Hajin's hand froze halfway to the second letter.
The King's eyes hadn't left his face, and the intensity there made the morning light filtering through the windows feel colder somehow.
"Those are not standard documents," the King said, his voice still low but carrying perfectly across the table. "I wrote them myself. My seal, wording, and personal guarantee attached to your name."
Hajin felt something heavy settle in his chest, 'oh.'
He looked down at the letters again, suddenly aware that the wax seals weren't just decorative. The royal crest pressed into each one was a direct line from this man's hand to whoever read them.
"The guild master will read that recommendation personally," the King continued, leaning back slightly but not losing any of the gravity in his posture. "He will know I vouched for you and that I put my judgment on the line for a young man with no formal training, verified clears or family name backing him."
