Hadrian stood for a few seconds, walking slowly to the high window of the hall. The light curtains moved in the gentle breeze, but the Emperor's face was too serious to match the tranquility of the scene. He stood there, observing the imperial gardens, before speaking again.
"We are investigating," he said, without turning around. "But everything points to one specific possibility."
Kael looked up, attentive.
"Vampires." The word hung in the air with a strange weight. It didn't sound mystical. It sounded political.
Kael blinked once. "…Vampires?" he repeated, testing the sound of the word.
Hadrian nodded slowly, still with his back to him.
"Humans and vampires haven't gotten along for a long time," he continued. "In fact, they never have. We've only learned to coexist… under very specific terms."
He then turned, resting a hand on the windowsill.
