The silence in the room held for one long moment.
Then Celestia laughed.
It was small and genuine. She shook her head slightly, and when she looked at Azael again there was something different in her expression. Not warmth exactly. But something closer to it than before.
"Hehe." She glanced sideways at Aeliana. "Sister. Your stepson is something else."
Then her gaze returned to Azael. He was still smiling — calm, unhurried, as though he hadn't just said what he'd said to the most powerful woman in the room.
"Boy." Her voice carried its usual cool authority, but the edge of it had softened slightly. "Where exactly did you find that much courage? You do know who I am, don't you?"
"Yes," Azael said simply. "You're my mother's elder sister."
He paused for a brief moment.
"And as for the courage — I don't feel the need to be afraid when my mother is sitting right beside me. Why would I?"
No one spoke.
