The laughter slowly ebbed between Heiko and Queen Alia, settling into something gentler—comforting, like the warmth of old familiarity.
Heiko shifted in his seat, glancing at the flickering hearth again before speaking, his voice tinged with quiet thoughtfulness.
“Mother… well, she wasn’t too thrilled when I told her about River.”
Alia let out a wry chuckle, unsurprised.
“Predictable.”
Heiko gave a small smile.
“But I was lucky. Father supported me from the very beginning. He didn’t even blink when I told him. Said, ‘If you like her, she has my blessing.’”
Alia’s expression softened, her smile suddenly more sincere.
“My brother Paul always had more sense than the rest of us. He always saw things with a clearer lens.”
She leaned back in her chair, a wistful look brushing over her f
