‘Florian’s Choice’

Florian instinctively straightened at the sound of Heinz's commanding voice, his spine rigid as if responding to an invisible force. His stomach churned, the unease coiling tighter with each passing second.

'What now?' he wondered, fighting the urge to glance at the princesses for reassurance.

The air thickened, and the room seemed to collectively hold its breath. The princesses, along with Florian, immediately lowered themselves into bows. The tension in the room was almost suffocating, as though the very walls were bracing for the storm Heinz's presence often heralded.

"Y-Your Majesty," Scarlett stammered, her usual sharpness absent, her tone trembling with an edge of nervousness. It was jarring to hear her like this—unsteady.