"…what exactly is going on over there?" Celestia pointed a fork at Lucien. "Why is the Marigold Heiress trying to fuse with Cadet Ashborne?"
Kael sighed, rubbing his face.
"It's a long story, Your Highness."
"I have time."
So, Kael recounted everything. The Shadow Stalkers. The ambush in the sewers. The explosion. The "Demon Summoner" incident.
As Celestia listened, her usually indifferent expression cracked. Her blue eyes widened.
"A Demon Summoning ritual… right in the Capital?" she whispered. "And you fought it?"
"We tried," Bordon admitted, scratching his cheek. "But honestly, Lucien did the heavy lifting."
Celestia turned her gaze to Mariella, who was shrinking into her seat.
"So," Celestia said softly. "The news in The Daily Aurelian… about you overloading a Magic Stone and causing the explosion… that was a lie?"
Mariella nodded, tears pricking her eyes.
