[Thorenvald Estate—Leif's POV—Continuation]
Silence.
That's all there was. No yelling, no fainting, not even a thrown teacup. Just… silence. The kind of silence that could peel the paint off walls and crawl under your skin.
I stood there, hands behind my back like a soldier awaiting his own execution, watching my parents' faces flicker between shock, disbelief, and error 404: comprehension not found.
Father finally exhaled, the sound heavy and tired. "Leif… are you—"
"I'm not joking," I interrupted softly before he could finish. My voice came out steadier than I felt. "I know it's confusing, but… that's who I am, Father. I don't like women. I like men. And I love Grand Duke Alvar."
Another silence. He didn't say anything. Neither did Mother.
Then she stood—too calm, too graceful for someone whose world just tilted sideways. Her teacup remained untouched, but her fingers trembled faintly as she placed it down.
"I… need to go to my room," she murmured, her voice thin as glass.
