For a brief moment after hearing the King's question, his right-hand man remained silent. The request had caught him off guard. Not because he doubted his loyalty to the King. That was never in question. What troubled him was the manner in which the King had asked. His Majesty had not commanded him. He had asked. And somehow, that made the question heavier.

The right-hand man stood several steps behind him, his expression deliberately relaxed, almost bored, as he considered how best to respond. The King, meanwhile, remained beside the glowing flower.

He gently brushed his fingers against its petals, though his attention was no longer on the plant. He...