"The choice is yours," Ariella said, her voice smooth but tinged with regret. "I'm sorry, but we're expecting guests soon. I'd appreciate it if you kept this meeting under wraps—especially from your son. Uneasy children are a nightmare to handle." Her drone flickered briefly, a glitch in its serene glow, before it steadied, hovering silently above Veer and Rani like a watchful sentinel.
The couple exchanged a glance, words unspoken but heavy between them. They had more to unpack, more questions to press, when a low hum vibrated through the room. The door behind them slid open, and a burst of chatter spilled in as a group of young people strode into the training arena. Their voices died abruptly, eyes widening at the sight of the older couple standing in a space meant for warriors, not survivors like them.
