Swimming in gold

The lingering silence that followed was palpable, echoing the weight of the recent outbursts from both the King of Sicily and the Despot of Epirus. The room, charged with tension, bore witness to the conflicting emotions and the turbulent undercurrents that defined the encounter between the captor and the captive. In that pregnant pause, the future of their interactions hung uncertain, as each participant grappled with the consequences of their words and the uncharted path ahead.

King Conradin, feeling the tension in the air, ran a hand through his hair, an internal acknowledgment of the momentary lapse in composure. A sigh escaped him, a subtle admission that the intensity of the situation had momentarily eroded the usual poise that defined his demeanor. The echoes of the recent exchange lingered, emphasizing the delicate balance between captor and captive in the conquered halls of Epirus.