I frowned.
"What?"
Lily stared at me as though she couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
"You really don't know?"
A strange feeling settled in my stomach.
"Know what?"
Lily's lips trembled.
"The rumors."
"What rumors?"
For a moment, she simply looked at me.
Then she laughed.
A small, broken sound.
"Of course."
Her eyes lowered.
"Of course you wouldn't know."
My patience snapped.
"Lily."
She flinched.
"Tell me."
For a second, it looked like she wanted to.
Like she desperately wanted to pour everything out.
But then her gaze shifted toward the castle.
Toward the servants.
Toward the guards.
Toward the world around us.
Slowly, she bit her lip.
The tears returned.
"No."
"What do you mean no?"
She bowed deeply.
"Forgive me, Lady Seraphina."
My brows furrowed.
"Lily."
But she was already stepping back.
"I've said enough."
"Lily."
She didn't stop.
Didn't turn around.
Didn't explain.
And just like that—
