're sure about this? All of you?"
