Florian inhaled sharply, steadying himself before speaking. His voice came out measured, careful—
"Levi, your brother… he… passed away."
Leila's reaction was immediate—her eyes widened, lips parting as if to say something, but no words came.
She didn't cry.
She didn't collapse.
She just stood there, unmoving.
Then, after a brief pause, she asked, "What happened?"
Her voice was calm. Too calm.
Florian's stomach twisted.
'She's… okay? No. There's no way. She's a teenage girl—maybe sixteen, seventeen. Even if this world is different, she has to be holding it in.'
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to focus.
"A week ago, one of the king's harem members was kidnapped on his way here," Florian began, choosing his words carefully. "Your brother… happened to meet that member. And he helped him. The prince, I mean."
His thoughts tangled together as he tried to explain. He hadn't expected to feel this nervous.
