Later that week , Elira was called to the Western library — alone . She arrived to find a sealed door and a sigiled scroll .
She translated the rune : No truth unspoken within .
Inside , Caelum stood in the shadows .
" This chamber is truth — bound ," he said . " What is said here cannot be false ."
Elira stepped inside . The air thrummed faintly with old magic .
" I need to know who I can trust ," he said . " And I need you to tell me , without fear — do you serve me , or do you serve the realm ?"
Elira stared at him . " Can they not be the same ?"
" They never are ."
She stepped closer . " Then I serve what you could become . If you choose to be more than your father ."
Silence . Sharp . He stepped forward , close .
" Careful , Elira . I do not tolerate insolence ."
" No ," she said quietly . " But you do crave honesty ."
Their eyes met intense , unyielding .
And in the truth — bound silence , something passed between them . A flicker . A spark . Not acted upon . Not yet .
But it was there .
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