Hades
Jules stared at the genetic report, her eyes scanning the bolded lines again and again as if the words might rearrange themselves into something else.
SUBJECT: Ellen Valmont
PATERNITY MATCH: Darius Valmont – 99.9%
Her grip on the folder tightened.
The color drained slightly from her face, but she kept her expression carefully neutral. Almost.
I watched her in silence, leaning back in my chair, the smoke from my cigar curling slowly between us.
But I felt no satisfaction.
No amusement.
Just a quiet, unexpected sense of pity.
"Something wrong, Jules?" I asked, softer than usual. The edge in my voice was gone, replaced with something calmer.
Her jaw clenched.
"No, Your Majesty," she replied, but the hesitation in her tone was telling.
I let the silence stretch.
