Thanks to Ys, the suffocating tension in the meeting room had finally started to fade. Lilla exhaled a heavy, defeated sigh before waving her hand toward her escorts. "Leave us. The rest of this conversation will be completely private."
Her guards hesitated, their expressions filled with concern, but after several moments of convincing and a stern glare from Lilla, they reluctantly obeyed and filed out of the room. The heavy door shut behind them with a dull thud, leaving only Lilla, Rex, Ys, and Cleo at the table.
Now alone, Lilla turned her full attention to Rex. His golden eyes bore into her like burning embers; his anger was palpable, his jaw clenched tight.
Her gray eyes met his at last, though it took all her courage to hold his fiery gaze. "First of all, I want to say this wasn't my idea. I'm not saying that to excuse myself from the responsibility of being here, but I need everyone in this room to understand my stance on this matter."