The council chamber was heavy with silence.
The warm candlelight from the tall iron flickered across the walls.
What had been laughter and warmth at last night's dinner had turned into grim focus.
Arin broke the silence first.
"Master," he said, "you know why we asked for your presence today. The sickness… the Black Breath. We need to know everything you do about it."
The teacher inclined his head slowly. "Of course, Your Majesty." His voice lost its usual playfulness. "The Black Breath is not a disease, not truly. It was created. A weapon, born of ambition and fear. You already know the name of the man who first used it, King Xerxes."
At that, all eyes turned to Daphne.
Alaric spoke up, his tone even. "My wife said the same thing."
The teacher looked at Daphne, pride glinting faintly in his gaze. "Then she was right. As always."
Daphne's lips curved faintly, though her eyes remained on the table before them.
