Soren rubbed his temple slowly, as though trying to press away the tension gathering behind his eyes.
"I had hoped to prevent this from happening," he muttered under his breath, glancing between his brother and their mother. Then, louder, more deliberate, "Alright… let's all try to calm down before this turns into something none of us can undo. We are not enemies here. We can speak—properly—and find a solution without tearing the palace apart."
Aelira did not even flinch. "There is no problem here," she said calmly, her posture elegant, her voice steady in a way that only seemed to provoke further anger.
Valerian's brows drew together sharply.
"No problem?" he repeated, his voice low but edged with disbelief. "You truly believe there is no problem with what you've done?"
