Later that evening;
A heavy silence hung in the air of the private chamber inside the Garcia Palace.
Azzy leaned against the marble window frame, his gaze locked on the falsely bright sky, even though people were sleeping. The soft rustling of robes behind him let him know Leiza had taken a seat, with her expression unreadable.
Finally, he turned to face them, Leiza and Orion, both seated on the long velvet couch. "I… have something to tell you."
Leiza straightened. Orion just crossed his arms, brows furrowed, sensing the tension already.
Azzy exhaled and announced. "Today, I just found out that I have another son."
There was a stillness as if the whole palace itself held its breath.
Orion stood up abruptly. "Another what?"
Azzy held up a hand. "Let me explain…"
"No, no, please do, Dad," Orion snapped. "Go ahead and tell me how many more surprises you've got lined up. Another secret child? A second family? Maybe a third one on some other planet we haven't visited yet?"
