[Cassius's POV]
Irritating.
Utterly, mind-numbingly irritating.
My daughter had just returned, and I hadn't even had a proper moment with her. I had cleared my schedule for the day. No audiences, no decrees, no damned nobles breathing near me. Just time with Lavinia.
And yet, here I was—dragged into the throne room.
I sat on my throne, eyes cold, expression colder. My gaze swept over the Thalein, and two other elves who followed him called themselves my daughter's elder brothers.
Ravick stood in front, posture rigid. I didn't even bother to hide the disdain in my tone.
"Speak."
Ravick stepped forward, his silver hair catching the morning light. "Your Majesty… there has been a distress call from the outer villages of the Nivale Kingdom," he began, his voice measured. "Our scouts responded. After an investigation, they uncovered something… deeply unsettling."
My brow twitched. "Unsettling?" I echoed dryly.
