River’s breath caught. “So… if they learn of me—of my existence…”
Paul’s eyes locked onto hers. “If Queen Victoria learns of you, River, there are only two possibilities. Either she will try to claim you — to drag you back and use you as a political symbol of atonement — or she will erase you, to cleanse the shame of your existence.”
The room fell silent.
River’s hands trembled on her lap, but Heiko reached out, steadying them with his own. “She won’t touch her,” he growled. “Not while I live… we have a powerful Kingdom…”
Paul looked at his son — proud, but tired. “I do not doubt your strength, Heiko. But do not underestimate the North. They command ancient forces, alliances older than our crowns. To provoke them blindly would be reckless.”
River lifted her eyes, voice barely above a
