As the conversation between Commander Kyle and the king unfolded, Hazen's face grew colder by the second.
"Why do I feel like the king is behind Ghain's kidnapping?" she finally asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
"Me? Oh yes, I'm the one behind everything," the king replied, his tone cold and vicious. He continued, "It seems you're not aware of the backstory between me and your great Commander. Don't worry, I'll brief you. This commander of yours was brought up by me. I found him on the streets and trained him to become one of my men. When I noticed he was a vampire, I sneaked him into Astera to become my eyes there. When he finally started rising in the ranks, feeling power and recognition, he ditched me," the king said, staring coldly at Commander Kyle, who stared back without any sign of cowardice.
