Max sighed lightly, his eyes lingering on the now-empty sky where the rift had once been.
The overwhelming presence of the Ascendants was gone, but their shadow still loomed over him.
24 hours.
That was all he had.
Aurelia's voice broke the silence.
"You now have 24 hours. Prepare well."
Max turned to her, his expression softening slightly.
"Thanks. I really needed some time."
But then, as the reality of the situation settled deeper in his mind, his expression shifted.
His gaze turned concerned as he looked at Aurelia.
"You helped me in front of everyone… won't the Monarch find out?"
His voice was low, edged with caution.
The Young Monarch had already declared that anyone who supported him would be marked as an enemy.
Yet Aurelia had openly assisted him.
Aurelia, however, merely shook her head, her golden eyes unreadable.
"Only for now."
Her words were cryptic.
