The Emperor stared at Elara, lost in a whirlwind of denial, his mouth working silently. "No… no, no, no…" he muttered frantically, hands trembling at his sides as the dark frost flickered erratically around his clenched fists. "That can't be right. If that's true, then everything—"
Elara sneered, her voice cutting through his panic like a blade. "Congratulations, Father. You were cuckolded—twice."
His head snapped toward her, eyes blazing with pure hatred. "You dare?"
"Wait." Elara tilted her head slightly, expression flat. "Are you actually an idiot? Do you really think I uncovered all this through investigation alone?" She paused, letting the words sink in. "Really, Father—if I were in your place, I would've burned the palace where my mother left me. What kind of fool leaves such obvious evidence alive?"
Confusion twisted his features, though a smug smile crept across his face. His hand remained raised, mana coiling around it like smoke. "Lies from a cornered—"
