"Greetings, Lord Alistair."
Prince Halwin and Kafel bowed deeply before him, heads lowered, eyes fixed on the polished floor.
Alistair regarded them both with open displeasure, lips pressed into a thin line. After a long moment, he exhaled sharply. "At ease."
Halwin's jaw tightened for the briefest instant.
When he straightened, though, his face smoothed into a reverent smile. "It is a profound honor to stand in your presence, Lord Alistair. Since the Dominion Trial, a mere prince from a lower realm like myself has had no opportunity to meet you face-to-face."
Alistair's gaze locked on Halwin's face. A flicker of memory surged behind his eyes and his head gave the tiniest twitch.
He looked away quickly, forcing slow, controlled breaths, one hand rising unconsciously to press against his chest.
"Hm," he murmured, voice flat. "Is that so?"
He moved to a nearby chair, dropping into it and he leaned back, elbows on the armrests, staring at some distant point beyond the walls.
"You're not wrong," he said quietly. "Someone like you should never share the same air as me…"
Halwin kept his expression perfectly neutral, listening without interruption.
"…However," Alistair continued, tone hardening just enough to cut, "we are to become family. Encounters like this will become unavoidable."
Halwin offered a small, gracious nod and smile. "Indeed, Lord Alistair. In less than two days, you will be my brother-in-law." He relaxed slightly, letting his gaze drift around the crimson chamber. "Though I must admit, I'm surprised you chose to receive us here, in your private mansion, rather than the Throne Hall. Does the Supreme Domain not possess one?"
Alistair shook his head once. "I have no intention of indulging in casual conversation with you, Prince Halwin. Family does not make us friends."
Halwin's smile widened faintly, amusement glinting in his eyes. "If I may be so bold, Lord Alistair, why did you suddenly agree to marry my niece?"
From the side of the room, Alya watched intently, curiosity burning behind her carefully neutral expression.
Alistair turned the question back without hesitation. "Why did you offer her?"
Halwin let out a soft, measured chuckle, though the sound held no real warmth. Although he asked first, he had no choice but to answer instead.
"My niece loves you so deeply that she acted recklessly, nearly lost her life at your barrier. As the princess of Star Haven, she made her desires known. My brother, Lord Silas, had little choice but to grant her wish."
Alistair flicked a brief glance toward Alya. She immediately averted her eyes, cheeks warming. He returned his attention to Halwin and gave a single, slow nod.
"And I… feel responsible," he said evenly. "She was injured attempting to breach my barrier."
Halwin mirrored the nod. "She could not have anticipated a defense so potent it could wound one's very Spirit Haven. Few would. You guard your domain with exceptional care, my Lord."
Alistair's lips curved, just barely. "Becoming Lord of the Supreme Domain required raising every standard beyond what the other realms can reach. Supreme, in every sense."
Alya stared at Alistair, intrigued. 'He's arrogant.'
Yet even as she thought it, she couldn't quite look away.
"Indeed," Halwin said with a respectful nod. He bowed once more, deeper this time. "I wish you and Princess Alya every happiness in this union, Lord Alistair. May your marriage be prosperous, your bond strong, and your family flourish in the years to come."
Alistair finally lifted his gaze to meet Halwin's. Their eyes locked for a long, silent moment, but whatever storm stirring behind Alistair's calm green eyes remained carefully veiled.
Nothing showed on his face but cool composure.
"You may go," he said evenly. "My people will escort you to your quarters and see to your every need while you're here."
Halwin and Kafel bowed in unison, then turned and departed the chamber without another word.
The heavy doors closed behind them with a soft, resonant thud.
The instant the sound faded, Alya spoke up, voice tentative.
"What about me?" she asked. "Should I… go with them?"
Alistair turned his head toward her. He studied her for a beat, then gave a small nod.
"Yes. You'll be shown to your new room." His tone was matter-of-fact. "This is your home now, after all. From this day forward."
A spark of pure, unguarded relief lit Alya's eyes.
She quickly looked away, hiding the sudden brightness in her expression.
'A new room. My own room. Not… sharing his. Thank God.'
She managed an awkward little bow, half curtsey, half stumble, and hurried toward the doors.
"Um… thank you," she mumbled over her shoulder, then slipped out as fast as her legs would carry her without breaking into a full run.
The moment the doors closed behind Alya, Alistair surged to his feet and in one violent motion, he seized the edge of the low ebony table and hurled it across the chamber.
It struck the far wall with a deafening crack, wood splintering, porcelain shattering, fragments raining down in jagged pieces that skittered across the floor.
Alistair stood motionless amid the wreckage, chest rising and falling in harsh, ragged breaths. His green eyes burned with something dark and lethal, pupils narrowed to slits.
"You don't seem to remember me, Halwin," he said, voice low and venomous. "But very soon… you will."
Later that day, a soft knock echoed through the quiet of Halwin's private quarters.
"It's Master Kafel, Your Highness," Geoffrey, Halwin's personal assistant, announced calmly, tilting the porcelain teapot to fill Halwin's cup.
Halwin raised his voice without looking up from the steam rising off the surface. "Enter!"
The heavy doors parted.
Kafel stepped inside, offered a deep, formal bow, then straightened with dignity.
"You summoned me, Your Highness."
Halwin met his gaze and gave a single nod. "The matter we discussed earlier, did you carry it out?"
Kafel inclined his head once. "I did, Prince Halwin."
Then his eyes drifted briefly aside, the memory of their audience with Alistair Rehn resurfacing.
He had stood silently at Halwin's side throughout the exchange, posture impeccable, while his fingers had moved in the smallest, almost imperceptible flick, channeling a thin thread of spiritual energy toward the seated Alistair.
What that had revealed shocked him to the core.
Halwin leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on the arms of his chair, tea forgotten. "And? What did you discover?"
Kafel lifted his eyes to meet Halwin's again, voice low and steady.
"I discovered that Lord Alistair Rehn… possesses no Sigil."