Chapter 435 --434
Chapter 435: Chapter-434
Elara stood up from her grand chair, her midnight-black velvet gown cascading smoothly around her ankles. Julian rose a split second later, executing his standard, effortless bow. His nonchalant mask was fully restored now; he looked completely relaxed, a slight, lazy smirk touching his lips as he gave her a polite nod of dismissal."If you will excuse me, Your Highness," Julian murmured, his baritone voice smooth and entirely devoid of the raw agony from moments before. "I believe the foreign ministry expects me to exchange pleasantries with the Baltic envoys. Wouldn’t want to disrupt the diplomatic timeline."
Without waiting for her reply, he stepped away from the high table, tucking his hands casually into his pockets as he strolled down the side steps of the dais. He moved with a slow, unbothered grace, completely ignoring the sharp, territorial glares directed at his back by the two commanders standing at the base.
Elara watched his silver hair disappear into the sea of glittering silks and heavy furs. The tight, heavy friction behind her ribs had not dissipated. Instead, it felt like an uncalibrated weight, throwing off the internal balance she had spent years perfecting.
"Master," Ken’s low, rough voice broke through her thoughts.
He stepped up onto the dais, his dark leather armor creaking slightly with the movement. His dark eyes were completely stripped of their usual lazy heat, replaced by a fierce, possessive anger that made his jaw rigid. Right behind him, Mahir ascended the steps, his massive, bare-chested frame radiating a volatile warmth that instantly cut through the chill of the high platform. His beast-kin ears were pinned flat against his dark hair, and his long tail gave a sharp, impatient *thwack* against the back of her empty chair.
"The northern prince was standing too close," Mahir growled softly, his golden eyes wide and predatory as he looked in the direction Julian had gone. "His vocal output was causing an adverse reaction in your vitals. Do you require him to be removed to his quarters?"
Ken leaned in slightly, his hand still resting heavily on his sword hilt. "He is forgetting his place, Elara. Clause Twelve was clear. If he needs to be reminded of the boundaries, I can personally escort him back to the eastern wing and ensure he stays there."
Elara looked at them. For the first time, looking at her two most loyal protectors—the men whose marks were currently hidden beneath her severe collar and open linen shirt—did not bring the usual smooth, calculated silence to her mind. Instead, the image of Julian’s bleeding, hollow eyes flashed across her memory, overlapping with the data of her current surroundings.
*He didn’t leave a single empty corner for me, Elara. Not even a small one.*
"No," Elara stated flatly, her voice returning to its rigid, administrative cadence. "Prince Julian’s movements are within his permitted parameters. His interactions with the foreign envoys are necessary to secure the ninety-two percent success metric for the winter trade treaty. Do not interfere with his coordinates."
Ken’s eyes narrowed into sharp, dangerous slits, a flicker of genuine frustration crossing his handsome features. "You are spending an unnecessary amount of processing power on him tonight, Master. He is just a signed contract. We are the ones who secure your perimeter."