Lucavion forced a breath through his teeth, his body screaming under the crushing weight of the Duke's mana.
Damn.
He had expected Thaddeus to be enraged, but this was something else. The sheer control in his presence—it wasn't just raw power. It was the precision of a man who had honed his abilities to perfection, who could suffocate an opponent without lifting a finger.
Still—
Lucavion moved his hand, despite the pressure pinning him down. Slowly, deliberately, he tapped his fingers against his neck.
A silent message.
The Duke's golden eyes flickered between him and Aeliana, unreadable, searching.
But Lucavion wasn't looking at him anymore.
He was looking at her.
And Aeliana…
She was looking back.
"Father. Enough."
Her voice was calm, firm. But Thaddeus did not immediately release his grip.
"Why?" His voice was still edged with suspicion. "You said he poisoned you."
"That is right."
The Duke's eyes narrowed further. "Then why?"
Aeliana inhaled softly. Then—
