"Something's happening at the Governor's Mansion!"
"Run! Get out of here!"
The crowd of onlookers erupted into chaos, their screams and panic spreading like wildfire. People scattered in every direction, desperate to get away from the scene of impending slaughter.
"Revor Province is under the protection of Grand Duke Sentino!"
"Rand, you're overstepping your authority!"
Henry's face was twisted in fury and fear as he struggled under the crushing, invisible weight pressing him to his knees. He could barely breathe, but he forced his trembling voice into a roar, hurling his last desperate threat at Rand.
"Grand Duke Sentino?"
Rand's expression turned glacial. His voice rolled through the air like the cutting winds of winter.
"He was first—and will always be—a subject of the Empire."
Henry's teeth ground together. His pride and desperation ignited into madness.
He bellowed toward the soldiers and guards beyond the gates:
