Royal Palace — Azreal's Room
A soft chime echoed, and a glowing blue panel blinked to life. Sarah's voice came through, calm but tinged with something heavier, echoed out.
"My lord… I have something for you."
Azreal turned slowly from the window, his sharp golden eyes narrowing. "What is it?"
There was a brief silence—then her voice dropped, laced with something heavy.
"If you had to choose… the world, or Aria's life… which would it be?"
Azreal froze.
The words sliced through the air like a blade, cold and merciless. He stared into the glowing panel, not blinking.
"What's with that question all of a sudden?" His voice was steady, but tense. "What's the issue?"
Sarah didn't answer the question. Instead, her voice became firmer.
"Please answer my question first… or is it too hard for you to say?"
Azreal looked down. His shadow stretched long under the flickering light, his reflection distorted in the glass floor. He muttered to himself.
"The world… or Aria..."
