Evelyn froze.Her lips parted, but no words came out. She shook her head slowly, as though trying to erase what she had just heard.
"No… that's not…" Her voice cracked, and she clutched her chest. "That doesn't make sense."
Caelen and the others stood just as stunned, unsure how to even react. Emma's eyes darted nervously between Evelyn and the queen, while Lucy gripped her wrist like she needed to steady herself. Silver only frowned, quiet but unsettled.
Evelyn finally found her voice again, louder this time, sharp with disbelief."I don't understand this! You're his mother? You? That's insane just saying it out loud!"
Her anger filled the chamber, but she could not deny the weight pressing against her. Everywhere she had gone since coming here, the elves had recognized her as one of their own. Even the queen, before knowing her name, had sensed the truth. She couldn't run from it.
