Astana's footsteps echoed softly as he walked down the long corridor to his father's study. The silence of the manor was almost unnerving, and the weight of his conversation with Irina hung in the air. He could already hear the low murmur of his father's voice, deep and deliberate, as he addressed his reports, his presence as commanding as ever.
Paul Blake, one of Damian's most trusted generals, was never a man who showed weakness or hesitation. Damian had placed so much trust in him because of his reputation for discipline and clear-headed strategy—and Astana had never been able to escape his father's strict standards. Despite being strict, Paul had never been unfair. Astana could always rely on his father to provide a balanced viewpoint, even if it meant hearing things he did not want to hear.
