Nyella stepped closer to Lord Edgar. Her voice trembled as she asked, "What do you mean by that? That the throne is lost?"
Lord Edgar was still on the floor, his body shaking as he sobbed. He could not bring himself to utter the words.
"You are scaring me right now," Nyella pressed him. "Please, my lord, tell me something. Explain what you just said."
Lord Edgar struggled to find his voice. When he finally spoke, it was weak and broken. "The King… the King…"
Nyella screamed. "The King what, my lord? The King did what?"
Lord Edgar lifted his head slowly, his face wet with tears. "The King is dead," he said at last.
The room fell into silence as everyone froze.
Nyella staggered two steps back. "No… no," she whispered. "I do not believe you. I refuse to believe you. The King is dead? That King is my father. Do you realize what you are saying?"
"I know, your highness," Edgar said with deep sorrow. "I know. But it is true. Your father, King Tharyn, is dead."
