Alaric looked at his father with wide eyes. Shock flashed across his face, but it was quickly replaced by a crooked, disappointed grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. Why… why had his father stepped in already?
He clenched his jaw, the muscles ticking in frustration. He had such a good opportunity to corner Zevryn, to slowly tighten the noose and torment him with his questions before confirming whether the letter's contents were true or not. But now, with his father taking command of the situation so cleanly, that chance had slipped right through his fingers.
Velthrone, seemingly unaware or perhaps simply unconcerned by his son's darkening expression, took a calm step forward. His movements composed and authoritative. "This minister was made aware of the situation a day ago by my personal guards," he said in a measured, resonant voice that filled the hall with ease. "And without wasting any time, I began an immediate investigation into the matter."
