The chamber seemed to shrink around them.
Sebastian stood completely still.
His father's words lingered in the air.
I'll tell you everything.
For years, Sebastian had wondered why certain questions about his childhood were always met with silence.
Why his father became uncomfortable whenever the subject of his birth was mentioned.
Why certain servants refused to look him directly in the eyes.
Why the oldest books in the royal library contained entire sections that had been torn away.
Why his dreams had always felt less like dreams...
And more like memories that did not belong to him.
He had always assumed there was a reason.
Tonight, he was finally going to learn it.
Sebastian's fingers tightened around Aliena's.
"Then start."
The King looked at him.
Sebastian's voice remained calm.
But his eyes did not.
"You said you'd tell me everything."
The King nodded slowly.
"I will."
He turned toward the great fireplace.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
