Silence settled over the room, heavy and suffocating. Richard stared at the meal in his hands, his grip tightening slightly as if it were an anchor in a storm.
His heart raced, and his mind felt like a battlefield of conflicting emotions.
Finally, he nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "She is."
His words landed like a thunderclap, reverberating through the room.
Duchess Mors gasped, stepping back as her hand flew to her mouth. Her face paled as fear and disbelief danced in her eyes. "The princess?" she whispered.
Duke Mors' expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he processed the revelation.
"Richard," he began, his tone low and grave, "do you understand what this means? This bond... it's not just a union. It ties you to the most powerful and scrutinized family in Sirius. And with your history..."
Richard flinched, his father's unspoken words cutting deep.
