our fates caged (2).

Like a lecturer making a particular point, Tia rapped her finger against the metal bars, making a long and high-pitched noise.

"The old Roswald kings and queens did their very best to separate the church from the crown—but now, in one fell swoop, the Holy Order are the Crown have been conjoined under the reign of Titus Brightwell. There's no distinction between them anymore."

With just one point remaining, Tia curled her finger into a tight fist.

"And finally, the RMP have been reduced to little more than expendable resources; replacements for all the Flameguard the Order has lost in pointless scraps against the Collective. You're not protecting the people; the Royal Metropolitan Police have become the personal guard dogs of the new king—and the frontline defense against anyone who'd dare challenge his claim to the throne."