"Grand Senators, what do you mean? What did I do?"
Velen blinked innocently, his face the very picture of sincerity.
"Lord Velen!" Senator William practically shouted, his voice cracking. "Add up our ages—me and the other four Grand Senators—we've lived for thousands of years combined!"
"And now... now look at us…" His voice trailed off, unable to articulate the torment they were experiencing. The sheer humiliation was too much to put into words.
Velen, on the other hand, seemed entirely unconcerned.
"Come now," he replied gently, "you said you wanted time to slow down, to feel like it was stretching. I simply fulfilled that wish."
"Now be honest," he continued, holding his hands open as though explaining basic logic. "In this state, while you're trying to restrain yourselves, doesn't it feel like every second drags on for eternity?"
"Am I wrong?"
His voice was filled with the calm assurance of someone who believed they were doing the world a great favor.
