Seeing their prince in danger, soldiers surged forward. Killing intent flooded the air, pressing down on everyone like a storm about to break.
"What is the meaning of this?!" a Durn commander roared, eyes blazing. "Marquis, have you lost your mind?!"
Even Ling Yan and Princess Elize stood frozen, their faces hard with disbelief. Reynold was known for his calm, measured, disciplined, almost detached. To see him attack another royal without warning was unthinkable.
Reynold didn't retreat. His sword remained steady, its point gleaming near the prince's chest. His eyes, sharp and focused, never wavered.
"He ambushed me in that fog," Reynold said. "The same taint that clung to those creatures… clings to him."
"Lies!" a Durn commander barked, stepping forward. "He's delirious from the ruin's miasma, don't believe him!"
But before anyone could move, the Durn prince lifted a hand. The gesture alone silenced his men.
