Outside, fireworks continued illuminating the capital. Citizens celebrated what they believed had been another flawless festival.
Inside the palace, the reality was very different.
Later that night, Cassian stood rigidly inside Kylrus's chambers, unable to meet his brother's eyes for more than a few seconds at a time.
"I put everyone at risk."
Kylrus sat behind his desk, exhaustion weighing heavily on him despite how composed he appeared.
"You saved Isolde."
"I destabilized the array."
"And learned something."
Cassian clenched his fists.
"I acted without thinking."
"Yes."
Silence settled over the room.
Kylrus looked at him steadily.
"That is both your strength and your weakness."
Cassian slowly raised his head.
"Next time, think first."
After several seconds, he nodded.
"...I will."
Kylrus watched him leave before turning his attention back to the city beyond the window.
Aurielle remained behind.
She crossed the room quietly and placed a hand against his chest. Beneath her palm, the fracture pulsed violently, sending an uneven ripple through his mana flow.
"You pushed too far."
Kylrus didn't deny it.
"It was necessary."
Aurielle shook her head.
"No."
Her voice remained calm, but there was frustration beneath it.
"You keep saying that. The truth is that you chose it."
Kylrus met her gaze.
"Yes."
For a moment neither spoke.
Outside, golden fireworks continued bursting across the sky while music echoed through the capital. To the citizens below, the Ascension Festival had been a triumph. They would remember dazzling lights, a flawless ceremony, and a Crown Prince who had once again demonstrated impossible power.
None of them knew how close the city had come to disaster.
Kylrus slowly walked toward the window and looked out across the illuminated skyline. The fracture in his chest burned like molten glass. For the first time since awakening in this world, he could feel a genuine limit approaching.
One more release on that scale, one more mistake, and he might lose control completely.
The enemy knew it now.
And so did he.
Everything they had done until now—the warehouse incident, the foundation array, the festival synchronization—had not been attempts to defeat him. They had been measurements. Tests. Calculations.
Now they were finished gathering information.
They were accelerating.
Kylrus rested a hand against the cold stone beside the window and watched another burst of fireworks bloom over the city.
"You almost forced my hand."
His reflection stared back at him from the glass, golden eyes unwavering.
"Now I'll force yours."