The queen shifted slightly in her seat, her expression no longer entirely composed.
"This is not about pride," the Empress added, her tone firm but no longer provocative. "And it is not about who is right in this room. It is about survival."
She took a small step forward.
"Every kingdom that has fallen believed they had time. Believed they were prepared. Believed they understood the threat." Her gaze held steady on the king. "They did not."
A long pause followed.
"Do not make the mistake of thinking you are different simply because you have not yet been tested," she said quietly.
The room felt smaller now.
"Set aside your emotions," she continued. "Set aside the insult you feel at my words, and look at this logically. Look at who benefits from your neutrality. Look at who has been guiding you toward it. Look at who gains when you do nothing."
The king's jaw tightened, but he did not interrupt.
