The Queen's Authority
"I didn't wish to use this… but you people have given me no choice."
Videl spoke without hurry. Her words came slow, steady - like a breath held too long finally let go.
Too calm.
Slowly -
Her fingers lifted into the air.
Then he showed the ring.
Just then -
No one spoke.
A shine ran across it, thin lines catching the glow like they already knew what to say. Not loud. Nothing stretched beyond truth.
Yet it meant something.
A presence.
Something… unmistakable.
A quiet shift crossed Shawn's face as he looked on. His gaze tightened at the edges, just a fraction.
Far off as it was, even from his spot -
Something stirred inside him.
The mana within the ring.
Distinct.
Refined.
Pure.
Royal.
That's real…
He felt certain about it. That thought never crossed his path.
A mark appeared on objects made for royalty - quiet, almost hidden, impossible to copy even by the most practiced hands.
And that ring—
Had it.
A faint breath escaped him.
