The room fell silent.
A silence so complete that Ariana could hear the frantic beating of her own heart.
For several moments, she simply stared at her mother.
Certain she had misheard.
Certain those words could not possibly mean what they sounded like.
Then finally—
"What did you say?"
Queen Augusta looked away.
As though she could no longer bear meeting her daughter's eyes.
Ariana took a step forward.
"No."
Her voice trembled.
"No, Mother."
Augusta's fingers tightened around the edge of the table beside her.
"Ariana—"
"What do you mean I will die?"
The question echoed through the chamber.
Sharp.
Demanding.
Desperate.
Serena stood frozen near the door, her face pale.
Even she looked shaken.
Ariana's blue eyes burned with confusion.
"Explain it."
Augusta remained silent.
And somehow that silence terrified Ariana more than any answer could.
Because her mother looked afraid.
Truly afraid.
Not of Alexander.
Not of war.
Not of kingdoms.
Something else.
