Chapter 42: Listen and Heed

Ophelia was silent, her lips pressed together in a tight line as she struggled to find the right words. Rhaziel's recent statements had left her feeling as though her decision to remain in Celestia had been rendered meaningless. She stole a glance at him, noting the shift in his expression from an impassive gaze to one of wary concern. She quickly turned her head away, unable to hold his gaze any longer. Rhaziel let out an indignant sigh, clearly irritated by the tense atmosphere. Nikolai, who had been observing the scene with growing unease, raised an eyebrow and shot a glare at Rhaziel that was filled with unspoken threat. The air between them was charged with unspoken hostility. "I'll be leaving now," Rhaziel said, his tone laced with a hint of condescension. "Be prepared for your father's wrath." Nikolai rolled his eyes dismissively. "Fake affection," he muttered under his breath. Rhaziel's lips twitched into a near-smile, though it was far from pleasant. "Deal with it," he ret