The air inside the conference hall grew heavy.
Everyone present — nobles, advisors, military commanders — were the brightest and highest of the elven kingdom. Yet even among them, silence reigned as they awaited the Queen's verdict.
An elderly figure, clad in flowing green robes adorned with silver embroidery, finally broke the uneasy quiet.
"So… what should we do?" he asked, his voice carrying a cautious tone. "Should we inform the Human Alliance of this?"
A few heads nodded.
"I agree," another elder chimed in, a stately woman with stern eyes. "Humans are our… allies. It would be proper to notify them before rumors spread."
A sharp, disdainful snort echoed through the hall.
"Allies?" A younger elf lord, his golden hair shining under the soft light, scoffed. "You're just lying to yourselves. We are nothing more than their subordinates. Puppets parading under the illusion of dignity."
His words struck like arrows.
The hall sank into an even heavier silence.
