Silence lingered long after Kiaria's words fell.
The Yaksha battalion stood frozen, unable to breathe. Even Rok forgot to move. No one had ever witnessed such a thing.
A King apologizing.
"Ms. Rok," Kiaria said calmly, "you do not need to refuse."
He met her trembling gaze without pressure.
"My apology is not charity. It is responsibility."
He continued evenly, "When a mistake is committed in someone's name, the burden does not fall on the one who acted alone."
His voice did not rise.
"The one whose name was carried must also bear the pain."
Ms. Rok covered her mouth, her body stiff with anxiety.
"Please… please do not do this, my Lord," she said, panic breaking through her composure.
Kiaria tilted his head slightly.
"If you do not accept my apology," he asked, "is there another way you would accept responsibility being returned to you?"
Her breath caught.
"I… I accept it," she said hurriedly, face burning with embarrassment. "I accept it."
