Chapter 531: Restored

I followed Dad and my grandfather, Meira between them, Belkni gliding on the far side, to the back of the throne room and a private elevator I'd not seen before.

Ram stepped from the shadows, bowing to Dad. "Ruler," he said with great respect.

"Rameranselot," Dad said. "Mother told me about you." My father glanced at me before returning his attention to Ram. "I take it your loyalty is not in question?"

"Never, Ruler," Ram said, vibrating with tension.

"I wish that were true of me," Henemordonin said, a little sullen.

Ram didn't flinch, facing down the new Second Seat. "Ahbi saved my life," he said. "Raised and trained me as though I were her own. I owed her everything." His eyes met mine. "As I do her granddaughter."

Don't tell me he'd fallen into some kind of hero worship. Not after I abandoned him back at the Node.

My grandfather grunted softly and sighed. "She was a wretched old creature," he said, "but I loved her still." He set one hand on Ram's shoulder. "And I understand