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Heiko sat slumped in the armchair across from Alia, his usually sharp and battle-ready posture now slackened with exhaustion. The weight of the revelations pressed down on his shoulders—the truth about River’s origins, the prophecy, the uncertainty of her path. His elbows rested on his knees, hands locked loosely as he stared blankly at the flames dancing in the hearth.
Alia studied him with a softness few ever got to see from the Iron Queen. After a long moment, she spoke gently.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. Honestly… when I heard that you had chosen to mate with an omega, I was shocked. But also…” —her smile softened— “I was happy for you. You were so lonely, Heiko. For so many years.”
He didn’t lift his eyes, but his fingers flexed at her words.
“The heaviness of your curse,”
