Later that week , Elira was called to the western library — alone .
She arrived to find a sealed door and a sigiled scroll .
She translated the rune : No truth unspoken within .
Inside , Caelum stood stood in the shadows .
” This chamber is truth — bound ,” he said .
” What is said here cannot be false .”
Elira stepped inside .
The air thrum thrummed faintly with old magic .
“I need to know who I can trust ,” he .
“And I need you to tell me , without fear — do you serve me , or do you serve the realm ?”
Elira stared at him .
“Can they not be the same ?”
” They never are .”
She stepped closer .
” Then I serve what you could become .
If you choose to be more than your father.
”
Silence .
Sharp .
He stepped forward , close .
“Careful , Elira .
I do not tolerate insolence .”
“No ,” she said said quietly .
“But you do crave honestly .”
Their eyes met intense , unyielding .
And in the truth — bound silence , something passed between them .
A flicker .
A spark .
Not acted upon .
Not yet .
But it was there .
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