|| Third-party POV ||

The dimly lit studio was a stage, and Kael was the lead actor in his own tragic play. The cameras rolled, capturing every tear, every trembling word, every carefully crafted lie. Alaric watched from the shadows of the council room, his sharp grey eyes fixed on the screen, his jaw clenched so tightly it felt like it might shatter. The accusations were ludicrous, a desperate attempt by Kael to salvage his crumbling reputation. But what infuriated Alaric the most was ...