Aiah spoke gently, but her voice carried across the quiet room.
"I think… after the ceremony, I'll speak with Princess Mikaela. About Velcro. About what they've done. Maybe she doesn't know everything."
There was a small pause, just enough for hope to breathe.
Then Isaac spoke.
"That conversation would be pointless."
His arms stayed crossed. His tone didn't change.
"Mikaela has a marriage pact with King Azar. Her father arranged it."
The air shifted.
Like someone had tugged the warmth out of the room.
Aiah stared at him.
"…How… how do you know that?"
Isaac didn't respond. He didn't look at her. His gaze drifted to the corner of the room, like it no longer mattered.
The silence stretched awkwardly until Elder Peter cleared his throat, his voice soft but steady.
"Let's not forget, Isaac came from Carreon."
Aiah turned her eyes down and gave a small nod.
"Right… he would know."
Elder Peter's brows lowered, the lines on his face drawing deeper with thought.
