The Queen's reading chamber was silent.
Guards stood outside.
Tall shelves filled with ancient texts and forgotten secrets rose toward the ceiling. White curtains shifted gently as a cold breeze slipped through the windows. The moon hung large in the sky—deep red, watching.
At the center of the chamber stood a single table.
Untouched.
Except for parchment, ink, and a flickering flame.
Queen Gorika sat alone.
A glass of wine rested in her hand.
She was reading the message sent by the King of Arkan.
Her expression did not change.
But something in her gaze was unsettled.
She did not want conflict.
She never had.
For a long moment, she simply stared at the words.
Then—
she set the glass aside.
Her fingers closed around the pen.
The quill touched the parchment.
The sound of ink scratching against paper broke the silence.
"To King Rashnamon of the Arkan Clan…"
She paused.
Her jaw tightened.
Across from her stood Yakubo, silent as ever.
"A queen correcting the mistake of a child," he said calmly.
Gorika did not look up.
"It is my duty," she replied.
Yakubo's eyes rested on her.
"Duty," he repeated. "Or fear of what the future may become?"
The quill stopped.
Gorika lifted her gaze.
Her voice was low.
Controlled.
"I will not allow arrogance to become the cause of war."
She resumed writing.
"…The Seven Gates acknowledges the offense carried out within our walls. Such conduct does not reflect our laws, nor our principles. I assure you—it will not be repeated."
The words flowed now.
Precise.
Measured.
Final.
She sealed the letter with white wax.
A knock came at the door.
"Enter," she said.
A guard stepped in and bowed.
"The Commander… and his son."
"Let them in."
The doors opened.
Dian entered first—calm, composed, untouched by consequence.
Behind him stood his father.
Both bowed.
"My Queen."
Gorika did not return it.
She rose slowly, wine still in her hand.
"Do you understand why you are here?" she asked.
Dian met her gaze.
"I assume it concerns the Arkan Clan."
"Do not assume."
The words cut clean.
The air in the room shifted.
"You hunted in a forbidden land," she said.
The Commander stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, allow me to clarify—"
"Not. A. Word."
The command landed sharply.
The Commander fell silent.
Even Yakubo's gaze shifted.
Gorika stepped closer to Dian.
"Seven Gates stands for justice," she said. "Not arrogance. Not superiority."
Her eyes held his.
"And yet—you chose to display both."
Dian said nothing.
But his jaw tightened—just slightly.
Gorika watched him for a moment.
Then—
she made her decision.
"Tomorrow," she said, her voice steady, "you will go with Knox to the Arkan court."
A pause.
"You will deliver this letter."
Another pause.
"And you will apologize."
The commander bowed immediately.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Dian did not respond at once.
Then—
slowly—
he inclined his head.
Not submission.
Not agreement.
Obedience.
"You may leave," Gorika said.
They turned.
Walked out.
The doors closed.
Silence returned.
Yakubo spoke.
"Do you believe it will end here?"
Gorika looked at the sealed letter.
"No," she said quietly.
Outside, the white banners of the Seven Gates moved in the wind—
pure.
Unstained.
But beneath them—
something had already begun to crack.