Soraya's POV
The world seemed to tilt after she said it again—my mother's name.
"Remi."
My lips parted, but no sound came out at first. My heart thundered so loudly in my ears I was sure the entire corridor could hear it. Every instinct in me screamed to run, to hide—but I stood frozen.
"I'm not Remi," I finally said, forcing the words out through the tightness in my chest. "I'm Maria… one of the new employees."
As tradition demanded, I dipped into a quick, respectful bow. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The queen didn't respond at once. She simply stared at me—slowly, intently—like she was trying to peel back my skin and look underneath it. Her eyes moved over my face, lingering on my eyes, my nose, the curve of my cheek. The longer she looked, the more uncomfortable I became.
Sor shifted uneasily inside me.
Then footsteps echoed from the corridor behind her.
"I see you've met my mother, Maria."
I turned at once.
