****************
CHAPTER 127
~Author's POV~
Meanwhile… Titania walked ahead, keeping her posture poised and regal despite the wild terrain. Marianne struggled to keep up, her boots sinking slightly into the mossy forest floor as they entered a quiet grove—bathed in soft violet light, a place that felt... suspended from time.
When Titania finally stopped, she turned with a fluid sweep of her arm and looked down at Marianne.
"Show me what you saw."
Marianne hesitated, then reached into the folds of her sleeve and produced a rough sketch, hurriedly drawn. On it was the tear-shaped gem—the necklace. She had traced its outline from memory.
Titania took it, staring at the image for a long moment.
Then her lips parted.
"It's real."
Marianne frowned. "So… the rumours—"