The terrace's atmosphere was thick with tension as the snowstorm outside finally started to ease up, though the biting cold remained unforgiving, especially for Glen.
"If this is all connected, then I need to follow my path to Urioil." Glen declared, his tone firm. His presence alone meant he had to see this through.
Etien, however, wasn't having it. The Duke of the Frozen Lands shook his head, outright rejecting the notion.
"I think if you go, Your Majesty, it's bound to stir up a mess."
"Are you implying I'd be a liability?" Glen shot back.
"Wha—No! That's not what I meant! Of course you wouldn't, I just... I'd rather you didn't get tangled up in trouble—"
"I won't cause problems, and you can hold me to that. Besides, isn't this one of the best ways to finally make Earl Rainer acknowledge me as the rightful Emperor?" he said.
