The meeting room was suffocating, the tension palpable as I sat at the head of the table. My generals Asher, Kael, Michael, and Ryder stood before me, their faces lined with apprehension. Their unease was warranted; I wasn't in the mood for excuses.
"Asher, Ryder," I said, my tone cold and unforgiving, "you were supposed to enforce my commands, yet you allowed Veryon to train Kiara without my authorization."
Ryder shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. Asher stepped forward, his voice low and apologetic. "Your Majesty, Veryon is a prince. His rank demanded our compliance. We had no choice but to obey."
I clenched my jaw, the sharp edge of my anger threatening to spill over. "From this moment on," I said, my voice like steel, "you will obey no one but me. I don't care if it's Veryon, a prince, or even a god himself my word is law in Decresh."
