The room was silent. Moonlight spilled in through the curtains, casting pale streaks across the floor. Keal lay sleeping in bed, his breath calm and even.
Then—a soft creak.
Someone leaned against the window frame from outside, his silhouette cutting through the moonlight. Slowly, the figure stepped inside, quiet as a shadow.
Keal's eyes snapped open. His instincts sensed it.
He sat up quickly, his voice low but firm. "What are you doing here?"
The intruder adjusted his glasses with a cold smile.
It was he—the Knight Leader.
Leaning casually against the wall, he said, "Do you want to join me?"
Keal narrowed his eyes. "Why should I?"
The Leader smirked. "Why should you?" he repeated mockingly, amused by the question.
He walked closer. The room tensed with his presence.
Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed Keal by the chin, forcing him to look up at him.
"The thing is clear now," the Leader whispered. "Your mother is dead. You know that, don't you?"
