Vivian's voice had barely finished echoing when every gaze in the hall locked onto him.
High-ranking nobles, old officials, young advisors, no matter who they were, they all stared at him now.
Their eyes held different emotions.
Some were curious. Some were worried. A few looked annoyed.
But none of them looked away.
Vivian slowly pulled in a breath.
He let the weight of those stares settle on his shoulders.
Then, steadying himself, he spoke again.
"The reason for this conference is simple."
His voice was calm, but it rang clearly in the huge hall.
He let his eyes move across the faces in front of him, checking their reactions.
"Our empire is in danger."
For a heartbeat, the room froze.
Aside from a handful of people, his father Duke Zenithara, his grandfather Duke Sant, the emperor and empress, and Sir Vikram von Indrath, every other person in the hall reacted with open shock.
Some leaned forward.
Others whispered.
