[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/C5mroYK.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/g2U0jda.png[/img]
[h3][color=RosyBrown]Time: Evening[/color]
[color=RosyBrown]Location: The Royal Banquet[/color]
[color=RosyBrown]Interactions: [@princess] Queen Alibeth, [@Helo] Leo, [@Tae] Torvi & Fenrys[/color][/h3]
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[color=lightgray]

Kilian had not moved.

Even as the Queen’s voice settled over the court, he remained exactly where he was...still, sharp, and completely in his element.

The chain in his hand hung loose now, its weight resting in coils along the floor. His grip hadn’t shifted, his expression hadn’t changed, but his absolute conviction radiated from him as though it was its own being entirely.

He looked toward Alibeth then. Not the king, nor the crowd…Just her.

His eyes met hers with no pretense of deference, only the steady, watchful certainty of a man who understood exactly what he had just delivered. Not just the drama of it all, but the impact that would continue to ripple through Sorian from now on. And for a moment, something like a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth...not wide enough to be vulgar, but enough to suggest he was enjoying himself. Enjoying [i]this display[/i].

He tugged at the chain, but only slightly. Just enough to draw it forward a few inches, just enough to let the links scrape the floor and remind everyone that the woman behind him was still there, still bound, still silent.

His voice came low, smooth, and unhurried.

[color=RosyBrown]“The Queen honors me with her words. But she is no less true for her compliments. This kingdom is wounded. Struck with the gravest of injuries and bleeding out day by day. That wound has been left to fester. It has become infected. [b]You all[/b] have been made delirious by the sickness that pulses through the veins of this city like sepsis.”[/color]

Kilian let the faint trace of amusement curl around the edges of his expression like smoke. But it did not deter from the severity of his words. Slowly, he began to walk.

Not toward the dais, but through the center of the room…the chain clinking softly behind him with every step. The woman followed without a word, her white dress trailing behind her, her eyes lowered. Her bare feet barely made a sound, but the chain filled the silence for her.

His path ended at one of the long tables. His seat waited there...Torvi on one side, Fenrys sprawled at her feet like a sleeping god, and Lord Smithwood on the other.

He came to a stop, the chain pulling taut behind him. The woman obeyed without command, her posture straightening as she took her place behind his chair. Kilian didn’t look at her, not even once. Instead, he continued. 

[color=RosyBrown]“This once great city has become afflicted by the corruption of Magicae. I have come here, along with my companions from [b]the Vanguard[/b], to cut that rot from the wound in this city and to cleanse it. We are here to heal the wounds of corruption left in the wake of the arcane. I will rescue you from the maw of abomination.”[/color]

He stood there for just a moment, letting the weight of the silence deepen between his words.

[color=RosyBrown]“The good people of this kingdom deserve peace. You deserve prosperity. The innocent deserve to be kept safe from the evils that lurk among you. We will find that evil and bring it to justice. Despite the dramatics… I am not here for spectacle. I am here for [b]results[/b]. Together, alongside my brothers and sisters of the Vanguard, we will ensure that you are protected from the ultimate threat to our kind.”[/color] 

Then, slowly, he lifted his hand… and let the chain fall from his grasp.

The clatter of iron against marble was loud enough to jolt the room. It rang out sharp and clear, shattering whatever composure some of the weaker nobles had managed to maintain.

Kilian lowered himself into the chair like it had been waiting for him. Like he belonged there more than anyone else in the room. The captive, Genevieve, stood still behind him, exactly as she was meant to

One gloved hand found the edge of his goblet. He didn’t drink. Just turned the cup once with his fingers, slow and absent, while the tension twisted tighter around the room.

Then, finally, he spoke again.

[color=RosyBrown]“Today begins the reckoning. You have my word… Now please, do carry on with the merriment.”[/color]

A very poignant smirk tugged at his lips. 

[color=RosyBrown]“I’d hate to be the only one enjoying myself.”[/color]

And with that, he leaned back in his chair comfortably and took a sip of wine from the goblet. Turning his attention first to Lord Smithwood, Kilian offered the man acknowledgment in the form of a nod and raised his glass to him before turning his gaze to Torvi. 

[color=RosyBrown]“It is so nice to see you again, [i]þruma[/i]. And you…”[/color] He said, first referring to her by the nickname he gave her and then looking over to her loyal protecter, Fenrys. [color=RosyBrown]“…I see your mother has been feeding you like a king.”[/color][/color]