Just as the air had begun to lighten and the elves faith in Luca had solidified, a single voice destroyed the peace.
"Hold on a minute."
The words came from Julius.
Every head turned as he stood there smiling, hands folded neatly behind his back, though his eyes were cold as winter glass.
He began to clap slowly.
"I must say, Hero, I am impressed." His tone was cool, almost courteous. "You've disproved every accusation I've made so far. Each one, one by one, you've swatted away like dust in the wind."
"You've even brought proof—tangible proof, no less. For that, I should apologize for all the stuff I said, shouldn't I?"
He gave a shallow bow, mimicking the exact gesture Luca had made earlier, and for a heartbeat, everyone relaxed.
Perhaps he was finally conceding.
But then Julius straightened again, and that polite smile sharpened into a knife.
"However." He said softly. "There's still one thing you haven't addressed."
Julius's gaze darkened as he leaned forward.
