Classic leaned forward, his tone dropping slightly. "Christiana, have you heard about what just happened?"
Christiana's gaze sharpened as she straightened in her chair. "What are you talking about?"
Classic exhaled, his expression unreadable. "Ethan just removed the crown from Mom."
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, Christiana slowly placed her glass down, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "He did what?"
"You heard me. He stripped her of her crown in front of the court. I don't think he realizes the mistake he just made."
Christiana stood up, her movements slow but deliberate. There was a deadly calmness in her posture, the kind that preceded something far worse than an outburst.
"And what did Dad do?" she asked.
Classic's lips pressed together. "Dad walked in right after. You know how he is—calm, quiet, dangerous. He asked Ethan what was in his hands and told him he doesn't tolerate disrespect toward Mom. But the room was tense, Christiana. The court saw it. The empire saw it. Ethan just challenged our father's authority, even if he didn't realize it."
Christiana's expression darkened. "Then he's more of a fool than I thought."
Classic nodded. "It gets worse."
"How?"
"Ethan hasn't apologized. He hasn't even tried to explain himself. And you know what that means—Dad won't tolerate disobedience for long."
Christiana's jaw tightened. "Then we'll remind Ethan exactly where he stands."
Classic smirked. "That's what I was hoping you'd say."