Arthur followed Hawklight through the palace corridors, his mind still processing the morning's events.
Isolde claimed publicly as his queen, Gareth's pathetic breakdown echoing through the halls—the pieces of his new order falling into place with satisfying precision.
"Mother... mother..."
The broken whimpering still reached them three corridors away. Arthur pushed down his savage satisfaction. He had more pressing matters than his stepbrother's psychological collapse.
"My lord," Hawklight's voice carried an edge of urgency as they approached the strategic planning chamber. "The intelligence Lily gathered requires immediate attention."
After years of partnership, he recognized when Hawklight had discovered something significant.
The chamber doors closed behind them.