The great dining hall gradually emptied, the echo of bootsteps and whispered orders trailing behind like mist dissolving beneath the morning sun.
Servants moved to clear the remnants of breakfast, but none dared to speak—the atmosphere still hummed with threads of the serious discussion that had just ended.
Albert, ever composed, rose from his seat and carried the little fury kitten, Daniella, into his arms as she yawned cutely.
Her fragile form curled lightly against his chest, wisps of her pale hair fluttering as she stirred sleepily.
Dominic fell into step beside him, his expression unreadable, but his golden gaze flicked now and then toward the kitten in Albert's arms.
This is risky,
The high priest has been missing since he traveled to the Valentino Empire to meet the emperor, and after that, no one knows his whereabouts.