KRIEK
The door to the private study opened, and Zarius walked into the room with his usual quiet strides.
Flio, who had been buried under a mountain of active intelligence reports, financial ledgers, and half-empty tea cups since the crack of dawn, snapped his head up at the sound. When he saw the towering, perfectly composed figure of Zarius step into the room, the aide let out a long, theatrical sigh of absolute relief, slumping back against the leather cushion of his chair.
"Oh, thank God," Flio muttered. "I was genuinely starting to prepare myself for the possibility that you wouldn't come out of your room at all today, Your Grace."
Zarius didn't even blink at the comment. He walked smoothly across the floor. He took his seat behind the desk, crossing one heavy leg over the other as he leaned back.
He remained silent for a long, heavy moment, his eyes staring fixatedly at the map of the continent pinned to the wall.
