The room had gone still yet again, not tense, not shocked, just... quiet. It was the kind of quiet that came when truth finally arrived, not with drama or rage, but with gentleness and finality.
"Roman never meant to leave you hanging…" Ian said quietly, adding,
"He passed." The words landed softly, but their weight was immeasurable.
Geneva, proud, composed, the kind who kept her back straight even through storms, closed her eyes. It was just for a moment.
Then opened them again, glistening, though no tears fell. She nodded once, as if to say I hear you. I accept it. I already suspected it. No, I knew, but I needed someone to say it. Someone to confirm it. Given that Roman was a Fae and a royal at that, Geneva knew she might never have lived to find out about this piece of news.
"Thank you," she whispered, and her voice cracked like worn silk. "That was all I ever needed to know."
