[Imperial Palace — Guest Chamber — Continuation]
Silence did not fall; it pressed. Heavy, breathing and watching. Aelira's voice lingered in the air—fragile, trembling, desperate.
"…Brother-in-law… he… he is trying to kill me, brother."
No one moved, not Varesh, not Sharukh, not even the air itself dared to shift, because the moment those words left her mouth—something changed.
Levin stood still, not shocked, not confused. Just… still. His gaze rested on her—not as a brother, not as someone who had once shielded her from truth—but as someone who was finally seeing.
Truly seeing.
"…Trying to kill you?" His voice came soft and it did not carry warmth.
Aelira nodded quickly, crawling slightly forward despite her trembling limbs, "Yes… yes—he—he suddenly attacked me—I don't know why—"
Her voice cracked perfectly, placed, desperately fragile, but Levin's eyes did not move, not even once.
