The air felt heavier.
"Didn't I say?" he continued smoothly, almost pleasantly, like we were discussing the weather instead of dismantling my entire reality. "He's turned this kingdom into his chessboard. Everyone dances in the palm of his hand. He pits families against each other. Manipulates affections. Engineers tragedies. And while you're all busy fighting among yourselves… he positions himself to take control."
He let that settle before adding, softer this time, "Without anyone noticing."
My fingers curled slowly at my sides. Not in fear. Not even in anger. Well, not yet. It was instinctive. The kind of motion your body makes before your mind fully catches up.
"So you're telling me," I said, my voice lower now, steadier than it had any right to be, "that my father's death… wasn't random."
I could hear how controlled I sounded. Like I was holding something back with both hands.
"That your fall wasn't accidental." he said.
"That Charlotte—" I stopped myself.
