"That's…"
For the first time, the crowned princess of the Germonia Empire faltered under the weight of his gaze.
Snow lowered her eyes, fingers tightening slightly around her lunch box.
The pressure in the air was heavy—far heavier than any battlefield she had stood on.
After a moment, she let out a slow breath, then another, steadying herself.
"…Alright," she said quietly. "I'll explain."
She lifted her head and spoke, carefully choosing her words.
She told Riley about the dream that kept returning.
About the mirror.
About the cold presence that felt like herself—but not quite.
About the strange certainty that something inside her had changed since the incident before.
And finally, she told him about asking Seo to strike her down.
About wanting to know whether that power would activate on its own… whether she was still herself.
When she finished, silence settled over the table.
Riley didn't speak right away. He simply watched her, his expression steady, unreadable.
