MINGAN'S POV
Marcus stood slowly, his legs still unsteady beneath him. The broken wine glass crunched under his boots, red liquid spreading across the stone like spilled blood. He looked at me one final time, and I saw the moment he fully understood his position. The fear had settled into resignation. Good. Fear could be temporary, but resignation was permanent.
"I understand what you require of me, Elder Prince," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Excellent." I gestured toward the door. "You may go. Remember what we discussed."
He bowed deeply, the movement stiff and formal. "Yes, Your Highness."
I watched him walk to the door, noting how his shoulders curved inward as if trying to make himself smaller. The confident young lord who had entered my chambers was gone, replaced by someone who finally understood the true nature of power. It was a beautiful transformation to see every single time.
