[: 3rd POV :]
The hall was silent.
Not even the flicker of the candles dared to whisper.
The world itself seemed to have stopped, holding its breath for the reunion of two souls bound by blood, time, and tragedy.
Caelira stood beside Daniel, her cheeks streaked with tears.
She looked between him and the Empress with her heart swelling with emotions too heavy to describe.
She chuckled softly through the tears, trying to lighten the atmosphere despite the trembling in her voice.
"Daniel…" she murmured, brushing the corner of her eyes.
"It feels strange saying this, but… the Empress… she's your mother."
Daniel blinked, his eyes widening just slightly.
His lips parted but no words came out.
Caelira's laughter was soft and broken, filled with a bittersweet ache.
"Heh… to think that the boy we raised, the boy who saved ys, turns out to be he son. It's almost unbelievable, isn't it?"
