For a moment, no one spoke a word. The quiet in the room felt heavy... almost suffocating. Rin's eyes moved from his mother to the Marquess, then to Seraphina, who looked just as stunned as he was.
Auren was the first to break the silence. His voice was low and rough, like it had aged with guilt.
"...Elyria."
Elyria blinked slowly, as if she wasn't sure he was real. "Auren," she said softly, before adding...
"It's been... a long time."
Seraphina turned sharply to her father, confusion flashing in her eyes.
"Father? You know this woman?"
The Marquess didn't answer. His hand trembled slightly before he hid it behind his back. Rin noticed the gesture... the same kind of hesitation he'd seen in nobles hiding something. Not just him. He was sure his mother was hiding something, but she was good at hiding her emotions, or maybe she had no emotions to show.
Elyria smiled faintly, breaking the thick air.
