The massive gates of Goldfeather Mansion creaked shut behind Boren and Valeria, their heavy metallic sound echoing across the expansive courtyard.
The late afternoon sun cast elongated shadows over the pale stone path leading to the outer road. For a moment, neither Aldric nor Orak spoke; they simply stood at the entrance, watching as the two Guild representatives walked away with steady strides, their figures gradually diminishing down the road flanked by neatly trimmed hedges and silent guards.
A gentle breeze carried a hint of river water from beyond the estate walls, yet it did little to lift the weighty atmosphere hanging between father and son.
Orak was the first to break the silence. "Thirty million," he said slowly, almost as if saying it aloud would make it feel less surreal. His brows knitted together in disbelief rather than anger. "Father… that's not just a small amount. It's excessive. Why did you agree so easily?"
