"What are you waiting for? Summon your aide," Sylas prompted.
"Yes... of course," Rozier replied, closing his eyes briefly to brace himself for the inevitable consequences. The erosion of his lord's trust, which he would soon face, gnawed at him like a festering wound.
Moments later, Rozier's aide entered, accompanied by a Northern knight loyal to Viscount Thorburn.
"Remember, hand the report over at the gates of the Imperial Palace, not a moment before," the Viscount ordered, and the knight nodded firmly.
Rozier's aide stood by, visibly uneasy as he sensed the gravity of the situation.
"What's happening here?" the aide whispered urgently.
"Silence!" Rozier snapped, his tone so sharp that the aide recoiled.
As the two knights departed on horseback, Sylas turned to the assembled nobles.
"With this, His Majesty will surely recognize our loyalty. Long live the Empire!"
"Long live the Empire! Long live the North!"
