If this incident truly caused Emperor Alexander to develop reservations about General Helius, the consequences would not end with today's wedding.
Political trust was rarely lost in a single moment. Once doubt took root, however, it could quietly influence every decision that followed.
Helius clearly understood that.
After hurriedly bowing and declaring that he had no dissatisfaction with the marriage, he remained where he was, his head lowered.
Alexander's expression did not soften.
The great hall remained tense, the earlier celebration temporarily forgotten beneath the weight of the confrontation. No one dared speak while the Emperor considered Helius's explanation.
At last, Alexander raised one hand.
"Let the wedding proceed."
His tone was calm and carried no obvious anger.
Yet there was a faint chill beneath those four words.
Helius's heart sank.
He knew the Emperor had not truly believed that everything was fine.
But there was nothing more he could say.
