Raze walked into the office.
Inside were five figures. His dad sat across the table with a grim expression, looking as if he were being heavily pressured—and who wouldn't be, when the people sitting opposite him were Lady Rose and Queen Marine? Behind the Queen stood Mark and Sophia. She hadn't brought any security detail as the Queen, but she didn't need to. Mark and Sophia were captains of the Vermilion Knights Chapter. That alone was more than enough protection.
Raze bowed the moment he stepped inside. He greeted Her Majesty and Lady Rose politely.
Lady Rose spoke first. "It's nice to see you again, kid—when you're not running all around," she said with a small smile.
Raze let out a faint smile of his own, then looked at the Queen. She gave him a gentle smile and spoke.
"It's been a while, Raze."
