Chapter 65: Tomorrow

In the grand throne room, Nikolai materialized right before his father’s throne. His arrival was marked by a deep frown that he cast upon Alexander, who was watching him with a stern and solemn expression. Nikolai stood on the stairway leading up to the throne, his arms folded tightly across his chest. Behind him, a group of elders observed the exchange with a mixture of curiosity and disapproval. "General Baryshnikov is second in command to Yakim. His death was not necessary, Nikolai," Alexander said gently, trying to divert the conversation from his son's evident irritation. He glanced at Nikolai, noting the dark marks on his arms and the tattoo of a snake coiled around his neck. These marks were usually well-concealed, a habit Nikolai had developed from his mother’s teachings. Although Nikolai had always been somewhat insecure about these markings, his demeanor today seemed to defy that insecurity. "He doesn’t grasp the full extent of the conflict, Father, and I insist that someo