The dining hall had been filled with the sounds of clinking silverware and quiet conversation until Queen Sansa cleared her throat. A hush fell over the table.
"You hadn't been in attendance at your sister's union," she said, her voice smooth but pointed. "Can I know why?"
No one needed to ask who she was speaking to.
Salviana instinctively glanced at Alaric.
She could feel the weight of the question pressing down on him, but he showed no visible reaction. Instead, he took a slow breath before answering.
"It was abrupt," he admitted. "I didn't know about it until this morning."
The queen's gaze didn't waver. "She left heartbroken. You should have been here for her."
Alaric swallowed, setting his fork down. He barely felt guilty, yet hearing it from his mother made it harder to ignore.
Genevieve had been sent away to an unfamiliar place, alone. And where had he been?
"When I can, I will visit her—with my wife," he promised.
