After a moment, she opened them again, looking surprised.
"You're... remarkably clear. Most people's magical resonance is clouded with layers of deception, social performance, hidden motives. Yours is almost transparent." She tilted her head. "You meant what you said. About not feeling emotions, about the strategic marriage, about respecting my father. All of it was genuine."
"Why would I lie?"
"Most people lie constantly. Little social lies to smooth interactions, bigger lies to protect themselves, layers upon layers of performance." Helena sat back down. "You don't do that. You just... state facts and observations without filtering them through social expectation. It's oddly refreshing."
"That's what the Medical Council said. Eventually. After they determined I wasn't mentally deficient."
"The Medical Council evaluated you?" Helena looked alarmed. "Why?"
Duke Romian explained the First Consort's attack and Elara's successful defense.
