Beneath the Gilded Rule
When her turn came, she didn’t stand.
“Briarcrest teaches us that order is neutral,” she said calmly. “Those rules exist outside power. They don’t. Every rule chooses who it protects.”
Murmurs rippled.
Alaric spoke next.
“Rules are tools,” he said evenly. “They’re only as moral as the hands that wield them. Without enforcement, ideals collapse into noise.”
Nyx glanced at him.
“And without challenge,” she added softly,
“enforcement becomes tyranny.”
For a moment, the room held its breath.