The council chamber was empty when Aeron called them together.
No nobles. No advisors. No witnesses. Just the four of them, gathered around the war table for the first time since the wedding. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the stone floor.
Kael sat with his arms crossed, his jaw tight. Seren sat across from him, her hands folded on the table. Theron leaned against the wall, watching. Aeron stood at the head, a single sheet of parchment in his hand.
"I've been thinking about the transformation debate," Aeron said. "About the arguments. The fears. The desperate humans who come to our gates."
Kael's jaw tightened. "I haven't changed my mind."
"I'm not asking you to change your mind. I'm asking you to listen."
Seren nodded. "We're listening."
Aeron unrolled the parchment.
"The problem is urgency. Seren wants to help people now. Kael wants to protect the kingdom from chaos. Both of you are right. Both of you are wrong."
