[Music recommendation: Rok Nardin - It's Ok]
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Elara smiled coldly at Evelyn, exactly the way Evelyn remembered, a smile that once made her cower in fear. But now, it only made her want to wipe it off her smug face, just as she wanted to do to Viva.
Queen Elara fully expected Evelyn to respond meekly, just as she had in the past. Yet her smug smile slowly began to falter when Evelyn remained silent, as if she hadn't heard a single word she said.
As the silence stretched between them, Elara's smug expression twisted into one of displeasure. Her voice sharpened as she demanded, "Didn't you hear me, Princess Evelyn?"
Evelyn's lips curved into the faintest, coldest smile. "I heard you, Queen Elara," she replied calmly. "I was simply at a loss for words when you asked me to greet my parents….when I don't have any." Her sharp gaze shifted to her father. "Isn't that right, Your Majesty?" she addressed him almost like a taunt.
