Alistair Thorne, upon learning of Skyler's return, burst into the royal castle's dining hall after hearing the young man had left the underground chamber.
He was breathing heavily, having rushed back, abandoning his previous task, only to find an unfamiliar yet familiar man seated at the head of the dining table, surrounded by an array of delicacies, issuing orders to the servants as if he owned the place.
Alistair sighed in relief, then scoffed.
Striding into the grand hall, he made his way toward the long table, gleaming under the glowing chandelier. The air echoed with the clinking of silverware as he pulled out a chair and sat down across from Skyler. His sharp, probing gaze fixed on his body.
"Not even a greeting? On my way here, I observed the many missing items. The servants informed me that you've taken every gleaming object you saw."
Skyler placed his cutlery aside, meeting Alistair's gaze without a hint of remorse.
