Umbra's words hung over the top of the tower like a rupture.
Not in space.
But in order.
The Umbral… didn't react immediately.
But it felt.
And that was worse.
Lyra and Seryth remained motionless for a brief moment, as if their minds—if they could be called that—needed a moment to reorganize the meaning of what they had just heard.
"My… husband."
The repetition came from Lyra first, her voice carrying something unusual.
Confusion.
Seryth tilted her head slightly, her violet eyes shining more intensely.
"Queen…"
A pause.
"...are you saying there is… a King?"
Silence.
Umbra closed her eyes for a moment.
A slow sigh escaped her lips.
It wasn't irritation.
But it wasn't patience either.
When she opened her eyes again, there was a weariness there that wasn't physical.
It was… existential.
"No."
The answer came directly.
Coldly.
"It's not like that."
But it was too late.
The two looked at each other.
And, in that single shared glance, something changed.
