Frustration

The moment Aeliana entered the room, everyone straightened their backs.

All except for Azriel and Jasmine greeted the Crimson Queen with a bow of their heads and a thump of their right fists.

Mira was the last to enter, quietly closing the wooden door behind them.

Without so much as a glance at her two children, Aeliana walked past them toward her desk.

She wore a deep scarlet dress, the fabric flowing effortlessly with each step, complementing the fiery red of her eyes.

It draped over her frame with an almost otherworldly grace, adding to the presence she already exuded.

Azriel watched silently, pursing his lips as his mother sat down behind the desk.

She crossed her legs, her eyes sweeping over everyone in the room without a trace of emotion.

Lumine and Yelena shivered as they met her gaze.

When her eyes finally landed on Azriel, she narrowed them, carefully assessing his condition.