THE ECHO AND THE WHISPER

Velma walked the long corridor back to her quarters, her mind swirling with emotions she didn't fully understand. She had turned away from Lucian's door after seeing Evelyn with him. It wasn't jealousy—it was something else. Maybe disappointment. Or maybe the weariness of carrying so much alone.

The echo of her own footsteps on the black stone floor accompanied her thoughts, until something made her stop.

The Queen's chamber.

She had never been near it before. Something about it always felt off-limits, sacred in a haunting way. But now, as she passed by, something caught her attention.

Voices.

She paused, heart pounding. It wasn't her intention to eavesdrop, but instinct overpowered etiquette. She took a cautious step closer, pressing her back against the wall beside the slightly opened door.

"What are we going to do?" a voice whispered urgently from inside. Azarath. Velma recognized the queen's voice instantly.

"If the king finds out…" Azarath continued. "What are we going to do about it?"

Another voice responded, low and hard to place. Velma didn't recognize it.

She leaned forward just slightly.

"The magic is wearing thin," the second voice said. "We have to act before it breaks."

Velma's breath caught.

Just then, a firm tap on her shoulder made her spin around.

One of the maids was behind her, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Were you eavesdropping?"

"No, of course not," Velma replied quickly, forcing a shaky smile. "I thought I heard something fall inside. I was just… concerned."

The maid looked at her for a long moment, then shrugged. "Well, the king wants to see you."

Velma blinked. "Me?"

"Yes. You. Now."

With that, the maid turned and walked off, leaving Velma reeling.

She swallowed. As she turned to go, her thoughts whirled. What was the queen so worried about? What magic? What truth couldn't the king find out?

Was it about her?

Or… about Daniel?

She headed toward Azarel's chamber, her hands trembling slightly. Her steps slowed the closer she got, her heart pounding like a war drum. As she approached the massive double doors, she took a deep breath, forcing her thoughts into order.

When she entered, the king was flipping through a dark, rune-covered file on his desk. His expression was stoic as always, but his posture was less rigid than usual.

He looked up as she approached.

"You," he said simply, closing the file. "You did diligent work earlier. You acted swiftly."

Velma bowed slightly. "It was nothing, my lord. I was only doing my part to protect the king."

Azarel studied her for a moment, then stood slowly. She felt the full weight of his gaze settle on her.

Just when she thought the conversation was over, he tilted his head.

"Earlier today," he said casually. "You muttered something."

Velma's breath hitched. "My lord?"

"A name," he said, walking toward her slowly. "You muttered… that name."

Velma's throat tightened. "What name?" she asked, trying to play dumb.

He leaned in, close enough for her to feel the chill of his presence.

"Daniel," he whispered.

Her eyes widened.

"No, my lord," she said quickly. "It was a slip of the tongue. Nothing more."

Azarel straightened. "Are you sure? It felt… familiar. Like I've heard it before. I've been trying to think… but I can't place it."

"You shouldn't stress yourself," Velma said softly. "It was just a name. A slip. Nothing more."

He stared at her, unmoving. Then nodded slowly. "Perhaps. But something… doesn't sit right."

She forced a smile, though her heart was sinking.

"There's something about you," he continued. "Something… strange."

She held her breath.

"Your scent. It's unfamiliar. Different. Like something I should remember."

Velma didn't respond.

Azarel turned away, returning to his desk, but the tension remained.

Behind his back, her hands trembled.

She had to be more careful. She had come too close.

And yet, she was certain now.

The queen was hiding something. And somehow, Daniel's true identity wasn't just a buried past.

It was a ticking bomb—one that was already beginning to crack through the surface.