Damian leaned over Gabriel's desk, his hands braced against the polished surface, looming over him. The subtle shift in movement brought him close enough that Gabriel caught the scent beneath the expensive cologne he wore—something warmer, distinctly him, laced with traces of leather and steel. It was the scent of someone who had spent hours in the training grounds before donning the pristine attire of an emperor. His breath was steady despite the exhaustion lining his face. "I haven't selected a new Minister of Magic yet. I intended to do it after the Civil Examination. "Can you handle this until then?"
Gabriel cast a glance at him before focusing on the flickering display in front of him. "The problem is not with the feasibility study," he admits. "That part is sound. It's the next stage of the project. If we keep going without knowing who is pulling the strings, it could be dangerous."
