She remembered clearly how Arceus had intervened during the earlier conflict, persuading others to withdraw the case. At that time, she had possessed neither Noah's full combat capacity nor the attack helicopter. If Xander Cross had arrived then, she would have been forced into hiding or escape.
Arceus had altered that trajectory.
Yet Kiara lifted her chin slightly.
"I do not regret defending myself," she added firmly before he reacted to her apology. "No one may trample on my dignity or threaten my family. Not nobles. Not ministers. And Not even the Emperor."
Arceus listened quietly.
"I understand," he replied after a moment. "I blame the circumstances, not you. In this Empire, respect is granted for strength and status, not character."
His words carried no accusation, only weary truth.
Kiara felt a flicker of discomfort at hearing her own worldview reflected so plainly.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
The tension eased.
