Wuner Hudel sat stiffly in his large, dimly lit study, nervously eyeing the figure seated across from him. Cain Sebanil, the most powerful and enigmatic man Wuner had ever known, lounged in his chair with an air of effortless control. The Sebanil patriarch had a reputation for being unreachable and relentlessly busy, so his unexpected visit to the Hudel estate had Wuner on edge.
Wuner cleared his throat, his fingers twitching as he adjusted the papers on his desk. "Lord Sebanil," he began carefully, "it is an honor to have you visit my humble home. What brings you here today?" His tone was polite, but the tension was palpable.
Cain Sebanil, with his piercing eyes and calm demeanor, tilted his head slightly. "What brings me here?" he repeated, his voice dangerously soft. "Do you really need to ask, Wuner?"
Wuner swallowed hard, feeling his heartbeat quicken. He knew why Cain was here, but hearing it would make it all too real. He had been dreading this moment.
