"Wait… is that true?" Edeline whispered, her voice trembling.
The breakfast table had fallen silent. Edeline, Edward, Charles, Cassandra, and Seraphina sat frozen, dressed in their Royal Academy uniforms, staring at Oliver in disbelief. Oliver stood beside them, holding the letter Keal had left behind.
"He's joined the Leader of the Knights," Oliver said quietly, lowering the letter. "He said... he wants revenge for your mothers."
No one spoke. Edward stared blankly at the table, his expression heavy. Seraphina's lips parted, but no words came. Cassandra clutched the edge of her chair. Charles leaned back, as if trying to escape the weight of the words.
Eira, who had been silently preparing breakfast, placed the last plate on the table. Her movements were stiff, mechanical. She picked up the shotgun by the door, clearly ready to leave—until Oliver continued reading.
"There's more," he said, his voice low. "Keal wrote... if anyone tries to find him, he'll kill himself."
