[Malvolia Safe House, Higgins Manor. Deep within Sovana Mountain Hill.]
"Your Majesty the Emperor?! How—how did you find us?!" Zolaris stammered, her voice rough as splintering glass, eyes wide with fright.
She had just returned to Higgins Manor, only to find the entire safe house transformed into a gruesome massacre.
This mansion—their final refuge, the last remaining asset of House Emris Malvolia—had been their sole sanctuary, their only safe haven.
Ever since the Majesties stripped them of their noble titles. Though not all of their estate had been seized. This was the last place they could truly call their own.
Now—Emris, Zolaris, and Blanche knelt before Ares's feet, their faces drained of color, bodies rigid with terror, and tongues too stiff to speak.
Blood flooded the floors, corpses piled high—the decapitated remains of mercenaries strewn everywhere. Leaving only House Malvolia—shaken, trembling, crushed under the weight of their fear.
