To her, the matter was simple. No matter how powerful the owners had once been, they were already dust beneath history. What remained was merely opportunity. The ruin existed for one purpose: to pass on power. Sentiment, reverence, or ceremony were unnecessary burdens.
Prince Kael listened in silence. Seeing that Guinvere did not push her words any further, the tension in his chest eased slightly.
In his world, status, lineage, and reputation mattered far less than intent. As long as Guinvere did not deliberately target Zora, he had no interest in engaging her.
His gaze shifted naturally to the woman beside him.
Zora met Guinvere's eyes briefly, then looked away. "Our paths," she thought calmly, "were never meant to align indeed."
To her, Guinvere's confidence bordered on arrogance.
Confidence born of ability was a strength, but confidence that refused humility was nothing but arrogance, which is actually a hidden weakness that strikes very hard when one's luck runs out.
