King Vladimir of Haran stood, his towering frame casting a shadow that stretched far beyond the table. His expression was unreadable, stone cold, but brimming with suppressed fire.
Somto's eyes narrowed.
Here it comes.
"King Somto," Vladimir said, voice smooth but laced with venom, "we appreciate your… emotional explanation of your father's death." He stepped forward, his thick cloak dragging slightly behind him. "Tragic, truly. Heroic, even."
He paused, letting the sarcasm simmer in the air.
"But surely you don't expect the entire continent to believe that a king in peak health, one of the most powerful men in the realm, just so happened to die in a spontaneous assassination attempt... all to save a single girl?"
Gasps echoed.
Nnenna froze.
Somto kept his sharp gaze on him, but said nothing yet.
